West raises visibility, eyebrows

Facing the prospect of being removed from office in a recall election on Dec. 6, Spokane Mayor Jim West has become increasingly visible in recent days, using his office to call attention to his work.

Critics say it is apparent West has started a campaign against the recall.

In the past few days, the mayor has:

“Declared a parking “holiday” on Monday, Columbus Day, allowing free use of metered spaces.

“Attended a ceremony celebrating the completion of improvements on Ash and Maple streets on the North Side.

“Delivered an annual speech to the City Council listing at least two dozen accomplishments or positive developments, while asking the public to pay more in taxes to make up for a persistent budget shortfall at City Hall.

“Signed an executive order reducing his salary from $139,000 a year to $114,000, effective Dec. 1. The lower salary would still be more than the $109,000 he was scheduled to receive when he assumed office in January 2004.

“Announced that City Hall will be closed Nov. 11 for a special staff preparation day, including an unprecedented “all-city staff meeting” in the afternoon.

“I think it’s very obvious he’s trying to use all these different issues to fend off the recall effort,” said Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers. “Between now and Dec. 6, I’m sure there are going to be things happening we’ve never seen.”

Likely the most controversial of the mayor’s recent announcements is his plan to close City Hall to regular business on Veteran’s Day. Rodgers said that may not be legal.

Under the mayor’s plan, employees would report to work but the public could not conduct routine business, such as taking out building permits or signing up for recreation classes. Public safety and other essential services would continue as normal.

A memo sent to all city workers last Thursday said, “This will be a dress-down day for employees. Departments may use the morning hours for group meetings, team building exercises, office organization or to catch up on work-related projects.”

The memo also said that West and Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch will host a two-hour all-city staff meeting at a location to be determined. It was not clear how many of the city’s 1,900 workers could attend, in part because essential services such as police and fire would continue.

West said the city staff day is something he has been talking about for a year. He said the public doesn’t expect City Hall to be open on Veteran’s Day because it is widely observed as a holiday throughout government. He said the city is facing critical funding issues and city workers need a chance to prepare.

“This is a curriculum day,” he said, comparing city government to public schools, where teachers and school staff spend time without students in attendance.

Said Rodgers: “We’re not a school.”

Councilman Al French asked, “If employees are here (on Nov. 11) and we are not open, what the heck are we doing?”

Councilwoman Mary Verner said, “It doesn’t sound like an efficient use of taxpayer resources.” She described the mayor’s plan for an all-city meeting as “kind of a pep rally for city employees.”

“I have some concerns about the timing of his recent flourish of activity,” Verner said.

West defended his actions as a continuation of the leadership he has been providing since January 2004. “I don’t stop being mayor because some signatures have been turned in,” he said Tuesday.

Proponents of a recall against West submitted more than 17,000 signatures, and last week won certification of a Dec. 6 mail-in election.

“The world doesn’t stop because an election comes up,” West said. “People may be noticing now because of the recall … We’re just running the city. It’s about doing the business of the city, which I will continue to do as long as I’m mayor.”

Rodgers, one of the mayor’s chief critics, said, “I believe it’s too little, too late. I think people are smart enough to see through this.”