Lampert on ballot for commissioner’s post

Retired nursing assistant Barbara Lampert announced this week that she is running for Spokane County commissioner.

The Democrat is seeking the seat being vacated by Commissioner John Roskelley, representing northeast Spokane County.

Lampert said her first priority if elected is implementing the Growth Management Act in Spokane County.

“There’s a lot of controversy over how it should be implemented,” she said, adding, “Our population is increasing and people need to have places to live.”

Lampert, 58, is single.

She graduated from North Central High School and went on to get a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington.

She has worked as a nursing assistant and health insurance claims examiner.

Lampert has unsuccessfully run for many offices, including Spokane City Council, Spokane County auditor and state representative. She said she has been elected her precinct’s committee officer since 1992.

“I am willing and able to listen and make decisions,” she said.

Lampert said she isn’t sure that a sales tax increase, proposed on the September primary ballot, is the best way for the county to improve its financial situation.

She suggested other solutions.

Elected officials make too much money, said Lampert, who added that she would work to reduce their salaries by 10 percent.

The county could increase its revenues by charging domestic partners, gay and heterosexual, a license fee to register their relationships.

“It’s a legal way to prove you have a relationship with somebody,” she said.