Public Periscope
Break out the flags and bunting
Spokane could become a crossroads on the presidential campaign trail this fall. Rumor has it that presidential contenders will be coming here to debate environmental issues one Sunday in October…The debate would be part of City Vote, a plan to hold presidential preference primaries in urban areas around the nation on Nov. 7. Organizers say that would force candidates to address a broader range of issues, before they spend their time in New Hampshire and Iowa. Spokane was the first city to sign up for the vote…Expect more details early next month from local organizers, who hope to announce a time, date, place and the name of a nationally known moderator by then.
We goofed. We admit it.
When Public Periscope needled state Sen. Pat Hale last week for an interpretation on the loss of a Micron plant to the Tri-Cities, it incorrectly referred to the Kennewick Republican as he. Hale is a woman. We apologize to Hale, and for sexist stereotyping of legislators…Thanks to readers in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla for pointing out our error.
Who’s on the AG’s list?
The top 10 sources of complaints registered with the state Attorney general’s Consumer Resource Centers in Spokane in 1994:
1. Retail stores
2. Car sales
3. Car repairs
4. Contractors
5. Telemarketing
6. Direct mail ads
7. Collection agencies
8. Books and magazines
9. Catalog and mail order sales
10. Credit or mortgage banks and brokers.
Got a consumer problem? Call (800) 551-4636 or (800) 276-9883 for TDD.
Getting involved
Liberty Lake resident Raymond A. Hanson, the founder of RAHCO International, was named to the Spokane Airport Board for a three-year term.
Because you asked
Question: Regarding Washington Water Power’s plans for a warning system along the Spokane River for when they release water, doesn’t the city have a noise abatement ordinance that controls this?
Answer: The city has a noise abatement ordinance, but the law probably isn’t relevant to WWP’s plan. Assistant City Attorney Larry Winner said the ordinance is a vague and subjective criminal statute, which is difficult to enforce. It might not apply, either, because it bans noise that is “unnecessary” or annoying to “a person of ordinary sensibility.” Laying aside the question of where the city might find such a person, a noise probably wouldn’t be deemed unnecessary or annoying if it was warning of a legitimate problem. He compared it to an ambulance or fire engine, which are not illegal under the ordinance.
“Public Periscope,” published every Monday, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us at Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or you can leave us a message by calling Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone and pressing 9120. Cityline is a free service, but normal long-distance charges apply to calls outside the Spokane area.
xxxx HOT TOPICS Thursday, 6 p.m.: City Council takes up the proposed Pacific Science Center in Riverfront Park, at a special meeting. Council Chambers, City Hall.
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports