Spokane City Councilman Mike Allen and his challenger in the 2009 election, Out There Monthly publisher Jon Snyder, joined reporter Jonathan Brunt in The Spokesman-Review newsroom Sept. 8 for an informal debate.
Click here to listen to the full debate (about an hour) or use the headings below to listen to the candidates respond to questions on specific questions. Clicking a link will open an audio player; use the back button to return to this page.
Introductions
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen
Budget and revenue
The budget is one of the biggest issues facing Spokane in the next few years. How would you handle a budget shortfall in 2011?
Mike Allen
Jon Snyder
How would you have voted on the city unions contract?
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen (discussing his vote against the contract).
Should Spokane consider a business and occupation tax to reduce utility taxes?
Mike Allen
Jon Snyder
Transportation and streets
Please rank these transportation funding issues in order of importance: improving, local streets, finishing the north Spokane freeway and developing light rail.
Mike Allen and Jon Snyder
Is the street bond passed by voters enough, or should there be another funding source?
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen
Is it time to think about shifting priority to light rail from the north Spokane freeway?
Mike Allen
Jon Snyder
Southgate commercial development
Why did you vote in favor of this development amid neighborhood opposition?
Mike Allen
Stance on demand for big box development on South Hill?
Jon Snyder
Followup exchange between Allen and Snyder
How do you judge when to allow a business into a neighborhood?
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen
Emergency response times
Is it time for the city to change how it does business to require quicker emergency response times? Do you support having Fire Department provide ambulance service?
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen
Environment
Do you support watering restrictions?
Mike Allen
Jon Snyder
Talk about concerns that making city’s sustainability plan advisory waters it down.
“>Mike Allen
Jon Snyder
Sign ordinance
How do you feel about the city’s revised sign ordinance and the one-second change rule for digital signs?
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen
Envision Spokane / Proposition 4
Jon Snyder
Mike Allen
