Greene, Barnes, Numbers Top City Race

Spokane voters were keeping a grip on two City Council incumbents Tuesday night and bringing along an outspoken council critic and three political newcomers for the ride to November’s general election.

Tuesday’s primary whittles the field of 13 candidates to six in the citywide, nonpartisan election.

Roberta Greene and Jim Kolva, both new at the running-for-office gig, leapt ahead early Tuesday night in the race for Council Position 1 - the seat currently held by Joel Crosby.

Incumbent Orville Barnes and council critic John Talbott were running way ahead of their opponents for Position 2. Incumbent Bev Numbers and retired Army Col. Jeff Colliton were leading Ken Withey for the Position 3 spot.

The 51-year-old Greene, co-owner of Empire Ford, jumped ahead in early results and stayed there late Tuesday.

Greene said she thinks her sincerity and leadership qualities struck a chord with the public.

“If people feel comfortable with you and you’re sincere, what more can you ask for?” said a grinning Greene, as she watched election returns at the Ridpath Hotel.

Kolva, a 49-year-old land-use planner, was running behind Greene but clearly ahead of his other opponents.

He thinks his eight years on the city’s Plan Commission taught him how to listen and compromise - traits the public clung to at the polls.

“I’ve learned to listen and use the information provided,” Kolva said.

Six candidates wanted the seat now held by Crosby, who decided earlier this year not to run again.

Four candidates trailed Greene and Kolva at the polls. They were Larry Bacon, 47, a mechanic; David Holter, 24, an administrator for a nonprofit youth outreach program; Ron McArthur, 61, a semiretired radio broadcaster; and Bob Schroeder, 63, a retired steelworker.

Early numbers showed incumbent Barnes sharing the November ballot with Talbott in a runoff for the Position 2 spot.

Barnes, 68, a semiretired commercial real estate manager and developer, is nearing the end of his first council term. Late Tuesday, Barnes was catching up on paperwork and was not glued to election results.

“I haven’t really paid any attention,” said Barnes, who was disappointed to know he and Talbott were running a tight race.

Talbott, 61, a retired Air Force colonel and longtime critic of the council’s decision making, said he knew he was “in there,” but was only hesitantly optimistic about the end result.

“We’ll know tomorrow morning,” Talbott said.

Steve Thompson, 39, a telecommunications manager, and Greg Works, a former social worker, trailed Barnes and Talbott at the polls.

In the Position 3 race, Numbers held a big lead over Withey and Colliton, who were running a tight race for the second spot.

Numbers, 55, was appointed to the council in 1990 and ran unopposed in 1992.

Colliton, 54, who was slightly ahead of Withey, said he was “anxious.”

“We’re just watching it right now,” he said. “I don’t feel bad about where I am as long as I stay number two.”

Withey, 35, an energy management specialist for the Central Valley School District, wasn’t ready to concede.

“I’m not ready to write it off,” Withey said. “We’ll see when the final count comes in.”

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