Expect city council transparency

Last Tuesday night four members of the Spokane Valley City Council colluded to remove Ben Wick from the Regional Transportation Council where he has served the city with distinction since his appointment last fall.

This action occurred without notice at a thinly attended council meeting that was slated as a “study session.” The proposed action was not listed on the agenda in advance. The rationale given for removing Mr. Wick was that Mayor Higgins thought it would be better.

The citizens of Spokane Valley are not children and the mayor is not our parent. We expect substantive reasons for removing a council member from a committee, with examples. The city governance manual does not require the mayor to provide reasons, however, as a citizen, I require rationale.

Mr. Wick and two other members of council were blindsided. The other four members showed no surprise. Their behavior and lack of questions led me to believe they had agreed to this action prior to the meeting, a violation of the open meetings act. I expect transparency from my elected officials.

Carol Allen

Spokane