Follow the money

In his campaign for City Council this election cycle, millionaire Steve “Vacant Lot” Salvatori has employed the campaign strategy successfully used last year by ethically challenged County Commissioner Al French: plaster Spokane’s vacant commercial lots and vacant buildings with some of the largest campaign signs ever seen in Spokane.

As far as anyone can tell from the signs, only vacant lots and real estate companies (in particular NAI Black) actually support Salvatori, though a look at online Public Disclosure Commission figures shows that French has donated twice, while various real estate companies (Plese Realty, Kiemle and Hagood, Greenstone, etc.) and organizations as well as right-wing politicians (Nancy McLaughlin and Mike Baumgartner), businesses and individuals (Duane Alton, Murray Huppin, Marcus DeWood, and bank president Ezra Eckhardt) also bankroll Salvatori.

The other notable feature of the Salvatori vacant lot campaign? Judging from the signs, Salvatori goes nowhere without Condon – most Salvatori vacant lot signs are accompanied by one of David Condon’s absurdly dishonest “nonpartisan” signs, giving insight into what a Mayor Condon and a Councilman Salvatori, if elected, will do in concert with other pro-unbridled development politicians on the council and on the county commission.

David Brookbank

Spokane