Spokane City Council District 1
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Spokane boosts City Hall security with police lieutenant
A Spokane police lieutenant was shifted to City Hall last week to augment contract security guards there. City administrators say the move has been recommended for years by police, who have analyzed security at city headquarters, a former Montgomery Ward building overlooking Spokane Falls.
Mayor seeks greater control over police, fire department slots
During Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris’ 12 years in office, all three of his kids got county jobs – including one who worked in economic development despite filing for bankruptcy three times. That probably wouldn’t have happened at Spokane City Hall, where a voter-approved, century-old Civil Service system examines the abilities of applicants for nearly all city jobs.
Race heating up for McLaughlin’s Spokane City Council seat
Race heating up for McLaughlin’s Spokane City Council seat
Rules tightened on adult stores
Some neighbors of Hollywood Erotic Boutique say that the porn shop on North Division Street has changed the way they live. Lynda Parry, for instance, no longer feels comfortable walking to Walgreens.
Mayor: Hold line on urban growth
Spokane Mayor David Condon and three City Council members oppose expansion of the county’s urban growth area, saying it would add an unnecessary financial burden to taxpayers. In a letter dated Wednesday, Condon was joined by Council President Ben Stuckart and council members Amber Waldref and Jon Snyder in calling for holding the line on the existing urban growth boundary.
Spokane pot businesses on hold
The number of businesses in Spokane specializing in medical marijuana will be frozen at about a dozen for at least the next six months. Fearing the proliferation of businesses that sell pot before Washington even finishes crafting regulations for the state’s new legalized recreational marijuana industry, the Spokane City Council on Monday instituted a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries and related businesses.
Clark: Hey, Fagan, civility isn’t a part-time responsibility
Advice for any elected official wanting to be taken seriously: Try not to call the governor “a lying whore.”
Council candidate’s residency questioned
A candidate for Spokane City Council who already has the backing of two other elected leaders may be ineligible to run. Mark Hamilton, the pastor of the former Spokane Christian Fellowship and a real estate broker for Soleil Real Estate, was registered to vote at an address outside city limits when he cast a ballot in November’s general election, which could complicate his efforts to assert he meets residency requirements.
Condon weighs in on Fagan letter
Condon weighs in on Fagan letter
Allen, Salvatori call on Fagan to apologize
Allen, Salvatori call on Fagan to apologize
Crime at empty center threatens schools deal
Thieves ravaged the Joe E. Mann Army Reserve Center in the fall, leaving just a shell of the original facility and prompting the buyer – Spokane Public Schools – to suggest withdrawing from the deal, school officials said Monday. “The damage is so extensive that the buildings would have to be demolished,” Associate Superintendent Mark Anderson said. Instead of $738,000 – the approximate price the district was prepared to pay – “it would cost about $3.7 million.”
City draws map of pot areas
Spokane leaders on Tuesday got a glimpse of where the first pot for recreational use might be grown or sold legally within city limits. The map is heavily dominated by areas north of Interstate 90 and east of Division Street, especially east Hillyard, along East Trent Avenue and several commercial areas north of Francis Avenue.
Spokane legalizes pot possession
Spokane legalizes pot possession
Spokane council to vote on legalizing marijuana
The Spokane City Council votes Monday to change the municipal code to legalize small amounts of marijuana to conform with Washington law.
Council members break email rules
Two Spokane City Council members have apologized for using their city email accounts to send campaign messages. Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart and Amber Waldref sent electronic newsletters to supporters that included their opinions on the three proposed measures that will be decided by voters in the city’s Feb. 12 special election.
City Council debates right to debate gun laws
City Council debates right to debate gun laws
Why doesn’t this tax plan require a supermajority?
Last year, voters in Washington approved Initiative 1185, a measure requiring supermajority votes of two-thirds to raise taxes in the Legislature. Voters approved I-1185 with a not-quite-supermajority of 63.9 percent.
Ombudsman power in the mail for vote
The Spokane City Council has tried several times over the past two decades to craft a police oversight system with teeth. Now it’s the citizens’ turn.
Voters to decide whether 5-2 split needed on taxes
Spokane’s Proposition 2 is a way to ensure strong consensus on important issues or a strategy for a minority to seize control from the majority. That’s the debate among Spokane officials about the proposed requirement that tax increases earn at least five of seven votes on the City Council for approval instead of four.
Spokane opts for SCRAPS contract
After 30 years, SpokAnimal will no longer serve as the city of Spokane’s animal control agency. The Spokane City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a 20-year contract to join the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service beginning in 2014.