Thoma has strong case

Regarding the reinstatement and settlement with Brad Thoma. I just read about the City Council’s condescending and prideful display for the constituents. But, as usual in Spokane, pride goes before a fall.

I have no personal connection to Thoma at all, but a cursory examination shows that, other than turning down the dubious offer of “some other job with the city, if available,” Thoma did everything in his power to make right his off-duty transgression, initiating and successfully completing treatment, making prompt restitution, and offering to pay for his patrol car’s interlock device. No, he dotted his i’s and crossed his t’s. He has an excellent case.

While one and all at City Hall strut and gloat publicly in their self-righteous power, it would surely be more prudent to research existing case law to make sure that this is a fight that the city can win when Thoma runs his case up the appeal chain and turns our $275,000 bill into millions, all for the sake of our petty politicians’ holier-than-thou attitude.

When will this town stop wasting the taxpayers’ money and stop making itself a laughingstock?

Barry Smith

Spokane