Public Periscope

What road is he on?

A Feb. 23 Seattle Times article talks about the historic tension between the state’s West and East sides during the legislative budget season, noting that Eastern Washington communities often complain of being poor cousins when state money gets handed out … They actually fare quite well, says reporter Robert T. Nelson. For example, “Eastern Washington’s roads are some of the best in the nation,” Nelson writes … Hmmmm, this article is datelined Olympia. Need we say more?

A not-so-happy guest

Spokane resident Allan LeTourneau turned last week’s debate over whether the City Council should buy the former Salty’s at the Falls restaurant site into a culinary critique: “You had lousy food,” LeTourneau told Scott Switzer, vice-president of Happy Guest International, which owns the Salty’s chain … LeTourneau berated Salty’s owners for trying to make a profit on the property. But he chastised the city for interfering with free enterprise by keeping Clinkerdagger’s from moving into the vacant restaurant … Those who suffer from a slavish devotion to consistency might wonder at the contradiction in those two complaints.

Water hazards

Tough talk by Spokane County commissioners to the contrary, Hangman Valley Golf Course will open this year, said Golf Manager Mike Kingsley. Weather permitting, work crews from Geiger Correctional Center are shoveling mud from the New Year’s Day flood of Latah Creek … If all goes well, the first nine holes could open March 21. After last year’s flooding, Hangman was the best-looking course in the area by early May, he said … Commissioners said earlier this year that reopening the course might be too expensive, after two floods in a year. That option was never considered seriously, but many of the Hangman Valley faithful are joining clubs at other courses, Kingsley said.

Next week: Horses, tractors and sewers

Single-mindedness may win elections. But once in office, a Spokane County commissioner must become a generalist, or so last week’s agenda proved … One day last week, commissioners discussed such diverse topics as Jet Skis, swimming pools, tin versus plastic roofs, stray dogs, trash, fairgrounds, autopsies and jails. All before 10 a.m.

Looking for something newt

If you’d like a little exercise in a different surrounding, the state Fish and Wildlife Department could use a little help. The agency needs volunteers to survey amphibians and pygmy rabbits in Central Washington. You have to be able to count, but probably not too high, since they’re endangered. … The amphibian counts will be in the evenings between March 17 and April 11. There’s no training necessary, but you have to lug at least 15 pounds in a backpack, have at least average hearing, wear waders and tick repellent, bring water and a sack dinner … Pygmy rabbit counts start March 22, but volunteers need a 90-minute training session for them - plus appropriate clothes, tick repellent, sack lunch and water … If this sounds like fun, call the agency’s Ephrata office at (509) 754-4624 for more details.

Named to high places

Spokane activist and Democratic campaigner Ronda Cahill was named to the state Public Disclosure Commission last week by Gov. Gary Locke. Cahill, who worked on Locke’s campaign, was named to the volunteer post through the year 2000 … Eastern Washington University associate professor Diane Welsh Bleck was appointed by President Clinton to the Board of Visitors to the Air Force Academy. The board visits the academy each year to check on morale, discipline, instruction and equipment.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot Topics Tuesday: Want to talk about possible changes to the City Charter on representation, civil service, initiatives, parks and boards? So does Community Partners. 6:30 p.m., Champions Room, Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon.

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