Letters

Disincorporation would demote Valley

As a former chair of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, BBB, chair of the Public Safety Transition Committee and current president of the Spokane Valley Business Association, I feel obliged to comment on the latest effort of the hard-core dissidents regarding the city of Spokane Valley.

In my 38 years in business in Spokane Valley it was obvious the time had come to have our own city. The city of Spokane had become overloaded with special interests viewing downtown Spokane as the be all and end all no matter the cost to the rest of the community. I worked to help form the new city in Spokane Valley as a member of the Spokane Valley Business Association. In fact I am proud to say, it is my signature along with primary sponsor Ed Mertens that is on file requesting a vote on incorporation.

To disincorporate the city of Spokane Valley would have extremely dire consequences to the citizens in the new city. You may be assured your tax resources will be diverted to balance budgets not under Valley control. This was the case before incorporation and would be even more extreme today.

You will become less than equal to the citizens of even small villages that are incorporated. This was apparent to me during my many experiences serving on county citizen boards; the incorporated communities had huge influence, the unincorporated areas were left in minor roles.

If disincorporation is the end result of this body of dissent, who will you turn to to provide localized services? A community of over 80,000 that becomes a ward of the state is hardly a good answer. I suspect the need for revenue in the city of Spokane will raise its head as it has on North Division and in Airway Heights and the city will cherry pick your big taxpayers away, and you will suffer with fewer services. The library and the fire districts will become the next targets of the ‘no nothings’ disincorporationists.

I urge the citizens of Spokane Valley to stand tall and resist the false call for disincorporation of the disenchanted, those unwilling to participate and make changes desired within the new city rather than regress to being the cash cow for other incorporated entities or the county and state.

R. Terry Lynch

Spokane Valley

DeVleming ‘out of touch’ with citizens

You don’t score points beating up on old ladies. Even first mayors should know that.

Mike DeVleming’s attack on Sally Jackson, and the citizens supporting disincorporation, is indicative of just how out of touch he and his friends at the city are. Executive assistants aside, the arrogance and unresponsiveness of city officials has worn thin with the public.

Although the city adopted the rights of petition and referendum for citizens they do not extend to matters of taxation and zoning. Frustrated citizens have been forced to pursue disincorporation to gain some control over their destiny.

DeVleming is selective in quoting disincorporation law. Surrendered to the state? The law goes on to state that a receiver, (such as Spokane County), would be appointed to assume and settle the debts and liabilities of the city. The election of the receiver would be on the ballot with the issue of disincorporation and yes the county would have the authority to tax at the same rate as the city to pay those debts and liabilities until they are settled. At least there would be a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Valley has a long history of practical, hardworking residents who don’t have much use for all the razzle-dazzle big city posturing, incorporation has brought them. Simply put, you can spin the numbers anyway you like, the fact remains this city government is a self-perpetuating, extremely expensive entity. The city they have created is not even what was envisioned by many of those who initially supported incorporation.

Susan Scott

Spokane Valley