Four candidates' views on land-use issues

October 10, 2004

At a Spokane Mountaineers forum last week, about 70 people turned out at REI to hear the four commissioner candidates' views on land-use issues ranging from county park land to protecting the Spokane River.

The turnout was high despite the fact that the forum was the same night as the first presidential debate between President George Bush and Sen. John Kerry.

Here are the candidates' stances on several issues related to growth and development. They include the Conservation Futures tax, a property tax used to buy and preserve open space, and wastewater treatment issues. The county has had trouble getting a new wastewater treatment plant permitted, because state and federal authorities say the Spokane River pollution is too high to accept more discharge. Without additional capacity, the county may have to consider a building moratorium within the next few years.

District 1

Republican Todd Mielke's contributors include some construction companies, but his top donors are a mix of advertising executives, professionals, contractors and small business owners.

Conservation Futures – Supports asking voters if they want to renew the tax and if they want to make it permanent.

Wastewater treatment plant – The county should use the best technology it can afford and move quickly so that building moratoriums can be avoided.

Growth Management Act – Follow all state laws but make sure that Spokane County's character is maintained and that people are informed about land-use decisions that will impact them.

Does growth pay for itself? – Everyone – taxpayers, developers and homeowners – needs to share the burden.

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Democrat Linda Wolverton has received many of her top donations from members of Spokane's environmental community.

Conservation Futures – Would make the tax funding acquisition of natural lands permanent.

Wastewater treatment plant – Pursue the best technology that the county can afford to improve the water quality of the Spokane River.

Growth Management Act – The county needs to stick to its five-year schedule when reviewing the urban growth area rather than adjusting it on a yearly basis.

Does growth pay for itself? – No. Growth Management needs to keep development closer in to existing services to reduce the costs of extending infrastructure.

District 2

Democrat Bill Burke's top campaign contributors have been himself, several low-cost fund-raisers, and small business owners.

Conservation Futures – Supports asking voters if they want to renew the tax and if they want to make it permanent.

Wastewater treatment plant – The county should pursue a plant that uses water reclamation onto land rather than pumping more waste into the Spokane River.

Growth Management Act – Do a better job of telling people how GMA works and involving them in the planning process.

Does growth pay for itself? – No. Taxpayers subsidize it and developers should pay impact fees.

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Republican Mark Richard's top donors are developers, builders, real estate companies and local law enforcement groups.

Conservation Futures – Supports bringing the issue up for periodic vote to keep it in the public's mind.

Wastewater treatment plant – Examine all technologies and choose the one that provides the most advanced treatment at a price the county can afford.

Growth Management Act – The current plan needs to be changed because it is pushing the county to adopt higher housing densities than people want.

Does growth pay for itself? – Yes. Sales taxes on construction and increased property taxes from development fuel the county.