Public Periscope

They’d better throw in the dustpan

Commissioners swallowed hard last Tuesday before approving $88,651.73 to buy a street sweeper … Make that a used street sweeper. “I can remember when a street sweeper was somebody with a broom,” said Commissioner Phil Harris. “In most countries, it still is,” said commissioner and world traveler John Roskelley.

A not-so-brief briefing

During a recent discussion about plans to raise building permit fees, Spokane City Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes was amazed to learn how many home-improvement projects were subject to inspection … “I think you can over-inspect things to death,” she said. “Is there a fee for a garbage disposal? I mean, what could be the public concern about that?” After a complicated, roundabout answer from building official Bob Eugene, Councilman Orville Barnes looked at Holmes and deadpanned: “The short answer to your first question is ‘Yes.”’

Stay tuned

As if she isn’t busy enough in Washington, D.C., Patty Murray is taking up a second career as a television host … In a press release from her office last week, the Democrat announced the debut of “Outlook on Washington” - a 30-minute public affairs show “dedicated to subjects of interest to Washington citizens.” The press release fails to say when and where the show might debut in Spokane … No one answered the phone at Murray’s office Friday, so we here at Periscope pledge to keep you posted.

Easy for you to say

Spokane City Councilman Jeff Colliton took time last week to thank the hundreds of people - from law enforcement officers to volunteers to Girl Scouts - who helped others survive the recent ice storm … The warmth shown by the community almost made the event pleasant, Colliton said. “It may have been a pleasure for you,” joked Mayor Jack Geraghty. “Your lights came on last night …” Remember, Colliton urged the mayor, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

That dog’s too cold to care

Councilwoman Holmes also lauded the community for the cooperative spirit displayed during the ice-induced blackout … “Cooperation is essential” during times of trial, Holmes said. For instance, she said, she and her husband “parked our dog next to our bird for body heat.” That prompted a chuckle from Geraghty … “Cooperation was particularly essential between the dog and the bird,” he said.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Kristina Johnson from staff reports. If you’ve got a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or send a fax to (509) 459-5482. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot Topics Spokane County commissioners will take public comment Tuesday on a sewer rate hike. Monthly fees would increase $2 in 1997, $1 in 1998, and another dollar in 1999. The money would go into an account to help pay for improvements to the regional sewage treatment plant. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. in the public works hearing room, 1026 W. Broadway.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Kristina Johnson from staff reports