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Sure, there’s other stuff on the ballot too.
There are a couple of controversial statewide initiatives/referendums. And there’s a host of school board candidates to choose from.
But all eyes, locally, are on the Spokane Valley City Council election, the outcome of which could set the course for the city for years. And dividing the candidates is a stretch of roadway that, depending on whom you ask, is doing just fine or needs some intricate planning.
The race between incumbent Spokane Valley Mayor Richard Munson, at Position 5, and state Sen. Bob McCaslin has gotten some of the most attention. While Munson won’t necessarily continue as mayor after January – it’s an appointed position by the rest of the council – his leadership and favor over the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan is being tested by McCaslin and other candidates under the Positive Change banner.
On the other side, McCaslin, 83, plans to stay on as 4th District senator and would try to persuade the rest of the council to scale back the SARP – a move that its supporters see is tantamount to the status quo on Sprague Avenue.
McCaslin is joined by Brenda Grassel, a business owner and mother of three children, who is challenging Diana Wilhite at Position 1. Wilhite, along with Munson, have served on the council since its inception in 2002 and support the SARP.
Ian Robertson – a former chairman of the Planning Commission, who was appointed by the council in August after Steve Taylor stepped down to become city administrator in Connell -- is being challenged most aggressively by Dean Grafos, who has allied himself with Positive Change (and McCaslin and Grassel) after the latest disincorporation movement failed. Running less visible campaigns at Position 2 are Edward Pace and Ed Foote.
Also in the Positive Change camp – and running unopposed for council – are incumbent Gary Schimmels (Position 4) and Tom Towey (Position 7), who will replace Dick Denenny, who has also been on the council since the city incorporated.
In the city of Liberty Lake, there are also council races at stake. At Position 2, newcomers Josh Beckett and Cristella Kaminskas are vying for the seat now occupied by Neal Olander, who is not running for re-election. In Position 4, Jason Adelmann is challenging incumbent Odin Langford. Ryan Romney is unchallenged in Position 6.
Millwood’s council candidates are all unchallenged. They include Mayor Dan Mork and Council Members Kevin Freeman, Richard Schoen, Brian Ellingson and Shaun Culler.
At the school board level, it’s a much the same story in two of the Spokane Valley districts. Central Valley’s Tom Dingus and Anne Long are unchallenged, as are West Valley’s Pam McLeod and Jim Williams.
However, in West Valley’s Director District 2, Robert Dompier is facing a scrappy write-in campaign from Jeff Baxter, who is running on a platform of a more-communicative, fiscally prudent school board.
East Valley, however, has contests in all of the director districts up for election. Heidi Gillingham and Kay Sieck both look to replace the departing June Sine in Director District 3. Christie Burton-Hart is challenging Kerri Lunstroth in District 4, and fellow incumbent Roger Trainor will attempt to fend off Roger Cox.
Local fire commissioner candidates also do not have challengers. Joe Dawson and Monte Nesbitt will keep their jobs as commissioners in the Spokane Valley Fire Department, as will Lee Boling in District 8 and Michael Atwood in District 9, which serve portions of the Valley.
Incumbent Frank Boyle faces challenger Darlene McHenry in Position 2 of the Liberty Lake Sewer District.
Statewide, voters will have to contend with Tim Eyman’s latest tax-limiting measure, Initiative 1033, which would restrict the amount of revenue cities, counties and the state could collect each year. Referendum 71 would expand rights for same-sex and senior domestic partners.
Ballots may be dropped off at the auditor’s office at the Spokane County Courthouse through Tuesday during normal business hours. They can also be deposited at the elections office, 1033 W. Gardner, until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Drop boxes may also be found at local libraries, including branches at 4322 N. Argonne, 23123 E. Mission in Liberty Lake, 22324 E. Wellesley in Otis Orchards and 12004 E. Main in Spokane Valley.
Also, on Tuesday, a voter service center will be open at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can drop off ballots, get replacement envelopes and get answers to questions.
For more information, call the elections office at 477-2320.
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By
Mike Huffman
