Valley disaster brewing

Some clarifications to John Craig’s article (April 19) on the Sprague/Appleway Revitalization Plan (SARP) concerning our role:

First, though some of our property was removed from the SARP, another was not. We joined the Spokane Valley disincorporation effort because of few alternatives left fighting a “Goliath” with its arsenal of endless taxpayer dollars. This plan, euphemistically titled “revitalization,” should really be called “destroy, grab and rebuild.” It is harmful to hundreds, discriminatory, and favors a select few, including very vocal city “cheerleaders.”

After a year of multiple public records requests revealing exploding budgets, irresponsible spending, questionable contract awards, and unlimited employee additions, all within six years, the following became apparent to us:

This city is not economically viable without high urban densities to fund an exponentially growing city government. This city is run by a city manager with homes in Western Washington and Liberty Lake (contract allows for indefinite transition relocation time), as well as a community development director (planning) from Federal Way. No Valley culture here. Add a part-time council deferring to heavy-handed bureaucrats, and you have a perfect recipe for disaster.

Whether disincorporation succeeds or not, the effort is broad-based, nonpartisan, and is in response to poor governance.

Dean and Elizabeth Grafos

Spokane Valley