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Retiring county Commissioner Phil Harris received not one, but three standing
ovations while receiving three tributes from organizations he has served during
his 12 years on the county board.
The first tribute came from David
Brukhardt, chairman of the Airport Board, who said that Harris had served on the
board for the past 10 years.
"During that time we have had $194
million in improvements to the airport," Brukhardt said.
He said
that runways have been rehabilitated, a new parking garage built, freight facilities
expanded and a new tower built during Harris' tenure.
"And he was
there with us for Y2K," Brukhardt quipped. "And we made it through that,
didn't we, Phil?"
Brukhardt presented Harris with a plaque containing
a photograph taken from atop the new tower, which he said was taller than the
one at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport.
He thanked Harris for his service,
saying, "Your common sense approach will be sorely missed." 
Retiring commissioner honored Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris, center,
was honored not once, but three times, at his last meeting prior to his leaving
office Dec. 31. He's shown with board Chairman Todd Mielke, left, and Commissioner
Mark Richard, who presented him with a flag that flew over the courthouse.
Photo by Charlie Plumb
Greg
Parks, a commissioner from Whitman County and chairman of the Aging and Long Term
Care of Eastern Washington Governing Board, gave tribute to Harris for being a
community leader, having served in the Air force and leading the Boy Scouts in
Spokane County. He said that the commissioner had been active in promoting the
well-being of seniors in Eastern Washington.
Parks was followed by Nick Beamer,
director of ALTCEW, who thanked Harris for dealing with the difficult issues faced
by his agency.
"You came to our aid by finding ways to put funding
back together," Beamer said. "This helped seniors in need."
He
said that Harris was also instrumental in keeping a funding source for the Care
Cars program, which gives those who can't get out of the house on their own a
lift to doctor appointments and shopping.
Finally, Commissioner Todd
Mielke, board chairman, said, "The end of this year wraps up more than a
year; it wraps up a legacy. Phil, you have been a tremendous resource for the
two new guys on the board."
He said that Harris has been an asset
to the county and was retiring with dignity and honor. He also recognized Harris'
wife, Loreen, for "putting up with you" during his three terms as commissioner.
Mielke
then presented Harris with a plaque and then he and Commissioner Mark Richard
gave the outgoing commissioner a display case containing the flag that used to
fly over the courthouse.
The three-term commissioner was defeated in
a close race with Bonnie Mager. Mager will be sworn in on Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
on the second floor of the Main Branch of the Spokane Public Library in downtown
Spokane. Click
here to...
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By
CHARLIE PLUMB
