Public Periscope
A MarketPlace of ideas The Spokane Park Board and the Riverfront Park Advisory Committee are pondering this week whether to let the MarketPlace set up its farmers market near the Howard Street Bridge. Whether you think that’s a good idea or a bad one, you might want to stop by one of the hearings listed in “Hot topics.” … If it’s not a good idea, where should the community’s popular but homeless MarketPlace relocate? Owners of the old Schade Brewery building are looking at opening it as a public market, but there seems to be a dearth of other suggestions. … Whatever your opinion, “Public Periscope” wants to hear it. Call the number at the bottom of the column and leave a message with Cityline.
Official adopt-a-pet
Speaking of calls to Cityline, the “Public Periscope” received some interesting suggestions when it asked what animals should be paired with which elected officials if the Walk in the Wild zoo goes out of business. … OK, so “interesting” is being pretty kind to those hard-core haters of officialdom. Not enough jackasses to go around, said one caller. Divvy up a large colony of baboons, said another, who obviously is visiting a different zoo. … Our thanks to the caller who took the time to match the appropriate City Council member with a hyena, a vulture, a monkey, a snake, an old goat. We’ll leave it to your imagination as to which council member was paired with which animal.
Could this get any more complicated?
One of the more interesting twists in the prospect of Spokane County Commissioner Skip Chilberg resigning his post to take a seat on a state board is the bipartisan way he would have to be replaced. … County Democrats would nominate three possible replacements because Chilberg is a Democrat. But choosing among the nominees would be the job of the board’s two Republicans. … Think of the angst among Democrats as Steve Hasson, who used to be one of them, has that kind of power. If Hasson and Phil Harris can’t agree, the job of filling the seat would go to Gov. Mike Lowry, a Democrat.
Getting involved
Interested in drug abuse, growth, property values, water or weeds? Spokane County has a spot for you on a board or committee. Call the commissioners office at 436-2265 to inquire about any of the following positions: One opening on the Substance Abuse Committee. Apply by Friday.
One opening on the Board of Equalization. Apply by April 24.
Two openings for residents from Commission District 2 and one opening for District 3 on the Growth Management Steering Committee. Apply by April 24.
One opening in District 2 for the Water Quality Advisory Committee. The deadline is today but may be extended.
One opening for a southeast Spokane County resident on the Noxious Weed Control Board. Call 456-5777. xxxx Hot topics Today: The Riverfront Park Advisory Committee discusses the prospects of letting the MarketPlace use the Howard Street Bridge for its farmers market. 3:30 p.m. 7th Floor, City Hall. Tonight: The State Parks and Recreation Commission discusses a possible land swap involving a portion of Riverside State Park. 7 p.m., Building 17, Spokane Falls Community College. Thursday: City Park Board takes the MarketPlace proposal for another stroll around the park. 1:30 p.m., Council Chambers.
“Public Periscope,” published every Monday, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us at Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or you can leave us a message by calling Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone and pressing 9120. Cityline is a free service, but normal long-distance charges apply to calls from outside the Spokane area.