Council rivals Stark, Rush clash at debate

The race for Spokane’s southern City Council seat already is well-defined.

In a lively debate sponsored by the Cliff-Cannon Neighborhood Council Thursday evening, neighborhood activist Richard Rush argued that the City Council needs his voice to advance the comprehensive plan – Spokane’s development blueprint created after years of citizen input.

Incumbent Councilman Brad Stark argued that Rush is a one-issue candidate who lacks enough depth on other important issues facing the city, such as the need for a fire station in Latah Valley and regionalizing animal control.

Stark even criticized a Rush proposal to create a program to plant 27,000 street trees throughout the city.

“I don’t believe we need a property tax bond to place 27,000 trees in the city of Spokane,” Stark said.

Rush, however, said he would support giving voters a chance to vote on such a measure because more trees would reduce power usage through shade, solve many storm water problems, add value to property and perhaps even reduce crime.

“There are so many important paybacks to having a healthy urban forest,” Rush said.

Rush said he strongly supports the Kendall Yards development, but questions the tax subsidies granted by City Council without “requiring anything” of the developer. The tax plan approved by the council allows the development to use tax money to build streets, sewers and other infrastructure.

Stark, who has received $5,000 in campaign contributions from Kendall Yards, its developer and related companies, responded that the plan for Kendall Yards went through a significant public process and that it will be required to follow the blueprint.

A member of the audience asked Stark if his day job working for the Associated Builders & Contractors and his campaign contributions from development interests make him an impartial member of City Council.

“Money doesn’t buy influence. Money doesn’t buy votes,” Stark said. “I can’t afford to borrow $4,700 from my wife to run my campaign.”

Stark was referring to loans reported in Rush’s campaign finance reports.

After the debate Rush said $3,700 of that figure was credit card debt, of which half has been paid back and the rest he expects to retire in the coming weeks.

He said the large contributions Stark has received from building and development interests deserve special attention.

“It raises the question, ‘Is he representing that special interest, or does he represent the district?’ ” Rush said.

In the audience was George McGrath, who finished third in the four-way August primary that included Rush and Stark. McGrath said both Rush and Stark have asked for his endorsement and added that both men spell bad news for taxpayers.

“I can’t support either of these candidates,” he said after watching the debate.

McGrath said he’s considering writing in his own name.