Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Choosing the council’s leader

Why are the voters expected to elect the president of the Spokane City Council? Most voters have no idea what it takes to be a productive member of the City Council, much less what is required to be an effective president.

Wouldn’t it be better if the people serving on the council were allowed to elect someone whom they respected, someone with leadership acumen and skills, someone they could work with? Many organizations elect a board and then the board elects its president based on knowledge and experience.

Even the Supreme Court of the United States does not allow other entities to chose its Chief Justice. The nine justices select the one they feel is best for the job.

Shouldn’t the Spokane City Council members choose the best from among themselves?

Elaine V. Bartlett

Spokane

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
letters@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-5098
Phone
(509) 459-5403

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy