Public Periscope

They write the songs

Tempers were flaring in Olympia as the Legislature neared adjournment last week. Gun activist Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, flew into a tirade on the Senate floor after someone had removed flowers from her desk. Then when Sen. Jim West, R-Spokane, got caught leaving a threatening message on a lobbyist’s answering machine, snickering legislative committee folks couldn’t help butchering a classic line from deceased singer Jim Croce. Their suggestion: “You don’t steal flowers from old Pam Roach and you don’t mess around with Jim.”

Except lobbyists don’t buy migrants lunch

Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, urged colleagues on the Senate floor to vote for a watered-down bill that would provide housing for farm workers. He said lawmakers should understand living in tight quarters in someone else’s town for part of the year. In fact, he said, “I’m a migrant worker.”

Smile when you go over the pass

Washington travelers can get a peek at conditions on two Cascade passes and at a few other traffic hot spots on the state Department of Transportation’s Web site. … Video cameras at the Stevens and Snoqualmie summits take regular snapshots and put them on the Internet. Snoqualmie is updated every 90 seconds; for Stevens, it’s every 15 minutes. … The department also offers views of the Tacoma Narrows bridge, Interstate 82 in Yakima and several problem areas in Seattle. Plus, computer graphics show visions of a few proposed road projects. … Maybe if the Legislature had ponied up the money, DOT would be working on a computerized vision of the ever-elusive Spokane north-south freeway. … Take a look at www.wsdot.wa.gov.

Campaign tip

It’s not often there’s anything useful on a campaign flier, but here’s a hint that would make Heloise happy: For removing those pesky bumper stickers after your candidate has lost - or won and then done something to embarrass you - heat them with a hair dryer. … This hint was found at the bottom of an old Phil Harris flier announcing the kickoff of his re-election campaign for Spokane County commissioner.

Looking for Gary Cooper

In the biggest change at the courthouse since Kate McCaslin replaced Steve Hasson as commissioner, the High Nooner restaurant opened Friday in the space where Jim Dotson had run a cafeteria for 21 years. … Although Dotson had a loyal following, many courthouse workers complained that his cafeteria was dingy and that the food selection was poor. The new restaurant, which primarily sells sandwiches, is brighter. … But it wasn’t nutrition or taste or lighting that led to the change: The High Nooner pays $1,675 a month to lease the space; Dotson paid only $748.

She’s got the wrong guy

Logan neighborhood resident Lucy Reiner momentarily lost her place in time when she addressed the Spokane City Council during a recent hearing. “Good evening, Mayor Geraghty …,” Reiner said. The slip of the tongue prompted Councilman Orville Barnes to interrupt, saying, “It’s Mayor Talbott.” A slightly red-faced Reiner quickly apologized, wondering out loud if she should just sit down. “That really blew it for me,” she said with a laugh. “Next speaker,” said a smiling Talbott.

Getting involved

Spokane County commissioners are looking for folks to fill seats on the Community Services Substance Abuse Board, the Chase Youth Commission, the Board of Equalization and the Historical Landmarks Commission. Apply by March 27; call 456-2265 for more information.

, DataTimes MEMO: “Public Periscope,” published weekly, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. You can contact us by mail c/o The Spokesman-Review, Box 2160, Spokane 99210; by fax at (509) 459-5482 or by e-mail at jimc@spokesman.com.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Hot topics Today: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad officials will present their case to add a second line beside existing tracks in the Valley. From 1:30-4:30 p.m., the railroad will present its case; at 7:30 p.m., public comment will be heard. Gonzaga University conference center, 800 N. Pearl.

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