Democrats Won’t Punish Sparks Over Yard Sign Flap But Dispute Prompting Party To Craft Campaign Ethics Rules

The chairman of the Spokane County Democratic Party settled a simmering political feud Thursday, saying he wouldn’t reprimand Statehouse candidate Lonnie Sparks for buying a prime yard-sign location.

“There are no rules governing the conduct of candidates at this time,” said Jimmy Sirmans. “Therefore, we couldn’t hold him liable for anything.”

However, Sirmans said the flap persuaded him to form a committee that will craft campaign ethics for future candidates.

Sparks, a 3rd District representative, angered his two Democratic rivals earlier this month when he paid a homeowner $150 for the right to pull down Jeff Gombosky signs and put up his own at the busy North Side corner of Hamilton and Foothill.

Gombosky responded by collecting three affidavits attesting to the money changing hands. He accused Sparks of foul play and asked the county party to reprimand the incumbent.

Sparks, who recently filled the seat left vacant by Dennis Dellwo, was pleased to hear Sirmans’ ruling.

“I think the chairman and the executive board saw this for what it was, that this was an attempt to create a negative headline for me,” he said. “I’m glad the Democratic Party could see what was happening.”

In an earlier interview, Sparks said he simply did what Gombosky had done to him in the same neighborhood: convince a homeowner to switch candidates.

He also said it was testimony to his respect for personal property when he paid April Schreier the $150 for a signed contract giving him control of all political advertising in her coveted lawn until the Nov. 5 election.

Still driven to further prove his good intentions, Sparks got a notarized statement Thursday from Schreier’s son, Steven Schreier Jr.

In his statement, Schreier said he and his mother wanted the Gombosky signs down anyway. He described Sparks as a courteous gentleman and insisted the payment “was absolutely not necessary, nor was it asked for. I believe that Rep. Sparks gave the money to my mother out of his personal sense of kindness.”

Schreier is in Spokane County Jail, serving time for drunken driving.

, DataTimes