What Resolutions Would You Suggest To Improve Spokane?

Time’s running out. Only a few days left to resolve goals for the final year of the 1900s.

So think big - big enough for the whole community. What should the Spokane area’s resolutions be for 1999? What one change or accomplishment would do the most to make our home a better community?

Time for another sunset

Once again, the Washington Legislature is trying to lighten the bureaucratic load by weeding out state committees and programs that no longer serve an important purpose.

History tells us that people whose activities, and funding, are threatened suddenly acquire formidable lobbying skills.

Knowing that these programs almost always have some consumerprotection premise, how would you advise lawmakers to decide which committees are still useful and which should be terminated?

Sing it out

As a state official or as a rock musician, Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is a harsh foe of drugs and in 1997, he beat the drums energetically against Initiative 685, a measure to legalize medical use of marijuana.

A little too energetically, according to the state Executive Ethics Board, which accused Owen of improperly using public resources to speak out against the measure. Without admitting wrongdoing, Owen has agreed to pay a $7,000 fine.

But some people, such as Alice Onstad of Deer Park, want to hear from Owen and other public officials about key issues.

“Common sense dictates that opinions by officeholders should be stated on important issues or any other issue they feel they should speak out on,” says Onstad.

Charity begins at vacated home

Is there a rosy side to landlord-tenant conflicts? Allan LeTourneau of Spokane thinks there may be.

When evicted tenants leave their belongings behind, current practices often result in the goods being carted to the curb and eventually hauled off as trash. LeTourneau suggests this alternative: “Perhaps a reasonable solution would be to give the tenant 72-hour notice, then arrange to have one of the local charities pick up the goods,” he said.

“The charity would hold the items for an additional 10 days. If the tenant shows up before the 10 days, he or she would pay the going rate for transfer and storage. If not, the charity benefits either way.”