Some Spokane residents knew Jim West was leading a double life throughout his political career, but many others were shocked to learn he was balancing life as both a closeted gay man and a viciously anti-gay, archconservative Republican politician. As the shroud gradually lifts from human sexuality, our nation is learning that this is not as uncommon as once imagined.

Those who knew West is gay were willing to overlook the unconscionable gap between his reality and his political currency – both out of respect for his privacy and fear of his retaliatory tactics. However, his homosexuality is nothing for which he should need forgiveness from our community. Certainly he should ask forgiveness from those whose lives his hypocrisy maligned and even destroyed, but being gay is not what brought his world crashing around him.

Accusations of misconduct in public office have become so commonplace that, sadly, it hardly seems relevant. From presidential politics to congressional leadership, from judicial appointments to the diplomatic corps, so few Americans live lives beyond reproach that it seems no one is truly worthy to hold office these days. Accusations of pedophilia, however, are enough to end a career in the public eye.

In West’s case, former relationships with known child molesters, in conjunction with these recent accusations, soil his reputation far worse than any evidence that he misused his office. West’s past is checkered with glaringly questionable friendships: pedophile Scoutmaster George Robey, pedophile Deputy David Hahn, pedophile Scout leader Tim Carlson and pedophile priest Patrick O’Donnell. Although completely circumstantial, these friendships swamp the mayor in claims of guilt by association.

Although the weight of the accusations against him may now render West ineffective as our city’s mayor, they may never become official charges. A seemingly convincing expose in the newspaper or on television is in no way proof of a man’s guilt.

But in cases as emotionally charged as child molestation, it’s human nature to jump to conclusions, so the struggle to serve justice in our community becomes reliant on patience, level-headedness and respect for fairness and due process. Each citizen of Spokane has an obligation to show the courage and integrity to let the greatest justice system in the world do what it was designed to do.

Had I been asked to give Jim West his first annual mayoral performance review three weeks ago, I’d have given him high marks. In both the Legislature and at City Hall, he has been an effective and inspiring leader, capable of significant accomplishments. In his first year, he led our struggling community into far more prosperous territory than we’d seen in decades. Under his administration, our city had begun to heal in many ways. In the past year, the unmistakable electric charge of progress has filled the air. Until May 5, that is.

Saying that this progress has been derailed is a gross understatement. Throughout the city – in administrative offices, in the business sector and at nearly every kitchen table in Spokane – our citizens have reeled from revelations and accusations that seemed as utterly inconceivable as they were unexpected. Each day we’ve wrung our hands and wagged our tongues in anticipation of the next installment of our own tragic saga.

While it’s healthy to engage in fair and measured discussions, it’s essential that our community get back on track as rapidly as possible. Certainly, it is essential that the truth come to light. So, while the discussion is difficult for our children, deflating for our community esteem and nearly catastrophic for our image across the nation, it is also important for Spokane’s future that the matter be dealt with in a straight-forward manner.

We need to take immediate steps to restore our city’s ability to conduct business at the highest levels of efficiency, with intelligence and compassion. We cannot afford to waste another day.

We need to continue with the good work Mayor West began, while allowing him the time he will obviously need to reconcile his actions and his own future. Jim West has qualities that all good leaders should have, and some of his personal issues mirror those that many other leaders have faced. But he faces colossal accusations – the magnitude of which eclipses anything he may gain by fighting to stay in office. The time has come for Jim West to step aside.

The community, if possible, should offer Jim a soft landing. Negotiate a leave of absence until January 2006 – affording him the ability to collect on his pension while continuing to receive health insurance. Perhaps most importantly, it would allow our community to avoid a messy, expensive November 2005 election.

With Mayor West out of the equation and strong new leadership in place, our City Council can get back to their urgent city business, our city’s employees can get back to the essential details of civic function and our elected officials can return to making life better for every citizen of our city by the falls.