Editorial: Valley best off if Wick, Grafos and Loberg serve

The city of Spokane Valley has taken a minimalist approach to government, a model that has worked well during a period of revenue challenges and questions about the ability of government at any level to provide services cost-effectively. Candidates for City Council split over the wisdom of that hands-off approach; some favoring relatively undirected development, some a more active role in guiding the evolution of city not yet sure of its identity.

The Spokesman-Review chooses to endorse advocates for both approaches: incumbent Dean Grafos for District 2, Dee Dee Loberg for District 3, and Ben Wick for Position 6, whom we supported in the primary.

Grafos was elected on the “Positive Change” slate that swept to a council majority two years ago based on their opposition to a revitalization plan for the couplet that routed eastbound traffic off Sprague Avenue onto Appleway Boulevard, and planning in general. Valley residents are voting on a $2.1 million bond issue that would be used to restore a two-way Sprague, but Grafos has declined to take a position. He just wants the issue put to rest once and for all.

Grafos prefers a Valley that grows organically, finding its own center while preserving its overall suburban character. When a permanent City Hall is needed, probably soon based on a pricey lease for the current quarters, he wants officials to move into one of the buildings vacated by business.

That’s characteristic of the tight-fisted governance that has kept city expenses almost static the last two years. Provide adequate infrastructure, then let business fill out the skeleton, says Grafos.

His opponent, business owner John Carroll, chaired the planning commission that drafted the revitalization plan.

Carroll says Positive Change envisions nothing more for Spokane Valley than a bedroom community for Spokane, one fixed on the past and not preparing for the future. Citizens want a center for their city, one possible only if plans are ready.

Loberg, who is challenging incumbent Arne Woodard, also supports more planning. The council acted rashly when it scrapped the entire revitalization plan instead of retaining its positives, she says, noting the document was the result of dozens of public meetings.

Loberg served on the incorporation transition’s library and arts committee, is a Block Watch captain, and sits on the Washington State PTA board of directors.

She, like Grafos and Woodard, says finding a vacant building to refurbish as a City Hall, with the hope businesses clustering around it will create a city center, is the way to build a Spokane Valley identity.

All four of the District 2 and District 3 candidates are well-qualified. We recommend Grafos because he best voices the themes of independence and fiscal responsibility that brought Spokane Valley into being in 2003, and Loberg for her energy and open-mindedness.