Public Periscope

A change of tune?

County Commissioner Steve Hasson wondered last week about the equity of taxpayers footing the legal expenses of Coroner Dexter Amend, which have cost taxpayers $45,000 so far for four lawsuits. “How long do we hold the taxpayers hostage to be obliged to the coroner’s actions?” asked Hasson, suggesting that Amend should pay his own legal tab … Concern about the taxpayers’ money is admirable, and Hasson ought to know about spending it on lawyers. The tab to defend a sexual harassment lawsuit against him and other county officials hit $280,000 … But back in 1994 when the claims were settled, Hasson called those fees worth it: “We spent what we needed to defend the integrity of the system.”

New perspective

Speaking of changed tunes, we couldn’t help but marvel at the decidedly different melody of Sen. Patty Murray. She stormed into office three years ago demanding a shake-up of the U.S. Senate, but now seems to have little patience for new rabble rousers … “If we continue to elect screamers this country is going to come to a complete standstill,” she said at a Spokesman-Review editorial board meeting last week.

Wishful thinking?

The city of Spokane will get $67,500 in federal taxpayer money to build a guardrail along High Drive between 29th Avenue and Manito Boulevard. Officials hope the guardrail makes it safer for cars, as well as those who walk the trails beneath High Drive … They’re also crossing their fingers that it keeps people from dumping beer bottles and car parts on the bluff.

Fencing them in

That fence Fairchild Air Force Base wants to put up around its hospital complex is getting a green light. Base officials said the few comments about inconvenience, safety and economic impact aren’t enough to keep them from fencing off the west side of the base and closing McFarlane and Graham roads to through traffic … The hospital was the site of the 1994 shooting rampage by deranged former airman Dean Mellberg, who encountered no gates or fences before he entered the complex and opened fire with a semiautomatic assault rifle … The fence should be finished by summer’s end, officials said.

Getting involved

Here’s a chance for senior citizens interested in the political process: The Congressional Senior Citizens Intern Program is offering a weeklong “Close Up” session in Washington, D.C., with a chance to spend time in a local congress person’s office. Tuition is $958, but that includes lodging and most meals. Call 1-800-363-4762 for information.

The city needs two people who know something about housing law, architecture, structure or engineering to fill vacancies on the Housing Advisory and Appeals Board. Applications available at the Mayor’s office, 5th floor, City Hall, due by March 8.

Gov. Mike Lowry recently named the board members for the Spokane Joint Center for Higher Education … They are Kristiane Blake, an accountant and financial adviser; Dave Clack, a local business leader; Maurice McGrath, an executive for Hewlett-Packard; and Carol Wendle, a former school board member and executive for an auto sales company.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can contact us by mail at Box 2160, Spokane, Wash., 99210, by fax at 459-5482, or by e-mail at jimc@spokesman.com.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tonight:The Boundary Review Board will discuss the proposal to form the city of Opportunity in the Valley. 6:30 p.m., Opportunity Township Hall, 12114 E. Sprague. Tuesday:Spokane County Commissioners take public testimony on development policies for critical environmental areas. 5 p.m. county Public Works Building. Thursday: The Review Board takes up the proposal to form the city of Evergreen in the Valley. 6:30 p.m., Central Valley High School, 821 S. Sullivan.

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