Chilberg’s Calm Will Be Missed

Uncertain days lie ahead for Spokane County residents, and the board that governs them.

Not only is much of the county grappling with the thorny questions of incorporation, taxes and representation, but the most experienced, most temperate member of the Board of Spokane County Commissioners is departing for greener - and calmer - pastures.

Skip Chilberg was appointed last week to the Growth Planning Hearings Board for Eastern Washington. For $73,146 a year, he’ll hear disputes stemming from city and county growth planning decisions.

He’ll be missed. With Steve Hasson’s recent turnabout from Democrat to Republican, Chilberg was the lone Democrat on the commission this year. He often provided the sole rational voice against the team of Hasson and newly elected Phil Harris, who sides with Hasson on most issues.

Now, Hasson - known for his window-jumping, foot-in-mouth diplomacy - is the county’s elder statesman.

Spokane County Democrats, who will provide three people as candidates to replace Chilberg, have their work cut out for them. And that, in itself, is a scary statement, considering the disarray the party continues to find itself in after a contentious three years.

Still bruised from a bitter fight over racial slurs made by high-up party officials in 1992, the party needs to pull together to provide three candidates that serve the best interest of the county, not party politics.

Already things look suspicious. The process Democrats have set up to find their candidates doesn’t bode well: Anyone interested in the 1st District position must apply by submitting 10 signatures from precinct committee chairs. What better way to ensure an establishment pick?

Spokane County needs more than just party foot soldiers right now. Democrats need to appeal to their sense of a future. Find someone with fresh ideas, a strong resume, no skeletons in the closet. No clinkers in the bunch or the Republicans will surely pick the loser.

All this points to the inherent flaw in the way Washington picks successors to elected officials who leave or die in office. There has to be a better way.

Once we’re past this appointment, both parties should dedicate themselves to finding a fairer, representative way of choosing replacements. It would give them a chance to show their paramount objective is the same as the public’s: good government.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Anne Windishar/For the editorial board