Public Periscope

Neighborhood improvements at the fair

Democratic and Republican campaigners will not be allowed in the livestock building starting with this year’s Spokane Interstate Fair. Seems their neighbors and landlords wanted them out … People in neighboring booths said they didn’t like the sometimes argumentative crowds. Party workers said there was confusion every year about where their booths would be … County commissioners agreed Tuesday to let the parties build permanent, adjoining booths outside, which the partisans will pay to build, maintain and rent. Commissioner John Roskelley voted against the move, saying he didn’t want to start a trend. “Are we going to put one in for the communists?” he asked.

Not just water over the dam

Only three times since record-keeping began did the Spokane River run fuller than it did last Monday. But don’t ask which day is at the top of the list, or you’ll get an argument … The U.S. Geological Survey says the record was set on May 31, 1894; Washington Water Power gives the nod to Christmas 1933. It’s a dispute that can’t be resolved. USGS hydrologists say 19th century estimates may not be accurate, but the WWP reading was made at Post Falls, not Spokane, so it’s not a strict comparison … The two also disagree on Feb. 12, 1996, which WWP has on its Top 10 list for river flow but USGS gives a lower reading that knocks that day off the list. In such cases, WWP’s Gary Stockinger said, the utility defers to the government.

We’d bet this was the quote of the week

Stadium foe John Talbott seemed to be getting a little ahead of the curve of events last Friday, when he denounced the use of a lottery to pay for part of the new Seahawks edifice: “Billy Graham would turn over in his grave if he knew we were turning to gambling as a source of funds,” Talbott said during a debate … The Rev. Graham is getting up there in years, but, at last check, was very much alive.

Hasn’t he seen Blazing Saddles?

Officials from the Lone Star state could have visited a quintessential Spokane restaurant Tuesday, when they met with local authorities to retrieve a Texas toddler. Dick’s Drive-In, say, or Granny’s Buffet … But Nooo. They went with familiar fare, choosing the Longhorn Barbecue in Airway Heights for their dining and child-swapping pleasure … No report on how the Texans found the barbecue, but sources say at least one out-of-towner was appalled to find beans in the chili.

Getting involved

The city of Spokane is looking for some folks to fill positions. The Housing Advisory and Appeals Board has one vacancy, the Community Development Board has three openings and the Chase Youth Commission has five - three for youths and two for adults … Applications for any and all can be had at the mayor’s office, 5th Floor, City Hall.

He’s fared better

Spokane Transit Authority driver Leo Tomayko placed ninth at the recent competition sponsored by the Community Transportation Association of America. That’s a bit of a come-down for the 15-year veteran driver; in 1989 and 1995, he placed first in the competition, which is billed as a “roadeo.” , DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports.

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