Public Periscope

The phone’s for you

Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris promised during his first campaign to install a private phone in his office - at his own expense - so constituents could call him without going through receptionists … Records show that while the commissioner still pays for any long distance calls he makes, the county started paying the basic-service portion of the bills in March 1997. The price is about $36 a month - a few dollars more than other county phones because it’s listed under Harris’ name in the White Pages … Harris said he stopped paying the bill when the county switched providers: “I thought that the county could get it a lot cheaper than I could. If you’re telling me it’s not cheaper, I’ll check into that.”

Commissioners John Roskelley and Kate McCaslin also have direct-dial telephones in their offices, although at the lower county price and without listings in the phone book. The county pays their bill, too. But they never promised to pay it themselves.

A sure bet

If you have enough money, you can always back a winner in an election. Just ask Spokane attorney Mary Schultz. The family and criminal defense attorney made sure she had a winner by giving money to both county prosecutor candidates in this month’s election … She gave roughly $200 to winner Steve Tucker and $100 to defeated incumbent James Sweetser … “I endorsed Steve but I consider them both friends,” Schultz said. “Plus, they both needed it.”

Winter warning

Here’s a sure sign winter’s close: The state Department of Transportation sent us cards with the numbers for pass reports … If you’re traveling over the mountains and through the woods to grandmother’s house this week, you can call 1-888-SNO-INFO for an update on conditions. And if you’re like us and hate to figure out the letters that go with the numbers, we’ll translate: 1-888-766-4636 … Information is also available on the Internet, at www.wsdot.wa.gov.

They want fewer no-shows

On a more local transportation matter, the Spokane Transit Authority is getting a little ticked with people who call for pickup by the Paratransit Services, then aren’t there when the special van shows up. Recent automation allows the STA to track the number of “no-shows,” and in September, they had 1,150 … It’s a waste of time and money, says the STA, which earlier this month sent out letters to 490 people who had been no-shows six times in the last six months. The letters ask them to remember to call and cancel if they don’t need the ride … STA policy says anyone who’s a no-show can’t get a return trip or a ride the rest of that day. Of course, if they didn’t get on the van in the first place, they may not need a return … Repeated no-shows can have their service suspended for a period of time, but STA says this letter is really just an educational effort, not an enforcement crackdown.