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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Companies On Collision Course Over Train Speeds In Ritzville

Compiled By Business Staff

Railroads looking to increase train speeds in Ritzville may be on the wrong track.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission meets tonight at 6 p.m. at the Ritzville Grade School Gym to consider the petitions of Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Amtrak to increase speeds in town.

The Washington commission has lowered limits for local safety conditions to 40 mph.

The two railroads have requested to increase the speed limit to meet federal limits: 60 mph for freight trains and 79 mph for passenger trains.

WUTC commissioners have already heard comments from residents who worry that trains traveling at the increased speeds may disrupt business and be unsafe. More testimony on safety concerns is expected at tonight’s hearing. For more information, call Penny Hansen of WUTC at 360-664-1117.

In other events this week:

Today

Beginning tonight, the North Idaho College Community Education Department offers a class on understanding the new tax laws from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Nov. 3 in the Hedlund Building at the NIC campus in Coeur d’Alene. Cost is $29 per person. To register, call 208- 769-3333.

Tuesday

Spokane Community College course on food service cost controls begins, continuing through Dec. 9. Sessions are Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The course covers food, beverage and labor cost controls. Call 533-7003 for information.

Deadline for returning Youth Leadership Spokane applications for the class of 1997-1998. The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership program is designed to develop leadership potential in high school sophomores and juniors. For information, call Barb Richardson at 459-4116.

The Spokane/Nishinomia Sister City Society holds a special dinner at 6 p.m. at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield St.

Wednesday

The third annual Lake Roosevelt Water Festival will be held today and tomorrow at the lake in Ferry County.

The Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute holds a free seminar on the legal aspects of forming and operating a business at 4 p.m. at 665 North Riverpoint Blvd.

The Commerce Department releases construction spending totals for August.

Thursday

The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce hosts a delegation of 35 Japanese companies from 2 to 4 p.m. to discuss business opportunities in Japan with small and medium-sized enterprises. For more information, call 206-389-7301.

Friday

The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum for one of three Spokane City Council positions at 7:30 a.m. in the Chamber building, 1020 W. Riverside. The cost is $2 at the door.

The Hispanic Business and Professional Association holds its monthly lunch meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Cavanaugh’s Fourth Avenue, 110 E. Fourth. Visitors are welcome.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Sales tax receipts

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Sept. 22: Many labor unions are now trying to use pension funds as the new “working capital” with which to reshape corporate policies. Consumer Reports, October: The magazine tests a number of wines - nice work if you can get it - and finds many good reds and whites for less than $10 a bottle. Technology’s Richest Here are the richest people in the technology field, as listed by Forbes, which found 57 tech sector titans worth at least $100 million in estimated wealth: 1. Bill Gates, 41, Microsoft, est. wealth: $38.66 billion. 2. Paul Allen, 44, Microsoft, $14.77 billion. 3. Steve Ballmer, 41, Microsoft, $8.21 billion. 4. Larry Ellison, 53, Oracle, $8.2 billion. 5. Gordon Moore, 68, Intel, $7.97 billion.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Sept. 22: Many labor unions are now trying to use pension funds as the new “working capital” with which to reshape corporate policies. Consumer Reports, October: The magazine tests a number of wines - nice work if you can get it - and finds many good reds and whites for less than $10 a bottle. Technology’s Richest Here are the richest people in the technology field, as listed by Forbes, which found 57 tech sector titans worth at least $100 million in estimated wealth: 1. Bill Gates, 41, Microsoft, est. wealth: $38.66 billion. 2. Paul Allen, 44, Microsoft, $14.77 billion. 3. Steve Ballmer, 41, Microsoft, $8.21 billion. 4. Larry Ellison, 53, Oracle, $8.2 billion. 5. Gordon Moore, 68, Intel, $7.97 billion.