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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Animal Control

Related Coverage, Page 6

Billboard sponsor unidentified

The person who paid for five billboards criticizing the Spokane City Council and Mayor Mary Verner for their decisions on water rates plans to remain anonymous. Five billboards were erected about a week ago and will stay up through October, said Tom Townsend, general manager of Emerald Outdoor Advertising.

Sewer rates should stand pat

A new report on Spokane County sewer charges may give ratepayers a sigh of relief. A consultant’s study shows no increase in adopted rates is necessary and small reductions are possible.

Mayor renews water rate debate

The long summer debate over water rates in Spokane apparently will extend into the fall. Spokane Mayor Mary Verner this week promised to float a new proposal on water rates even though the City Council already adopted fees for 2012 that Verner declined to veto.

Condon revises water rate ad

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Mayoral candidates focus on differences

One of the first debates between the two candidates for Spokane mayor – incumbent Mary Verner and challenger David Condon – focused on style. Condon promised to take charge of the bureaucracy.

Condon ad takes aim at water rates

Fresh off the Spokane City Council’s decision to raise water rates for next year, Spokane mayoral candidate David Condon released a new commercial this week attacking that decision. The ad so far is running only on YouTube, but he said it likely will hit TV airwaves as the election draws closer.

Price cuts draw extra pool revenue

Reduced prices and special offers paid off for Spokane County aquatic centers this summer. Parks Director Doug Chase and recreation manager Angela Simmons told county commissioners Tuesday that the new marketing strategy helped the county swimming program boost attendance and reduce its subsidy.

County edits shelter proposal

A proposal to build a new regional animal shelter will be a ballot “measure,” not a “proposition,” in the Nov. 8 general election. Spokane County commissioners approved a new designation Tuesday to distinguish their property tax levy from Spokane’s citizen-proposed Proposition 1.

Big Rock purchase allows for parking

County commissioners enthusiastically agreed Tuesday to buy Big Rock and build a parking lot. The deal to acquire the popular rock-climbing and hiking area and make it publicly accessible reflected years of effort by the Dishman Hills Natural Area Association and the county parks staff.

Condon calls Zehm case “indictment” on city government

Spokane mayoral challenger David Condon today called the city’s handling of the Otto Zehm case “an indictment” on city government, and called for greater police oversight as well as at least one dismissal from the city attorney’s office.

Ben Burr Road at issue again

On Sept. 13, Spokane County commissioners will reprise a 2007 public hearing on closing a section of Ben Burr Road to accommodate development. The proposal by Dave Black Properties faced strong neighborhood opposition four years ago, and commissioners unanimously rejected it.

County, Valley look at Spokane-less deals

Spokane County and Spokane Valley officials wondered Wednesday what their kennel would look like with only two big dogs. They agreed it’s time to start planning a solid-waste system that doesn’t include the city of Spokane, but stopped short of scuttling a ballot measure to build a regional animal shelter.

Cuts in projects lead to layoffs

The Spokane County Engineering and Roads Department laid off 13 engineering technicians Tuesday for lack of work. Perhaps three more professional staff layoffs were pending, subject to discussions with union officials, county Engineer Bob Brueggeman said.

Animal shelter tax gets boost from City Council

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Waste disposal costs to rise

Revisions in the contract for operating Spokane’s garbage incinerator would contribute to a proposed 10.2 percent increase in countywide garbage disposal costs. County commissioners directed their staff Wednesday to take a hard look at a suggested $10-a-ton increase in disposal costs, from $98 to $108. But they leaned toward approval of a three-year extension of Wheelabrator Spokane’s contract to operate the Waste-to-Energy Plant.

Bicycle helmet support resounding

Support for a bicycle helmet law in unincorporated Spokane County was overwhelming at a public hearing Tuesday evening. Several of some two dozen people who addressed county commissioners offered personal examples of the power of helmets to save lives.

Spin Control: Council president race in North Side voters’ hands

The race for Spokane City Council president would appear to be a tossup, particularly in many north Spokane precincts where a clear favorite has yet to emerge. No duh, you might say, considering that winner Dennis Hession got only slightly more than a third of the vote in a four-person field.