Public Periscope
Hot topics
Tuesday:The City Council meets over breakfast with the consultants who will explain how to spend money and set policy like the public wants. Breakfast, followed by a press conference, starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Opera House.
Wednesday:City Plan Commission expects a decision on the Moran Prairie annexation. Yes, they’ve said that before, but this time it seems likely to happen. It’s item four on the agenda for a meeting that starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, lower level of City Hall.
On the campaign trail to Boston
Former councilman Jack Hebner, who is helping organize an urban presidential primary this November, said CityVote planners may have found a way to draw the major presidential candidates to Spokane in October…Before voters in more than a dozen cities across the country take part in the Nov. 7 straw poll, the group will hold three televised debates. The second will be in Spokane…But candidates who want to be in on the third debate in Boston must participate in the second, organizers are saying. Boston is a much coveted forum because it’s next door to New Hampshire, the site of the first true primary…Speaking of CityVote, it seems Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes did more than inspire social conservatives during last week’s trip to Spokane. He also committed to returning to the city for the debate.
Double whammy
Developer John Clardy didn’t just lose his lawsuit against the Thorpe-Westwood neighborhood claiming the group defamed his character and interfered with his business. He also has to pay the group’s legal fees…Spokane Superior Court Judge George Shields ruled in late April that Clardy’s claims lacked merit. Just recently, he awarded the group $13,831.25 to pay for attorney Everett Coulter’s defense.
Where have we heard this before
Computers are allowing Democrats in Congress to save time ranting against Republicans. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently sent out strangely similar diatribes against new GOP freshman…Quoting their leader Martin Frost for such penetrating comments as “Newt’s Ninnies” going “down the road of human wreckage and devastation,” they apparently used a computer to fill in the appropriate representative’s name, then sent a release to newspapers…Unless Frost actually took the time to say the same silly thing about every single GOP foe, which would be even dumber than sending out fill-inthe-blank press releases.
Getting involved
The city has one vacant position on the Community Development Board, and two on the Bicycle Advisory Board. City residents only; applications, available at the Mayor’s office, due by July 7.
State Rep. Dennis Dellwo, D-Spokane, recently was named to a seat on the Washington Horse Racing Commission. It’s a non-voting position, but Dellwo said he still plans to put in a good word for Playfair with commission staff at every opportunity.
Because you asked
Question: Where can I get a copy of the proposed city-county charter?
Answer: Copies of the charter should be on hand at city halls of all municipalities, all city and county libraries, the county commissioners office and the county elections office.
, 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 Touch-Tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message.