Public Periscope

To really mess up, use a computer

An award for pranks gone amiss goes to an unnamed member of the Wenatchee Police Department, who earlier this month sent the following message to every law enforcement agency in the state: “Next year’s Apple Blossom Festival … has been canceled. There will be no more cruising, no more food fair, no more carnival and no more stupid teens.” This is no joking matter to the tourist-oriented town which would like very much to be known for something other than an alleged sex ring which gave it national attention last year. The festival, held the first weekend each May, is Wenatchee’s equivalent of Spokane’s Lilac Festival. … Sgt. Mike Magnotti wouldn’t name the person who, after typing the memo as a lark, accidentally hit the computer’s “send” button. The message was sent by e-mail across the state. The department took a fair amount of ribbing, but Magnotti said he doesn’t know whether the author - who isn’t an officer - was reprimanded by police brass. … An employee at Apple Blossom headquarters said she hadn’t heard about the prank but didn’t think it would hurt attendance next year.

Well-deserved kudos

One of Spokane County’s two women department heads also is among the top 1996 graduates of Eastern Washington University. … Francine Boxer was promoted from office administrator in the Corrections Department to the county’s assistant chief administrative officer last year. … At the same time, she was taking a full load of night classes at EWU. … Boxer, 45, who has a grade-point average of 3.956, will graduate June 15 with a degree in liberal studies and a minor in women’s studies. … She also is one of 20 graduates who will receive the Mary Shields Wilson Award - the school’s highest honor. … Dean Edmund Yarwood wrote Boxer, “Your teachers, who nominated you for this award, emphasized both your superb academic record and your strong leadership abilities.”

Still plugging away at oil spill

Private mediation will continue this week between Washington Water Power Co. and two downtown property owners concerned about the utility’s underground oil spill. … Working as mediator, Gonzaga University Law School Dean John Clute is trying to craft a cleanup solution amenable to WWP and owners of Metropolitan Mortgage and the Davenport Hotel. … After a string of secretive meetings last week, none of the participants would discuss the negotiations other than to say they will continue this week. … The talks not only may affect ongoing and potential lawsuits against WWP over the spill but also may help determine the timetable for renovation of the Davenport Hotel.

Getting involved

Want to impress upon your teenager the importance of public service? The city of Spokane needs two high-school students to serve on the Chase Youth Commission. … Or you could lead by example and apply for either the Community Development Board or the Human Services Advisory Board. Both have two openings. Applications for all spots are available at the mayor’s office in City Hall.

, DataTimes MEMO: “Public Periscope,” published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. If you’ve got a question about local government, growth or development, we’d like to help you find an answer. You can write us c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210. Or send e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com. Or send a fax to (509) 459-5482. Or call Cityline at 458-8800 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9120 to leave a message.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot topics Wednesday: County hearing examiner will take testimony on a plan to subdivide 147.1 acres into 335 lots for single-family homes in the Morningside Heights development, which would be north of 32nd Avenue and east of the Ridgemont development. 9 a.m., lower level of the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports