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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Jonathan Brunt

Jonathan Brunt

Current Position: Asst. Managing Editor (Govt)

Jonathan Brunt joined The Spokesman-Review in 2004. He is the government editor. He previously was a reporter who covered Spokane City Hall, Spokane County government and public safety.

Email
jonathanb@spokesman.com
Phone
(509) 459-5442

All Stories

News >  Spokane

City asked to condemn site

A downtown block could soon be condemned to build what's already there: parking. The Spokane Public Facilities District has asked the Spokane City Council to condemn land across from the Convention Center and INB Performing Arts Center so it can be used for parking and a future expansion.
News >  Spokane

Council OKs new animal control contract

The nonprofit group that informed the city two years ago that it wants to stop providing animal control services will do it for two more years. The Spokane City Council approved a 26-month contract with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. on Monday night.
News >  Business

Deal topples proposed condo tower

Spokane officials and a developer hope a new deal will scratch the proposed controversial condo tower that Peaceful Valley residents fought, fearing the shadow it would cast over their neighborhood. But a landowner on the other side of downtown says he's concerned the new agreement could cast another shadow – over the solar panels of what's been touted as one of the state's most environmentally friendly buildings.
News >  Spokane

Hession concedes election

Dennis Hession on Friday conceded the mayoral election to Councilwoman Mary Verner after a tense battle that turned the once political allies into bitter rivals. "I accept the voters' decision, of course, and I wish Mary Verner – and this city – every success," Hession said in a statement released Friday afternoon. "I have asked city employees to give Ms. Verner their full cooperation to enable a smooth and professional transition for the benefit of the citizens. This is a great city with a bright future, and I will always cherish my time as its leader."
News >  Spokane

Rush wins; Hession still trails

Mayor Dennis Hession gained a bit of ground on Councilwoman Mary Verner in the second day of counting, but Hession still has a significant gap to cover to keep his job. Meanwhile, Wednesday's new count totals were enough to convince Spokane City Councilman Brad Stark to concede to Richard Rush, guaranteeing three new faces on City Council next year.
News >  Spokane

Jubilant Verner in control

Challenger Mary Verner took a commanding lead in the Spokane mayor's race Tuesday night, pulling ahead of incumbent Dennis Hession by about 2,900 votes in the first night of ballot counting. If ballot trends hold, Verner, a member of the City Council, will take over the mayor's office later this month from Hession, who was appointed some 22 months ago.
News >  Spokane

Stark brochure doesn’t disclose funding source

A campaign flier for Councilman Brad Stark mailed to thousands of households in south Spokane this weekend violated state advertising rules. Stark's brochure is missing a required statement explaining who paid for it.
News >  Spokane

Zoning change proposal angers neighbors

About 40 residents have signed a petition expressing concern over a proposed zoning change applied for by Spokane City Council candidate Steve Corker and his fiancée, Helen Sandifur. Sandifur owns two parcels up for rezoning consideration at 18th Avenue and Ralph Street on which she built homes in 2001.
News >  Spokane

Pet license fees eyed

Substantial pet license increases could be on their way if approved by the Spokane City Council and the Spokane County Commission. In the city, administrators are proposing to almost double the rate for spayed or neutered cats to $15 a year. The cost for spayed and neutered dogs would rise by 67 percent to $25 – creating a rate higher than in any of the five largest cities in Washington.
News >  Spokane

Council OKs scaled-back subsidy plan

The Spokane City Council scaled back a proposal to extend tax subsidies to build apartments and condominiums in Peaceful Valley after several nearby residents said the plan would hurt the character of the historic neighborhood. Officials have been tweaking the multifamily tax exemption program for several months. Under the program, apartments and condos in approved areas can forgo paying taxes on new construction for eight or 12 years – depending if low-income housing is involved in the project.
News >  Spokane

Police probe alleged attempt to extort GOP state lawmaker

An alleged extortion attempt involving a state lawmaker and a reputed male prostitute is under investigation by Spokane police. Details surrounding the case remained sketchy Sunday, but authorities confirmed that it involves two-term state Rep. Richard Curtis, a Republican from the southwest Washington town of La Center, and there was some type of confrontation last week at Davenport Tower. The identity of the alleged extortionist was unavailable, though police confirm he is a reputed prostitute.
News >  Spokane

Hopefuls’ attendance similar

Although Mayor Dennis Hession criticizes challenger Mary Verner for missing "key votes" on the City Council, documents show both candidates have a 98 percent attendance record. Hession first leveled the charge in a campaign attack ad that began airing earlier this month: "And for dozens of key votes, Mary Verner didn't even show up," the ad says.
News >  Spokane

Some say mayor’s proposed rate cuts a political move

With election ballots in the mail, Mayor Dennis Hession announced Monday that he will propose 2 percent cuts in sewer, water and trash rates for next year. "What people are telling me is that the utility rates are having a significant impact on their ability to make ends meet," Hession said.
News >  Spokane

Candidates have much in common

In an atmosphere where mayoral candidates are accused of being lying, racist, flip-flopping scoundrels – and that's leaving out any accusations about mayoral spouses or their supporters – it can be hard to remember that Mayor Dennis Hession and Councilwoman Mary Verner actually share many of the same opinions on the biggest issues. “Both voted to settle the River Park Square funding controversy with the company that owns this newspaper.
News >  Spokane

Mayoral hopefuls vulnerable

Spokane's mayoral race started as a relatively civil affair with disagreements over management style, but it has evolved in recent weeks into a fight over decisions made or not made by Dennis Hession and Mary Verner. With ballots already mailed out and just over two weeks before the election, each candidate is likely to continue talking at forums and in ads about what they see as the other's vulnerabilities with voters.
News >  Spokane

Stark, Rush have different outlooks

He was the youngest person ever elected to Spokane City Council, but after a term in office, Councilman Brad Stark is in a tough fight to become the youngest member re-elected. Despite the power of incumbency and an edge in fundraising, Stark came in second in a four-way primary for the seat.
News >  Spokane

Community development chief named

Five months after the firing of Spokane City Hall's longest-serving administrator, a replacement has been hired to oversee the community development department. The Spokane City Council on Monday unanimously approved Mayor Dennis Hession's appointment of Teresa Brum, who has worked for the city for 13 years, as community development director.
News >  Spokane

Shogan, Lampert vie for council president

If the past is any guide, Barbara Lampert's attempt to beat Joe Shogan for Spokane City Council president will be a significant challenge. Not only has she lost an election annually for more than a decade, she's been defeated by Shogan before – by more than 50 percentage points.
News >  Idaho

Same subject, different perspectives

Eight artists sketched the same model Saturday afternoon, but none of their work looked the same. And that's the beauty of Art in the Making, said those who participated in the event at the Resort Plaza Shops in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
News >  Spokane

Stark resigns job to campaign for City Council

For the second year in a row, Councilman Brad Stark has resigned from his day job during a political campaign. Stark, who is running against neighborhood activist Richard Rush in the November election to maintain his seat representing south Spokane, left his position as the director of membership and marketing for the Associated Builders and Contractors on Oct. 1.
News >  Spokane

Pools focus of parks bond

So many letters of the Shakespeare quote on Comstock Pool's bathhouse are missing that the statement no longer makes sense. To supporters of a tax increase to make pool and park improvements in Spokane, the unreadable line serves as a reminder of the deterioration that could soon make the pools as useless as the letters on the bathhouse.
News >  Voices

GU gains street possession

Despite opposition from the Logan neighborhood, the Spokane City Council on Monday gave the go-ahead for Gonzaga University to take possession of four and a half blocks of city streets. The action, approved unanimously, means the streets will be turned over to the university as long as several city conditions are met.
News >  Spokane

Spokane may have buyer for Carlyle

The city of Spokane believes it has found a buyer for the downtown housing complex it took over last year to prevent displacing dozens of people with mental disabilities. Spokane has owned the Carlyle Care Center, 206 S. Post St., since purchasing it last year for $3.2 million.
News >  Spokane

Park bond watchdogs have duties clarified

The duties of a group that will act as a watchdog for money the city will get if voters approve a bond measure in November was simplified Monday by the Spokane City Council. The city is asking voters to support a $43 million bond measure to pay for new pools, a new park near Joe Albi Stadium and other items. The council formed the Parks Bond Citizens Advisory Committee last week as a way to provide citizens assurance that money raised by new taxes will be spent wisely. But the idea for the group barely passed on a 4-3 vote after a long debate.