Dan Hansen

1. Lila Howe, Republican 2. John Roskelley, Democrat 3. Ron Hormann, Democrat 4. Kate McCaslin, Republican

Martin Hall is still a go. But Spokane County won't risk its credit rating to borrow money for the planned regional juvenile detention center, county commissioners decided on a 2-1 vote Tuesday.

One of two Spokane County managers suspended this week for having an "earthy" on-the-job conversation also was suspended in 1994 for making profane and inflammatory comments. Jim Cotter, operations manager at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, was given a two-day suspension in 1994 for comments allegedly made to colleagues, according to county documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Nine Eastern Washington counties are moving ahead with plans to build a juvenile detention center at Medical Lake, even though the price has doubled. And because Spokane County has the best bond rating, officials from the other counties want it to do the borrowing for the project. Architects estimate it will cost about $5.5 million to convert Martin Hall into a 56-bed regional detention center. Estimates in January were $2.5 million to $3 million.

Spokane County commissioners decided Tuesday to regulate some pets that are creepy, crawly or wild. Over the objections of snake and cougar owners, Commissioners Steve Hasson and John Roskelley approved the county's first law governing ownership of "inherently dangerous" pets. Commissioner Phil Harris was out of town.

The man whose job is to help steer Spokane County government away from potential lawsuits will be sent home for four weeks for alleged sexual harassment. It is the second time in five months that Risk Manager Claude Cox has been suspended without pay. In May, he was suspended for three days for cronyism and lying during an investigation into his hiring of a friend.

FOR THE RECORD: 10-26-96 Friends of the Little Spokane River are asking Spokane County commissioners to limit development on land surrounding the river. A story about the Growth Management Act in Wednesday's Spokesman-Review indicated otherwise.

It's too early to count ballots. But if the measure is bucks, Kate McCaslin is the big leader in the race for Spokane County commissioner. Two seats are up for grabs on Nov. 5.

Spokane County employees appear ready for a massive walkout for the second time in three years, even though workers have ratified a contract, a top union official said. The odds of a strike "are over 50 percent," said Chris Dugovich, president of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees. "Close to 1,000 people's cost-of-living increase is tied up in court."

A Spokane County administrator who was suspended for misconduct five months ago is facing discipline again, this time for sexual harassment. Risk Manager Claude Cox is accused of making sexual comments about a woman at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.

Spokane County commissioners balked Tuesday at a plan to force restaurants to post their smoking policies at entrances. Warned that the proposed regulations may overstep county authority, commissioners voted to send the ordinance back to their attorneys for modifications.

Spokane County Commissioner Steve Hasson may face civil charges for violating a judge's order forbidding commissioners from moving ahead with a master contract for most of the county's 1,700 employees. Meanwhile, county employees, who are working without a contract, have authorized their union to call a strike, if necessary. "We're not putting any emphasis on that (strike vote)," said Bill Keenan, Spokane representative for the Washington State Council of County and City Employees.

Amway isn't just a soap company anymore. Vacuum cleaners, spark plugs, pet food, cosmetics and clothing are some of the 6,500 products the company offers.

While some recruiters claim big tax advantages by starting an Amway business, the Internal Revenue Service keeps a close eye on distributors who claim big deductions. Distributors can't deduct the cost of heating their homes just because they occasionally hold sales seminars in the living room. But they can deduct the cost of heating a room that is used solely for the business.

1. The house that Amway built. Ron Puryear envisions the completion of his 26,000-square-foot mansion on the Spokane River in Post Falls. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 2. A back injury helped keep Ron Puryear from becoming another jobless mill worker. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 3. A window in the Puryears' 26,000-square-foot home shows their dock, six jet-powered skis, cruiser and ski boat. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 4. At first, Georgia Lee Puryear was adamantly opposed to joining Amway. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

Spokane kids will be a lot warmer this winter, thanks to 6,500 Amway conventioneers. Urged by their leaders to share their wealth, Amway distributors fanned out from the Spokane Arena during Sunday's lunch break to help local radio stations provide coats for needy children.

Socialism began eroding American culture when the government started running schools, an Amway hero told 6,500 fans in Spokane. Bill Britt, a millionaire Amway distributor credited with pioneering many of the company's recruiting techniques, was greeted with a prolonged standing ovation as he took the stage Saturday at the Spokane Arena.

It's impossible to understand Amway without knowing the language spoken by distributors. Here are a few key terms: The plan. Amway's sales and marketing plan. Showing the circles. Demonstrating the plan to potential recruits using a series of circles representing Amway distributorships.

1. An attentive crowd listens to Ron Puryear talk about Amway. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 2. Shirley Mack of Spokane joined Amway a couple of months ago. "It's a business I can get into for a very reasonable cost," she says. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review 3. Rich DeVos 4. Jay Van Andel

Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George Bush are among the dignitaries who have spoken at national Amway conventions. Don't expect Bill Clinton, or any other Democrat, to join the list.

The odds are more than 8,000 to 1 against Amway distributors earning enough money to quit their jobs. Distributors are nearly twice as likely to draw four of a kind on their first hand of poker. Amway documents show that the average monthly income for distributors was $88 in 1995. That doesn't take into account the money distributors spend on motivational tapes, gasoline or conferences.

Soap products like these are now only a small part of what Amway sells. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

Creston Valley Wildlife Area's Summit Creek offers canoeists a gentle ride and the opportunity to observe elk, swans and other wildlife. Photo by Dan Hansen/The Spokesman-Review

Spokane residents who rejected a chance to change city government on Tuesday may get another opportunity next year.