Higgins, Talbott Exchange Blasts Each Says Other Controlled By Special Interest Groups

On the eve of the city elections, Spokane City Councilman Rob Higgins and Mayor John Talbott accused each other of being controlled by special interests active in local politics.

Higgins called a news conference Monday to say he was “disappointed and disgusted” by the record amounts of money being contributed to some council candidates and ballot initiatives.

It’s part of an effort that began in the 1997 election, he contended.

“Two years ago they did buy the mayor’s office,” Higgins said.

Talbott said later that allegation was so astounding “I wouldn’t even respond.”

Then he accused Higgins of having a political agenda.

“His string is being pulled so much by the people who don’t want change,” Talbott said. “What this is about is whether we’re going to open up this city or let a small group of people continue to control it.”

Asked to name an example of how Talbott was influenced by contributors, Higgins accused the mayor of delaying a proposal on a larger convention center to help Paul Sandifur of Metropolitan Mortgage, a key supporter.

“I think that’s just political talk at the last minute before an election,” Sandifur said Monday night.

Sandifur is a major contributor to Straight Talk, a recently formed political action committee. He and other top donors to Straight Talk are also active in the Greater Spokane Area Symposium Series, which is discussing ways to bring more, better-paying jobs to the region.

Straight Talk has donated tens of thousands of dollars in cash and in advertising to council candidates and ballot measures that would change the structure of city government.

Sandifur has proposed a new convention center be built on property he owns northwest of the Monroe Street Bridge. But the Sports, Entertainment, Arts and Convention Advisory Board that is reviewing the project said it wanted to stick with a 1997 study that recommended expanding the existing convention center on Spokane Falls Boulevard.

“If I did buy the mayor, it hasn’t done me any good,” Sandifur said. Building the convention center on his Summit property is no longer an option, he added.

Talbott denied that Sandifur’s contributions have anything to do with his stance on the convention center.

Earlier this year, Talbott refused to sign a letter urging Gov. Gary Locke to sign a bill that would allow the city’s hotel-motel tax to be used for a convention center. He has also said he is concerned about the project’s cost, that it won’t bring high-quality jobs to the city and that any bonds to finance the expansion should have voter approval.

“I’ve never said I opposed the convention center,” he said. “I’ve been very pro-active in advocating a convention center.”