More hopefuls file for city office

The president of a youth sports league active in the debate over a sports complex near Joe Albi Stadium wants a bigger say in city government.

He was among those who joined races for Spokane offices Thursday.

Dan Peck, president of Spokane North Little League, will challenge John Waite, vice chairman of the Cable Advisory Board, for the open council seat representing northwest Spokane.

That seat will be vacated by Rob Crow, who is running for city council president.

Attempts to reach Peck were unsuccessful Thursday afternoon. He has been a vocal opponent of Crow’s plans to develop a sports complex near Joe Albi Stadium, arguing that new baseball fields are a bigger need than proposed softball diamonds.

He also has strongly opposed plans to allow alcohol to be sold during adult softball games.

Crow and perennial Spokane candidate Barbara Lampert filed for the council president seat Thursday. They will face incumbent President Joe Shogan.

Having three candidates means the race will be featured on the Aug. 21 primary ballot.

Lampert, 61, is a retired nursing assistant who holds an economics degree from the University of Washington. Since 1996, she has run for City Council five times and state House twice. She also has run for county commission, clerk, auditor and U.S. Senate. She said she decided to run for the president’s job because there was less competition for the office than for the northwest council seat when she arrived at the elections office to file. (Crow filed later in the day.)

Crow, 38, was appointed last year to a vacant council seat created when Shogan was named council president. He said Shogan has done a good job as president, but that he would like to create better communication between branches of government.

“I don’t know that we have seen what a true City Council president can do if that office is used to its full potential,” Crow said.

Crow holds a business degree from the University of Southern California and lives on Five Mile Prairie. Earlier this month he sold his share of the business he founded with his father, Lloyd Industries, to his father. The Spokane Valley company makes baking and pizza pans.

Friday is the deadline to file to run for most offices.