Public Periscope
Faith ‘n’ begorra
The American Ireland Education Foundation was ready to whack Spokane School District 81 with a shillelagh. The group suspected the district was discriminating against parades with Kelly green themes by banning bands from the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. … But Superintendent Gary Livingston is doing his best to assure the group there’s no anti-Irish sentiment. There’s no policy against St. Paddy parading, and some schools have indeed had bands among the leprechauns in the past. … Each school’s principal and band director handle requests independently, Livingston said, urging the group’s local members to call around. Big problem seems to be timing, he added. The mid-March parade comes when most students are preparing for indoor concerts.
Do they do takeout?
Everyone from Common Cause to the Republican National Committee seems to be kicking President Clinton for the Democrats’ latest money-making scheme. For a campaign contribution of a mere $100,000, donors are promised two meals with the president, two meals with the vice president, a spot on a foreign trade mission, daily faxes and a trained Democratic staffer to handle “personal requests.” … But with all this whining about influence peddling, no one seems to be asking the most important questions: Just what are they serving during these meals? And do they give you a doggie bag?
Candidates to your marks
Washington state is just one week away from the official start of the election season. Next Monday is the first day candidates can file for offices that will be on the ballot this fall. … In Spokane County, that includes one seat in the state House of Representatives for the 4th Legislative District, which is mostly in the Valley, as well as a Superior Court seat and one county commissioner position - for District 1, which covers much of the north side of the city and county. … If those jobs seem too intimidating or timeconsuming, there are dozens of other positions on city and town councils, school boards and water, sewer, fire and cemetery boards. In all, 116 offices are up for election this fall. … Deadline to file is 5 p.m. July 28 in the elections office.
Another drop in STA’s bucket
Far be it from the “Public Periscope” to discourage agencies from buying newspaper advertising. Besides, the Spokane Transit Authority spent only $14,500 on Saturday’s eight-page tabloid promoting the agency’s new $20.6 million downtown bus station. … The advertising cost pales compared with STA’s other expenses for the project, such as $72,000 for ficus trees, $75,000 for an indoor waterfall, $60,000 for Italian floor tiles (plus another $80,000 to make ‘em stick to the floor).
Enough to pay for more ads
Ron Tan, lead architect of the bus station, says he thinks STA might net $20,000 a year in coins riders toss into the center’s indoor waterfall. … That, from people who complain when bus fares increase 10 cents.
Courtin’ with our boy
Isn’t it enough that they’ve got the Statue of Liberty, a cool subway system and Donald Trump? New Yorkers now are claiming our hero, too. … The Associated Press reported that Air Force Capt. Scott O’Grady “came home” Friday to a warm reception in the Big Apple. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani even gave a key to the city to O’Grady, a pilot who survived six days in the Bosnian wilderness after his plane had been shot down. … O’Grady was born and spent his early years in Brooklyn but - and listen good, all you Knickerbockers - considers Spokane his hometown.
Getting involved
The city of Spokane has an opening on its Community Centers Advisory Board. Applications are available at the mayor’s office and are due by Aug. 4.
, 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 at The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message.