Public Periscope
Selective criticism
Got to hand it to state House Speaker Clyde Ballard for his latest appeal to the Republican faithful for money for this fall’s campaigns. The money is needed, the East Wenatchee legislator writes, to counter the powerful special interests that will spend “hundreds of thousands of dollars right here in Washington to flood our airwaves and mailboxes with half-truths, innuendoes and outright lies. They will literally stop at nothing to gain power.” … Ballard is particularly tough on unions, trial lawyers and others of their ilk with “dangerous liberal ideas.” Strangely enough, he doesn’t mention some of the other big donors that have mounted big, costly campaigns - and even gotten into trouble with the state - such as Services Group of America and the building industry. … Oh, wait a minute. Their efforts helped mainly Republicans. Never mind.
Antitrust suit, yada yada yada
Seemed as if no one could resist a reference to “Seinfeld” last Thursday before the last episode of that TV show aired. But some had to stretch further than others. … Take the statement from U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton regarding the antitrust fight between the U.S. Justice Department and Microsoft over Windows 98. The Washington Republica is against sanctions for one of the state’s biggest employers, saying Microsoft isn’t hurting consumers, the people whom antitrust laws are supposed to protect. The fight is being waged by the company’s “unsuccessful competitors,” Gorton said. … So what’s the link to “Seinfeld”? Gorton said in his statement the antitrust lawsuits are like an episode of the show: “They’re all about nothing.”
It adds up
Spokane County Treasurer Linda Wolverton isn’t happy about the amount paid to underwriter D.A. Davidson to sell the county’s recent multimillion-dollar sewer bond. After she expressed her displeasure by e-mail to Commissioner John Roskelley, bond attorney Roy Koegen and the county’s financial adviser explained the fees to commissioners. … They said the rate was about $7.99 per $1,000 in bonds - about the middle of the road for bonds sold in Washington. But the fees, which totaled more than $150,000 for underwriter, bond attorney, et al., had commissioners whistling.
The price of a new look
Spokane Interstate Fair Manager Dolly Hughes wants to offer fair visitors something new this year, so she’s playing musical chairs with the booths. She knew the plan would bother old-timers, but she’s taking the vendors’ anger in stride. … The people who were angry were really angry, but no one has gotten belligerent, she said. “Nobody’s sworn at me yet.”
We’re not out on this limb
Congratulations to Fairchild Air Force Base, Pullman, Walla Walla, Clarkston, Metaline and Omak, Wash., for officially being listed as “Tree Cities USA.” To get that designation, a community must have an agency that helps care for trees, a forestry program with a decent budget and an observance of Arbor Day. … Even though Spokane isn’t an official “Tree City,” you can turn your property into tree-friendly space. The state Department of Natural Resources offers a Backyard Forest Stewardship and Fire Safety Kit with tips on improving your personal woodlands. Call 1-888-STEW KIT or send a request by e-mail to foreststewardship@wadnr.gov.
This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Today: The City Council’s Finance Committee will talk about gambling taxes. 2 p.m., 5th floor conference room, City Hall. Tuesday: Spokane County commissioners will consider extending restrictions prompted by water-management problems in the Moran Prairie and Glenrose areas. 5 p.m., Public Works Building.