Public Periscope
Let the debate debates begin
Just when we were expecting a crushing schedule of debates featuring Eastern Washington’s congressional candidates, it suddenly appears doubtful those mano-a-mano forums will occur before the Sept. 19 primary. A bit of a surprise, as all the challengers are hankering for a debate and incumbent George Nethercutt sent a letter to voters in March saying he would debate “all such candidates as may exist” after the July 28 filing deadline passes … Democrat Tommy Flynn and Republican Richard Clear wasted no time in issuing debate challenges as soon as they filed.
But wait, says Nethercutt. A debate with the GOP challenger would only be possible if Clear agrees to endorse the winner of the primary. “If you indeed hold the values and principles that are so important to us in the GOP, this should not be a problem to you,” Nethercutt wrote in his debate counter challenge which gives his promise to support a victorious Clear … But it is a problem to Clear, who considers such a guarantee the same as “asking me to project my own loss. McCain didn’t endorse Bush before he lost.”
Despite what seems like an open invitation to debate all comers back in March, Nethercutt campaign manager Jim Dornan now says his boss will not debate a Democrat until after the primary. He called Flynn’s recent call for debates in August “a play for face time” … Pretty harsh for a guy whose letter to Nethercutt ended “George, one of your party’s most revered historical figures, Abraham Lincoln, would be proud that you follow in his footsteps and debate your opponents before the people of your district, both early and often.”
As long as they read us
Some mayoral candidates have made clear their dislike and distrust of The Spokesman-Review, but aren’t above using the newspaper when it serves their purposes … Dark horse candidate Robert Kroboth refused an interview with the newspaper after filing for office July 28, which was duly noted in the next day’s paper. But Kroboth’s distrust of the paper didn’t prevent him from distributing a copy of the article, with his name highlighted, as part of his media kit the next week … Likewise, Mayor John Talbott routinely blasts The Spokesman-Review, and at last Thursday’s mayoral debate blamed the paper for the city’s negative image. But while he doesn’t subscribe, he was able to recall a 1998 profile of Sen. Jim West well enough to use it against his opponent in the debate.
The county is your friend
Spokane County commissioners get a pat on the back Thursday from a Seattle-based organization that monitors local government issues. The Washington Foundation Institute will present commissioners, two of whom are up for re-election, with its “Friend of the Taxpayer” award … Commissioners Phil Harris, Kate McCaslin and John Roskelley are receiving the award for “their successful efforts in holding down property taxes for the citizens of Spokane County,” according to a press release issued by the Spokane County’s public information specialist, Laura Rumpler. Spokane County is the fourth best county in the state for limiting property tax increases and abiding by Referendum 47, Rumpler wrote … Passed in 1997, the law limits local property tax increases to the rate of inflation each year unless elected officials identify a substantial need to raise taxes.
Parking follow-up
Several readers wrote or e-mailed to take issue with last week’s item about the parking tickets which were being issued at an Audubon Park concert, saying the neighborhood has actually asked the police to crack down on parking scofflaws to keep the narrow streets passable … That’s a worthy goal, but makes all the more curious the ticketing officer parking illegally so he could write citations. Note to all near-park parkers: Park it someplace that keeps the streets passable.