Supporters Outspending Opponents

Supporters of the unified charter are outspending opponents more than 20 to 1, according to county election records updated last week.

With strong backing from businesses, the pro-consolidation group We The People has raised $206,538.

One contributor alone, the economic development group Momentum, gave $100,000. Other large donors include Washington Trust Bank, Washington Water Power Co. and The Spokesman-Review, each of which gave $10,000 or more.

More than $56,000 of the campaign money went to the public relations firm Alliance Pacific, which spent it on surveys, advertisements and promotional materials, according to campaign documents. Alliance Pacific also has donated $7,000 worth of labor.

The bankroll for We The People nearly mirrors the $208,000 the same group raised in 1992 to help convince voters to launch the charter process. Momentum gave $100,000 to that campaign, as well.

Two groups are fighting the charter.

We The Taxpayers has raised $5,465 for yard signs, advertisements and other expenses, county records show. Its largest contributions were $1,000 apiece from industrialist Raymond Hanson and the union representing Spokane firefighters. Inland Empire Innkeepers donated $750.

The second opposition group, Community Action Committee, raised $2,964 and has spent most of it on billboards. The group advocates Valley incorporation, a cause that could be lost if consolidation passes.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS Here are the biggest donations to the pro- and anti-consolidation campaigns:

WE THE TAXPAYERS (opponents) All contributions of $250 or more. Raymond Hanson - $1,000 Spokane Fire Fighters Local 29 - $1,000 Inland Empire Inn Keepers - $750 Dick Behm - $550 Howard Herman - $500 Democrats For United Action - $250 TOTAL RAISED: $5,465

COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE (opposed) All contributions of $250 or more. Cecil Cleveland - $520 Tom Rogers - $500 Donald Kachinsky - $250 TOTAL RAISED: $2,964

WE THE PEOPLE (Supporters) All contributions of $1,500 and up. Momentum - $100,000 Washington Trust Bank - $11,182 Washington Water Power Co. - $10,000 The Spokesman-Review - $10,000 U.S. Bank - $7,148 Alliance Pacific Inc. - $7,000 R.A. Pearson Co. - $5,000 Lawton Printing - $3,355 Tidyman’s Inc. - $3,000 Telect - $3,000 Medical Services Corp. - $3,000 Inland Asphalt Co. - $2,500 First Interstate Bank - $2,000 Source Capital Corp. - $2,000 Valley Garbage Service - $2,000 Metropolitan Mortgage Co. - $8,770 Sunshine Disposal Inc. - $1,500 Spokane Recycling Products Inc. - $1,500 TOTAL RAISE: $206,538

The following fields overflowed: SECTION = THE PUZZLING QUESTION OF CONSOLIDATION