In Their Own Words Spokane’s Mayoral Candidates Offer Their Views On The Issues Facing The City

Four years ago, the people of Spokane joined with me in embarking upon a new vision for our community.

We proposed to sharpen the city’s fight against crime, begin a revitalization of the downtown core, strengthen neighborhoods, streamline city government and rebuild the infrastructure.

Much of this vision is quietly and effectively coming into place. Still there is so much to do:

Spokane, a city that works I envision a Spokane:

Whose streets, neighborhoods and schools are as safe as possible from crime.

Where fire and serious medical emergencies are responded to within minutes of the alarm.

Where drinking water is pure and sewage is effectively treated.

Where garbage is properly disposed.

Where streets are maintained.

It is also a city of well-groomed parks, open and accessible libraries, programs for young people, and celebration of the arts.

It is a city that respects and nurtures the diversity of its citizens, protects the rights of all people, and safeguards the public interest through planning and sensible regulation.

By any measure, Spokane ranks well in most categories. But what about the future? We must begin now to plan for the projected growth of 50,000 new people in Spokane over the next 20 years.

Such planning must provide for land-use arrangements that complement existing development, make maximum use of the existing city infrastructure, and allow for a mixed-use tax base that is fair to everyone, particularly residential property taxpayers.

Today many people - citizen volunteers, planners, elected leadership - are working on a new comprehensive plan for Spokane. I can think of nothing more pivotal to our city’s future.

Spokane, city of neighborhoods Spokane is a city of vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. It is the fabric of these neighborhoods coming together, like a giant quilt, that adds so much to the richness of our city.

In my monthly neighborhood visits, I am continually amazed at the resources, the strengths, the opportunities and, yes, the challenges within each of our neighborhoods.

If we are to retain the distinct character of the places where we live, then, as a city, we must provide the people in the neighborhoods with the tools to determine their own destiny. More than 10 neighborhoods have decided to join the city’s new neighborhood council system and more are being considered. This is the beginning of a strong community statement for local self-determination. People in the neighborhoods should have effective input into decisions that directly affect them and should have much greater access to their city government.

Spokane, city for the 21st century My vision encompasses community-wide partnerships, working to maintain our quality of life. Partnerships in education, to ensure students have the learning opportunities to meet the higher educational standards. We also must continue development of the Riverpoint Higher Education Park.

Partnerships with industry, business and labor, to build a regional economy providing good family-wage job opportunities. These partnerships also are critical in bringing about revitalization of our downtown and other business centers.

Partnerships to bring Spokane to the cutting edge of technology. The Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute and the promising “Terabyte Triangle” downtown are indications the new age is already upon us.

I hope we will never lose sight of the spirit that led those in some distant past to call us the Friendly City and the Children of the Sun. We are a city of positive people, not afraid of taking risks for a better future. That is our heritage and that is why I firmly believe Spokane will always be the heart of the Inland Northwest.

MEMO: For opponents view, see story with same headline.