Public Periscope

Don’t call us, we’ll call you

Out of work? Got a great resume? Don’t come calling at the County Courthouse…County commissioners voted last week to extend the county’s hiring freeze another 30 days. Exceptions may be possible for someone able to straighten out the problems in the assessor’s office.

Anderson’s job hunt

Speaking of that possible job in the assessor’s office, City Councilman Chris Anderson was doing his level best to make sure commissioners know he’s still interested….Last week he sent faxes to the news media to answer some of the questions he said reporters have raised about his letter to Commissioner Phil Harris seeking the deputy assessor’s post. He believes he has the trust and credibility to correct the problems, if his offer isn’t met with opposition from “entrenched bureaucrats”…Of course, those media inquiries probably were prompted by a previous fax from Anderson, in which he shared his letter of application to Harris with reporters.

A shoulder to cry on

Kay McGlocklin has been active in many successful campaigns, but she is having some bad luck at election night bashes. She was shown comforting Joe McKinnon last Wednesday in a Spokesman-Review photo, when the incorporation victory party turned wakelike…Political cognoscenti may recall McGlocklin’s last front page appearance from an election party. She was seen comforting then-mayor Sheri Barnard on primary night as her honor finished, in the words of the headline, dead last.

Ideas of Marketplace

Is the asparagus crisp? The vendors grouchy? The site appropriate? The city wants to know what shoppers think of the Spokane Market Place, which recently moved into Riverfront Park on a trial basis… Send comments to the Park Board, 7th Floor, City Hall, Spokane, Wash., 99201-3317.

Up against the wall

How seriously do security guards at Spokane’s federal courthouse take the threat of terrorism? One recent visitor was told to leave his key chain in the lobby because it was attached to a Swiss Army knife. The weapon in question had a 1 1/2-inch blade, a fingernail file, a plastic toothpick and tweezers.

Family affairs

Now that Ward and June have been replaced by Roseanne as America’s parental standard, you may be wondering what’s next for families. If so, check out the Spokane Human Rights Commission’s event Wednesday evening… Families in the 21st Century will discuss everything from gay and lesbian parenting to interracial and intergenerational families at 7 p.m. at the West Central Community Center.

Getting involved

Latest openings on boards and commissions in the city include the Citizens Review Commission, which has four spots, the Chase Youth Commission, which also has four spots, and the Sports Entertainment Arts and Conventions Advisory Board, which has one vacancy. Applications and information available at the Mayor’s office, 5th Floor, City Hall.

Over at the courthouse, county commissioners have nine openings on the mental health advisory board for the county Community Services Department. Details available from Christine Barada, the department director, at 456-5722.

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