Campaign ‘95
Who’s who
True blue. Spokane City Council candidate Robert Schroeder says he knows the race isn’t partisan, but his signs read “Democrat” nonetheless. “I know it’s nonpartisan, but I’ve been a Democrat since I was 21 years old,” said Schroeder, who’s carried the card 43 years.
Making hay
Well, half a loaf is better than none. State GOP Chairman Ken Eikenberry and other good Republicans have been making much of late of the Democrats’ refusal to use the state primary to pick presidential delegates. “I am very proud that the Republican Party chose not to shut the average voter out of the process,” Eikenberry huffed… It’s impossible to defend the Democrats for sticking with the caucuses, even though President Clinton likely will get all the state’s delegates regardless. But it seems the GOP is trumpeting its virtue just a bit to apportion just half their delegates. The other half will be picked through - ta da - the caucuses. This, despite the fact that the tens of thousands of “average voters” who signed the 1989 initiative made it very clear they preferred primaries, period.
Promises, promises
Cliche alert! Republican state Sen. Pam Roach has learned the key lesson of the “Contract With America” - promise them anything, but put it in writing - in her early quest for the governor’s mansion in ‘96. She has come up with a Pledge to Washington Voters…Before she gets into such details as defending our rights to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and guns, she pledges to uphold the state and U.S. constitutions. Good thing, since a governor could get impeached for doing otehrwise…She also promises to convene “a no-nonsense summit to restore critical forestry, fish and wildlife issues.” Darn, it’s been so long since we’ve had a nonsense-filled summit.
Candidate Q & A
With the Growth Management Act under close scrutiny in the state Legislature and the halls of the Spokane County Courthouse, the person elected to the House of Representatives’ 4th District - most of the Spokane Valley - must be intimate with the law.
The GMA retulates land-use and growth patterns in largely populated counties, including Spokane County.
Here’s what the two Democratic candidates for the 4th District seat, Dan Meckel and Mary “Chey” Austin, say about the act. The two will face off in the Sept. 19 primary for the chance to challenge incumbent Mark Sterk, who is unopposed in the Republican race.
Meckel: “It’s just more state regulation, and it’s taking more of our freedoms away. We need planning, but this takes away property rights.”
Austin: The basic principles of the act are sound. It needs to be modified so it’s tailored more to our locale.”
Campaign calendar
Sept. 19: Primary Election
Oct. 7: Last day to register to vote the regular way in the Nov. 7 general election. Register at the courthouse, fire stations, schools and libraries.
Oct. 23: Last day to register to vote, only at elections office. Absentee ballot must be cast at that time.
Catch the Candidates
Sept. 6: 7 p.m. All-candidate forum sponsored by Soroptimist International of Spokane, Cavanaugh’s River Inn, 700 N. Division.
Sept. 7: 7:30 a.m. City Council candidate forum sponsored by the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside Avenue.
, DataTimes MEMO: Watch this space every Sunday for insight and inside information on the candidates and campaigns this fall. If you have an election-related question, write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a touch-tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message. Or send E-mail to jimc@spokesman.com for on-line readers.