The Slice: A theory about Spokane bashing

My friend Jim has a theory regarding people who grouse about Spokane.

He thinks they’re faking.

“Hoping to keep the great unwashed from finding us on the map and clogging up the freeways,” is how he put it.

He continued. “Pollyannaish? Sure, but why not? It’s as good a theory as any.”

Hmmm.

So let me ask. Do you think that’s why locals sometimes seem to revel in Spokane bashing?

When you hear someone complain about this or that Spokane shortcoming, do you ever think it’s all an attempt to discourage people from moving here?

That has been tried before, elsewhere. Do you remember the Lesser Seattle campaign? I’m not sure how serious that particular anti-growth effort was. But I seem to recall it was spearheaded by a newspaper columnist.

So should, ahem, a Spokane newspaper columnist take up the banner of Lesser Spokane?

But before going any further, we should acknowledge a few facts.

Spokane’s growth and economic development trends are not in the same league as Seattle’s. Not now. Not 20 years ago.

Of course, that does not mean Spokane is without charm. Some of us enjoy the difference between free-flowing traffic and a packed parking lot. And I like a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.

But it does raise questions. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a few more businesses generating good jobs? Wouldn’t it be a positive thing to have a couple of stores or restaurants that are unlike the ones we already have?

So would it make sense to discourage growth that those in many cities would regard as anemic? That’s for the individual to decide.

Do people in Spokane really grouse about our city to discourage potential newcomers from moving here?

Maybe a few do. But for the most part, I think we complain because we enjoy it. It makes us feel alive.

Earlier this month, when Spokane was choked with smoke from forest fires, one of my colleagues received an online message. It was from someone complaining that the powers that be in Seattle would never let such a thing happen there and, by implication, the Spokane power structure should be ashamed for letting the smoke fill downtown Spokane.

I have to think that was sent by someone who takes sincere pleasure in the act of grousing, if not reasoning.

But you can see how that might make someone think twice about moving here.

Today’s Slice question: What is your pet’s mission statement?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Send me a list of your 10 favorite movies.