County will create videotaping policy

Thu., March 23, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

In response to recent controversy over videotaping at county meetings, Spokane County leaders plan to create a policy directing employees how to respond to filming by the public.

County Commission Chairman Todd Mielke said current policy directs county employees approached by the news media to ask supervisors before agreeing to comment. But rules don’t tell them if they need to get a supervisor before talking to someone with a camera who is not a member of the traditional media, he said.

Last month, Don Hamilton – a professional photographer and producer of commercials for business and political clients – was ordered by an armed deputy to stop recording conversations of county employees at a public meeting on a proposed road widening.

The deputy later relented, but Hamilton said the intervention “has a chilling effect” on free speech.

County officials have said the controversy reflects misunderstandings and that they respect people’s right to record public meetings.

Bart Haggin, a former Democratic congressional candidate, filmed Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. He said he or Hamilton likely will record several upcoming county government meetings.

– Jonathan Brunt

WSU adjusting plans for new golf course

Washington State University is scaling back plans for a new 18-hole golf course, after bids on the project all came in well over budget, the school said Wednesday.

But school officials said the new course would still be built on the original parameters: an $8.4 million budget and a two-year construction, beginning this summer.

“We’re convinced we can still build a course to the standards we want,” said Mel Taylor, director of special projects for WSU’s Office of Business Affairs.

WSU plans to replace its nine-hole course. The lowest bid received last week was almost 20 percent over budget, Taylor said. Officials are now considering how to change the project to bring it in at the original budget.

The biggest reason for the increase was outside economic factors like fuel prices, which drove up the cost of earth-moving work significantly, Taylor said.

The course will be closed this summer for the construction. The project funding is coming from fundraising and borrowing against future golf course revenues, the university said.

– Shawn Vestal

Carrousel opening delayed for repairs

The season opening of Spokane’s 1909 Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park has been delayed because the ride’s main electric drive motor failed over the winter and is being custom-rebuilt.

The ride was supposed to reopen for the season on March 10 before the mechanical difficulties were encountered, said Park Director Craig Butz in a press release. He did not give a date for an expected opening.

The popular ride was closed last winter for annual maintenance, which included retooling of a central “bull gear,” replacement of crankshafts and maintenance on the ride’s wooden animal figures.

Spokane’s Looff Carrousel dates to 1909 and is rated as one of the top five carousels in the country by the National Carousel Association. It is on the National Historic Register.

– Mike Prager

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