Public Periscope

Guardian angels

The state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business was proud to announce last week that 87 - count ‘em, 87 - legislators deserved the title of “Guardian of Small Business” during the last session. That’s 64 in the House, and 23 in the Senate … With all those guardians taking care of business, so to speak, one has to wonder why every politician seeking higher office seems honor bound to talk about how bad the climate is for small business … State Sen. John Moyer, R-Spokane, was especially lauded for being “always there in the battle to repeal the employer mandate and for other health care reforms.” Apparently the federation forgot or forgave the fact that Moyer was a key vote in passing those reforms in the first place … The statement from the federation said Moyer and seven other specially noted legislators “will receive a Guardian of Small Business statute.” With this many friends in the Legislature, the group can probably pass just about any statute it wants.

My 9-iron and hip boots, caddy

February’s floods lasted days, but the image of waist-deep muck at Hangman Valley Golf Course is more enduring. Out-of-town players keep calling to ask if the course is still under mud, said golf pro Steve Nelke. To which he replies: “The bridges are back, the greens are in wonderful shape.”

We’re all a-quiver

Archer Gary Stanzel had some qualms about comparing his sport with golf during last week’s hearing on bow regulations. He didn’t want to cause any discomfort for County Commissioner John Roskelley, who angered golfers last year by suggesting most were wealthy enough to pay higher greens fees … No problemo, assured Commissioner Phil Harris: “As long as you don’t say that archery is a rich man’s sport.”

Dust in the wind

People need to understand the physics of dirt if they think a good grading will take care of all the ruts and potholes in a dirt road, counsels Dennis Scott, the county’s public works director. A grading job “needs to be wet to stick,” said Scott, responding to a complaint that county crews are lax in repairing rural roads. The blades bounce over dry roads, leaving the craters and stirring up more dust than a cattle drive. The county doesn’t have enough water trucks - and probably never will - to provide “that saturating kind of water that rain gives you,” he said.

A defensible decision

Spokane County’s 101-year-old courthouse is featured on the July/August cover of The Prosecutor, a magazine for the National District Attorneys Association. The full-color, glossy picture, which shows the castlelike courthouse at night, was snapped by Glen Whiteley, a retired county employee.

Net moves

The U.S. Postal Service is giving the computer literate a little help if they are planning to move. It is testing a web site with a change of address form, checklists, packing tips, even coupons. It even has a link to the Internal Revenue Service to help movers obtain tax forms (unless, of course the reason one is moving is to avoid the IRS) … Find it at http://www.usps.gov/moversnet/

Getting involved

The city of Spokane has spots on a pair of local boards - two on the Bicycle Advisory Board and three on the Human Rights Commission. Apply for the bike board by Aug. 9, and for the rights panel by Aug. 23. Applications are available at the Mayor’s Office, 5th Floor, City Hall.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden 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.

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