Open panel spot draws mass interest

County leaders practically have to beg people to serve on their numerous volunteer boards sometimes.

But a controversial decision made last month by the Civil Service Commission has prompted a slew of applications from law enforcement officers, business leaders, politicians and government employees.

County commissioners created one civil service opening after they voted not to reappoint John R. Shagen. Two more spots could open if they succeed in lobbying the Legislature to allow them to expand the civil service board from three to five members. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has introduced a bill to do that.

County leaders say expanding the commission would give better representation and prevent deadlocks.

Only panelists Shagen and Curt Berklund participated in the unpopular ruling that reversed the firing of Joseph Mastel, a detective who exposed himself at an Airway Heights coffee stand. The third panel member, Stephen Shrope, recused himself from voting.

“This particular situation drew attention to the fact that if the two of them had been at loggerheads, the committee would not have been able to function,” said County Commissioner Bonnie Mager. “With a five-member commission, you’re going to get the best people as well as the most balance.”

But Berklund said the proposed expansion is a power grab. The commission was designed to be independent from political meddling, he said. If commissioners want five members, they should expand it at a time when they won’t be able to appoint a majority of seats.

“That’s their way of getting control of the commission,” said Berklund, who has refused a request from two county commissioners to resign.

The Civil Service Commission changed Mastel’s firing to a yearlong unpaid suspension followed by a forced retirement and enabled Mastel to collect unused sick time. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has filed a motion asking the Superior Court for the right to appeal the reversal.

The 32 people under consideration for Shagen’s seat include former state Rep. George Orr, who lost a race for Spokane County commissioner last year, and state Commission on Hispanic Affairs Chairwoman Yvonne Lopez-Morton.

Mager said she leans toward appointing at least one woman to the commission.

Sheriff’s Detective Tom Henderson said gender shouldn’t enter into the decision.

“I would just hope that the criteria for picking a new commissioner wouldn’t be based solely on sex, and it would be based solely on the benefit that that particular person can bring to the commission,” Henderson said

Mager noted that state law requires the Civil Service Commission to be balanced by political party.

“Why wouldn’t you want some gender balance as well?” she said.