Public Periscope

Our mothers would make us gargle soap

The Public Periscope is loathe to suggest an elected official doesn’t have a God-given right to run off at the mouth. But a recent scan through the computerized bulletin board, City Hall Link, revealed an unwarranted affront by Councilman Chris Anderson to leaders of the Economic Development Committee. … Not content with merely questioning their effectiveness, Anderson suggested they are of uncertain lineage, the product of a union not blessed by church or state. Of course, he chose a more common word - found just ahead of baste in most dictionaries - for his diatribe. … Anderson’s language is becoming very common. In an earlier missive, he used a four-letter word for regurgitate, which also can result in soapy sanctions for toddlers. … Do you prefer Safeguard or Dove, councilman?

Kudos due Lame duck

Councilwoman Bev Numbers deserves a taxpayer salute for canceling her junket to Phoenix for the 72nd annual National League of Cities convention. A few days after losing her re-election bid, Numbers bowed out of the trip. … Assistant City Manager Bill Pupo went in her place, joining Councilman Mike Brewer for the four-day public policy discussion.

Setting it straight

Although we appreciate mention of the newspaper

in Spokane County’s F.Y.I., A Memorandum for Public Works Employees, it seems the author of the newly revived, taxpayer-supported newsletter didn’t actually read the coverage of the new county human resources director before whining. … “The recent news coverage of Ben Duncan’s hiring was factually inaccurate,” Public Works Director Dennis Scott fumes in last week’s newsletter. News stories reported Duncan did not meet educational requirements for the job, the article contends, but failed to mention he was the most qualified. … Right on coverage of the ed requirements - which county officials apparently thought were important when they started the job search. Wrong on coverage of Duncan’s overall qualifications. In reporting the hiring Nov. 17, Spokesman-Review reporter J. Todd Foster quoted not one, but three people who referred to Duncan or his qualifications as, respectively, “unmatched,” “outstanding” and “absolutely first-rate.”. … We’d be happy to send Scott a copy of the article if he missed it.

Yo, pot. Kettle here. You a new color?

The state Republican Party has a pretty active weekly newspaper in which they - surprise! - delight in the foibles of Democrats. So we assume they are being critical by listing the following stat: “Number of Democratic leaders in the Legislature who have quit to take other jobs this year: 2”. … No argument that legislators who ask the public to vote for them should stick to the end of their term. But what does that say about the two legislative leaders from Spokane who quit midterm: Caucus Chairman turned lobbyist Todd Mielke and Floor Leader/Law and Justice Chairman turned District Judge Mike Padden?. … Oh, right. They’re Republicans, so it must be OK.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you have a question about government, growth or development, we’d like to help find an answer. Write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a TouchTone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message, or use jimc@spokesman.com for e-mail.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Thursday: You can learn about government info on the Internet, and even send your elected reps an e-mail message, at a seminar sponsored by The Citizens Connection, 7 p.m., Foley Center Library, Gonzaga University. Call 328-4220, ext. 3831, for details on registration.