Campaign ‘96

FOR THE RECORD (May 6, 1996): Correction: Spokane County Commission candidate Ron Hormann’s name was misspelled in Sunday’s Campaign ‘96 column.

Preaching to the wrong choir

We were as surprised as most folks that candidate Ron Taber recently suggested caning drug dealers who sell to minors. Not so much by what he said - only nitpickers and wimps would raise concerns about violating the Eighth Amendment guarantees against cruel and unusual punishment - but by where he said it, which was at the state Libertarian Party convention … Had Taber checked, he might have discovered that Libertarians are not among the leaders in the “crack-down on drugs” movement. Their presidential nominee, Harry Browne, suggests the way to end the drug problem is to legalize it all - even for minors - and take away the pushers’ profit.

Line starts here

Gov. Mike Lowry cleared up questions about state Rep. Dennis Dellwo’s political plans last week with an appointment to the Growth Management Board last week. Now for the new question: Who’s going to replace him? … Could be a crowded field. Among those mentioned are attorney Lonnie Sparks, City Plan Commission member Jim Kolva and VISTA worker Jeff Gombosky. In the possible but not likely category is former radio newswoman Martha Lou Wheatley.

Please, Mr. Postman

Supporters of two new cities in the Valley have nixed any vote-by-mail for their proposals, but the Postal Service will still have ballots to deliver this month. The Liberty School District has a levy election that will be conducted by mail … Ballots should arrive this week to anyone in the district registered as of April 20. If you’re in the district and haven’t received a ballot by May 13, call the elections office at 456-2320 … Ballots must be postmarked by May 21. Anyone who enjoys the camaraderie of the polling place can drop off a ballot at the Spangle convenience store that day.

Website of the week

After passing along some off-beat Internet sites in recent weeks, we thought we’d revert to a more serious compendium of political information. The National Political Index is such a place … Located at http://www.politicalindex.com/ the index is one of the best “one-stop shopping” sites for other political pages. It has specialized lists of everything from activists and lobbyists to polling data and games. It is updated regularly, although some of the sites to which it links are not.

Catch the candidates

Today: Judy Personett, Democratic candidate for 6th District state House seat, and campaign staff at Bloomsday’s downtown aid station.

Monday: Brad Benson, Republican candidate for 6th District state House seat, campaign kick-off announcement, 11 a.m., mezzanine, Ridpath Hotel … Brian Sonntag, state auditor, at the Magnuson Democratic Club luncheon, noon, Ridpath Hotel.

Wednesday: Alex Wood, candidate for 3rd District state House seat, speaking to the Jane Jefferson Democratic Club luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Perkins, Division and Central.

Friday: Ron Harmon, Democratic candidate for county commissioner, at chili feed fund-raiser, 5:30 p.m., Moran Grange, 61st and Palouse Highway. $10 per person/$25 per family.

May 28: Republican candidates for governor at a debate sponsored by the South Side Republican Action Club, 7 p.m., Chase Middle School, 4747 E. 37th.

Campaign calendar

May 21:School district special elections in Washington state

May 28: Idaho presidential and state primary.

May 31-June 1: Washington state Republican Convention, Bellevue.

June 1: Washington state Democratic Convention, Seattle.

June 29-July 6: Nominating conventions for minor party and independent candidates.

July 22-26: Filing week for all state and local candidates.

, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘96 is published regularly during campaign season, and is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. To submit information on a political event or a question you think the candidates should answer, write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Or e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or fax to (509) 459-5482. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone telephone, then press 9893 to leave a message.

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