Making Room For Youth

Thu., March 27, 1997

Doug Floyd Interactive Editor

For a decade now, the Chase Youth Commission has been recognizing some of the community’s most exceptional young people in a spirit former Mayor Jim Chase would heartily applaud.

This week hundreds of young nominees were on hand to receive certificates and see the winners presented with medals in nine categories each in two age divisions.

This was on Tuesday, the same day Chelsea Clinton was telling teens in Tanzania that the solution to problems confronting America’s youth “has to come from the young people themselves.”

How true, but Chelsea obviously isn’t the first person to recognize that.

In fact, all around us there is growing understanding that the young folks of the community have a contribution to make in civic affairs.

Leadership Spokane, an affiliate of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, added a youth component to its civic leadership program beginning in January.

The Citizens League of Spokane invited teams of young people to identify community concerns and suggest solutions; the most promising will be presented in person to the City Council on April 16.

On the next evening, the Spokane Scholars Foundation will once again acknowledge, with cash, the academic achievements of the county’s top scholars in six curricular areas.

Clearly the capacities and abilities of the next generation of adults are beginning to be not only spotlighted but valued as part of the answer to society’s challenges. Not 10 years from now, but now.

So where are the opportunities where we can take greater advantage of this youthful resource? How can we make a regular place at the table for them and their involvement?

It would be nice to hear from readers of all ages on this one, so when you respond, please tell us how old you are.

Pot of gold for a pothole?

A proposal in Olympia would give the city of Spokane another $3 million to go toward maintaining the streets.

Patching potholes would not be free, of course. The money would come from a state gasoline tax increase, possibly augmented by an additional local-option tax.

Is a smoother commute appealing enough to warrant another seven or eight cents a gallon in gasoline taxes?

, 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.

“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.

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