Freeholders Taking Sides On Campaign

With more than two years invested in writing a proposal for city-county consolidation, Spokane County freeholders aren’t about to step aside now.

“The job isn’t over,” said Ed Sharman. “The great majority of us got swept up in this thing.”

The group of 25 freeholders disbanded in May after completing the task for which they were elected: writing a unified charter to present to voters. It will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Freeholders couldn’t campaign while they were in office. But several of them are taking up the cause - or opposing it - now.

Sharman and Carol Lawton are co-chairs of the pro-consolidation group, We The People. They, along with seven other former freeholders, have contributed money to the campaign.

Two former freeholders, Kathleen Nuffer and Kathy Reid, donated money and are co-chairs for the anti-consolidation group, We The Taxpayers. A third, Sue Kaun, often speaks as an opponent when the charter is debated.

Reid said she initially balked at joining the campaign.

“I felt that was the appropriate thing,” she said. “But when I saw so many others getting involved, I decided to get involved.”

Reid said she didn’t want voters to think all freeholders supported the charter. In fact, the group was split on whether to present the charter as a single proposal or in three tiers that allowed for less-sweeping changes.

, DataTimes