Public Periscope

Next up: Bridge for sale in Brooklyn

City Real Estate Director Dennis Berringer recently detailed for the council a plan to buy property for the Division Street widening project. “And who pays for that?” City Manager Roger Crum asked. “The state,” Berringer replied … That answer apparently satisfied the council, but didn’t sit well with two of the group’s harshest critics … “And who pays for that?” Dick Adams reiterated in a whisper. “The state pays for that,” buddy Ron McArthur deadpanned. “So, there’s no taxpayer money in there at all,” Adams said, planting his tongue firmly in his cheek. “None,” McArthur said.

Welcome to politics, Mr. Roskelley

New Spokane County Commissioner John Roskelley had a political baptism last week. His call for higher greens fees on county golf courses, and his label of golfers as “wealthy,” brought the mountain climber-turned-politician an avalanche of angry calls the next day … About 35 constituents had some harsh suggestions for Roskelley, including some demands that are physically impossible. “I answered all the calls,” he said. “Most of them were really nice people” … Commission colleague Steve Hasson, himself no stranger to controversy, chuckled: “John’s walking around in a daze.”

But officer, Newt and Bill say it’s OK

Even though Congress now lets states set speed limits as high as they want, drivers beware: Changes will require numerous studies in Washington and Idaho. Anyone caught driving over the posted speed limit can be ticketed before then, Washington Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison warned recently … Over in Montana, drivers now are ticketed only if they are driving faster than is “reasonable and proper,” a Montana Transportation Department spokesman said. Drivers - and the state troopers who pull them over - will be defining those terms. The Montana rules apply only in daytime. After sunset, the limit is still 65 mph on some highways, 55 mph on others.

Go figure

Steve Hasson has never possessed what Winston Churchill once called “a slavish devotion to consistency,” so perhaps we should not be surprised by his support for the smoking ban in restaurants … He once opposed another county ban proposed for another potential environmental ill, the one on phosphates in detergents. That was back in 1990, and Commissioner Pat Mummey was pressing for the phosphate ban, which water quality experts said would reduce algae blooms in Long Lake. (They were right, it seems.) “I do not believe the few pounds of phosphates represents a dire threat,” he said back then … Mummey took the ban to the health district board, which received strong public support for the ban, and Hasson eventually voted for it … In fairness, it should be noted that Hasson’s father didn’t suffer the ill effects of phosphates and algae; he died of lung cancer.

Republicans rearrange

With their former chairman Duane Sommers off to Olympia, Spokane County Republicans gathered earlier this month to reorganize. The new chairwoman is Charlotte Karling, the former vice-chairwoman, who runs a graphic design business … Robert Blum, a military retiree from the Valley, won the No. 2 spot in a close race.

Getting involved

The VA Medical Center could use some volunteers willing to transport vets to the North Assembly facility for treatment. A good driving record is all that’s needed; VA center provides the training and the vehicle. Call VA Voluntary Service at 327-0250 for info.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about government, growth or development, we’d like to help find an answer. Write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a TouchTone phone, the press 9120 to leave a message. or use jimc@spokesman.com for e-mail.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot Topics Tonight: The Boundary Review Board hears a proposal to form Lilac Valley, a proposed city of 75,000 in the Valley, 5:30 p.m., Valley Fire Station No. 1., 10319 E. Sprague.