Public Periscope

Not just talking trash

Commissioner Phil Harris declined an invitation to a West Plains neighborhood meeting about a possible landfill expansion, saying he might have to rule on the matter later, so legally he can’t discuss it now. Because the landfill operator wants conditional use permits, which don’t come before commissioners, some people wondered what he meant … Turns out county attorney Jim Emacio advised Harris not to attend the meeting because the expansion also must be approved by the Spokane Regional Health District. Harris sits on the health board, so the same concerns apply … But Harris didn’t completely hide his feelings toward the expansion during a recent meeting. When Commissioner Steve Hasson worried the area might be overrun with prisons, he countered: “I hear the West Plains is becoming one big landfill.”

Not quite the whole truth

Spokane city officials repeatedly told taxpayers the $37.3 million street bond was the last option they had to pay for desperately needed repaving. But that’s not really the case, as an astute reader noted after voters panned the bond last Tuesday. His suggestion: How about a business-and-occupation tax, with revenues going only to street repair? … While even the caller admitted that would be politically unpopular, the tax could raise $6 million to $12 million a year, depending on the rate. … Voters would need to approve that, too. But only by a simple majority.

Discretion is advised

Mayor Jack Geraghty was none too happy when he read an article in the Journal of Business “where some (city traffic) engineer was talking” about proposed transportation projects the mayor and his colleagues didn’t know about. “It’d be nice if the council was aware of these things,” he said during a recent briefing session.

Hark the Herald

We were only having a little fun with our colleagues at the Valley Herald last week by referring to it as defunct. It has joined forces with the Valley News, to become the News-Herald … To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of its demise were slightly exaggerated.

Outrunning the coyotes

That lonely drive through the Lincoln County scablands may get a little shorter as it gets quicker. The state Department of Transportation may raise the speed limit from 55 to 60 mph on state Highway 28 between Davenport and the Grant County line, shaving slightly less than five minutes off the 50-mile drive to nowhere … Deadline to comment is Oct. 18. Write to WSDOT, 2714 N. Mayfair, Spokane, WA 99207 (mark the envelope “speed limits”). Or call 324-6015 to talk, 324-6005 to send a fax, or send e-mail to agilson@wsdot.wa.gov.

, 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 SpokesmanReview, 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 telephone, then press 9120 to leave a message.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot Topics Tuesday: Spokane County commissioners could light up a hearing room with their discussion of Commissioner John Roskelley’s plan to outlaw teen smoking. 5 p.m., Public Works Building hearing room, 1026 W. Broadway

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