Leaders with solutions

I am grateful for Nicholas Deshais’ article about Charles Marohn’s stop in Spokane (“Spokane reimagined,” Sep. 10) to tell us about StrongTowns, an advocacy organization with a positive message about how America’s cities, towns and neighborhoods can become financially strong and resilient. Many in the packed courtroom at GU Law school were already conversant with this fresh, sound approach, including Breean Beggs and former City Council member Amber Waldref. Spencer Gardner has chosen to move to Spokane and is a frequent contributor to the website: strongtowns.org.

For me, it was all brand new and I am eager to learn. But I also am doubly convinced that we must retain the leadership of Breean Beggs, Ben Stuckart, Lori Kinnear and Karen Stratton, who have already rolled up their sleeves and devised multipronged solutions to issues like housing. This is not a time that we can turn for leadership to the inexperienced Nadine Woodward, who is clearly not willing to learn and is merely holding her nose and wishing the houseless would just disappear from sight.

The expert engineer/planner Charles Marohn has data that her proposals or the so-called “solutions” in the “Curing Spokane” video would be disastrous. Burying Ron Tan’s beautiful bus plaza underground? A ludicrous notion!

Mary Ann Murphy

Spokane