Campaign ‘99

Candidate Q & A

With the Spokane City Council reviewing proposals for next year’s budget, name one area where you would spend more and one area in which you would spend less next year.

Asked of candidates for City Council, and based on current proposals, not assuming passage of state Initiative 695, which would eliminate one source of revenue, the motor vehicle excise tax.

Position 1

Roberta Greene: “We are just beginning the budget deliberations, so it is difficult to answer the spend less part of the question, but I would like to see additional allocations to the Human Services and Youth Departments.”

David Bray: “It’s difficult because we haven’t seen all of the budget, but if I could increase services in any area, it would be police. If I could decrease any, it would probably be in city planning, by combining it with county planning.”

Position 2

Al French: “I would spend more money and effort into finishing the growth management plan. I’d spend less money on speculative real estate, like Salty’s.”

Steve Corker: He would spend more on infrastructure, specifically roads. As for a cut, he’d look to the money spent on conferences and travel, and eliminate jobs from the budget that haven’t been filled for years.

Position 3

Steve Eugster: “I would cut down on spending on River Park Square. I would take the parking meter revenue of $3 million, and immediately turn it around and pledge it to a $40 million bond issue and commence immediate reconstruction of all of our arterials and $10 million worth of our major neighborhood collectors.”

Jeff Colliton: “I will ask to increase money to the economic development council. It is our marketing tool for recruiting and retaining businesses. I don’t think we can reduce anything in the budget. I would like to keep it stable. We want to maintain our current service level.”

Fat cats beware

Planning on spending more than $5,000 on the candidate or political committee of your choice? Better put your checkbook away, or find a new cause … The state deadline for making such big contributions has passed. That happened last Tuesday, which was 21 days before the election … And don’t even think of funneling money to a bunch of different committees that then funnel it to a candidate. State auditors tend to frown on such shell games.

One last reminder

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Washington state residents who aren’t registered to vote but would like to cast a ballot in the Nov. 2 election, have until Monday to do something about it. That something is to make a trip to the local county elections office - in Spokane, that’s the second floor of the Spokane County Courthouse - and sign up … You’ll have to vote absentee in this election, but can vote at the polls in the future, if that’s your preference.

Catch the candidates

Monday: Spokane City Council candidates Bray and Greene, at a debate sponsored by North Spokane Rotary. 12:30 p.m., Inn At the Park, call 838-4080 for information.

Tuesday: League of Women Voters forum for Spokane City Council and School District 81 candidates, 9th District House race, state and city ballot issues. 7 p.m., City Council Chamber, City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Tuesday: Discussion of Spokane city ballot proposition to amend the Human Rights ordinance, sponsored by the Spokane Council of Ecumenical Ministries. 7:30 p.m., Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, 4102 S. Crestline.

Thursday: Forum for Spokane City Council candidates, sponsored by the Spokane Republican Women’s Club. Noon, Shilo Inn, 923 E Third, $8.50 for lunch, call 327-8588 for info.

Friday: Forum on the strong-mayor initiative, sponsored by the Citizens League. Noon, Ridpath Hotel Legend Room, 515 W. Sprague.

Oct. 25: Debate between Spokane City Council candidates Steve Corker and Al French, sponsored by North Spokane Rotary. 12:30 p.m., Inn at the Park.

Oct. 28: Candidates forum for state House candidates, Garfield City Council Position 1, sponsored by Garfield Lions. 7 p.m., Garfield Community Center.

Oct. 28: Spokane City Council candidate forum, sponsored by the Neighborhood Councils of Cliff/Cannon, Lincoln Heights, Manito/Cannon Hill and Rockwood. 8 p.m., Wilson Elementary School, 911 W. 25th.