Gop Trio Set Goals, But Lack How-To Specifics

Three Republicans vying for the District 1 seat on the Spokane County Commission have a lot in common:

Martin Burnette, Mike Davis and Art Meikel all want to downsize county government while escalating the war on crime. But the political novices offer no specifics on how to do it.

In the words of Burnette: “I really don’t think I can be more specific now.”

Meikel touts his education - he’s the only Republican candidate with a college degree - and experience as a former Air Force pilot, upholsterer and civic activist.

“It shows demonstrated ability,” he said of his background.

Meikel calls himself a conservative but said he will fairly represent the entire community, regardless of citizens’ political affiliation, urban or rural lifestyle, wealthy or poor background.

“You don’t need a degree in economics to know that you shouldn’t tax businessmen or large industry out of existence simply because they are a minority voice,” Meikel said.

He believes enough waste can be cut from county government and then funneled into law and justice agencies to make a difference.

Burnette also promotes his diverse background as a financial planner and volunteer with civic and youth organizations.

He said he manages millions of clients’ dollars and is well-qualified to manage the taxpayers’ money.

“As commissioner, Burnette intends to improve the local economy and raise the quality of life for Spokane County residents through utilizing skills he acquired through business and civic involvement,” Burnette’s campaign literature states.

His civic involvement has been questioned by one organization of which Burnette is a member, however. Burnette touted his work with the Spokane Lilac Festival Association, but has never been active since joining nine months ago, group officials say.

Burnette is a staunch defender of private property rights and has said good government was founded on solid religious beliefs.

Davis wants to stop coddling criminals while downsizing county government. He doesn’t yet know which programs he would eliminate or how to pay for stepped-up law enforcement.

But Davis said he would start with jails themselves.

“We need to make our jails tougher,” he said. “Take away recreation, more confinement to jail, not making them too cushy. When homeless people feel they’re better off in prison than on the streets, and they’re right, then our prisons aren’t hard enough on criminals.

“It’s just a cakewalk to them,” Davis said. “We do not deter crime, we just tolerate it. I’m just tired of it.”

Davis also favors home rule - counties deciding the law of the land instead of states or the federal government. Counties, not states, he said, should decide whether motorcyclists should be required to wear helmets.

He said taxpayers are burdened by government mandates and attacks on their private property rights.

“When government steps in to help the people, it seems they always overregulate the people,” Davis said.

, DataTimes