Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin and her challenger in the 2009 election, Karen Kearney, joined reporter Jonathan Brunt in The Spokesman-Review newsroom Sept. 22 for an informal debate.
Click here to listen to the full debate (about 70 minutes) or use the headings below to listen to the candidates respond to questions on specific questions.
Introductions
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney
Five Mile Rosauers’ roof collapse
Karen, you were critical of city officials’ response to the snow in remember. Please comment.
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin’s response
City budget
The biggest issue facing the city is the 2010 budget. … How do you propose the city raise an extra $1 million dollars to plug the gap for 2010?
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney
City unions contract
Karen, you said you would have voted for city union contracts negotiated by Mayor Mary Verner. Why?
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin’s response
Transportation priorities
Please rank these transportation funding issues in order of importance: improving, local streets, finishing the north Spokane freeway and developing light rail.
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney, with discussion of local streets funding
Followup question to McLaughlin on streets funding
Response by Kearney on McLaughlin’s comments
Sites for Little League fields
In light of resistance to placing Little League fields on landfill land in northwest Spokane (
June 16 story), where should Little League fields be placed?
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin
Digital signs, bus-bench advertising
Nancy, you voted for sign ordinance that allows digital signs that change once per second and for bus benches with advertising. Explain your votes on those issues.
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney response
Police ombudsman
Karen, you said you support the creation of a police ombudsman but agree with the mayor that it’s not time to negotiate with the unions to create investigatory powers for that position. Why is that?
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin’s response
Otto Zehm
There’s been some controversy about the city’s legal handling of the Otto Zehm civil and criminal cases. Do you support the way the city has handled this?
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney
Fluoridation
Do you support examining whether fluoride should be in the water?
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin
City of Spokane’s sustainability plan
Nancy, in the spring you voted against the mayor’s sustainability plan. Could you explain why you voted that way?
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney’s response
Both of you have suggested you don’t necessarily agree with the idea that human activity is causing global warming. Can you explain that?
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin
Fire Chief Bobby Williams
Karen, you’ve said you think it’s time for Bobby Williams to leave the Fire Department. Why do you feel that way?
Karen Kearney
Nancy McLaughlin’s response
Campaign donors
Each of you face criticism for your campaign support from certain groups. Address those concerns.
Nancy McLaughlin
Karen Kearney
