Public Periscope
The return of the Unamailer
Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Tim Durkin, a k a the Unamailer, tried last week to make the best of notoriety earned for setting off an e-mail avalanche in the county computer network … Durkin caused more than 120,000 e-mail messages to flood the system’s 2,000 users when he accidentally set his e-mail account to notify people he was out of town for a few days. Only, he set his account to reply to everyone on the county system, every time he received an e-mail. As his messages multiplied like kudzu, county techno-nerds rushed to the computer he left behind to disable the commands causing the barrage … Upon his return, Durkin accepted the Unamailer moniker gracefully, sending a “manifesto” and apology to co-workers. The experience, he said, means the county Computer Services Department “will never tell me again there are no vacancies in any of their training classes.” His apology went out, of course, via e-mail.
Not very observant
An environmental checklist for a parking garage proposed for the riverbank near the Spokane Club makes at least one questionable claim. Check out the animals section, where project sponsors are to indicate any birds and animals “observed on or near the site” … Here’s what the architectural firm reports: “Birds: None observed. Mammals: None observed. Fish: types of fish in Spokane River unknown” … Either no one looked very hard, or they picked a day when the osprey were visiting in-laws and the marmots were in their holes watching “Jerry Springer.”
About that goose egg, Guv
The Washington Farm Bureau is hustling to correct a boo-boo about Gov. Gary Locke in its recap of the ‘98 legislative session, which ranks state politicians on how they acted on the bureau’s pet bills. It sent out a memo saying Locke did not earn a 0 percent on priorities … In fact, the guv went 3.5 for 4 on their top bills - he only got partial credit for a bill on dairy nutrient management because of his partial veto. Locke has always been “willing to listen to the concerns of rural citizens,” Bureau President Steve Appel added.
Setting the stage
Spokane County Republicans may be building a foundation from which George Nethercutt could launch another re-election campaign in 2000. That’s the year he theoretically should retire from the House and do what he said in 1994 that all congresspersons should do, come home to live under the laws they passed … Nethercutt himself offers the standard demurrers on such a run: He’s concentrating on this year’s election; talking about 2000 is premature; has to see what the voters are saying then. County Commissioner Phil Harris had no such reticence while talking to the GOP County Convention … Candidates often say things like they’ll limit their terms when first trying to get elected - but you can’t expect to hold them to that, Harris told convention delegates. “I don’t care if they say that. If it’s the right person, re-elect ‘em.”
Leave it to the feds
With the ongoing hepatitis epidemic, just about everyone in Spokane is posting signs in restrooms encouraging people to wash their hands. The most detailed we’ve seen is a six-step chart in the U.S. Court House explaining exactly how to do it.
Sartorial splendor
Spokane Mayor John Talbott, ever the colorful character, was even more so last week, sporting a bright yellow jacket at the council’s briefing session. “I need sunglasses for that sport coat,” said City Manager Bill Pupo, himself dressed in a subdued gray suit … “It’s to prepare you for the purple one tonight,” replied Talbott, who later that evening chaired the council meeting in the trademark jacket of the Spokane Lilac Festival … It was proper attire for issuing an official proclamation making this Friday Lilac Day. Citizens were urged to wear purple. Consider yourself warned.
This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot Topics Thursday: The Spokane City Council hears about the controversial Urban Forestry Ordinance. 3:30 p.m., Room 1A, Spokane Public Library, 906 W. Main.