Will Nothing Change?

Was this month’s vote on a strong-mayor system of government in Spokane an endorsement of the status quo?

The strong-mayor proposal went down with less than 45 percent of the vote. Once again, the people have had a chance to reconfigure local government and have turned it down.

Attorney Steve Eugster, who wrote the proposal, says he’ll bring the issue back to the voters next year. Meanwhile, the City Council has asked a citizens group called Community Partners to undertake a five-month study of the City Charter and to propose any amendments it finds are needed.

All this restlessness over the structure of municipal government in Spokane comes on the heels of a two-year effort by elected freeholders to propose a city-county charter that Spokane County voters eventually rejected.

And while that has been going on, various versions of Spokane Valley incorporation have resulted in a series of failed ballot proposals.

Discontent with local government didn’t arise in recent years. Polls expressing public dissatisfaction with the way City Hall and the county courthouse operate have been a pattern for at least two decades.

Proposals come and go. But nothing changes.

Is the current system the best after all? If not, what do the people who live here want? What would pass muster with them on the ballot? What are the elements of successful local government restructuring?

America’s most wanted: Georgie Porgie

It’s come to this: A North Carolina boy who kissed a girl classmate on the cheek at school was disciplined, not just for nerdy behavior but also for violating the school’s sexual harassment policy.

It’s bad enough that caring teachers have to consult a lawyer and call in witnesses before giving a student an encouraging hug.

There was a time when an impulsive first-grader like Johnathan Prevette just had to worry about getting slapped. Now he has to worry about getting slapped with a restraining order.

Even if they don’t ask, we will

The lines are still open on Tuesday’s “Bagpipes” question: If politicians were as energetic about seeking out your wishes after they are elected as they were when they wanted your vote, what would you tell them?

, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone, or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.