Economic growth key issue for Position 3

Economic development in Spokane Valley is a key plank in both platforms for the Position 3 council seat, although candidates Howard Herman and incumbent Mike DeVleming have differing visions of how to achieve it.

“If you’re going to be economically viable, you have to be business friendly,” Herman said.

To do that, he said he’d like to make the city’s planning more reflective of how Spokane Valley has come together in the past. Less-restrictive zoning to let business drive commercial land use and reversing Sprague Avenue along the Appleway couplet are two of his ideas to that end.

The City Council is in the process of refining the 20-year Comprehensive Plan, a document DeVleming is proud of and listed as part of the reason he chose to run for a second term.

“We need to work harder on our community identification,” he said.

His goals for city planning would leave the couplet alone and focus on bringing more jobs to the city.

“We really are losing too many of our kids and our grandkids to jobs outside the area,” he said.

A father of two school-aged children, DeVleming called Spokane Valley a family-oriented town and said he brings an important perspective to the council.

Herman, a semi-retired lawyer, emphasized his experience with law and government when discussing what he would bring to the dais. He also worked on incorporation efforts and on a transition committee addressing the new city’s long-term planning.

“I can guarantee people that if I’m on the council they’re going to get a response from me,” after public testimony, he said.

He’s been critical of the council’s policies regarding public comment, saying that council members should interact more with the people speaking.

Another key disagreement he has had with the council is over the Valley’s county-operated sewer system, which he feels the city should own.

In addition to differing legislative goals, DeVleming and Herman also take different approaches to the campaign.

“I actually enjoy doorbelling,” DeVleming said. He’s visited over 3,000 homes so far, and he said he likes to meet people in person to let them know he is running.

Most of the people who answer the door discuss ongoing issues like the couplet’s completion, additional parks and police service, he said.

“You’ve got to give value to experience on this council, and I’ve spent three-plus years looking at these issues,” he said.

Herman is taking a more technological approach, authoring a blog and sending e-mails to supporters and asking them to e-mail their friends.

“I just want to do what’s good for the Valley,” Herman said.