Campaign ‘95
Candidate Q and A
“What city department or office can most stand a reduction next year if the city must reduce its spending?”- asked of candidates for Spokane City Council.
Position 1
Roberta Greene: “As an outsider, it would be irresponsible to make that call now. I don’t think anything should be exempt, and all managers should propose reductions of 3 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent.”
Jim Kolva: “Midlevel management in the police and fire departments is where I would look first. It seems we could put some on the streets, and eliminate others.”
Position 2
John Talbott: “I’d start with an across-the-board reduction in every department. Then I’d look at departments that could be absorbed by the private sector - International Development, Sister Cities and Historic Preservation.”
Orville Barnes: “All of them will have to take some reductions, but the Building Department might be where I’d start. Permits are down, so the revenue isn’t there and it’s supposed to be largely self-supporting.”
Position 3
Jeff Colliton: “We have to look at midlevel management in the police and fire departments. Some could have additional duties or be put out on the street, but there should be some reductions there.”
Bev Numbers: “We’re cutting from every budget, but I’d look to the attorney budget and the council budget. The council has to set the tone and example, then everyone will follow suit.”
Don’t pull any punches, professor
Confirmation for everyone with a gut feeling local government has gone sour: Eastern Washington University professor Bob Herold says Spokane County government is “wildly dysfunctional” and city government is little better. The government prof offered that view during a recent forum on city-county consolidation.
Just a warning
Tuesday isn’t just Halloween. It’s also the last deadline for candidates and campaign committees to file spending reports before the Nov. 7 election … Some candidates have been lax on meeting deadlines for the entire campaign season. Although we are inclined to be charitable on this point, the Public Disclosure Commission might not see it that way … Watch this space next week for a list of campaigns that are not following the law.
A shocking agenda
Here’s a high-voltage angle on Spokane city-county consolidation the media have ignored. State and city electrical inspectors meet with the Inland Northwest Electrical League on Tuesday to discuss how the unified charter would affect electricians. The meeting is from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the league’s new office, 2211 E. Riverside, Suite B. Admission is $8, call 326-5410 by 4 p.m. Monday … People who don’t wear tool belts for a living are welcome. In fact, they may get a charge out of it.
Catch the candidates
Saturday: Panel discussion, call-in for City-County Charter proposal. 6:30-7 p.m. KXLY-TV, 6:30-8 p.m. on KXLY-Extra and KXLY-AM.
Campaign calendar
Tuesday: Campaign spending reports due.
Nov. 6: Last day to get absentee ballot or register as a write-in candidate.
Nov. 7: Election Day.
, 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 Touchtone phone, then press 9893 to leave a message. Or send E-mail to jimc@spokesman.com for on-line readers.