Campaign ‘95

Candidate Q and A

Would you support putting the Pacific Science Center proposal to another vote in 1996? - Asked of candidates for Spokane City Council.

Jim Kolva: Maybe. “Let’s do a couple of other things first: analyze other locations, try to keep the rides and do a thorough disclosure of costs that people could understand.”

Roberta Greene: Yes. “I would like to try to make this work if we can answer some questions and clear up some controversy first.”

Orville Barnes “A qualified yes - if everyone would sit down and come up with a plan and answers to the questions. You don’t go back with the exact same thing.”

Bev Numbers Yes, because of concerns about placement and the title on the Sept. 19 ballot. “But not at a special election, it would have to dovetail with other elections already scheduled.”

Jeff Colliton Not in six months, maybe in a year. “I like the idea of the science center, but it’s probably too soon to bring it back up. We need to answer the questions.”

In case there’s any confusion

Spokane’s We The People organization says there is no connection - repeat none - to a Colorado anti-government group using the same name. The Colorado group is accused of bilking more than 6,000 people out of $300 each. It apparently convinces these good citizens the federal government owes them each $20 million, and for a fee, they could have a piece of a lawsuit against the government. The Spokane group is actually a pro-government group, leading the campaign for city-county consolidation. Even charter opponents wouldn’t accuse them of anything so nefarious.

One of the few candidates not on CityVote

In America, the saying goes, any boy can grow up to be president. Denis Braun, a presidential wannabe, apparently has heard only part of this adage. Braun sent the newspaper a press release with an eight-page platform, an impressive resume, an e-mail address and a plea to be interviewed. But he seems to have forgotten two key elements in his quest for the White House. He doesn’t live in the United States, but across the border in Vancouver, B.C. And he was born in Switzerland. The newspaper passed on his generous offer of an interview, because the last time we checked, the Constitution said presidents must be, as Bruce Springsteen said, born in the USA.

Quote of the week

“Consolidation is like a condominium or herpes. Once you’ve got it, you can’t get rid of it.” A warning to Spokane voters from an Athens, Ga., businessman who is unhappy that his city merged with Fayette County in 1991.

Procrastinators, please note

Miss the deadline to register to vote at the polls again? OK, here’s one more chance. You can still register to vote by going to the county elections office, which in Spokane is on the second floor of the courthouse. You’ll have to vote absentee. Get there by Oct. 23, which is the absolute, no-foolin’ deadline.

League speaks

The League of Women Voters of Washington put out its report card on statewide ballot items last week. It gave thumbs down to the referendum to let the Fish and Wildlife Commission appoint the F&W director, as well as to the referendum on “takings” which would require the government to compensate landowners for regulations that affect their property. The league also panned the commercial fishing restrictions in I-640, but said it likes the resolution that would allow the Supreme Court chief justice to be picked by the court rather than rotated on a seniority basis. No decision yet on the Indian gaming initiative.

Catch the candidates

Friday: Forum on the City-County Charter proposal, sponsored by the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 7:30 a.m., Shrine Bldg., 1108 W. Riverside. Breakfast $7 in advance, $10 at the door.

Also: Spokane Council candidates John Talbott and Orville Barnes appear on “Spokane This Week,” 8:30 p.m., KSPS-TV, Channel 7.

Campaign Calendar

Tuesday: Campaign finance reports due from candidates.

Oct. 17 Campaign finance reports due from candidates.

Oct. 18: Absentee ballots available for general election.

, DataTimes