‘Save The Fox’ Hits The Right Notes

Sun., Nov. 26, 2000

Two weeks ago yesterday, as lawyers fanned out across Florida in an orchestrated fight to punch holes in George Bush’s original 1,781-vote lead, or prop it up, people of all political persuasions came together in Spokane for a very different purpose.

They came together for a celebration: Spokane’s Fox Theater has been saved. It has been saved by contributions from rich people and blue-collar people, Republicans and Democrats, capitalists who adore Mozart and folks who prefer the blues. On Saturday, some in furs and some in jeans, the donors poured into the grand old theater where the Spokane Symphony, the building’s new owner, treated them to an evening of elegant hors d’oeuvres, transcendent music and some marvelous news.

Earlier this year, the 69-year-old art deco building faced the wrecking ball. People all over town rebelled at the thought. The Spokane Symphony’s board of trustees sensed an opportunity to fulfill a dream and save a cultural landmark. Taking a chance, it signed a deal to buy the building, provided community donations would raise the $1.1 million price. Over the last few months, more than 900 people donated $720,000. Yet that was not enough.

At the Nov. 11 celebration, symphony officials announced that an anonymous donor had contributed the balance of the purchase price. Now, with the building’s survival assured, the Symphony will seek more community donations, as well as large public and private grants, to restore the hall to its original glory, making it a center for the performing arts.

What a contrast this presents, occurring as it did against the backdrop of a savage political contest that has seemed at times as if it will have no end.

If the U.S. Constitution could be compared to an elegant old theater, this year’s fight for the presidency was a provocative play that handed out poleaxes, turned off the lights and then shouted “fire” to the angry crowd.

Al Gore promised to spend more money on federal programs for education and health care while offering targeted tax cuts for tuition, health insurance and day care expenses. Bush proposed less money for health care and education but he supported policies that would return money to individuals and states for those programs. Bush also supported tax cuts across all income brackets and promised not to increase personal or corporate tax rates.

The different policy proposals produced one of the closest elections in history. Al Gore believes he won most of the votes cast in Florida and George Bush believes he won most of the votes counted. Both candidates make good arguments for their cases.

Whoever becomes the next president will need a dramatic change in style to command our nation’s respect. Self-aggrandizement and self-government involve completely different approaches. For the latter, Americans need one another’s support, not one another’s enmity. In fact we do know how to make music together, but doing so requires a conductor able to fill the hall with grace.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.