SPOKANE, Washington — Today Mike Dempsey, the Hearing Examiner for the Spokane County Department of Building and Planning, withdrew the department’s January, 2013 permit which authorized logging on the west slope of Mt. Spokane, within Mount Spokane State Park. The logging would fragment the largest remaining old-growth forest in Spokane County. The Hearing Examiner cited violations of the Spokane Critical Areas Ordinance, stating in his Opinion:

“The HMP (Habitat Management Plan) and the SEIS both fail to quantify the significant impacts of the timber harvest permit, and ski expansion project, on the Old-growth/Mature Forests, Biodiversity Areas and Corridors, Riparian, and Moose and Elk priority wildlife habitats present on the site; or the degree to which mitigating measures recommended in such documents will reduce such impacts. The SEIS, and Mr. Towey during his testimony, conceded that fragmentation of such habitats will occur.”

Community members support the protection of Mt. Spokane

Members of the Spokane Community, the Sierra Club, and staff at the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission felt similar and lent energy to the decision of the Spokane County Department of Building and Planning to protect Mount Spokane.

According to a Washington Parks and Recreation Commission’s Staff Report, the forests at issue in this case “represent the highest level of significance of natural resources in the State Parks system.”  Parks staff “determined that the proposed ski area expansion is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment.”

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The Lands Council is a part of the Save Mt Spokane Coalition, formed to protect the wildlife and natural habitat on the mountain. The Coalition agrees with improving the existing the ski area, already impacting 2/3 of the mountain’s alpine habitat, and has even prepared an alternative vision, Mt. Spokane 2020, for the park that includes upgrades to lifts, lodge and new runs within the existing ski area on the north, east and south sides of the mountain. (http://savemtspokane.org/Mt_Spokane_2020_files/mt.spokane_brochure-1.pdf)

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“Mt Spokane is a key part of the natural heritage of our region and must be protected,” said Chris Bachman of the Sierra Club. “If this magnificent old-growth forest is cut down, future generations will lose out, and rare wildlife species on the mountain may never return.”

It should be noted that in a separate action, in February the Washington State Court of Appeals enjoined all ski area expansion activities until it could rule on propriety of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s action to reclassify the western slope of Mt. Spokane, allowing a new ski lift and runs. A hearing before that Court is set for April 9.

Our attorney for both cases is David Bricklin of Seattle.

The post Mt. Spokane State Park Logging Permit Withdrawn appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

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.  (The story is also being covered at EWPolitics on this page).

A candidate for Spokane City Council who already has the backing of two other elected leaders may be ineligible to run.

Mark Hamilton, the pastor of the former Spokane Christian Fellowship and a real estate broker for Soleil Real Estate, was registered to vote at an address outside city limits when he cast a ballot in November’s general election, which could complicate his efforts to assert he meets residency requirements.

The Spokane City Charter requires candidates to live within the city at least a year prior to filing for office. Candidates for this year’s municipal elections will file in May, so they must have been city residents at least since May 2012.

The post Candidate Mark Hamilton Ineligible for Spokane City Council? appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

Marcus Riccelli Newsletter

The past few weeks have flown by. I’ve been moving a mile a minute to keep up with the rapid pace of the legislature–meeting with constituents, serving on budget and policy committees, and working with my colleagues to craft and promote legislation that represents our community’s values.

I have been working constructively across the aisle, and this week I was pleased to introduce a truly bi-partisan bill that will increase transparency in public infrastructure investments.

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Spotlight on Public Investment

Each year, legislators work with community advocates to identify and invest in transportation and capital projects in every single county. These projects create jobs while improving the long-term infrastructure that supports our quality of life. But these public investments aren’t always easily visible to the public, and I want to change that.

The bill I introduced, HB 1733, would increase transparency for taxpayers and ensure government accountability in how state dollars are spent. It would increase the public’s access to state budget data online by requiring a one-stop location for the information and simple, user-friendly navigation.

I believe government needs to do a better job of showing people where their tax dollars are going. Our state is a leader in technology, but our online transparency lags behind what other states are already doing. We can fix that with this bill.

Click here to view the press release on this legislation.

The Biomedical and Health Sciences building under construction at WSU-Spokane is a public investment that is advancing our community as a medical and life sciences hub in the region. 

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A Promising Future for Health Care in Spokane

During the last few weeks, I was fortunate enough to meet with local business leaders, elected officials, teachers, students and health care providers that braved the pass to share their concerns about issues affecting our community.

I was particularly struck by how many diverse stakeholders from the health sector made the journey to share their concerns. Spokane is rapidly becoming a regional medical and life sciences hub, and this trend is increasing jobs in our community while improving access to care. Over the past week, I met with nurses, long-term care providers, physical therapy students, and occupational therapists that want to provide the best possible care for the people they serve.It is clear that the health practitioners training and working in Spokane care a great deal about our community. I serve on the Health Care & Wellness committee in Olympia, and I’m inspired to know that we have such a passionate, diverse group of professionals shaping the future of this industry at home.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli meets with Physical Therapy students and faculty from EWU-Spokane and Spokane Falls Community College

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Connecting with the Community

Last week, I released my first legislative video update as a State Representative. This is another way for me to communicate what I am doing to represent you in the state capital. It’s a short video, so if you’d like to watch it, you can access it by clicking here.I was also happy to have an opportunity to pause from the rapid pace of the legislature, to sit down with my seatmates and check in with the community through a Telephone Town Hall.It’s not easy to make the trek to Olympia, and the distance makes it hard for us to get back to Spokane to meet with folks during the session. The Telephone Town Hall is an informal community-wide conference call that lets constituents voice concerns on the issues they care about, and get meaningful responses from their legislators.Thank you to everyone who took part in the conversation. Missed the call? Stay tuned for more information about an upcoming Town Hall in Spokane next month.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli with Sen. Andy Billig and Rep. Timm Ormsby, taking questions from constituents at last week’s Telephone Town Hall

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If you have thoughts or concerns on the issues affecting our community, I hope you will take a moment to share your thoughts with me.

Best regards,

Marcus Riccelli

The post State Rep. Marcus Riccelli First Few Weeks in Office appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

Matt Shea Wants Change in Electoral College Delegates

OLYMPIA — Changing the way the state casts its Electoral College votes for president would be fairer to Eastern Washington voters, a Spokane Valley legislator said Tuesday.

It’s a way Republicans could win the White House through gerrymandered districts without a majority of the popular vote, said the Democratic chairman of the House committee considering the proposal.

Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, said a bill he’s sponsoring would award most of the state’s Electoral College votes based on the outcome of the presidential race in each of the Washington’s 10 congressional districts. Two of the Electoral College votes, which are given each state for its two U.S. senators, would go to the state’s overall winner. . .(Spokesman Review)

The post Matt Shea (R) in the News Again: Changes to Electoral College Delegates appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

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.

The post Memorial and Potluck Honoring Craig Salins appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

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.

Prop 1 for an Independent Police Ombudsman

Prop 1 will enshrine the Office of Police Ombudsman and a Citizen Oversight Committee to work with the Office of Police Ombudsman in the Spokane City Charter.  It is a very important amendment to our City Charter for many reasons . . .  Number one . . . one of the most important issues the City of Spokane has faced in many many years is increasing the transparency and accountability of our Police Department after the Otto Zehm incident . . .  Putting the Office of Police Ombudsman into the Spokane City Charter so it will be there for every more.  Number two, Prop 1 will create a citizens committee to work with the Police Ombudsman.  The Citizens Committee will be advising the City Council, the Mayor, and the Police Ombudsman to really say these are the issues that Spokane Citizens are concerned about . . . and provide more oversight and transparency.  Also, it is always important to have a public vote on important issues  . . . and Prop 1 will move us on the path to independent oversight of the Spokane Police Department.

Please vote “Yes” on Prop 1 for an Spokane Office of Police Ombudsman that can independently investigate the Spokane Police Department when there are citizen complaints of misconduct.

The post Prop 1: Vote “Yes” to Independently Investigate Complaints of Police Misconduct, Says Amber Waldref appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

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.

Prop 2 is Confusing and Undemocratic

Right now I don’t believe that is a good idea.  There are a few different reasons why.

First, it is confusing because some taxes are exempt from this; some fees are not exempt. The business registration fee would be required by this charter change.  We don’t what other taxes that are not included.

Second, rule by the minority is what Thomas Jefferson called the tyranny of the minority.  It is not democratic to require 70% of your elected officials to get something done.

Third, no one can point to a single example in the last ten years how we have raised taxes at all by less than a majority of citizens.  We are asking you to reject this because I live next to you, my fellow council members live down the street from you.  If you have a problem you can come talk to us.

We take our jobs seriously.  Please don’t hamstring us.  Please vote “No” on Proposition 2.

Update:  The Inland Northwest Leadership Pac released a press release criticizing David Condon’s involvement in the Yes on Prop 2 campaign.  To see it, click here.

The post Prop 2: Vote “No,” Ben Stuckart Speaks Out Against Minority Rule on Taxes appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

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.

Prop 3: The Library Levy

[Prop  3, the Library Levy] will help keep branches open and it will also allow the three neighborhood branches in Hillard, East Central, and Indian Trails to stay open forty hours per week that are now only open twenty-two hours per week.  This will allow equity with our neighbors.  The cost of this Library Levy is very minimal.  It is only seven cents for every 1,000 dollars of access property value.  That means that some one who owns a one hundred and fifty thousand dollar home will only pay ten dollars and fifty cents a year to help save our libraries and keep them open. This is a minimal amount.  It is less than one book costs if you go to the book store.  We are asking you to sacrifice one book next year to keep our libraries open for all of Spokane.  Thank you.

Vote for Prop 3 for the Library Levy!

The post Prop 3: Vote “Yes” to Keep Spokane Libraries Open, Says Ben Stuckart appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

The post “No Coal Trains!” through Spokane appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.

(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

The post Vote “Yes” on Prop 1 for a Strong Police Ombudsman with Independent Investigative Powers appeared first on Spokane Watch: An Eye on Spokane City and County Politics.