Public Periscope

Not everyone would say ho, ho, ho

Some angels enjoy singing a nice carol during the holiday season. But an “angel” shown in the Spokane Police Department newsletter appears to have more than a tune in mind … An update on the department’s K-9 unit includes a “Christmas card” that features a German shepherd dressed in wings and halo, sitting attentively in the snow above an inscribed caption: “Hark! The Hairy Angel Bites!”

The dog is cute, but it’s doubtful that everyone would view such tidings with comfort and joy. For example, there’s the elderly Spokane woman who sued after she was mistakenly attacked by a police dog while she slept in her home. The department settled … We’re thinking another holiday phrase might have worked better: “Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.”

Raising the bar for mayoral attire

Being a newly formed city, Liberty Lake has no traditions for candidates to uphold and the current crop of would-be officeholders are free to mount campaigns in any way they choose. So we must commend mayoral hopeful Steve Peterson for setting a high sartorial standard for filing for office … Peterson arrived at the Spokane County Elections Office in a tuxedo to file his papers as a candidate. He told the Liberty Lake Splash it was both a fashion and a political statement … “In most cases, a tux is less expensive than a regular suit, but is far classier. I think Liberty Lake can be the same way - maximum services with the same or less taxes,” he said.

Keeping tabs on the honorables

Congress starts on Wednesday with the swearing-in of new members, and gets down to serious business in the days or weeks ahead. With several mountain ranges, three time zones and all that land in between, it can be hard to keep track of your senators and representatives, but a new service is offering to help, for free … YourCongress.com has a new service that will send you an e-mail every time your representative or senators say something. The e-mail will arrive within 24 hours, the company promises … It’s a way to make sure that members of Congress don’t say one thing at home and do another in Washington, D.C., said the company’s founder, Christopher Porter … To sign up for the service, go to www.YourCongress.com on the Internet. That site also has information on Congress, a way to send e-mail to the message and an appropriate message in its banner:“It’s Your Congress. Learn to Laugh.”

Getting involved

Spokane County has a passel of spots on its boards and commissions that are just begging for applicants. Any of these interest you? … The No Shooting Advisory Board. The Board of Equalization. Community Services Mental Health Board. Emergency Services Board. Cable Advisory Board … The Historic Landmarks Commission needs an architect with a demonstrated interest in historic preservation. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Fair and Exposition Center Advisory Board each need a member who is under 18 … Interested applicants can contact Demeris Skaggs in the Spokane County Commissioners Office, 477-2265