Public Periscope

We’re no longer unconventional

Spokane County Democrats apparently have overcome the stigma of 1994 and no longer are viewed by a majority of their party as racist. Even Republicans and independents who care little about internecine political wars have a reason to rejoice in that because it means the state party’s convention will be held in Spokane in 2000. And that means money for Spokane. … Overcoming the lingering effects of the infamous “racial slur incident” was a key to convincing party leaders to hold a state convention here. The 1994 convention was moved out of Spokane when local party officials were accused of racism because of slurs made against Asians. … Although it helped that the Spokane Center offered the lowest bid for the convention and the Ridpath Hotel guaranteed to charge 1998 rates in 2000, party sources say the clincher was the willingness of Chairman Ken Pelo to address the question head-on. … Racist and exclusionary behavior never again will be tolerated, he said.

Something to talk about

During last week’s retreat, Spokane City Council members Jeff Colliton and Roberta Greene scolded Mayor John Talbott and Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers for speaking too freely about the Lincoln Street bridge project on talk radio. Talbott and Rodgers had criticized city management’s handling of the shorelines permit, which was denied last month by the state Department of Ecology. … Talbott’s assessment of his colleagues’ assessment? “I guess I think that they are free to voice their opinion about me not being free to voice mine.”

Does Kaczynski use e-mail?

The Western Governors University, a futuristic venture to create an online school for students worldwide, gets an “F” for distributing a computer virus by e-mail last week to 80 people, including Govs. Gary Locke of Washington and Phil Batt of Idaho. The virus was embedded in an announcement that WGU had begun testing its online system. … Horrified by its Typhoid Mary deed, Salt Lake City-based WGU apologized the next day and suggested recipients destroy the message and inoculate their computers against the virus.

It’d be tempting to call this a pot line

City and county residents may report pesky potholes to the road crews that are trying to fill them up. The county’s public works office opened its pothole hotline last week at 458-2547. City holes can be reported to 625-7733. Leave some details on the location and size of the pothole and a name and number so officials can call back. … In announcing the hotline, the county public works staff attributed the streets’ condition in part to everyone’s favorite weather bogyman, El Nino. If you thought the mild winter would mean fewer road problems, you’d be wrong. The department’s info specialist Chad Hutson says moisture, freezing and thawing have messed up the roads.

There’s a day for everything

Tuesday is Spay Day, and the county’s small-animal control office is set to celebrate. People who live in unincorporated areas of the county, plus Cheney, Millwood or Fairchild Air Force Base, can obtain sterilization certificates from the shelter at 2521 N. Flora for $10. … If you want one, hurry. Only 75 are available.

Maybe they’ve got a point about school reform

In plugging their plan to change the way federal school money is spent, legislative Republicans inadvertently may have proved education ain’t what it used to be. Either that, or the GOP penchant for cutting taxes and budgets now extends to cutting back on apostrophes. … Consider these lines from the GOP press release quoting Senate Majority Leader Dan McDonald: “If the money doesnt reach the classroom, it wont help students learn to read and write. Thats why were so pleased with Senator Gortons leadership …”

, DataTimes MEMO: “Public Periscope,” published weekly, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. You can contact us by mail c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210; by fax at (509) 459-5482 or by e-mail at jimc@spokesman.com.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Thursday: County Commissioner John Roskelley will hold a town hall meeting at Riverside High School, 6:30 p.m.

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