Public Periscope

Commercial under the gun

A Richard Clear supporter has cried foul over a radio ad aired earlier this month on behalf of GOP rival Rep. George Nethercutt, complaining to the feds that it violates rules for campaign commercials. The Federal Elections Commission won’t comment on the ad from the Sharp Shooting Indoor Range and Gun Shop, but almost everyone involved agrees it was unusual … Half of the 60-second spot talked about the range’s July sale; the other half urged support for candidates who support gun rights, and specifically mentioned Nethercutt. There was, however, no statement disclosing who paid for the ad, which is required for any political commercial. “It crossed the line,” said Kris Wilder, a consultant for the Clear campaign.

Range owner Robin Ball said the business paid for the ad on KGA radio to counter what she viewed as an unfair slant one host had toward Clear, who previously worked for the station. Ball, the National Rifle Association coordinator for this congressional district, said she ran the ad by that group’s public affairs office and was told “You can say anything you want.” She also said she asked KGA about a disclaimer and said she didn’t need one.

It appears Ball got some bad advice. In general, an FEC spokesman said, any commercial advocating the election or defeat of a candidate must state who paid for it. A corporation can’t contribute to a congressional race, even if it’s independent of the candidate’s campaign, as this ad was.

Wilder said he complained to the FEC on his own, not as a campaign consultant, but noted “anytime I can get an opponent’s ad off the air, I’m up” … Ball said the letter he sent to KGA as well as the agency didn’t force the ad off the air. It ran the scheduled five days, then was retired.

Kudos to make you flush with pride

Sewage treatment plants in Cheney, Newport, Pomeroy and Grand Coulee pump waste with the best of them, the state Department of Ecology says. The four facilities were among three dozen that recently earned the title “Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant,” acknowledged for complying with the requirements of their state-issued discharge permits … “This is the largest number of winners we’ve ever had,” gushed Megan White, who heads Ecology’s water quality program. Even Gov. Gary Locke tipped his toilet to plant operators: “Even a momentary slip-up at any wastewater treatment facility could threaten the health of people, fish and the environment - so I commend the operators of the winning facilities for doing such an outstanding job 24 hours a day, every day of the year.” … The Spokane plant was not among the winners, but there’s always next year.

Maybe we could find a brother city

Tacoma and Spokane seem to be of different minds when it comes to Sister Cities … Spokane has “disowned” two of its sibling municipalities in recent years - Luebeck, Germany and Makhachkala, Russia - dropping our “international family” to four. Tacoma will be celebrating the addition of a ninth this week, adding Taichung, Taiwan, to a brood that includes cities in China, the Philippines, South Korea, Russia, Norway, Israel, South Africa and Japan.

Taxpayers get the gift and the bill

In a statement issued Friday, the National Parks Conservation Association praised a Senate committee for approving $100 million for parks improvements. The group said it hopes the full Senate will “seize this opportunity to give a gift to the American people” … Of course, this gift would be funded by the recipients.