City picks winners, losers

It makes me cringe every time I hear a Spokane city official say, “spectacular architectural feature”, as city CFO Gavin Cooley recently said. No, he wasn’t referring to the University District pedestrian bridge that will cost millions more than is required, but will look really nice. He and other city officials have heard the outcries from the taxpayers of Spokane for another rock climbing gym, to compete with privately run businesses.

I bet they didn’t think their business taxes would be used to support their competition. The city recently balked at giving more money to support the House of Charity’s work to give the city’s homeless a safe and warm shelter, certainly they can use the climbing gym once it’s open.

What is the role of government? I thought it was to provide basic services and a level playing field for its citizens to prosper and pursue their passions. Not to pick winners and losers, not to abuse the power they are given over the resources of those same citizens.

Rich Zywiak

Spokane