Can-Do Resume Bests Naysaying
John Talbott, candidate for mayor of Spokane, is working hard these days to reinvent himself.
Candidate Talbott, with every new mailing, public appearance and carefully coached comment says: I’m new, I’m improved.
In contrast, mayor Jack Geraghty is working to win simply by being himself.
Talbott’s effort to recast himself as a moderate, progressive force in local politics is fascinating for its audacity. Either Talbott has undergone a dramatic political change or he is trying to fool the people.
With Geraghty, what you see is what you get: a quiet, competent, people person with a long history of effective public service.
Geraghty’s not perfect. But under Geraghty’s leadership Spokane’s civic health has improved.
Crime has gone down, in part because the mayor has had a hand in hiring new police officers.
Streets are getting better, in part because the mayor and the new city manager committed resources - and are seeking more - to patch and repair arterials.
With Geraghty’s encouragement, new neighborhood councils are connecting more people to the workings of government.
The city’s economy is strong. Record numbers of jobs are available in the metropolitan area. Even better times lie ahead as the redevelopment of downtown adds millions to the city’s tax base and brings in more money for basic infrastructure improvements.
This is the real Jack Geraghty and his genuine public record.
Where is the real John Talbott? What is his record?
Talbott suggests that he is a man who can bring people together on difficult issues. Unfortunately, his record says the opposite.
His few efforts to work collaboratively with groups like the community development board and Mid-City Concerns too often have ended with Talbott stomping out in a snit while fatigued people on those boards wish him good riddance.
Talbott’s campaign literature says he supports downtown redevelopment. Why doesn’t the literature mention that Talbott’s name is on the lawsuit seeking to stop the downtown redevelopment project?
Talbott says his leadership would have built a science center. He fails to mention that he was one of the prime opponents of the science center and urged people to vote against it.
“Yes, but” is not the same as “yes.” It’s just obstructionism with a smile. Healthy communities require listening, fine-tuning leaders who work at getting to “yes” rather than threatening every glimmer of progress with the death of a thousand “buts.”
Sure, it is possible Talbott has changed. If he has modified his negativity, the best demonstration of his newfound reasonableness would be to spend a few years working constructively for a good cause in Spokane. Until then, the best choice for the future of Spokane is Jack Geraghty.
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