Blogroll
A glance at what Spokesman-Review bloggers have to say
Spin Control
By Jonathan Brunt
March 23 – Former Mayor Mary Verner took second place in the Inlander’s annual reader survey in the category, “best local villain.” That’s a tumble for a woman who usually polled well when the Inlander asked readers for their favorite politician.
But she was partially vindicated in the next category, “best local hero.” She took second place. Mayor David Condon didn’t make either list.
In the villain category, Verner finished behind former Spokane police Officer Karl Thompson, who was convicted by a federal jury of violating Otto Zehm’s civil rights about a week before Verner lost her re-election bid.
Check out Verner’s response on Facebook. (Or, more accurately, all 11 of Verner’s responses. So many that Shannon Sullivan, who led the charge to recall Mayor Jim West, posted: “… Enough with the VILLAIN…ok?”)
Eye on Boise
By Betsy Z. Russell
March 23 – After approving a resolution honoring the late jazz singer Mildred Rinker Bailey, a Coeur d’Alene Indian, the Senate went at ease, and a bit of her music was played: Bailey singing “Thanks for the Memories,” one of her biggest hits. Bailey was a pioneering star of the 1930s and ’40s and a mentor to Spokane native Bing Crosby.
Office Hours
By Tom Sowa
March 21 – Wednesday’s major S-R business story is a summary of the variety of retailers (90 and counting) planning to sell booze come June 1, when I-1183 takes effect.
The S-R’s Mike Tigas has tooled an interactive online map that displays those stores. It can be found at http:// tinyurl.com/wliquor.
It will be updated each week with the latest applicants.
Brian Smith, of the state liquor board, said the agency has been “working overtime” to add new names to the list.Good luck finding a store that doesn’t sell liquor in June.
End Notes
By Rebecca Nappi
March 21 – I am at Columbia University in New York City for almost a week at the Age Boom Academy, a look at aging trends and issues. There are journalists, writers and even a documentary filmmaker. It’s been fascinating already. Linda Fried, dean of the Mailman School of Public Health, pointed out that the expected life span has increased more than 30 years in just 100 years. Born 100 years ago, the average person could expect 47 years of life. Now it’s 80. Her question to all of us: What will you do with the extra 30 years?