Campaign Notebook

Thu., Nov. 2, 2000

Moles might dig I-713

Supporters and foes of a ballot measure that would ban certain body-gripping animal traps have been arguing over whether Initiative 713 would prevent homeowners from trapping pesky moles.

I-713 sponsor Lisa Wathne says the measure only targets steel-jawed leghold traps “and other inhumane and indiscriminate” traps for commercial purposes.

“It doesn’t ban trapping of moles, gophers, mice or rats - animals not trapped for fur,” Wathne and supporters wrote in the state voters guide. “Ever seen a mole coat? Neither have we.”

Well, Ed Owens, a natural resource consultant who’s running the campaign against I-713, is circulating pictures of fashion models wearing a dress, skirt, scarf and ankle cuffs made of mole fur. They even show off their mole-fur accessories: a clutch bag and handbag.

He says that proves his point - that the initiative would ban mole traps because there is a commercial market for mole fur.

He also mentioned he has an idea for his wife’s birthday.

One last road trip

After they meet tonight in the third and final debate of the U.S. Senate campaign, Republican Sen. Slade Gorton and Democrat Maria Cantwell both are scheduled to fly to Eastern Washington to begin whirlwind tours of the state.

Gov. Gary Locke will headline a Democrat bus tour that starts Saturday in Seattle and includes 12 stops in Western Washington and one in Spokane.

The state Republican Party starts a bus tour of its own in Spokane on Friday, and spends the weekend cruising through Western Washington.

Activist wants to flunk Bergeson

An education activist who opposes the Washington Assessment of Student Learning test and other elements of “outcome-based education” is mounting a write-in campaign against state schools superintendent Terry Bergeson, who got better than 50 percent of the vote in a five-way primary.

But Marda Kirkwood is trying to keep Bergeson from winning a free pass Tuesday. Kirkwood, head of a group called Citizens United for Responsible Education, is waging a write-in campaign that she hopes will at least get the attention of “educrats” in Olympia.

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