Nethercutt’S Office To Open March 3

Sat., Feb. 20, 1999

By Pat Sciuchetti pats@spokesman.com

U S. Rep. George Nethercutt made a brief stop in the Spokane Valley this week to dedicate his new office.

The office, which will open March 3, is designed to help constituents with Medicare problems, Social Security problems or other situations involving federal agencies or programs.

Located in a basement conference room of the Spokane County Library District’s Valley Branch, 12004 E. Main, the temporary office also will be a place where Valley residents can go to talk to Nethercutt’s staff about current issues or give feedback about actions the 5th District congressman has taken.

At an opening ceremony Wednesday, the Eastern Washington representative invited his constituents to tell him whether or not he should run for a fourth term - something he promised he wouldn’t do back when he was campaigning for his current seat in 1994.

At the time, Nethercutt supported term limits and said he would leave the House in 2000.

Nethercutt told a small number of constituents Wednesday that he’s continuing to push for an expansion of international wheat markets. His goal is to allow Washington wheat growers to sell their crops to any country in the world without the threat of sanctions.

He’s also pushing for more funding for a north-south freeway and for light-rail in the Valley. But he said Wednesday that chances for more federal money for light rail are “slim” because the north-south freeway has become a higher priority for the near term.

“I think (light rail) is a great idea - longer term,” he said.

Nethercutt took several questions about Social Security. He said Congress needs to discuss the age of retirement this year. His preference is to create incentives for those who work past 65, instead of penalties for those who don’t.

The Spokane County Library District is providing the space for free, said East region manager Priscilla Ice, because it provides a public service.

OFFICE INFO U.S. Rep George Nethercutt’s new Valley office in the basement of the Spokane County Library District’s Valley Branch, 12004 E. Main, will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Constituents can call the office at 979-1921 during hours of service.

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