David Condon, who is challenging Spokane Mayor Mary Verner in her bid for reelection, criticized Verner's speech to City Council on Monday for not mentioning new water rates or the "tragic loss of confidence in our police and legal authorities."

"Overall, the Mayor told a nice bedtime fairy tale, with green elves and happy worker," Condon said in a news release. "But it's time to wake up and see the real challenges facing our city government."

Condon's response criticized the decision to send city utility drivers to "green driver" training.

A part of Verner's speech mentioned steps the city has taken to reduce energy consumption. She noted that the city spend about $8 million a year on its power bill.

"Taking these steps to reduce energy expenses are a sustainable and responsible approach to cost management," Verner said in her speech, according to prepared remarks.

Asked about his criticism of "green driver" training, Condon said such training might reduce expenses a bit, but it's a sign that the mayor is focusing on small programs that won't solve the on-going, annual multi-million dollar deficits.

"We need to make some long-term policy changes,'" he said.

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