Incorporation Backers Testy Over Opposition To Proposal

The latest incorporation drive kicked off Monday with the vim and vigor that historically accompanies such events.

But a touch of desperation spawned by three previous defeats brought out hostile emotions in some incorporation proponents that nearly ended the meeting prematurely.

The state Boundary Review Board sponsored the orientation at the Spokane County Library on Main Avenue.

During the first part of the meeting, members of the groups that want to form five separate cities in the Valley sat at tables and answered questions about their proposals.

Volunteers from the League of Women Voters stood nearby and recorded residents’ comments regarding the plans.

Many were in favor of forming the cities.

Some people told the volunteers they wanted more control and better representation in local government and said creating cities was the best way to accomplish that.

Others said they thought their taxes would go down and their services would get better if their neighborhoods incorporated.

Other people told the volunteers they thought creating the cities was a bad idea.

One person said he doubted that the tax base would be sufficient to support the five towns.

Another said it would be better for the Valley to annex to the city of Spokane.

Many in the crowd of nearly 75 - most of them long-time, hard-core incorporation supporters - murmured their approval or applauded when the volunteers read aloud favorable comments.

They shook their heads and muttered when the negative comments were read.

That’s all typical incorporation meeting behavior.

But many proponents became unruly - ugly at times - during the second half of the meeting, and Boundary Review Board chairwoman Sally Reynolds warned that she would call the meeting off if they didn’t behave.

Rambunctious applause and cheers followed people who spoke on behalf of forming the five cities.

“What we’re after here is representation,” proponent John Wittemberg said.

Tony Lazanis received nods of approval when he said incorporation was the best way to “preserve our neighborhoods, our lifestyles.”

Incorporation proponent Arne Woodard received “attaboys” and support as well when he talked about why Valley residents should reject a proposal to consolidate Spokane city and county governments and vote to form their own cities.

“The Spokane Valley thinks differently than the people of Spokane,” Woodard said. “They always have.”

But the crowd yelled questions during Valley Fire commissioner Ray Allen’s presentation.

Allen explained that the proposal to form five cities could have adverse impacts on the fire district and might postpone the construction of a new station at Liberty Lake.

Many weren’t happy to hear that, and after the meeting four men confronted Allen and accused him of trying to scuttle their efforts.

One man called Allen’s remarks “a damn dirty trick.”

They angrily shouted down incorporation critic Bob Blum when it was his turn to speak.

Blum, when he could get a word in, said the reason most people want a change in local government is to get better services - like more police and road maintenance.

“More services are going to cost more money, whether you’re in a city or not,” said Blum, prompting boos, hisses and catcalls from the audience.

Reynolds twice pounded her gavel during Blum’s speech and told the crowd to shut up.

“Under state law, we have the authority to disband this meeting if the crowd is unruly,” said Reynolds, who was clearly upset. “Give the gentleman your attention.”

Blum was able to finish and suggested that the proponents’ attitude wasn’t helping their cause.

Valley voters have rejected incorporation attempts three times since 1990, including earlier this year. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SEEKING SIGNATURES People who propose forming five cities in the Spokane Valley - Evergreen, Opportunity, Hillcrest Park, Dishman and Park Place - now have six months to gather the signatures necessary to get their proposals on the ballot. They must compile the signatures of at least 10 percent of the registered voters living within the boundaries of each of the proposed cities to qualify for an election. The state Boundary Review Board will schedule public hearings for those that are successful and an election will follow. Proposals that don’t get the necessary number of signatures will die.