Public Periscope

(From Public Periscope, June 17, 1996): Those wishing to acquire the “Meeting in a Box” presentation on the state’s Growth Management Act process in Spokane County should call 456-2205. “Public Periscope” incorrectly reported the phone number last week, giving instead the direct line to the county commissioners office…Sorry for the confusion.

Down at the crossroads

With all the discussion about Spokane drivers running red lights, perhaps you’ve wondered which intersections have the most accidents. Wonder no more; the city Transportation Department has the latest stats … Topping the list with 67 accidents over the last three years - 28 of them those right-angle crashes that occur when one driver or the other runs a red light - was Division and Sprague. Going down the list: Division and Francis, 64; Hamilton and Mission 62; Division and 3rd, 60; Addison and Wellesley and Monroe and 2nd, both 59 … The intersection with the most T-bones was, far and away, Monroe and 2nd, with 48.

If this is on the menu, pass

Seems Spokane’s trash burner is internationally famous, having received an award from the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association for the most unusual “collection” - Turkey Mercury Soup … A depositor at the Valley Transfer station brought the offering in to the Household Hazardous Waste Section. The unnamed resident had been feeling ill, and was taking his temperature with a thermometer while heating a pot of turkey soup. The thermometer fell into the pot, broke and disgorged its mercury. He called Monica Hairston, coordinator of the Moderate-Risk Waste Program, for advice and she said bring the concoction in. He did, pot and all.

A perfect score

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center was rightly proud last winter when it received 99 points out of a possible 100 after a visit by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The group checked out such things as surgery, medical services, food and nursing home care … But the VA Center appealed, and the commission relented, giving it 100 out of 100. Director Joe Manley said it’s the first VA Medical center to receive a perfect score.

Wish all meetings were in a box

Those who don’t participate in land-use planning now will complain about the results later. Those who do participate probably will complain, too, but at least they’ll be better informed. To be one of the latter, check out “Meeting in a Box,” a videotape and packet of materials about the state’s 1990 Growth Management Act, offered by Spokane County …For information, call 456-2265.

Remember: Answer must be a question

Talk about fame. Spokane viewers could feel a bit of pride last week when watching Jeopardy. One answer in the Politics category was “George Nethercutt beat House Speaker Tom Foley for the 5th Congressional District of this state” … Naturally, you would know to say “What is Washington?”

, 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, Wash., 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or 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 Tuesday: You can take a look at, and comment on, three models for the state’s World War II Memorial. The state is spending six weeks asking the public what it thinks in the second phase of the design process. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., University City Mall. Wednesday: Second chance to look at designs for the state’s WWII memorial. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., NorthTown Mall.

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