Council hopeful raises nearly $2,500 in funds

Spokane Valley City Council candidate Lewis Higgins has been receiving donations since early July and has now amassed $2,497 as he prepares to take on three challengers for Position 6 in the primary election this month.

Higgins said he has been submitting the required forms to the Public Disclosure Commission but a computer glitch prevented the forms from showing in the online database the public can access to see who candidates get their donations from.

Higgins got a slow start with a $500 personal loan in June. His first donation was $50 from Councilwoman Brenda Grassel on July 3. He also later received a $100 donation from Precision Cutting Technologies, which Grassel owns with her husband.

In making the donation, Grassel is breaking from the pack. Most other council members have donated to Marilyn Cline, who is running against Higgins. She has received donations from council members Arne Woodard, Tom Towey and Chuck Hafner, as well as from Councilman Dean Grafos’ wife, Elizabeth.

Higgins’ early donations were small and mostly came from places like Idaho and Colorado. His highest contribution is $300 from sales representative John Rayburn, and he has also received $100 from Spokane County Treasurer Rob Chase.