Public Periscope

You almost need a program

Here’s an example of how hard it is to keep track of who’s suing whom over what on the River Park Square parking garage. Spokane City Councilman Steve Corker wanted last week to sit in on a meeting of the Spokane Parking Public Development Authority even though he’s not a member of that board, but he arrived at the meeting a few minutes late. The board had already retired to a nearby conference room for an executive session, which means members of the public, even if they are council members, aren’t allowed … Corker looked at the City Hall meeting room, which was occupied mainly by waiting news media types, and asked “Where’s the PDA?” Down the hall in executive session, came the reply. Executive session? asked Corker. What for? … State law only allows public entities to hold such closed-door meetings for specific purposes. To discuss litigation - which is one of those purposes - came the reply. “But the PDA isn’t being sued,” said Corker. Yes it is, replied the reporters … Corker looked surprised. Who’s suing the PDA? he asked. You are, came the reply … Corker looked incredulous until reporters reminded him that the City Council has a lawsuit against the PDA, the mall’s developers, people who operate it and the consultants who produced revenue projections that have so far proved way off the mark.

Campaigns may need steroids tests

We’ll give the three main candidates for mayor points for drive and conviction, but deductions for creativity - at least when it comes to sloganeering.

Consider:

John Powers: “A strong leader for Spokane.”

John Talbott: “Strong mayor … for a stronger Spokane.”

Jim West: “A strong mayor for a strong city.”

At least, we strongly believe that’s the right combination of candidates and slogans. We’d hate to have to offer weak apologies next week.

Who says candidates lack sense of humor?

While speaking at the Downtown Spokane Partnership forum last week, West poked fun at his most notable gaffe, an angry threat left on the machine of an Olympia lobbyist. “They live together, they die together,” West said of divisiveness on the council. “Oh, I don’t say `die’ any more. Excuse me.”

Limits to e-commerce at e-lection time

A little reminder from the Secretary of State’s Office as the primary approaches: It is illegal to sell your vote … This reminder was prompted by two recent attempts by Washington state residents to put their vote out to bid on a popular auction Web site. While the attempts were dismissed by some as pranks, the state elections director, Gary MacIntosh, wasn’t laughing. The state contacted E-bay, which canceled the auction, and prosecuting attorneys in the counties where the would be vote-sellers live … Maximum penalty for trading a vote for cash or any other reward is a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

It’s also illegal to buy a vote. And no, these laws do not apply to campaign contributions. Don’t go there. Don’t even start.

Catch the candidates

There is still time to see those folks who want your vote Sept. 19. The Citizens League of Greater Spokane has invited city, county and legislative candidates to Coeur d’Alene Park in Browne’s Addition at 3 p.m. Sunday. Show up at 1 p.m. and there will be free hot dogs and ice cream. Show up at 2 p.m. and listen to music by the Trailer Park Girls, a local band … Spokane mayoral candidates will debate on KSPS-TV at 6 p.m. Sunday. The debate will be taped in advance, so there’s no danger they’ll miss out because they’re still in the park.