Momentous day for Spokane

A monumentous day for Spokane County. After 10 years of planning, studying and mitigating; working with Fairchild, federal, state and local governments; complying with rigorous federal application processes; negotiating equitable agreements for revenues in lieu of taxes with Airway Heights and Spokane County; battling untrue allegations that the project risked Fairchild by GSI and competitors at Northern Quest, finally, the Spokane Tribe’s Economic Project goes forward.

With millions in private (not public) dollars pouring into the project and the creation of 5,000 jobs at build out, everyone in this region is poised to profit.

Thanks to the tribe for asking me to serve as co-chair for the project. It was an honor, and I was thrilled at the news of the governor’s letter of concurrence this morning. This was the day long awaited.

The only damper comes in the knowledge that millions were lost to county taxpayers when the agreement I negotiated with you as commissioner was so irresponsibly revoked as soon as Al French came to office.

Had the commissioners not done an about face in order to align themselves with Al and the Spokane Chamber’s partisan agenda county taxpayers would also be reaping these huge rewards.

Bonnie Mager, Former Spokane County Commissioner

Cheney