Public Periscope

Democrats get around to endorsing Powers

Spokane County Democrats threw a press conference Thursday to announce their nearly month- old endorsement of mayoral candidate John Powers.

The party’s Central Committee considers Powers the most committed to its values of revitalized community, supporting neighborhoods, protecting the environment and “transcending barriers that divide people” … Although the mayor’s race, like all municipal positions, is nonpartisan, it’s not a huge surprise the Democrats went with Powers. After all, one candidate, Jim West, is an elected Republican who once thought about running for the state GOP’s top spot … But the Democrats wanted to help differentiate Powers from incumbent Mayor John Talbott, who classifies himself as independent, but the Democrats consider more of a Republican.

Talbott’s populist appeal to voters in the traditionally Democratic precincts of north Spokane helped him beat longtime party regular Jack Geraghty in 1997.

Most endorsements are double-edged swords, and Powers was careful to explain why he can appeal to Republicans, too. He attended both party’s state conventions, he said, and can relate to Republicans because “I’ve signed the front of paychecks for years, not turned them over and signed my name to government paychecks.”

Why did Democrats wait nearly a month to announce their support? First they had to see if any other recognizable party member filed for mayor in late July; then there were some vacations; then the national convention in Los Angeles kept everyone busy. Things just didn’t line up right until last week, Chairman Ken Pello said.

There’s more on the way

It’s that time of year when candidates and political groups work overtime trying to find ways to attract public attention. Sometimes they come up with some pretty silly stunts, and other times they hit on ideas that benefit the community … Take last week (please). One candidate was shining shoes downtown in an effort to meet voters and show he was a man of the people. And two local Republican women’s groups, the Ponderosa Republican Women’s Club and the Spokane Republican Women’s Club, highlighted George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind initiative by presenting checks totaling $500 to the Logan Neighborhood Back to School Fair, which helped buy school supplies for low-income students near the school … We’ll leave it to each reader to decide which category each event falls into.

Catch the candidates

It’s also the time of year when candidates show up at a park, school or auditorium near you. Tonight, the Non Commissioned Officers Association will hold a forum for 5th Congressional District candidates at the Eagles Aerie on Francis. Expect some tough questions on military and veterans issues … On Saturday, Libertarian candidates will go heavy on the liberty theme, holding a Liberty Forum at the Liberty Lake Water District building, starting at 7 p.m. Congressional candidate Greg Holmes and 4th Legislative District senate candidate Robert Chase will be among speakers.

If you’ve got a candidate forum coming up, notify us at one of the numbers or addresses below, by the Friday before the event. We’ll get in as many as we have space for.

Town hall meeting in Millwood

This isn’t exactly a campaign event, even though it involves a candidate, so it seems best to list it separately. County Commissioner Kate McCaslin will hold a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Millwood Town Hall … McCaslin will be joined by county staff who will be available to answer citizens’ questions or concerns about their county government.