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The Nov. 4 general election is the political equivalent of a pot
of jambalaya - it's got a little of everything tossed in it.
There's a smattering of school board races, a dash of Liberty Lake
Sewer and Water District drama, some local fire district board seats
for seasoning and a juicy hunk of ergonomics rules to decide upon.
But, like the Cajun dish, consuming it all too fast could leave
voters with weak stomachs with heartburn. So, nice and easy, here's
the rundown for next Tuesday.
Statewide choices
Worker safety rules could get a big overhaul if voters agree to
repeal existing ergonomics rules through the passage of Initiative
841. If passed, existing rules would be tossed out and any future
rules the director of the Department of labor and Industries from
adopting any new or amended rules dealing with workers' physical
problems developed from doing repetitive tasks while on the job.
Proponents of the initiative say the rules are an unfair, costly
burden to employers. Worse, they say the existing rules are vague
and will drive businesses and jobs out of Washington.
Those against the initiative content the rules are not necessary
to ensure workers' safety, and that preventing injuries saves money
and jobs.
Voters will also get the chance to decide whether or not the state
Constitution should be amended to allow for legislative and county
political partisan seats to be filled in case of a vacancy.
The amendment would address those rare times where a vacancy occurs
after a general election where the newly elected official is waiting
to fill a seat in January for a position that had been vacated earlier.
For example, if a county commissioner did not seek re-election and
resigned (say, to fill another office he or she was running for),
this amendment would let the person who ran for his or her commissioner
seat take office early to fill the remainder of the term - provided
both were of the same political party.
The measure, titled House Joint Resolution 4206, was passed unanimously
by the state Senate and House of Representatives to be put on the
ballot, so there has been no real opposition.
Fire Districts
While Fire District 8, which serves a portion of the Ponderosa neighborhood
and south Valley area, is looking for passage of a maintenance and
operation levy, there are is also a race between Lee Boling and
Claude Sappington in for commissioner Position 2. There is also
a race between Patrick Kennedy and Don Harris for fire commissioner
in District 9, which serves the north end of the Valley (see stories
in this issue).
Fire District 1, which covers the bulk of the Spokane Valley, also
has its share of elections. Monte Nesbitt and John Halen look to
succeed Commissioner Tom Gregory, who isn't running for re-election
to his Position 3 seat. Melissa Archer is challenging incumbent
Joe Dawson for Position 4.
School Districts
Only one real contest exists in this category in the Spokane Valley:
Kay Bryant will see her incumbency challenged for the Director 3
seat in the Central Valley School District by Debra Long.
Cynthia McMullen and Lynn Trantow are alone in the Central Valley
races for Districts 1 and 4, respectively.
The same holds true in the East Valley School District, where Michael
King and Jerry Shaw see no action Tuesday.
Newcomer Bob Wentworth is likely to cruise into Norma Ventris' vacated
spot for the West Valley School District Director 3 job, while Debbie
Hjortedal is unchallenged.
Liberty Lake
Incumbent Frank Boyle is facing challenger Doug Smith for the Position
2 post on the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District.
In the city, Council Members Wendy Van Orman, Dennis Paul and David
Crump all go unchallenged, while Joanna Klegin is challenged by
Odin Langford for Position 4. Mayor Steve Peterson is all-but-guaranteed
to be re-elected, as he has no one running against him.
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