Mt. Spokane, one of our community’s most valuable natural areas has been under constant pressure by development and logging.  Today, the mountain won a reprieve.  The Spokane County Department of Building and Planning decided to withdraw its permit that authorized logging on the western part of Mount Spokane State Park.  This decision will help prevent the further fragmentation of the remaining old-growth forest on Mt. Spokane .  It will also preserve important Biodiversity Areas and Corridors, Riparian zones, and Moose, Elk, and other wildlife habitats.  Below is the press release issued today by The Lands Council and here is a link to their website.

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Conservative candidate Mark Hamilton is finding out that there is more to winning and loosing elections that just the vote count on election day.  Often times it comes down the details of the law.   In fact, Hamilton could lose his race for the Spokane City Council against sitting Councilwomen Amber Waldref months before the first ballots are mailed.  It looks like Mark Hamilton is not a legal resident of the City Ward in which he is running to represent.

The picture to the right is the house in which Mark Hamilton is presently residing. The problem for him is that he has only been there for a few months . . . not long enough to meet the eligibility requirements to run for office. Read the rest of this entry

Washington State Rep. Marcus Riccelli just sent out his first email newsletter to his constituents on February 7.  He comments on one of the bills he introduced this session and the growing healthcare sector in Spokane. Read the rest of this entry

There was a memorial  potluck honoring Craig Salins this last Saturday January 19, in the Community Building downtown Spokane.  Craig Salins was the Director of Washington Public Campaigns and passed away unexpectedly last fall.  He was a passionate leader and advocate for campaign finance reform and government by the people, as free as possible from meddling of corporations and special interests.  Craig will be missed as a friend and leader.

The evening included the dedication of a beautiful teak bench honoring Craig – to become a sturdy presence in the lobby for activists to rest – or to stand and deliver – to say what they need to say!  Regardless, it abutted the 3rd anniversary of the Citizen’s United decision. Also, there was presented a DVD tribute to Craig, prepared by friends Lolly Bates and Mark Early from Seattle, and special guest Ken Dammand, Washington Public Campaigns board member and WAMEND attended.

(Editorial) Police are allowed to investigate themselves.  Really, that is the current ludicrous situation. That is now what happens when a citizen files a complaint about the Spokane Police Department.  There are no checks and balances. No real oversight.  No Transparency.  Prop 1 on the Spokane Ballot for the February 12 election would change that.

Prop 1 in Spokane  mandates independent investigations of complaints of police misconduct.   It also gives average citizens a voice by creating a citizen oversight committee.  We need this to prevent another citizen like Otto Zehm from being killed.  Here is a video and transcript of Spokane City Councilwomen Amber Waldref asking us to vote “yes” for Prop 1 to support our Spokane Office of Police Ombudsman and giving him or her the authority to independently conduct real investigations.
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(Editorial) There will be a proposition on your February 12 ballot  to hamstring our Spokane City Council and make it harder for them to do their jobs.   Prop 2 is a confusing idea what would allow a small minority (2 out of 7) sitting council member to stop some of it the most important work.  It is undemocratic and unnecessary.

Here is a video of Ben Stuckart, President of the Spokane City Council asking for you to vote “No” on Prop. 2 in Spokane and against minority rule.

I am asking you to vote “No” on proposition 2.  On February 12 we have an election, and Proposition 2 is a charter change to require a 5/7 majority or over 70% of the people elected to the Spokane City Council to change any existing taxes or any new taxes.

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(Editorial) Spokane Public Libraries play a vital role in our communities to provide grade school children with a safe, educational environment outside of school and in the summer.  This is particularly true in low-income neighborhoods where educational materials are often not available at home.  To the right is a video of Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart asking you to vote “yes” on Prop 3, and below is a transcript of the video.

I am asking you to support Proposition 3 on the February ballot.   The election is February 12th.   Prop  3 is the Library Levy.  The Library Levy will keep branches open, because next year we are facing a five hundred thousand dollar  deficit in the library system and we will have to close branches unless something is done.

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If the coal industry has their way, coal trains will be traveling through Spokane, Wa, 12 hours a day on their way to Bellingham, Wa..  An export facility is being planned in Bellingham to load the coal from the trains onto ships that would head to China.   Local residents are concerned about the effects on traffic, quality of life, and the health of Spokane residents from the impact of coal dust.  Members of Occupy Spokane took to the streets last Friday night cardboard depictions of coal trains in protest to these plans.

(Editorial) It seems the Spokane City Council has moved a large leap forward in affording the citizens adequate police oversight. The Office of Police Ombudsman has never had the authority to effect adequate independent review of excessive use of force complaints. To be effective and respected that must be part of the job description of the Ombudsman.

Serious, deadly serious at times, excessive use of force is still rampant in our Nation. The Council has placed on an early February ballot (Ballots to be mailed beginning January 25th) a measure to change the Charter of the City of Spokane to include effective independent review of complaints by our Office of Police Ombudsman for the City of Spokane (click here for more about Prop 1). I would urge you to consider casting your vote in favor of this long needed independent review. (Links and video added by editor.)

John A. Olsen, Spokane, WA

(Editorial) When she came to Pullman for the Lentil Festival to talk about the Washington State Voters’ Guide a few months ago, I was impressed with Kathleen Drew.  She has got experience in enough different parts of government to do a good job as  the Washington State Secretary of State.  She was personable. She had a good clear grasp of the issues affecting the Office of the Secretary of State,  including the need to better fund the Washington State Voters’ Guide, which some call the Washington Sate  Voter’s pamphlet if you will.

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The Spokane County Commissioners voted to accept a settlement with a developer that now appears to be fraudulent.  When  Commissioner Todd Mielke was asked by Lancze Douglass to look into the matter, Republican Todd Mielke turned around and asked the guy for a campaign contribution.

I don’t know about you, but to me that smells like a request for a bribe.

The Douglass Brothers

Photo Credit to Accountable  To Spokane. Read the rest of this entry

Republican Matt Shea of Spokane Valley has a talent for doing the offensive. His behaviors range from making his ex-wife walk down the sidewalk in a submissive position to him to pulling an illegal handgun on a motorist during a road rage incident of his.  Matt Shea has  violated restraining orders from his ex-wife and traveled to his opponent’s house to intimidate her.

Matt Shea

Few disagree that Washington State Representative Matt Shea is a real piece of work. Even Republican Party Leaders have turned their back on him including Sherriff Ozzie Knezovich, while his opponent Amy Biviano is racking up Republican endorsements.  All this is detailed on the new site TheSheaReport.com with detailed citations from the Spokesman and other sources.  Read the rest of this entry

You may have seen the Spokane Party Trolley downtown and  wondered just what the heck it was. It is a human-pedal-powered mobile that holds up to eight cyclists and seven more passengers. It is available for rental from Nina.

Nina let me ride on a couple different tours last week. The first group was a birthday party and the second was a bachelorette party. We started at the Saranac Building and made a loop downtown stopping at a few different bars. It was a complete blast. I have never seen people have so much fun. Read the rest of this entry