Okay. He already had my respect. Rich Cowan is an accomplished professional who has brought hundreds of jobs to Spokane through his business North by North West. Of course I admire that.
This last week he gained my respect in a more significant way. I now know a bit more about the “stuff from which he is made.”
This is great news for anyone that holds a fondness for the working class, tolerance of one’s neighbors, restoring the state budget, and the general idea of sanity. Democrat Denny Dellwo is challenging incumbent John Ahern for the 3rd Legislative District Seat in Spokane.
Denny should be a very strong candidate, and the eccentric Ahern appears vulnerable. Dellwo was elect to the Washington State House of Representatives years ago, but then chose not to seek re-election. He instead wanted to go back to the private sector. Now he is eager to return to public service.
It came as no surprise, but it is now official. The County of Spokane will not be placing a construction bond on the 2012 ballot to finance their proposed new Spokane County Jail.
New Spokane County Jail
Back in 2011, the Spokane County Commission and the Sheriff’s Department were planning to place their construction bond on that years’ ballot. However, they retreated from that election year as well. There was and still is a growing public reluctance to spend tax dollars on massive new public works projects like a new Spokane County Jail when alternatives have not been fully explored.
You know . . . sometimes you meet another person and realize you have met a great human being. While speaking in Spokane oationn the need for police reform, retired Seattle Police Chief, Norm Stamper, gave me that much respect. It was not because of his accomplishments, knowledge, or oratory skills. While significant, these are not the source of his exceptionalism.
It is his humility and courage behind it. Norm Stamper has the self-honesty to share his own mistakes and lessons learned, and do so in a way that compels others to examine their own life and strive for self improvement. In the movement for police reform, Norm Stamper is a leader in the best possible way . . . by example.
In the video to the right, Chief Stamper discusses the time he falsely arrested a citizen out of power lust, and how having to confront what he did changed him into the reformer he is.
Spokane Watch is a project of Eastern Washington Voters. The views expressed here belong to the authors, and do not necessary reflect the position of Eastern Washington Voters.
Spokane is the major city in Eastern Washington. For a century, it has been a cultural, economic, and political hub of the Inland Northwest. It was once a railroad town. However, the trains are now few. Our economy has become more centered on light industry and the information economy.
We held the World's Fair in the 70s, and we still host Hoopfest, Pigout in the Park, and the Lilac Festival. If you like small town's that feel big. You will like Spokane.