Anderson Leaves Mark On City Hall

A big, hand-drawn smiley face appears beneath the words “Chris was here.”

About 10 signs bearing the cryptic message mysteriously appeared around Spokane City Hall sometime over the Labor Day weekend.

Was city Councilman Chris Anderson a weekend visitor to the building he has stayed away from these past three months? At least three council members feel certain their elusive colleague committed what they consider a childish prank.

“Far be it from me to say what’s going through his mind,” said Mayor Jack Geraghty. “It’s almost a game.”

“It’s kind of childish, … kind of silly,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes. “It’s like playing tag.”

“I think that was a little juvenile,” said Councilman Jeff Colliton. “Nothing surprises me about Mr. Anderson anymore.”

Attempts to reach Anderson on Wednesday were unsuccessful. He left his council post June 3 to drive a truck on the “Dante’s Peak” movie set in Wallace. He moved with the crew to Los Angeles to finish filming and has refused to say when he’ll return.

In the meantime, he still is cashing his $1,500-a-month council paychecks.

Employees who work on the fifth floor - home to the council’s offices - discovered the signs Tuesday morning. They were taped up in several locations, from the council’s copier to acting City Manager Bill Pupo’s nameplate.

After-hours access to the council offices is restricted to council members and a few top employees.

“There was one (sign), interestingly enough, in the council restroom,” Geraghty said. , DataTimes