Stratton method half-baked

Karen Stratton is making political hay out of her recent effort to advocate for gender pay equity at Spokane City Hall. She is eager to take credit for leading the charge to examine why gender pay is unequal.

She launched this effort by using an example to demonstrate that women are equal, and in 2015 should not be held to antiquated gender roles: a bake sale. Really? Stratton was quoted as saying she couldn’t believe we were still having this discussion. Yet, her chosen method of drawing attention to this issue and highlighting women’s progress was a bake sale.

To be fair, there does need to be analysis done as to why there is a gender gap in employment and pay at the city. But in Stratton’s rush to the front, she neglected to realize that most of the blame for the city’s gender pay gap lays with the system she defends, civil service. She touts the strength of the very system that allowed the gender gap to flourish.

Defend the system but denounce its results? We need someone with a broader view than a lifetime career in City Hall. Vote Evan Verduin.

Carolyn Williams

Spokane