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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The Great Divide The Great Divide

We both root for the Mariners and shop at Nordstrom. We have the same governor and the same smug pride in being smart enough to live in The Other Washington.

But the similarities between Seattle and Spokane seem to end there.

Seattle is surfing a tsunami of economic growth. It’s the land of latte, home of Bill Gates, birthplace of grunge and an international, high-tech business center perennially ranked one of America’s most livable cities.

Spokane’s measure of victory is a quiet lifestyle many chose over higher-paying jobs and big city culture. We would rather watch our kids play under the sprinkler, and know they can walk safely to a good public school.

As Eastern and Western Washington residents face each other over this great divide, Spokane might ask: How did we become so different, and what can the two cities learn from one another?

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: IN THIS SERIES Part one: Today It sometimes seems like Seattle and Spokane aren’t on the same planet, let alone in the same state. Culturally, economically and politically, the gulf between East and West grows.

Part two: Monday As King County booms with high-tech jobs, Spokane struggles to join the information-age economy. Here, low-wage jobs are plentiful for unskilled and semi-skilled workers.

Part three: Sunday, Aug. 3 Poor Seattle. How can its citizens live up to the hype of residing in the best, hippest city in the galaxy? Paul Turner and Milt Priggee explore the cultural divide separating East and West.

Part four: Monday, Aug. 4 Where do we go from here? Spokane should cherish the best of what it has while investing in economic growth and cultural enrichment that moves the community forward.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IN THIS SERIES Part one: Today It sometimes seems like Seattle and Spokane aren’t on the same planet, let alone in the same state. Culturally, economically and politically, the gulf between East and West grows.

Part two: Monday As King County booms with high-tech jobs, Spokane struggles to join the information-age economy. Here, low-wage jobs are plentiful for unskilled and semi-skilled workers.

Part three: Sunday, Aug. 3 Poor Seattle. How can its citizens live up to the hype of residing in the best, hippest city in the galaxy? Paul Turner and Milt Priggee explore the cultural divide separating East and West.

Part four: Monday, Aug. 4 Where do we go from here? Spokane should cherish the best of what it has while investing in economic growth and cultural enrichment that moves the community forward.