Public Periscope
How do you figure?
There was a time when Republicans would have been content simply to pass a resolution to investigate President Clinton for impeachable offenses. But all these references to the Watergate era and the overwhelming vote to investigate Richard Nixon may be rankling just a bit … Hours after the resolution passed, one local GOP activist was grousing that the news media were going to miss the real statistic, that all but five members of the House had voted to investigate Clinton … Sure, the vote on the Republican proposal was 258 to 176, he said. But the vote on the Democratic proposal was 198 to 236, and that was for an investigation, too, he said. When taken together, only five Democrats held out for no investigation … True enough, and only readers who can add three-digit numbers could infer that statistic from the graphic the newspaper printed the day after the vote.
Some Democrats might protest that this is a little like determining who wins the World Series by who scores the most runs, not who wins the most games. But we all know what spoil-sports Democrats can be. REST} One debate, at least
Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Linda Smith will have at least one debate, the campaigns reported last week. It’s scheduled for Friday afternoon at Seattle University, but current plans say it won’t be televised until Sunday … No one’s sure yet if there will be another one, or what will happen to this debate if Congress is still trying to figure out how to spend our tax dollars on Friday.
Just treading water
The long, hot summer meant Spokane County pools took in $30,700 more than expected. But it’s not a windfall: Revenue and costs (for chemicals, lifeguards and the like) climb at about the same rate at the pools.
Getting involved
The Boundary Review Board for Spokane County needs nominations to fill three of its five positions. Time was when those were hot seats because the board could - and in some cases, did - squelch votes for Valley incorporation. Now, the board’s powers have been pared back to some minimal adjustments of boundary lines … But it’s still an important job. Application forms, which should be accompanied by references and a resume, can be obtained from the board office at 1026 W. Broadway.
Catch the candidates
Tuesday: Forum on domestic violence, with legislative, county and judicial candidates. 7 p.m., City Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall.
Wednesday: 6th District candidates for state Senate, House Position 1, at a debate sponsored by the Building Owners and Managers Association. 11:50 a.m., Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.
Thursday: Forum for local candidates sponsored by the Northeast Community Center Association and the League of Women Voters. 5:30 p.m., Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook.
Friday: 3rd District candidates for state House at a debate sponsored by the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce. 7:30 a.m., Hearing Examiners Room, County Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway. $2 for breakfast.
Friday: 4th District House candidates John Kallas and Lynn Schindler, and supporters and opponents of state Referendum 49, in televised debates. 8:30 p.m., Spokane This Week, KSPS-TV Channel 7.