Condon names members of transition team

Spokane Mayor-elect David Condon’s transition team will meet for the first time next week to start setting priorities for his first 100 days in office and beyond.

Condon released the names of nearly 80 people who are serving on five committees. Among those serving are all seven members of next year’s City Council.

The public safety team includes former U.S. Attorney Jim McDevitt, who agreed to pursue the case against former Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. Thompson was convicted last month of violating the civil rights of Otto Zehm, a Spokane man who died in police custody.

Condon said he has begun meeting with city administrators but isn’t ready to announce any staffing decisions. The transition teams have been asked to “identify qualified and talented” people to work at City Hall.

“I’m using this week to talk to folks and find out if they want to be on the team,” he said.

Also on the public safety committee are interim Assistant Police Chief Scott Stephens, former police Chief Roger Bragdon, Fire Chief Bobby Williams and former KHQ reporter Tobby Hatley.

The budget reform committee includes former Spokane Public Schools superintendent Brian Benzel; the city’s Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley;  Chris Cargill, of the Washington Policy Center, a conservative think tank; former County Commissioner Kate McCaslin and former Sterling Savings Bank Chairwoman Heidi Stanley.

The infrastructure committee includes former state transportation Commissioner Latisha Hill; City Engineer Mike Taylor; Park Director Leroy Eadie; Lands Council Executive Director Mike Petersen; former Spokane Public Works Director Roger Flint, who currently works for CH2M Hill; and Susan Meyer, chief executive officer of the Spokane Transit Authority.

The jobs and economic opportunity team includes Mike Senske, chief executive officer of Pearson Packaging, and Kim Pearman-Gilman, business development director of McKinstry in Spokane.

The quality of life team includes Northeast Community Center Director Jean Farmer; Sheila Geraghty, business administrator for the Salvation Army and daughter of former Spokane Mayor Jack Geraghty; longtime community activist Judith Gilmore; and former City Councilman Rob Crow.