Campaign ‘95

Who’s who

Not a sign of the times. Some folks who consider themselves politically astute were shocked last week to see state Sen. Jim West’s visage smiling down at them from a billboard at Second Avenue and Stevens Street. He just got himself re-elected last year, they rightly reasoned, what’s he doing now? Trying to shut out any criticism from baseball fans for voting against state tax funds for a Mariners’ stadium?…Turns out he’s not doing anything of an electoral nature. The sign is left over from the 1994 campaign, West said during a seventh inning stretch in the special legislative session. The sign on top of it got pulled off, and wasn’t replaced right away.

In case you were wondering

Spokane City Council candidate John Talbott was out of town late last week and unavailable to answer the question put to other candidates as to whether he supports placing a Pacific Science Center proposal before voters in 1996. In the interests of equal coverage, we’re glad to provide his response this week. … No, he said, not in 1996. The previous proposal has too many questions that need to be worked out. “Maybe in two years, but not in one.”

There WILL be a test later

In an effort to clear up some confusion out there, we offer the following definitions for government changes that show up on various ballots on a regular basis…Incorporation: Creating a new city, as Valley residents have tried three times. Annexation: Expanding boundaries of an existing city, as Spokane tries all the time. Consolidation: Merging a city and county government…Of the three, only consolidation will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

This week’s info tip

Looking for a single source on the five different statewide measures on the Nov. 7 ballot? The state voter pamphlets are running off the presses…Call the secretary of state’s toll-free hot line for more information at 1-800-448-4881. Or dial 1-800-422-8683 for TDD callers.

Perot watch

Ross Perot’s effort to get his Reform Party on the California presidential ballot has a long way to go, a state official said. He needs 89,007 signatures by Oct. 24 to qualify, and a check last week showed he had 448…But one should never count Perot out before the final gun sounds. His supporters paid to insert 1 million registration forms in California newspapers over the weekend. Besides, said an official with United We Stand, America, the counties are so busy processing registrations they are behind on their counting.

Catch the candidates

Monday:Gubernatorial candidate Norm Maleng rally. 6 p.m., Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.

Wednesday: Council candidates Jim Kolva and Roberta Greene, Orville Barnes and John Talbott, at debate sponsored by Building Owners and Managers Association. Noon, Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park. $8.25 for lunch.

Oct. 22:CityVote forum on environmental issues for presidential candidates. 6 p.m., Ag Trade Center. Tickets $10.

Oct. 24: Forum for 4th Legislative District candidates, supporters and opponents of city-county charter, 7 p.m., Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook.

Oct. 25: Council candidates Bev Numbers and Jeff Colliton, commissioner candidates Martin Burnette and John Roskelley at debate sponsored by Building Owners and Managers Association. Noon, Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park. $8.25 for lunch.

Oct. 26: Forum for city, county, District 81 school board and judicial candidates, plus city-county charter and Referendum 48 sponsored by the Human Rights Commission. 7 p.m., East Central Community Center.

Campaign calendar

Tuesday:Candidates must file campaign spending reports.

Wednesday:Absentee ballots available for the Nov. 7 election.

Oct. 23:Last day to register for general election. Must be done at county elections office.

, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘95 is published weekly during election season, and is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. You can send information about political forums or meetings to us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9893 to leave a message. Or send E-mail to jimc@spokesman.com for on-line readers.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports