Prop 3: Vote “Yes” to Keep Spokane Libraries Open, Says Ben Stuckart

Saturday, January 19th, 2013 at 1:23 am  
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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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“No Coal Trains!” through Spokane

Friday, January 18th, 2013 at 8:01 am  
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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.

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Vote “Yes” on Prop 1 for a Strong Police Ombudsman with Independent Investigative Powers

Sunday, January 13th, 2013 at 11:32 pm  
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(Letter to the Editor) 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. 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

(updated May 31, 2013)

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Jon Snyder Discusses Work on the Spokane City Council

Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 at 2:15 am  
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jon snyderSpokane City Councilman Jon Snyder has been busy.  It is nice to see an elected official who knows the difference between running for office and governing.  Voters hate political bickering.  The want elected officials who work for them, and not just work to get re-elected.  Thanks Jon Snyder!  The  below is from his January 2, 2012, Newsletter. Read the rest of this entry

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Spokane City Council Puts Two-Thirds Measure on Ballot and Mike Fagan Criticizes Libraries

Thursday, December 27th, 2012 at 12:59 am  
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Mike FaganA few years ago, Tim Eyman and Mike Fagan started a successful initiative effort to require a two-thirds majority in the Washington State Legislature for the passage of new revenue proposals.  Every two years Eyman has relaunched similar initiatives in response to the Washington State Legislature threatening to undo his initiatives.  Now the two-thirds majority movement has gone local.

Last week the Spokane City Council voted in favor of placing a similar two-thirds rule on the local February ballot.  This measure was supported by Mike Fagan, a City Councilman and frequent co-sponsor of Eyman initiatives to reduce state revenue needed for parks, education, environmental protection, and other services from the State of Washington, according to the Spokesman Review. Read the rest of this entry

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Got Todd Mielke, Got Trouble on the Spokane County Commission

Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at 4:30 am  
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According to the YouTube video and its corresponding website, Spokane County Commissioner, Todd Mielke, has used his position to pass unlawful land use amendments to the county code.  He has helped buy property for Spokane County to the lucrative benefit of his friends that own the land and at the cost of tax payers in Spokane County.

Todd Mielke under fire

Just before dishing out political favors to people, Todd Mielke has been caught asking these same people for campaign contributions. The Spokesman Review wrote about him doing just that. Read the rest of this entry

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Washington State Voters’ Guide is Supported by Kathleen Drew for Secretary of State

Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 7:12 am  
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(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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Matt Shea (R) Pulled Gun on Motorist — with Video

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 at 3:11 am  
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Matt Shea pulled Handgun

State Rep. Matt Shea Pulled Gun on Spokane Motorist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a sad day when someone has to be afraid for their life because of a threat of violence. It makes it even worse when the threat of violence comes from an elected official who (is supposed to) hold the public trust. This is what happened in November, 2011. It was Republican State Representative Matt Shea, Spokane Valley, WA, 4th Legislative District, who pulled a loaded handgun on Leroy Norris of Spokane County.  Here is a YouTube video that we produced about the incident involving Matt Shea.  Spokane is safer without him.  Read the rest of this entry

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Was Todd Mielke Asking Developer Douglass for a Bribe?

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 at 6:19 pm  
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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

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Matt Shea’s Talent for Offending

Friday, October 5th, 2012 at 8:17 am  
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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

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