County workers to bank holiday

Mon., Jan. 15, 2007

By Jonathan Brunt jonathanb@spokesman.com (509) 459-5442

King Day events

Washington

•Human Rights Celebrations – Today's events in Spokane begin at 10 a.m. with a brief program to include: excerpts from King's speeches and a Native American ceremony in the atrium of the INB Performing Arts Center on Spokane Falls Boulevard; annual Unity March "Rekindle the Light in the Dream" beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Michael Anderson statue in the breezeway between the Performing Arts Center and the Convention Center and ending at River Park Square, with speakers Rodolfo Arevalo, president of Eastern Washington University, and the Rev. Happy Watkins, who will deliver King's "I Have a Dream" speech; a volunteer/resource fair at River Park Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Watkins will deliver King's speech again at noon in the Holy Family Hospital Education Center, lower level, 5633 N. Lidgerwood Road.

• Spokane Falls Community College's Remembrance Luncheon – Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. in Building 17 Sub Lounges A and B, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive; $7/tickets, call (509) 533-4331.

• Gonzaga University Civil Rights Public Prayer Remembrance – Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. at the University Chapel, third floor of the administration building.

North Idaho

• Celebrating Diversity Cultural Arts Fair – Today, 3-7 p.m., at the Harding Family Center, 411 N. 15th St.; event includes cultural activities, displays, music, stories and other information; sponsored by the Americorps Lewis Clark Service Corps North Idaho, (208) 664-9804.

•The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Annual Gala – Today, 5-9 p.m., at the Highlands Day Spa, 4365 E. Inverness Drive, Post Falls; $25/tickets at the door.

While most government employees have today off in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., workers in two Spokane County departments will be at their desks.

Several years ago, unions representing the county utilities division and the engineering and roads department negotiated for a “floating holiday” that can be taken at any time.

“I know that those who work for Public Works are good people with high ideals, but by ignoring this day I am concerned that we come across as bigoted and racially insensitive,” wrote Dave Rideout, a county Geographic Information Systems analyst, in an e-mail. “Our actions speak louder than our words.”

Rideout has asked county commissioners to change the floating holiday into one that must be taken on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January to mark the civil rights leader’s birthday, Jan. 15. However, Rideout said he believes many affected employees prefer the floating holiday.

Spokane County observes all federal holidays except Columbus Day and recently closed for a day of mourning after the death of former President Ford.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only annual holiday for which some county employees still report to work.

Gerry Gemmill, the county’s operations director, said he hasn’t heard any complaints from the public about offices remaining open.

He said honoring King is important to him and other employees, even if it’s by taking off a day that’s not King’s birthday.

But not treating the day like other federal holidays sends the message that it’s not as important, said Ivan Bush, co-chairman of the MLK planning committee that organizes Spokane events.

“We have a person that made the ultimate sacrifice to bring this country together and to help this country to fully recognize its greatness,” Bush said. “I think that should be respected. I think that should be valued, and I think that should be honored.”

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