Mccaslin, Roskelley Survive Challenges Developers Backed Attempt To Unseat Incumbent Commissioners

Those “sex offender” signs should be coming down soon.

Returns from Tuesday’s primary election showed incumbent Kate McCaslin holding a commanding lead over Republican rival Sylvia Riddle in the race for the District 2 seat on the Spokane County Commission.

The two candidates had waged a nasty campaign, with Riddle buying radio ads and erecting political placards across the county that accused McCaslin of being soft on sex offenders.

The incumbent replied with radio spots of her own that called Riddle, who’d supported McCaslin in 1996, “dishonest” and “deceitful.”

In other contested county commissioner primaries, District 1 incumbent Democrat John Roskelley held a comfortable lead over challenger Cliff Cameron. He’ll face former East Valley School Board member Karl Wilkinson, who was well on his way to victory over Bill Sprague.

Surrounded by whooping supporters at the Valley’s Longhorn Barbecue restaurant, McCaslin said Tuesday night she was gratified by the voters’ decision to send her on to November, where she will face Democrat Bill Burke, who ran unopposed in the primary.

“I think it says two things, really,” McCaslin said as dozens of supporters gnawed ribs on the restaurant’s second floor. “First, they think I’m doing a good job. Second, it’s clear that they rejected - rejected - Sylvia’s negative message. I look forward to a positive debate of the issues with Bill.”

Roskelley, who has been the target of the development community in his bid for re-election, will face Wilkinson, who has won the endorsement of the Spokane Home Builders Association, in November.

Some local builders feel the incumbents are hostile to business interests, and they contributed heavily to the campaigns of Riddle, Cameron and Wilkinson.

A political action committee called Citizens for Accountable Commissioners formed solely in an attempt to unseat Roskelley and McCaslin. The group, headed by county resident Raymond Hanson, poured more than $15,000 into Riddle’s campaign in the final three weeks and gave another $9,000 to Cameron, a land surveyor and development consultant. It also backed Wilkinson.

Roskelley said Tuesday night he expects more of the same during the general election season.

“If they want to change the commission in any way, they’re going to have to come after me, especially with the numbers Kate put up,” Roskelley said. “I’m going to have to get out there and do a better job of getting my message out.”

During the primary season, he and McCaslin both touted the fact that the county is in solid financial shape. The commissioners did not raise the general property tax rate last year and have built a healthy reserve that is expected to eclipse $12 million by the end of 2000.

Roskelley also said the best way to attract businesses to the county is for local government to remain financially secure and to fight for clean air, clear water and trafficfree roads.

That message appears to have resounded with voters, he said Tuesday from the home of his campaign manager, Chris Marr. Supporters gathered there to watch election results come in via the Internet.

“I think the voters are paying attention,” said Roskelley, who also beat Cameron in the 1996 primary. “They’re paying attention to how important it is to protect our quality of life. I’m really into growth management. I vote to protect our shorelines.”

Wilkinson, a real estate sales manager and dispute mediator, had no trouble dispatching the littleknown Sprague.

“I feel really good about the broad base of support I’m getting,” said Wilkinson, who pointed to his endorsements from the sheriff’s deputies union, the city police union and several local fire districts.

Wilkinson, who gathered with supporters at the Valley Applebee’s restaurant for a low-key celebration Tuesday night, said he plans to make the economy the focus of his battle with Roskelley.

Wilkinson advocates making the development process more predictable, spending more to recruit employers to Spokane and providing incentives for businesses.

“I distinguish myself from John by not having a personal agenda but having an agenda that represents the people, and that’s improving the economy and prosperity for everyone,” he said. “The economy around Spokane has slipped during the last four or five years. I think I can do something about that.”