Public Periscope

Short timer

Shortly after his June appointment to the Spokane County Commission, George Marlton bought a license plate frame that reads “The Commish.” Seems he’ll get less than six months use out of it…Marlton lost last Tuesday’s Democratic primary to John Roskelley by about 8-to-1, and finished last in a field of six. Closest contender for the basement was Mike Davis, whose campaign literature featured a picture of a German shepherd…Losing the primary means Marlton cleans out his desk after the general election votes are counted. State law says the person who wins the Nov. 7 race starts right away to fill the unexpired term of former Commissioner Skip Chilberg.

Seen around town

Wasn’t that would-be School Board candidate Jimmy Marks taking down a campaign sign of primary opponent Rocky Treppiedi along Ben Garnett Way last Wednesday? That’s what two reliable sources reported…Not that we would accuse Marks of evil intent. Could be that he just wanted a souvenir from his first political race…Or maybe he forgot the campaign ended for him on Tuesday.

Blindsided

There is no such thing as a free lease, at least not anymore at the Spokane County Courthouse. Commissioners said recently that budget problems mean non-county organizations will have to rent space…The local bar association’s monthly tab will be $375, Commissioner Steve Hasson said. The Association for the Blind, which operates the courthouse cafeteria, might be next….Even though the association loses money for the courthouse cafeteria most of the year, Hasson said it should pay rent, like it does at other courthouses around the state.

About that interchange thing

Last week’s Periscope took an unfair shot at the state Department of Transportation, incorrectly saying it had labeled Havana Street an interchange on Interstate 90 when it was compiling traffic statistics…An alert DOT official correctly pointed out it did no such thing. Its traffic stats merely listed Havana as a reference point because it was the nearest street. The word interchange was inserted by a careless reporter…Score DOT 1, Periscope 0

So is he happy, or not?

U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton came up with one of the most unusual press releases last week when he announced the adoption of an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill…The Senate approved changes to the Market Promotion Program, which allows companies to advertise products overseas. Gorton was “instrumental in modifying” the program to accommodate the state’s farm organizations, the press release said. But he voted against it…The bill doesn’t have enough money, he says. Gorton wants to spend $110 million, the Senate settled at $70 million. But don’t give up, he says. “We are going to fight long and hard in conference to make sure the final level of funding is $110 million.”

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about government, growth or development, we’d like to help find an answer. 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.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tuesday: Something you want to tell your legislator? If you live in Spokane’s 3rd District, this town hall meeting’s your chance. 6:30 p.m., Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook. Thursday: A second chance for 3rd District residents to attend a town hall meeting - same idea, different place. 6:30 p.m., West Central Community Center.

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