Public Periscope

They’re tough to fit in a billfold

Spokane County Commissioner Kate McCaslin recently wondered aloud how many potholes the county could fill for the $30,000 it is spending on a sculpture. The answer: 2,000. This from county operations engineer Phil Barto, who estimates it costs $3 in materials and $12 in wages to fill an urban pothole. … Barto cautioned, however, that such calculations are highly speculative because the cost varies with the size and location of the pothole. Still, we like the idea of putting expenses in pothole perspective. Makes it easier to list costs in relative values:

Admission to a county pool: 1/15 pothole.

County dog license: 1/2 pothole.

Parking ticket: 2/3 pothole.

County commissioner’s annual salary: 3,800 potholes.

Amount sought in Marks family lawsuit against the city of Spokane: 2.7 million potholes.

You can do the new math for other things in your life.

Hold that thought

The decision by U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt whether he will run for the U.S. Senate is still a few weeks off.

The Spokane Republican said early this month he probably would make his “go or no go” decision by this past weekend, but something intervened. … Mainly, his job, said a spokesman. “He was busy being a congressman and hasn’t been able to give it as much time to consider as it needs,” said aide Ken Lisaius. … New estimate on a decision is by the second week of July.

Timely advice

No telling whether South Bay, Fla., Mayor Clarence Anthony had read the morning paper before addressing officials from Washington cities during a conference Friday in Spokane. He may not have seen the story about state Rep. Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata, angrily telling a gubernatorial appointee, “I’ll get you!” shortly after a conference session Thursday. … But Anthony’s comments certainly were apropos: “The way we treat each other on the daises of our nation has to improve,” he cautioned. “It is all right to disagree without being disagreeable.”

Loosening up

Politicians and bureaucrats may have reputations as stiffs. But suits and ties, heels and hose were rare at the Association of Washington Cities conference. The registration form stipulated casual dress.

Rumors of the week

Look for Judith Gilmore, the Eastern Washington director for former Gov. Mike Lowry, to make a formal announcement she is running for Spokane City Council. … Don’t be surprised if Kathy Reid, Democratic activist, former freeholder and one-time state legislator, announces a run for the seat held by Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris.

, DataTimes MEMO: “Public Periscope,” published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. You can write us at The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210; or send e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com, send a fax to (509) 459-5482 or leave a message on Cityline by calling (509) 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then pressing 9120.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Today: Spokane County Commissioner Kate McCaslin will hold a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Ferris High School cafeteria.

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