When I was a young man, my mother would tell me to choose my friends wisely and that no matter what I said, I would be judged by the company I keep. Fast forward to the Spokane mayoral race on Nov. 5. Although I respect Nadine Woodward and Ben Stuckart for their passion to serve the people of Spokane, they run with a different crowd.

In times like these where the public is concerned with the political climate, it is important for people to know how to contact their representatives and senators. Everyone has two state senators, and one district representative.

On Oct. 10, the Spokane Alliance, a nonpartisan group of local churches, unions, community groups and members of the medical community, held a Candidates Forum on Housing and Homelessness. All candidates running for mayor and city council were invited to attend.

Just like the aluminum industry moved here for cheap power, the Northwest is attracting illegal and legal indoor pot growers.

Kudos to KREM, the Downtown Partnership, and the Civic Theater for holding a recent candidate forum. It was nicely done.

I have worked many years in downtown Spokane. The homeless issue is significant but there are other problems as well. Drug transactions are common around the bus terminal. Rarely is there any sign of police. Over the years Spokane has evolved from a can do city that hosted a World"s Fair to a city that at times seems third world.