Public Periscope

Name that building - not

Spokane Democrats are spitting mad about one of the things that didn’t get done in the closing days of this session of Congress: renaming Spokane’s U.S. Court House for former Speaker of the House Tom Foley. They blame the guy who defeated the Spokane Democrat in 1994, Republican Rep. George Nethercutt. … Renaming the federal building was proposed earlier this year by the state’s Democrats in the U.S. House. Naming buildings can be a fairly routine thing, as was the case with the George Bush CIA Building and Ronald Reagan National Airport. But without the support of the congressman from the district where the building is located, the process can bog down, congressional sources said.

Nethercutt spokesman Ken Lisaius said renaming the building wasn’t something for which the congressman’s office sensed a groundswell of support - few calls, no resolution by the City Council. And his boss was busy with more important budget matters in recent weeks. “Maybe next session,” he said. … Democratic challenger Brad Lyons suggested Nethercutt is out of touch with some folks in his district and missed a chance to show magnanimity toward the man he had defeated.

With friends like these …

The case surrounding the phone message state Sen. Jim West, R-6th District, left for building industry lobbyist Tom McCabe keeps getting more complicated. While West awaits trial next month, the Olympia Police Department is investigating another threat the incident allegedly spawned. … The Daily Olympian reports that Dave Wood, who lobbies for some groups that work with the developmentally disabled, allegedly told the judge handling West’s case to back off or the judge would be “dead meat.” Wood said he meant the remark politically, just as West had explained he meant McCabe would be “dead” politically for buying an advertisement against him. … West said Friday that when he and his attorney learned about Wood’s threat, the attorney went through the roof and West was left shaking his head and wondering, “What next?”

A failure to communicate

For a communications director, Paul Bledsoe doesn’t talk much. Bledsoe, who represents Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, hung up Thursday on a Spokane reporter seeking information about the proposed removal of some Northwest dams. “Wait for the press release,” he said. After the press release arrived by fax, Bledsoe was contacted again. He promised to call with answers to specific questions. He didn’t. … To be sure, Bledsoe was having a bad day. Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., had just released a 1994 letter in which Babbitt had written that he would “never favor” removing Snake River dams. Reporters wanted to know why Babbitt is overseeing agencies studying that very thing.

Last call

This is definitely it. If you want to vote in the Nov. 3 election - for or against a particular candidate, in favor or against a higher minimum wage, affirmative action, medical use of marijuana or anything else on the ballot - but you aren’t registered, you have one last chance. You must get yourself to the local county elections office by the close of business hours today. … If you do, you can register and vote by absentee ballot for this election. And you’ll be on the books to go to the polls, if that’s your preference, in future elections. But no more procrastinating.

Catch the candidates

Today: Spokane County prosecuting attorney candidates Jim Sweetser and Steve Tucker at a debate being sponsored by the Spokane North Rotary, 12:30 p.m., Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. Information: 623-1000.

Tonight: 5th Congressional District candidates Brad Lyons (Democrat) and John Beal (American Heritage Party) at a debate being sponsored by the Gonzaga Student Body Association, 6:30 p.m., Cataldo Building, Gonzaga University campus.

Wednesday: 6th Legislative District House candidates Brad Benson and Bernie Nelson and 4th Legislative District House candidates Larry Crouse and Richard Reed at a debate being sponsored by the Spokane Building Owners and Managers Association, 11:50 a.m., Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. $10 for lunch.

Friday: 6th Legislative District House candidates at a forum being sponsored by the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m., Spokane County Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway. $2 for breakfast.