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Candidates on the issues: Jonathan Bingle and Naghmana Sherazi

By Adam Shanks adams@spokesman.com(509) 459-5136

  • Do you support adding fluoride to Spokane's water?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Sherazi supports adding fluoride to the city's water supply, saying it "does not cause the kind of repercussions" people are afraid of. She noted the dental health disparities caused by a lack of fluoridation in Spokane.
    • Jonathan Bingle No, not at least until there is a vote of the people.

  • Do you support eliminating single family zoning?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Sherazi does not support eliminating single family zoning. She would like to see multifamily housing constructed in places like atop the Northtown Mall, which she called a “win-win.”
    • Jonathan Bingle No, but there are ways to enhance single family zoning.

  • Do you believe city employees should be required to be vaccinated?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Yes. As a scientist, that’s what “logic dictates.” Sherazi said “it’s not a difficult decision, you have to step out of your own comfort zone and somewhere along the line and be mindful of others.”
    • Jonathan Bingle No. Vaccines have been good at reducing deaths, but they shouldn’t be required.

  • Do you believe the city should implement a plan to ban natural gas from new construction?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Sherazi called the draft sustainability action plan, which included such a proposal, a “great first step,” and that the intention was never an outright ban on natural gas. “Banning it altogether? I don’t think that’s what the objective was, creating efficiency was.”
    • Jonathan Bingle Absolutely not. The future of energy is the sun, but that time is not now. There could be significantly more deaths during cold weather if natural gas is not an option.

  • Would you have voted in favor of the most recent Spokane Police Guild contract?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Sherazi said she needs to do more digging into the police contract. She said that the city needs more police officers, but she does not support the purchase of equipment like armored vehicles.
    • Jonathan Bingle Bingle has not reviewed the contract, but supports officers getting the contract they deserve.

  • Is the police department adequately funded?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Sherazi said she does not want to provide police with a blank check and believes there needs to be more accountability. However, she said it’s also important that vacancies in the department are filled.
    • Jonathan Bingle Absolutely not. The city is more than 100 officers short of where it should be.

  • Should a City Council member view their role as a full-time job?

    • Naghmana Sherazi If it is going to be a full-time job, Sherazi said it needs to pay a full-time salary.
    • Jonathan Bingle While the City Charter says it is a part-time job, it requires more than part-time consideration and hours.

  • Do you support changing downtown Spokane’s one-way streets to two-way?

    • Naghmana Sherazi Sherazi said she would be open to looking at it.
    • Jonathan Bingle Bing said he needs to study the issue.