“This plan for public safety is sustainable. It’s a different approach to policing.”

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession, in announcing a plan to add 24 people to the Police Department and 10 more to the Fire Department.

“This mayor accused me of politicizing public safety and now he’s finally coming around to agree with me.”

Spokane City Councilman Al French.

“I don’t think they thought it would take this long.”

Interim health officer Dr. Larry Jecha, on the search for a replacement for Dr. Kim Thorburn, who was fired eight months ago from her post as Spokane Regional Health District director.

“I wouldn’t have voted to fire her.”

Bonnie Mager, the newest member of the Spokane County Commission, referring to Dr. Kim Thorburn.

“If this was not a government building, would it still cost us that amount of money?”

Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, on the $3.6 million contract for a new heating and cooling system at City Hall.

“VERY MANY State, Federal and foreign agencies have spent a LARGE amount of resources on hunting (Russell) down.”

Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy, in a 2005 letter to the Washington State Patrol lab upon learning that the vials of blood used to test Fred Russell for drunken driving were missing.

“I have to object to the underwriting of the killing of unborn babies.”

Dr. Charles Wolfe, board member of the Spokane Regional Health District, who opposes a $3,000 voucher payment to Planned Parenthood for breast and cervical cancer screenings.

“You know if the Senate would just call it ‘legislative waterboarding’ and not ‘oversight,’ I bet they could get Cheney to support it.”

Time magazine blogger Ana Marie Cox, after the latest grilling of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Capitol Hill.

“Felons simply cannot seek restoration of their civil rights until they have completed all of the terms of their sentences.”

Washington state Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst, writing for the majority in a case about voting rights for felons who have served their time but have outstanding fines and fees.

“In effect, the scheme the majority upholds today works the same as a poll tax, requiring well-meaning felons who have served their time to ‘pay to play.’ “

Washington state Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander, in a dissenting opinion.