October 2020 Current

OCTOBER

2020

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• OCTOBER 2020

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

Super Strong – Russell begins 10th year at Freeman helm

By Craig Howard Current Contributing Editor

In baseball parlance, it is known as the “relay throw,” a perfectly timed transfer from an outfielder to a waiting infielder who then hurls the ball to a final teammate to secure the out.

When it is orchestrated well, the play is pure artistry – but it all hinges on the outfielder tracking down the ball and making the initial accurate toss.

Randy Russell grew up practicing the relay throw countless times on baseball diamonds in his native Montana. He was a good enough outfielder in high school to earn a scholarship to Whitworth University in Spokane. After college, his alma mater was so impressed with Russell, it quickly hired him as a teacher and coach.

Today, Russell is still making exceptional relay throws – of the metaphorical kind. As he begins his 10th year as superintendent of the Freeman School District and 33rd year in education, Russell has established himself as a rare leader, catalyst, delegator and mentor.

The relays these days involve budgets, transportation schedules, technology updates and safely navigating a district of 880 students through a worldwide pandemic.

“I’m more excited for my 33rd year in education than I was for my first 32,” Russell says with trademark enthusiasm. “I’m really leaning on my faith. We’ve got a great team here and that makes all the difference in the world.”

Russell learned to tackle challenges of all varieties growing up on five acres near the Bigfork River. A strong work ethic was a prerequisite on the family homestead.

“I’d have a football game on a Friday night and be up by dawn on

Saturday morning doing chores,” Russell recalls.

Russell was the second of four kids. His dad worked for the state of Montana in water rights and his mom was a social worker.

“They really patterned that work ethic,” Russell said.

Russell competed in football, basketball, baseball and track in high school and was recruited by several colleges in baseball and basketball. Whitworth was joined

by Gonzaga and College of Idaho in baseball offers to Russell. In his junior season as a Pirate, the team came within one out of qualifying for the NAIA World Series.

Russell earned his degree from Whitworth in history and English and transitioned easily into an employee at his alma mater. Over the next five years, he would serve as assistant baseball

coach, PE teacher, assistant athletic director and head baseball coach. The highlight of Russell’s coaching career came when the Pirates stunned Washington State University and legendary manager Bobo Brayton on the Cougar’s home field in Pullman.

Russell moved on from Whitworth in 1993, accepting a job at Colville High School as athletics director and a fitness/history teacher. He would stay until 1998, a year he found his way back to Montana, working as an assistant principal over athletics/activities at Flathead High School in Kalispell.

Spokane Public Schools recruited Russell in 2000 as his resume and reputation as an adept administrator began garnering more attention. He worked as an assistant principal for North Central and Rogers high schools before taking the principal’s job at

Contributed photo Randy Russell is beginning his 10th year as superintendent of the Freeman School District. The Montana native and Whitworth University alum has also worked as principal of Coeur d’Alene High School and assistant principal at North Central High School

Coeur d’Alene High in 2006.

At Freeman, Russell has established himself as a focused and dynamic leader, overseeing the completion of a capital improvement project that included renovations of the high school and elementary school and remodeling of the middle school. Freeman is ranked third among Greater Spokane area school districts and 30th out of 252 districts in Washington by Niche with a graduation rate of 98 percent.

Russell was a catalyst in leading the district and community through the 2017 shooting at Freeman High School that took the life of sophomore Sam Strahan and injured three others. The slogan of “Freeman Strong” took hold in southeast Spokane County and across the region as people sought solace and healing.

Russell oversees a district that spans 150 square miles and includes the farming communities of Mica, Rockford, Hangman Hills, Valleyford and Mt. Hope.

Since COVID hit, Russell has been working six to seven days a week, pushing through despite a hip surgery. This summer, he released his first book, “The 3 Ships” – available on Amazon – which focuses on a trio of approaches that have been vital to his career.

“The power to chart a course through life resides within each individual,” the book’s introduction reads. “Life isn't a solo voyage.

Each one of us is responsible for both ourselves and our crew-- our family, friends, staff, team, school, company or organization. ‘The 3 Ships’ focuses on RelationShips, LeaderShip, and PartnerShips.”

Russell went back to Whitworth to earn his master’s in physical education in 1991. He added a Ph. D. in philosophy and educational leadership from the University of Idaho in 2012. When not wearing his superintendent’s hat, Russell enjoys golfing, reading and heading up RLR Leadership Consulting. He and his wife Shawna, a longtime teacher in the Central Valley School District, are proud parents of four kids.

See RUSSELL, Page 5

OCTOBER 2020 • 3

The Current

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• OCTOBER 2020

The Current

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The Current

RUSSELL

Continued from page 2 Q: If you had not pursued education as a career, what do you think you might be doing now?

A: After my sophomore year of college, I returned to Montana for the summer to direct a baseball camp in the Flathead Valley of Montana. I met with Mr. Baird – my high school librarian, coach and a mentor - one of the days I was there. In our conversation, he asked me what I was going to do after I graduated from college and I told him I was going to go to law school.

Without missing a beat, he said, “Are you sure you want to be a lawyer? Randy, I think you should go into education.” After that, Mr. Baird shared with me every reason why he went into education, including many positives and a few negatives, as well. He was correct, as usual. Not only did he change the trajectory of my life, he reaffirmed his belief in me and taught me a valuable lesson about “tapping someone on the shoulder” when they see value and potential in another person. Looking back at this discussion with Mr. Baird, I think often about how it was a turning point in my life. If it weren’t for Mr. Baird and the conversation we had that summer, I would have gone to law school.

Q: What does Freeman Strong mean to you?

A: Freeman Strong has meant different things to me at different times. Right after the school shooting at Freeman High School, Freeman Strong was a unifying effort that brought us together.

It became a rally cry to persevere through difficulty and it was a reminder of all the support we were receiving – both inside the

Freeman community and outside from so many people. As time went on, I began to resent Freeman Strong and I’ve never told anyone this until now, because it was a daily reminder for me of what we had lost – Sam Strahan – and the difficulties associated with the incident. There were so many angry and upset people and they wanted someone to blame – the school district and myself were easy for people to direct that anger and pain at. It became a daily burden for me and every time I heard the phrase Freeman Strong or saw something associated with Freeman Strong I literally became upset and angry because of what happened. For about a six-month period of time, I had to force myself to get out of bed every day after having nightmares all night long and come to the place that I loved and resented at the same time. Over time and with a lot of reflection, counseling and prayer, I’ve been able to embrace this part of my journey and Freeman Strong has once again become a unifying effort about staying strong, persevering through difficulty and staying on our road of recovery.

Freeman Strong is something I’m proud of and is a reminder of how we’ve navigated simply one of the most difficult things I’ve had to face in my life.

Q: Speaking of challenges, as you begin a school year unlike any other, what are your priorities as a leader when it comes to navigating your district through the wake of COVID-19?

A: Our priority No. 1 is to keep our students and staff safe.

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The Current

RUSSELL

2020 August Malicious Mischief Hotspots

Continued from page 5

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have a safe learning environment ! ( before learning occurs – and although everyone wants to sprint and get all kids back on campus yesterday, we must be diligent in our efforts and gain confidence to keep everyone safe first. We are excited to have our students back on campus, in a safe manner, doing what we do best – which is to serve our students. Our No 2 priority continues to be taking care of and serving our students and staff. Our mission and our guiding purpose is to serve our students – it always has been and it continues to be every day. Our No. 3 priority is on self-care for the adults. Many adults have really been affected

by COVID – whether it impacts them and their profession/career, their families, their own mental, social, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Educators often compromise their own wellbeing because they are focused on everyone else and we need to keep self-care for the adults as a focus ! ( for this year.

Q: Faith seems to be an important part of your life. How much did your experience at Whitworth shape that part of your character?

A: Faith has been an important part of my life – and the trials, tribulations, mistakes made – are all a part of life’s path. I believe my faith has grown stronger with time and was certainly impacted by my experience at Whitworth. Being a Whitworth alum is something I’m very proud of and the experiences at Whitworth really have helped me throughout my life. Certainly difficulties and challenges in your life will test your faith. For the past three years I’ve tried to stay focused on G4F – God, Faith, Family, Friends and Fun. It’s what has gotten me through some pretty difficult times – losing three of our four parents in a five-month time span, losing students under your care, losing one of your best friends to suicide, dealing with difficulties in leading a school district. I’m reminded often by the saying, “It’s not your job to know, it’s your job to trust.” I’m doing a lot of trusting and a lot of praying to be a better person, father and husband and ! ( leader every day.

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October is fire prevention month. Make sure your home is safe with these 10 tips.

1) Smoke Alarms – Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it monthly.

2) Prevent Electrical Fires – Don’t overload circuits or extension cords. Cords and wires should never be placed under rugs or in high traffic areas.

5) Fire Safety Sprinklers – When combined with working smoke alarms, home fire sprinklers greatly increase your chance of surviving a fire.

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4) Alternate Heaters – Make sure there is ample space around any portable heating unit.

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The maps provided below depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Thefts from a Vehicle (also known as vehicle prowling), Burglaries and Thefts. As you view the map each circle will contain a number indicating how many instances of a particular crime were reported at that location.

Thefts from a vehicle is often under reported as people often feel nothing can be done or they only lost a small quantity of loose change. However, the Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources. I encourage citizens who have been a victim of crime to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 456-2233, if not in progress, to report a crime.

! (

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OCTOBER 2020 • 7

The Current

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6) Create An Escape Route – Create and practice your escape plan with your family from every room in the house.

7) Position Appliances Carefully – Try to keep TV sets, kitchen and other appliances away from windows with curtains.

8) Clean Dryer Vents – Clean the lint filter every time you start a load of clothes to dry or after the drying cycle is complete.

9) Be Careful Around the Holidays – Keep holiday lights away from anything that can easily catch fire.

10) Conduct Regular Inspections – Check all of your electronic equipment and wiring at least once a month.

8

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919 N Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Changes Made to the Public Comment Period Mayor Wick introduced the public comment period by asking those who testify to ‘keep matters to the jurisdiction of the government and please be civil in the comment.” However, recent comments by citizens at Council meetings have included criticism of Councilmembers or other citizens on items having nothing to do with City business. This seems to have frustrated both the public and the Council.

Former Mayor Diana Wilhite stated that, because this time has been used for “personal vendettas,” there is a need to have the governance manual changed to restrict comments to “any type of comment regarding city business from the citizens but that these citizens will not be able to misuse this time period for their own personal retaliation against other citizens in the community.” A week later, Beva Miles noted that the Roberts Rules of Order discusses the term, “dilatory”, and the mayor has the right to “shut the comments down when the comments become dilatory.” [Note: Roberts Rules of Order states, “No dilatory motion shall be entertained by the speaker.”]

As a result, the Council asked for recommendations from the City Attorney about changes they could make to keep the focus on City business. The City responded with a written analysis by the City Attorney. He first noted that State Law does not require any public comment period. When such a period is provided, it is considered a limited public forum and “court has ruled that in a limited public forum, a city may apply reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on public comments.” Disruption of the meeting is not permitted.

“Disruption may include exceeding the time limit and then refusing to stop talking after warning; throwing anything at the Council or staff; overtly threatening Council or staff with physical harm; or approaching the dais during the meeting. This is

The Current

not an exhaustive list. ...” However, he noted that rulings by the Ninth Court of Appeals favored the First Amendment, free speech, and, as a result, “if Council requires that public comments can only relate to City business, then it must allow comments to be made on the topic, whether they are critical of the Council as a whole or individual Councilmembers.”

Staff proposed the following changes to the Governance Manual.

Persons may only speak concerning City business. A person cannot speak during both comment periods.

There shall be no discussion of any past, present, or future election issues except when the City wishes to have the County place an item on the ballot. Finally, any display items must be given to the city clerk and become the property of the City.

They may not be distributed to the Council or the audience. Council Member Rod Higgins suggested that the issue should be referred to the Governance Committee, whose task it is to propose changes to the Governance Manual. However, on a motion by Councilmember Tim Hattenburg, Council adopted these changes, effective immediately. The vote was 5:4 with Councilmembers Higgins, Haley, and Woodard dissenting.

25 Agencies Request City Grants Each year, the City Council offers funds to outside agencies for economic development and social services.

This year, the budget is $244,000.

Of this, $43,000 is committed to Greater Spokane Incorporated for economic development activities and $19,000 is set aside for Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce for promoting business development, providing a shop-local initiative, and funding some training. That leaves $182,000 available for other economic development or social service activities.

25 agencies requesting a total of $671,420 have applied for these funds and made presentations to the Council: Christ Kitchen, $15,000; Elevations Childrens Therapy, $15,000; Feed Spokane, $6,050; Family Promise, $50,000; GSC Meals on Wheels, $30,000; Heidi Duty, $1,080; HUB Sports Center, $5,000; JAKT, $63,000; Jazzed About Reading, $9,000; Pet Savers, $24,000; Project Beauty Share, $2,500; Spokane Rapids,

The Current

$5,000; Spokane Valley Arts Council, $52,600; Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, $43,500; Spokane Valley Partners, $70,000; Spokane Valley Summer Theatre, $46,000; Spokane Workforce Council, $25,000; Spokanimal, $20,440; Teen & Kid Closet, $20,000; The Family Guide Rally the Valley, $16,750; The Family Guide - Back to School Bash/Supply Drive, $22,500; Valleyfest, $68,000; Valleyfest - Multicultural Event, $15,000; Widows Might, $39,000; and YWCA, $7,000.

Council members will each fill out a form indicating their recommended funding for each applicant, totaling $182,000. The Finance Department will then average the amounts for each applicant using the seven councilmember recommendations and determine the number of councilmembers suggesting funding for that applicant (votes). In the past, Council has used the following method in allocation. Applicants who receive four or more votes will be funded. The amount of funding will be the average of the seven councilmember recommendations for that agency. Funds from those receiving three or less votes will then be distributed equally among those agencies receiving seven votes. However, no agency will receive more than it requested. Any funds left over from this last step will be distributed equally among those receiving five or six votes.

Council will make its final decisions about these grants on Oct. 20.

2021 Estimated Revenues and Expenditures Staff presented their estimate for revenues and expenditures for the 2021 budget. By the time the budget is adopted, Council will have discussed the 2021 budget on eight occasions. There was a public hearing on September 22. There will be a second public hearing on Oct. 27 and one on November 24, at which final adoption is expected.

The 2021 Budget provides expenditures of $98 million, $33 million of which are capital expenditures, including $14 million for railroad grade separation projects, $9 million for street capital projects, $5 million for pavement preservation projects (one million from the General Fund), $3 million for aquifer protection projects, and $1 million for parks projects. $21 million of the $33 million is expected from grant proceeds, thus covering

NEWS

65% from State and Federal money.

The full time equivalent (FTE) personnel count will remain at 95.25 by reassigning one vacant position in Economic Development to Engineering, and one vacant Engineering/Street Capital position to be assigned as a Housing and Homeless Services Coordinator.

2021 General Fund recurring revenue is expected to increase by 1.81% to $45 million with the two largest sources providing $22 million from sales taxes and $13 million in property taxes. Total property taxes collected will remain the same as in 2020 except that an additional $150 thousand is expected from new construction. This last figure is expected to increase by $175 thousand when added information comes from the County.

General fund expenditures are expected to increase by 5.1% to $45 million with recurring revenues exceeding recurring expenditures by 0.33%. Non-recurring expenditures are expected to be $2.2 million with $1.9 million to cover a deficit in the street fund, $213 thousand for IT replacement items and $79 thousand for various public safety projects. The total 2021 recurring and non-recurring expenditures exceed the total revenues by $2 million. However, the projected fund balance at the end of 2021 is expected to be $33 million, or 73% of recurring expenses; the City’s goal is that it be at least 50%.

Motorized Personal Transportation Devices Council adopted an ordinance on motorized personal transportation devices (MPTD).

These are defined as motorized foot scooters, motorized skateboards, pocket motorcycles, electric-assisted bicycles, and similar devices, but excludes motorized wheelchairs, motor driven cycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and electronic personal assistive mobility devices. MPTDs must be operated by persons 16 years old or older. Helmets are required.

Front light and rear reflectors are required in public, including a stop light. Brakes are required.

Internal combustion engines require a muffler.

MPTDs may not be operated on sidewalks, except when the street has no bike lane. Electricmotor devices may use sidewalks providing they give right-of-way to

pedestrians and proceed no faster than 10 miles per hour. The only trails on which MPTDs may be operated on are the Centennial Trail and the Appleway Trail, and then speeds must not exceed 15 miles per hour. MPTDs are permitted on streets having speed limits of up to 25 mph, and on those with greater speed limits only if there is a bike lane. MPTDs may not park on sidewalks if they interfere with the full use of the sidewalk. Violation of these provisions is an infraction subject to a $50.00 fine.

Annexation Code Amendment Advanced Council unanimously approved a code amendment that defines the procedures for annexing areas to the City. State law requires that the area be contiguous. The amendment notes that either the City or an outside entity can propose an annexation. However, the City can accept or reject any annexation proposal. It identifies the facilities, services, expenses, and revenue that would result and discusses the zoning of the new area.

Site-Specific Zone/Code Changes Advanced Council approved the following zone/code changes that were discussed in last month’s The Current: 1311 N. McDonald Road rezone from single family residential to corridor mixed use, Fancher and Sprague rezone from industrial to regional commercial, 1723-24 N. Union rezone from mixed family use to corridor mixed use.

East Valley School District Walker Center at 3830 N. Sullivan rezone from industrial to corridor mixed use.

New R-4 Zone Advanced Council approved a change that rezones most of the 8th to Broadway R-3 single family residential zone to a new R-4 zone. This new R-4 zone would permit ten dwelling units per acre instead of the previous eight per acre. The permitted density of the remaining R-3 zone would go from six to eight dwellings per acre. However, duplexes would still be limited to six per acre. The expectation is that builders would be encouraged to build single family dwellings in R-3 and R-4 zones instead of duplexes, since more density is allowed.

Essential Public Facilities

OCTOBER 2020 • 9

Council approved an Essential Public Facility (EPF) ordinance as discussed in last month’s The Current. An EPF is a facility that, in general, is very difficult to locate, such as a jail or a drug rehab house. EPF’s designated area wide are located by the County. Local EPF’s are located by the City and this ordinance would prohibit local EPF’s from being located in residential neighborhoods.

Shelter Issues Discussed Council was updated on two homeless shelter proposals.

A Bridge shelter at 55 W. Mission is being discussed by Spokane, Spokane County, and Spokane Valley.

The shelter would be for those who are moving from homelessness to permanent shelters and would provide supportive services to assure success of those persons. The site is presently being used for support of COVID-spaced housing and would be available after the COVID need expires.

Spokane Valley has committed to 18 months of funding through the recording fee homeless tax collected by the County on behalf of the City.

However, there is still a shortfall of funding and the City is being asked to commit to five years of funding.

The State is providing $2.7 million for homelessness and the consortium has decided to use these funds for a young adult shelter. However, the City’s code only permits such a shelter to be located in multi-housing zones with a conditional use permit. Staff is recommending and Council agreed that a change to the City’s comprehensive plan be developed and run through the normal process.

However, this conflicts with the very tight schedule of the grant.

Funding is also an issue, although Spokane Valley has not made any financial commitment to the project.

Council Briefs • Mayor Ben Wick presented a proclamation honoring the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote.

• Staff checked with Washington Department of Transportation on the City’s delay in purchasing their 45.73 acre property east of Flora Road, immediately north of the Spokane River. Both agreed to delay further action until December.

10

LIBRARY

• OCTOBER 2020

INTRODUCING

BOOK BUTLER

BOOK BUTLER

Aren’t sure what book to read or listen to next?

Select your options by genre, author, audience, or topic.

We will hand-pick a selection for you.

Get your books with Curbside Pickup.

And see what Book Butler finds for your next read!

Try it today at www.scld.org/ book-butler

www.scld.org

The Current

Library offers 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program for parents sign up at www.scld.org/readingBy Mary Ellen Braks, librarian Spokane County Library District

The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is available to all library customers. It is designed to foster early literacy skills during the time period in a child’s development where the brain develops most rapidly.

Reading to and with your baby, toddler, and preschooler builds vocabulary skills, reading comprehension, narrative skills, letter knowledge, and an enjoyment of books. In addition, reading together encourages and establishes bonding between child and adult, which also promotes healthy brain development. The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is for children from birth to five years old.

So yes, you can start reading to your newborn! While reading 1000 books may seem daunting, just reading one book a day means you’ll have met this goal in less than

Are you up for a reading challenge?

By Erin Dodge

Spokane Is Reading

An online reading challenge has begun for the Spokane Is Reading Diverse Voices booklist for 2020, and you can be a part of it!

Spokane County Library District has created an online reading challenge for all 15 books from the Diverse Voices booklist. Some are fiction, some are nonfiction, and you’ll even find a graphic novel and a young adult title on the list—all from writers whose work weaves into the rich tapestry that is the American experience.

The Diverse Voices booklist titles are “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones, “Another Brooklyn”

by Jacqueline Woodson, “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Bluebird, Bluebird” by Attica Locke, “The Book of Delights”

by Ross Gay, “Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s” by Tiffany Midge, “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin, “Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations” by Mira

3 years.

If finding 1000 books seems overwhelming, the library has you covered. You can browse and place holds on titles in our sizeable collection of picture books at www. scld.org/catalog-picture-books. Or have our staff choose books for you using our new Book Butler service at www.scld.org/book-butler.

If you’re wondering how you’ll keep track of all that you’ve read, we have an online reading tracker just for the program. And we are kicking things off with a virtual Reading Celebration for kids ages 3–5 and their adults. The program will start with a short storytime and after we will share information on how to register for the online reading program.

You can attend one of two sessions of the “Reading Celebration: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten” on Saturday, October 10, at 10am or on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30pm.

Registration is required, and you can Jacob, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi, “Hunger” by Roxane Gay, “The Leavers” by Lisa Ko, “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds, “The Other Americans” by Laila Lalami, “Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions” by Valeria Luiselli, and “There There” by Tommy Orange.

If you’ve already read a title or several on this list, then you are ready to claim reading badges for the online reading challenge.

You earn badges for every Diverse Voices title you read, and there’s even a badge for reviewing five of the titles on the list.

Adults who finish reading 5 of the 15 books will be entered into a drawing to receive a set of 3 of the titles on the Diverse Voices recommended reading list. There will be 10 drawings for a set of 3 titles on December 31, 2020.

The challenge continues through

celebration.

If you are unable to attend the Reading Celebration or would like to get started tracking right away, you can sign up with Beanstack at http://scld.beanstack.org and select the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. Both the Reading Celebration and the Online Reading Challenge are provided at no cost.

What’s great about this program is that you can read any book, and yes, you can repeat them. It also counts if a sibling, grandparent, or teacher reads to your child.

In Beanstack, you’ll earn badges as you make your way towards 1000 books. We’ve also included badges for some fun activities that encourage language development. At the end, you’ll get a certificate that celebrates your reading achievement of 1000 books.

I wish you joyful adventures as you head on this reading journey with your little ones. the end of the year, giving you time to read and discover these voices.

Sign up for the challenge today at http://scld.beanstack.org.

To get your hands on these books, visit the Library District’s online catalog, at www.scld.org/ catalog, where you’ll find all of the titles. There, you can place holds and then use the library’s Curbside Pickup service (www.scld.org/ curbside-pickup) once those holds are available.

I hope you take on this reading challenge. It is sure to be a rewarding reading experience that you can discuss and share with fellow readers throughout Spokane County.

If this is the first time you’re hearing about Spokane Is Reading, you can learn more about the nonprofit organization at www. spokaneisreading.com.

OCTOBER 2020 • 11

The Current

Special Election G u i d e 2020 Dear Readers: With the upcoming election heating up and the sea of political signs filling our streets, we at The Current wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some information about the candidates seeking your vote this election cycle.

It had become a tradition to bring you this election guide that showcases as many candidates as we

can get to respond.

In order to give you more insight into who these people are we reached out to all of the contenders appearing on your ballot and asked them to please provide a 300-word response to the following questions (which we would publish at no cost). That is what you are about to read now.

We asked them two questions; 1. What best qualifies you for this position?

2. What is the most important issue that needs

addressed?

This year we have also added some fun questions!

1. Where is your favorite local place to eat?

2. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

3. Most admired public servant?

While not everyone chose to respond to our request, a good number have and we hope that you find their unedited responses helpful for your voting consideration.

This year you can register to vote even on election day

by going to CenterPlace in Spokane Valley.

Thanks for reading The Current, we hope you enjoy it!

The Current Team P.S. If you have any feedback on how we can enhance the voter’s guide or if you found it valuable please let us know by emailing us at elections@ libertylakesplash.com or by calling our office at 509-242-7752

Vote by November 3

12

• OCTOBER 2020

The Current

County Commissioner District 1 Where is your favorite local place to eat?

Josh Kerns Prohibition Gastropub Ted Cummings Domini’s Mary Kuney MAX at Mirabeau David Green Top of India Cathy McMorris- Rodgers Republic Pi Tracy Staab Joe’s House Marshall Casey Veraci Pizza Raquel Montoya-Lewis MiSo Dave Larson Frank’s Diner Helen Whitener Everywhere Richard Serns Old Spaghetti Factory Mike Padden MAX at Mirabeau John Roskelley Home Kim Wyman Twigs Bistro Bob McCaslin Red Robin Lori Feagan Outdoors!

Rob Chase Palenque’s and King’s Restaurant Lance Gurel The Garden Matt Larkin Jack and Dan’s Chris Rekdal The Onion

Josh Kerns Incumbant

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have served the people of Spokane County as Commissioner for four years and have worked to protect and grow jobs, have never

What best qualifies you for this position?

I believe that I posses the leadership skills, the common sense the pragmatism and a work ethic to make a successful commissioner.

I am a small business owner and landowner and I understand the impact of taxes on both. I do not want anyone including myself to be taxed out of their business or their property and will do all I can to ease and be a good

voted to raise property taxes, have promoted transparency in government, and have prioritized public safety.

I am a lifelong resident of Spokane County and a small business owner. I am committed to making this the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

I previously worked for the Washington State House of Representatives and have utilized my relationships and knowledge of the legislative process to benefit the people of Spokane County.

What is the most

important issue that needs to be addressed?

We must continue to focus on a safe, strong, and healthy reopening of our economy. We must support the families and small businesses in our community that are struggling during this difficult time.

I am proud to have voted to provide grants to struggling small businesses in our community, provide funding for our local food banks, and help our local school districts provide education to our students.

steward of those taxes. I Ted Cummings want Spokane County to be Challenger a place free from hate, from armed militias menacing the public and be a county known for being a safe and welcoming community for all. I want Spokane county to have an intelligent design with short commute times, affordable housing and robust businesses and will to be addressed? work hard to achieve this Dealing with the vision. economic hardships caused What is the most by the pandemic. important issue that needs

Lost your Ballot?

Now you can go online to get a replacement! Input your information and it will generate the correct ballot for you. Simply print it off and take it to a ballot drop off location.

To utilize this service go to https://weiapplets.sos. wa.gov/MyVote/#/login

OCTOBER 2020 • 13

The Current

County commissioner district 2 Mary Kuney Incumbant

What best qualifies you for this position?

It’s an honor to serve as your County Commissioner. I ask for your vote, so I may continue to work collaboratively to address the issues facing our community.

I have a proven track record of providing fiscally responsible solutions that protect the public, grow our economy, and maintain our infrastructure. I’m a CPA with a successful career in the private sector before serving as a Washington State Auditor. I was in-charge of

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have a good heart and can think “outside the box”.

We need change in Spokane County. Our allRepublican commissioners (for nearly 10 years now) have since 2011 reduced funding to the regional health district.

The most recent major cut was for the 2018 year, taking away $400,000 in funding that could have better positioned the health district for the current pandemic. They also put “business before people” when they attempted in June to move to “Phase 3” well before the county was ready.

And as a group, our commissioners have been slow to embrace racial equity in our justice system. I’m in favor of “no new jail” and investing in “smart justice” efforts to help change our

the Spokane County audit for two years, ensuring the County complied with all laws and regulations. As Commissioner, I have increased the budget for road maintenance, fully funded the Sheriff’s office and I’m endorsed by Sheriff Knezovich, accelerated construction of new recreational trail heads, and implemented electronic permitting allowing the County to permit over $1 billion of new construction this year, even with the COVID impacts.

I have been volunteering in the Spokane community for over 30 years, helping the youth of Spokane. This includes Hutton Settlement, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Junior League, and HUB Sports Center.

All these organizations provide opportunities for kids and teach them to be valuable members of our community.

As your County Commissioner I’ve been breaking down

silos between departments, improving efficiency, and promoting collaboration to make your government work better for you. I will continue to build our community for the future with your support.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

My top priority in this challenging year is supporting our community as we work towards safely reopening. I’ve championed fully funding the Spokane Regional Health District, and providing grants and PPE to local food banks, non-profits, and small businesses to help them weather this crisis. I’ve ensured we’re providing funding to schools to provide technology support for online learning and day camps, so our kids don’t fall further behind and our families can continue working.

justice system. We can, and must, do better.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

In the near term, the county should get back to the “basics” and behave more like a county than a cheerleading team for developers. The county is responsible for funding our justice system, which benefits us countywide. And in unincorporated parts of the county, it provides police and public safety services (through the sheriff’s department) and maintains public roads. As one drives around District 2, going from Spokane Valley or Liberty Lake to the unincorporated part of the county, development and growth have outpaced the county’s investment in roads and infrastructure. To “keep District 2 green” the commissioners should focus less on development and more

David Green

Challenger

on people.

Also important? The impact of climate change (both near term and long term). I believe in science and that climate change is real. For your children and grandchildren, it’s time to elect leaders for Spokane County that can accept the need to address climate change and work locally on a regional basis to take steps to make for a more sustainable future.

congressional district 5 - u.S. Representative Cathy McMorrisRodgers Incumbant

What best qualifies you for this position?

It is the honor of a lifetime to be your voice in Congress. I am proud of my record of delivering results for Eastern Washington. In the last two years, I have co-sponsored 39 bills passed in the House, ten of which have been signed into law. These have included improved mapping for rural broadband deployment, data security and privacy protections, modernizing the farm workforce, connecting small and medium-size farms to food banks, and more. I have fought to expand Fairchild Air Force Base, bring more doctors to our region, and protect our dams.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

I believe that right now we need to be focused on getting America back on its feet. We are living through unprecedented times, but Americans have always risen to meet the challenge of any adversity. I have been inspired by stories of hope and ingenuity. From a high schooler using his 3D printer to make masks, to Dry Fly Distillery making hand sanitizer, and so many more. We need to get people back to work and we need hybrid solutions to allow parents and schools more choices to get kids back in school quickly and safely. At the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic, I supported historic relief measures, such as the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, rural hospitals, and hardworking Americans who have been impacted by no fault of their own.

I am leading in the fight to reduce the tax burden on American families, cut back excessive regulation, and rein in wasteful government spending. These are what will bring back our booming economy, not the government running every aspect of our lives. I believe that by working together, we can give Americans hope and confidence again.

CHALLENGER DID NOT RESPOND

14

• OCTOBER 2020

Referendum 90 Washington Referendum 90, the Sex Education in Public Schools Measure, is on the ballot in Washington as a veto referendum on November 3, 2020.

A vote to approve Referendum 90 supports allowing Senate Bill 5395 to take effect, thereby requiring public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education for all students and requiring students to be excused if requested by their parents.

A vote to reject Referendum 90 opposes allowing Senate Bill 5395 to take effect, thereby not requiring that public schools provide comprehensive sexual health education to all students.

Overview What would the referendum do?

The Washington State Legislature passed and the governor signed Senate Bill 5395 (SB 5395) in March 2020. Opponents of the bill collected signatures to place SB 5395 on the ballot as Referendum 90 and are advocating for a reject vote on the referendum. A vote to reject this referendum would repeal Senate Bill 5395, which was designed to require comprehensive sexual health education in public schools. A vote to approve the referendum would allow SB 5395 to go into effect. The bill is on hold pending the result of the election.[1] What would Senate Bill 5395 do?

Senate Bill 5395 would require public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education to students in grades 6-12 beginning in the 2021-22 school year and for all public school students, including those in grades K-5, beginning in the 2022-23 school year. The curriculum would have to include instruction and information regarding affirmative consent and bystander training.

Instruction would need to be provided at least once to students in grades K-3, once to students in grades 4-5, twice to students in grades 6-8, and twice to students in grades 9-12. Sexual health education would not be required to be integrated into unrelated subjects or courses. For students in grades K-3, the material would be instruction in social and emotional learning (SEL).

Schools would be required to notify parents that they are providing comprehensive sexual health education and make all course materials accessible to the parents.

Parents could file a written request with the school district or the school's principal to excuse their child from sexual health education instruction, which must be granted if requested.

The Current

Court of appeals, div. 3 - judge position 2 Tracy Staab

What best qualifies you for this position?

The Court of Appeals is the second-highest court in the State. Eastern Washington deserves judges at this level with judicial experience and proven leadership. There is no substitute for my 27 years of legal experience as a judge, civil attorney, prosecutor, and public defender. As an attorney and law clerk, I worked on hundreds of appeals.

For the last 11 years, I have been a Judge for the Spokane Municipal Court. Our Court has been recognized locally and nationally for developing innovative programs.

As a Judge, I have earned a reputation for being firm, fair, and thoughtful.

My dedication to our community is demonstrated by my volunteer and committee work. I have served on the Spokane Regional Law and Justice Commission as well as the Executive Council for our church, Life Center Foursquare.

Judges are nonpartisan so voting for judges is like selecting a job applicant. Look for qualifications and references. I am the only candidate who has been rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by four independent bar associations, including the Washington State Veteran’s Bar

Association. I am endorsed by more than 50 judges and 100 attorneys, and I have strong bi-partisan support from community leaders.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

We are living in historic times. Our lives have been upended. The Court of Appeals will decide many of the issues we are struggling with now.

Whether it is government regulations during an emergency or criminal justice reform, the Court of Appeals will decide ninety percent (90%) of appeals from the Superior Court. While judicial candidates cannot ethically suggest how we will decide these issues, I will not legislate from the bench and I will continue to faithfully uphold the Constitution.

What best qualifies you for this position?

The Court of Appeals is the keeper of Washington law. Our division reviews all trial court decisions east of the Cascades. This involves all types of cases, including property rights, business, contract, and insurance cases, family law, guardianship, criminal etc.

The cases reviewed result in judicial opinions that will be cited for our trial courts as both binding and guiding principles for their next decisions. Your next Court of Appeals judge will be writing 70 opinions a year that will impact you and Washington.

I know how the law impacts people and individuals in Washington. Over the last 10 years I have stood with people and taken them through

the trial and appellate courts.

Whether we were dealing with their property rights, their financial rights, their right to family, their right to freedom of speech or religion, I have stood with a variety of people from the renter being evicted, to the business trying to get its contract back on track, to the sister trying to keep a guardianship of a disabled sibling. Along with this, prior to law I was in the private sector as a Vice President for a financial institution, and I have owned my own law practice for the last 7 years. My life experience and legal practice allows me to not only know the law, but the real impact it has on real people.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The government’s role is

Marshall Casey

to protect and maintain individual rights. Ensuring this happens is the most important issue facing our judicial system today. This is best done with judicial humility, realizing that “We the People” write the law.

Respect the Constitution, respect the role of the legislature, preserve the importance of the jury, and deliver justice to the parties; this is how I will serve you as an appellate judge.

OCTOBER 2020 • 15

The Current

Supreme Court - Justice Position 3 Raquel MontoyaLewis incumbant

What best qualifies you for the position?

I grew up in a military family. My father joined the US Air Force as a young man.

He dedicated his career as an engineer to military service.

I have been in public service for my entire career and I look forward to continuing to serve the state of Washington, as my father served his country and community.

I sit on the Washington State Supreme Court as a

What best qualifies you for this position?

Judge Dave Larson is our best choice for Supreme Court Justice because he will protect our civil rights and uphold the law and constitution as written. Judge Larson has a record of fairness and impartiality, which is why he’s enjoyed strong support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents over his career.

During this time of growing division, we need a Justice like Dave Larson.

Judge Dave Larson has 35 years of legal experience including experience as a seasoned trial judge, an accomplished trial lawyer, and an innovative mediator.

He has also taught new judges on multiple subjects for 10 years as a faculty member of the state’s Judicial College.

Judge Dave Larson has

justice now, and I seek to retain this position in this election. I bring 20 years of experience as a trial judge, with the last 5 as a Superior Court judge for Whatcom County, a primarily rural community. For the 15 years prior to that, I served as a tribal court judge and also as a tenured professor at WWU. I have been a judge on traffic citations, presided over murder trials, and everything in between. I have sentenced people from community service to life prison terms.

I’ve presided over civil cases of all kinds. I bring a vast set of experiences as a judge to the Supreme Court.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

When I heard criminal cases, I saw the devastating toll addiction takes on our

communities, and this is the most critical issue facing the legal system today.

I’ve presided over drug courts and have witnessed lives turned around by a therapeutic approach. That approach allows people who have caused damage to their communities to return to those communities as productive, sober, healthy people.

Washington can become a leader in therapeutic approaches for issues that most communities in our state seek solutions. People come to the courthouse because they have a problem they cannot solve on their own.

On the Supreme Court, I seek to be a leader in new, innovative approaches to the long-term problems our communities face.

been a champion for improving our courts. He’s developed and supported reforms to reduce domestic violence, combat drug addiction, and better serve the mentally ill. Judge Dave Larson knows these same approaches can be used to reduce the community impacts of the homelessness crisis, humanely making our communities safer.

He is also trusted and respected in minority communities and will be able to build bridges as we look for better ways to equitably handle criminal and civil cases in our courts.

If you know Judge Larson, you know how much he cares about the people who appear in his courtroom and how purpose-driven he is to help people have better lives. He’s fair, compassionate, respectful, has a great legal mind, and he knows the law and the State Constitution.

In sum, Judge Larson has

Dave Larson

Challenger

the character and legal experience we need in our next Justice.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The Supreme Court is in charge of running our state’s court system and that is exactly why his leadership is needed to help reform how our courts handle the cases that are adversely affecting so many people and communities across this state.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Josh Kerns Oreo Ted Cummings Peanut butter and chocolate Mary Kuney Chocolate chip mint David Green Huckleberry Cathy McMorris- Rodgers Rocky road Tracy Staab Huckleberry Marshall Casey Butter pecan Raquel Montoya-Lewis Chunky monkey Dave Larson Tin roofs sundae Helen Whitener Baseball nut Richard Serns Chocolate chip mint Mike Padden Huckleberry John Roskelley Chocolate Kim Wyman Jamaica almond fudge Bob McCaslin Haagen Daaz swiss almond Lori Feagan Huckleberry Rob Chase Vanilla Bean Lance Gurel Neapolitan Matt Larkin Cookies and Cream Chris Reykdal Rocky Road

16

• OCTOBER 2020

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck

What best qualifies you for this position?

My experience serving in public office and advocating for Washingtonians best qualifies me for this position. I was elected to five terms in the Washington State House, where I served as Majority Leader. I have served four terms in the US Congress for our state’s 10th district. In those campaigns I learned the importance of working hard, surrounding myself with people smarter than me, talking directly with voters, and continually working to connect with people from all parts of Washington. I have also sought to serve my community in a variety of other roles as well from serving as Chief of Staff to Governor Booth Gardner to co-founding and leading TVW, a statewide public affairs network. Locally, I have served on the Advisory Board to New Market Skill Center and served many years on the Board of Trustees of my alma mater, The Evergreen State College.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

We are currently receiving a deeply painful reminder of the existential threat of global warming. In just one day recently, twice as many acres burned in wildfires as did in ALL of 2019! There can now be no doubt that the globe is warming and that climate is changing. And lives and livelihoods are already being destroyed as a result, as this year’s fire season vividly illustrates. Public health is seriously compromised. Homes and businesses are lost. Transportation and educational services are significantly disrupted.

Crops are lost. Going forward, our economy will be changed either by climate change itself or by the steps we can take to reverse it. I believe that we’ll be better off it we choose the path rather than letting physics dictate it to us, but in order to choose our destiny, we must begin acting urgently.

CHALLENGER DID NOT RESPOND

The Current

Supreme Court - justice position 6 Helen Whitener Incumbant

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am a highly experienced Washington State Supreme Court Justice. I am a former Superior Court Judge in Pierce County, a former Judge on the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, a former Pro-Tem Judge for the Pierce County District Court and the City of Tacoma Municipal Court. I have also served as both a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and a public and private Defense

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have spent the past 20 plus years in the work of school administration as a Human Resources administrator, an Assistant Superintendent, and a Superintendent of Schools working within the many legal requirements and regulations pertaining to public education. These include issues in Constitutional law, such as due process rights, freedom of speech and expression; Labor and Employment law, including collective bargaining, hiring, benefits, investigations, grievance hearings, and discipline; Family law which includes custody rights, access to student records and public information requests; and serving as the district compliance officer for nondiscrimination complaints,

Attorney.

I have presided over thousands of court proceedings to include complex civil and criminal jury and bench trials with multiple claimants and/or multiple defendants. I have presided over complex family law trials and settlement negotiations.

As an attorney, I handled highprofile, complex, criminal and civil litigation.

I am rated as Exceptionally Well Qualified by the following Bar Associations: the Cardozo Society of Washington State, Joint Asian Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Latina/o Bar Association, Loren Miller Bar Association, Q-Law Bar Association, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Washington State Veterans Bar Association, and Washington Women Lawyers Bar Association.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most important issue that our courts need to address is providing access to justice during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Washington courts have experienced a backlog of cases since the pandemic started, and as we resume jury trials, we are attempting to do so safely within an old and underfunded structure.

Many courts have implemented ingenious ways to ensure that all participants, to include jurors, are kept safe. Our courts are utilizing technology more efficiently so that in-person appearances are minimized; finding community solutions to address juvenile cases so that detention is used as a last resort; and providing civil legal aid assistance to all people in our state impacted by the Pandemic in the areas of housing, family law matters, domestic violence, and public assistance.

Title IX, ADA, and anti-bullying and harassment complaints..

Holding both a J.D. and Ph.D. in which I researched “The Process and Politics of Education Legislation in Washington State,” I reviewed and wrote policy for several large school districts in which I worked closely with board members, administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members.

During this time I also taught a graduate level School Law class to aspiring principals at two universities. Beyond these academic and work experience qualifications, I have been recognized throughout my career as one who listens carefully and makes decisions that are fair and justice, respecting the rights and interests of all stakeholders.

What is the most important issue that needs to be

Richard Serns

Challenger

addressed?

The most important issue facing the criminal justice system is for there to be both the perception and the reality of equity where infractions by all individuals are met with the same response, irrespective of income, race, religion, political affiliation, special interest affiliation, endorsement, or donations made.

OCTOBER 2020 • 17

The Current

legisl ative district 4 - state senator Mike Padden

What best qualifies you for this position?

My qualifications for the State Senate include my life experiences. My wife Laura and I have lived in the Spokane Valley for over 40 years where we raised our 5 sons. My legislative experience includes 15 years in the State House, and 9 years as your State Senator. I have chaired the Senate Law and Justice Committee and been its ranking member as well as serving on the Transportation

and K-12 Education committees and held caucus leadership positions. I was a County District Court Judge for nearly 12 years and graduated from Gonzaga University and the Gonzaga School of Law. The biggest issue facing the state right now is the budget deficit which is almost 9 billion dollars. The legislature should have had a special session in June to balance the budget without raising taxes. State spending has grown 78% in the last 7 years. There is a spending problem. The Governor and the majority party refused to call a special session, which is required by law.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Other important issues are transportation infrastructure and maintenance. I helped secure approval of the Barker

to Harvard transportation project, water quality equipment for Newman Lake, funds for the Appleway trail and the HUB. We need to support our Law Enforcement personnel not defund them. There are reasonable criminal justice reforms that should be considered.

We need to reopen our businesses and our schools as soon as possible.

I will continue to work to reduce unnecessary housing regulations so we can encourage more affordable home and condominium ownership.

I urge rejection of Referendum 90 which imposes mandates from Olympia and reduces the role of local school boards and parents.

What best qualifies you for this position?

I’m qualified for this position because I have lived in the Spokane Valley and rural north since 1972 and understand both the urban and rural issues facing the 4th District. As a former Spokane County commissioner before the City of the Valley was formed, I was instrumental in passing the first GMAcompliant comprehensive plan that set forth the Valley’s growth and development regulations. As an appointed member to the state’s Growth Management Hearings Board, I held cities and counties in Eastern Washington to the law and intent of the GMA when petitioned to do so by citizens. I bring experience, independence, and integrity to an Olympia that is owned

by PAC’s and corporate

interests. As such, I have not taken PAC or corporate money for my campaign. The only voice I’m listening to is yours.

My goal is to lower property taxes for seniors, bring stability to a budget bloated by the Democrat majority, and leave the environment for future generations better than we found it.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Most important issue – the budget. It’s been decimated with the loss of sales tax revenues and lack of catastrophic preparedness. Your current legislators are going to be seeking new revenue. History indicates the vulnerable – you and I - will be their likely targets. I will stand with the political party that refuses to increase property or sales taxes, but looks for common sense cuts

John Roskelley

Incumbant

Challenger

to a budget out of control and helps me eliminate gifting of public funds to corporations through special interest exemptions.

secretary state

of

Kim Wyman Incumbant

What best qualifies you for this position?

For the past 27 years, I have dedicated my life to making elections accessible, secure, transparent, fair, and impartial for all eligible voters. Over this time, I have successfully conducted over 120 elections in our state and been certified as a state and national elections administrator. Prior to being Secretary of State, I worked at the local level as the Thurston County Elections Director and Thurston County Auditor.

This job-related experience has allowed me to not only be the architect of the elections system we have today but lead the country in accessible and secure elections. During my time as Secretary of State, we have created the first in the country Elections Security Operations Center to protect our elections from foreign and domestic threats; built a nationally award-winning voter registration system called VoteWA; developed partnerships with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and our own Washington National Guard to fortify and test our elections security system; increased participation by engaging current and future voters through education and outreach programs; and developed Continuity of Operation Plans for all 39 counties to be able to conduct elections during things like natural disasters and a pandemic.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

While all of this has given us the most accessible and secure election systems in the country, we still have work to do. If re-elected, I want to continue to implement new technologies and secure funding to protect our elections from threats; develop new ways to educate voters and increase our already high participation; and work with even more communities across the state to remove barriers from voting. I hope with this experience and proven leadership that I have earned your vote to continue this important work as your Secretary of State.

CHALLENGER DID NOT RESPOND

18

• OCTOBER 2020

The Current

legislative district 4 - rep. position 1 Most admired public servant?

Bob McCaslin

Josh Kerns Ronald Reagan Ted Cummings Lincoln Mary Kuney Abraham Lincoln David Green Bob Ferguson Cathy McMorris- Rodgers Abraham Lincoln Tracy Staab President Abraham Lincoln Marshall Casey Winston Churchill Rachel Montoya-Lewis Maj. Vincent Montoya (my father) Dave Larson Abraham Lincoln

What best qualifies you for this position?

What best qualifies me for this job is my experience in working on issues important to people in the 4th. Our school districts are our largest employers here, and we need them to provide the best education for our children that we can get. My experience as a teacher for 31 years has aided me to be effective on K-12 and Early Learning issues. I’ve worked

Helen Whitener Mother Theresa Richard Serns Mark Hatfield Mike Padden Ronald Reagan John Roskelley Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Kim Wyman Former Washington State Governor Dan Evans Bob McCaslin My dad, Senator Bob McCaslin Lori Feagan Eleanor Roosevelt Rob Chase Ron Paul Lance Gurel Teddy Roosevelt Matt Larkin Abraham Lincoln Chris Reykdal Tom Foley

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have been a local nurse and Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years. I have cared for thousands of Eastern Washington residents during the most vulnerable times of their lives. Those experiences, memories, and people anchor me and inform my perspective as a community member, professional, and leader ready to work hard for everyone living in the 4th Legislative District.

It is important to know that your representative is someone you can depend on, who will unconditionally listen to what matters to you, and secure the resources you need, regardless of your zip code. Our current representatives have been ineffective, and we cannot afford for that to continue.

Now more than ever, as

hard on better teacher evaluations, and stood strong against mandatory K-12 sex education handed down from OSPI. I am unashamedly pro-business, and have spoken strongly against the Governor’s proclamations that chose winners and losers based on the tax revenue they produce.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Our most important issue is now moving forward using accurate data pertaining to COVID 19.

Cases have flatlined, and the mortality rate according to the CDC is now .003 percent overall for all COVID cases.

It’s time for our state to re-open, and we can do it safely.

we look forward to a period of recovery from the COVID-19 public health crisis, our district needs a representative who will show up, listen, and be responsive. As a healthcare provider, I believe I have vital experience to offer, and the dedication to our district to be the leader we need. I will be at the table to fight for the needs of Eastern Washington when important decisions are being made. I have been endorsed by nurses and healthcare providers, educators, firefighters, children’s advocates, and non-partisan local elected officials like Liberty Lake Mayor Shane Brickner.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most immediate priority will be working with other State Legislators to balance our state’s budget through responsible revenue and spending decisions, and move toward economic and human recovery from the

Ballot Drop Off Locations

Liberty Lake Library 23123 E Mission Ave Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Otis Orchards Library 22324 E Wellesley Ave Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Spokane Valley Library 12004 E Main Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Argonne Library 4322 N Argonne Rd Spokane, WA 99212

Lori Feagan

COVID-19 pandemic.

The challenges our communities are facing are intertwined – job loss, impacts to business, education, housing, and our education systems, as well as disparities in healthcare access. Thus, there is not one single most important issue to address. As your State Representative, I will work with local leaders in our community to champion the priorities of our district.

OCTOBER 2020 • 19

The Current

legisl ative district 4 - rep. position 2 Rob Chase

What best qualifies you for

What best qualifies you for this position?

As a Certified Public Accountant, I am the right choice to represent the interests of Eastern Washington as we face the budget shortfall.

I understand budgets, and I will work tirelessly to ensure the state is responsible with our hard-earned dollars. My children and grandchildren live in this community, and I want what’s best for them and for your family: a safe community that strengthens its businesses by making this a model community that attracts and retains the best businesses and the best workers.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

When the legislature meets in Olympia this January, our

this position?

I have lived in the 4th District for 40 years and I have been politically active for 25 years. I was Spokane County Treasurer for 8 years and kept my two term pledge. As Treasurer we streamlined our services and kept the same number of staff constant. I spearheaded legislation to allow partial payments of any amount at any

time on property taxes to save homes and reduce collection costs to the County.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

We need to find a way to deal with future pandemics without destroying businesses and lives.

state will be facing the impacts of the COVID pandemic: decreased state revenues and an unprecedented demand for public services. I think the challenge to legislators will be to keep essential services funded with the least impact on residents. A simple acrossthe-board percentage-equal reduction in funding for all state departments and services is just too simplistic for the sophisticated problems we face.

We need and deserve elected officials who pledge to support the needs of our community, including our transportation infrastructure requests: who pledge to represent the diversity of our community equitably, without special favor to any one group; and who pledge to not waste your tax dollars attempting to split our state

Lance Gurel

in two. We are stronger together: as a community and as a state. Strong workers and strong families make strong communities and strong businesses.

Whether you are a D, an I, or an R: I am the best person to represent your interests and your values in Olympia.

Please vote by November 3 for me, Lance Gurel for District 4 State Representative.

YOUR VOTE COUNTS Find us on Facebook!

state constitutional ammendment The Washington Authorize Fund Investment of Family Medical Leave and Long-Term Care Accounts Amendment is on the ballot in Washington as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.

A "yes" vote supports allowing the Washington Legislature to invest the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account and the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account into stocks or other methods of investment.

A "no" vote opposes allowing the Washington Legislature to invest the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account and the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account into stocks or other methods of investment, thereby limiting the methods of investment for the accounts to government and corporate bonds and certificates of deposit.

The measure was passed by the legislature and certified for the ballot on March 6, 2020.

Overview What would the amendment do?

The amendment would allow funds in the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account and the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account to be invested as provided by law.[1] Currently, the Washington Constitution prohibits the state from investing funds into stocks or other methods of investment, limiting investment capabilities of the state to government and corporate bonds and certificates of deposit. Some other funds have been made exempt from that constitutional restriction, including the following:[2] public pension and retirements funds; industrial insurance trust funds; and funds that benefit individuals with developmental disabilities.

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The Current

Art torney general Matt Larkin

What best qualifies you for this position?

What qualifies me for this position is my background and experience. I’m a lifelong Washingtonian currently residing in Woodinville with my wife and 4 children. I have my law degree from Gonzaga, and my Masters of Law (LLM) from George Washington University. I’ve worked in the White House for a US President, I’ve prosecuted

and I am co-owner & chief legal counsel of my family’s 3rd generation water works manufacturing company that is headquartered in Bothell and employs over 500 people. My experience as a business owner & chief legal counsel in the private sector, as a prosecutor in the public sector, and in high pressure situations in the White House uniquely qualify me for the challenges that I will face as Washington’s next Attorney General.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most important issue that we need to address here in Washington is crime.

Under our current Attorney General—our states chief legal officer—we’ve seen a 55.6% increase in murder,

a 68% increase in sexual assault, a 1926.2% (NOT A TYPO) increase in human trafficking offenses, and a 300% increase in officers killed in the line of duty.

These problems need to be taken seriously by our leaders—not ignored. I intend to go about solving these problems by creating specialized task forces to combat this extreme rise in crime.

CHALLENGER DID NOT RESPOND

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What best qualifies you for this position?

It has been an honor to be your voice and leader overseeing our state’s K-12 public education system. I hope to earn your support as I seek re-election to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

We have achieved so much, but right now we face a global pandemic that is transforming our lives as we speak. We WILL get to the other side of this unprecedented crisis. My job is to lead our education system with transparency and integrity to ever higher results even in the face of this pandemic. We are already redesigning our system to meet the needs of our students in the event we face this, or other massive risks to our state.

If you honor me with a second term, I intend to build on the incredible momentum we have already achieved over the past four years. We developed a new school accountability system, ensured local timber revenue stays with local school districts, increased educator salaries to attract and retain our amazing educators, added career and technical education pathways to graduation, returned civics classes to our schools, and increased graduation rates to a record high.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

I began my professional career as a school teacher, I’ve served on a local school board, spent 14 years as an executive in our state’s public community and technical college system, six years served in the Legislature,

Chris Reykdal

incumbant

and the last four years as your State Superintendent. I have experienced education in this state from nearly every perspective. I am the first state superintendent in more than 50 years with children in our public K-12 system subject to the policies, decisions, and outcomes of my leadership.

The stakes are high for my kids, your kids, our economy, and our shared future. I’d be honored to earn your vote!

CHALLENGER DID NOT RESPOND

OCTOBER 2020 • 21

The Current

Moving Forward with

LANCE GUREL

Vote by Nov. 3

for 4th District State Representative (D)

The Best Choice Heʼs a CPA & MBA who can go to Olympia to tackle the budget deficit & ensure Eastern Washington receives its fair share.

His children & grandchildren live here—You can trust that his decisions will be the best for all families in Eastern Washington.

He will not waste your money trying to split our state in two.

Connect with Lance

509.599.2268 Lance@VoteLanceGurel.com VoteLanceGurel.com

He embraces the diversity of our community, and stands up to those who aim to divide us through hate & fear.

Paid for by Lance Gurel for District 4 State Representative | PO Box 496 Spokane Valley WA 99037

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OCTOBER 2020 • 23

The Current

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• OCTOBER 2020

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About and for Liberty Lake seniors

Valley man grateful for change of heart

By Craig Howard

Current contributing editor

Anyone who has met Joe Urlacher will tell you he has a heart of gold.

With a buoyant personality and optimism to match, Urlacher greets people with an authentic smile and engaging kindness. The longtime Spokane Valley resident has a skill for making those around him feel important – and it can all be traced back to that glowing heart.

The backstory is that Urlacher’s heart is on loan from a cowboy.

On April 18, 1998, Urlacher underwent surgery for a heart transplant at Spokane’s Sacred Heart Medical Center. He became the first person in the history of the program to undergo a successful operation after receiving two heart pumps.

Urlacher went on to work as reading specialist in the East Valley School District for several years. He is also active as an ambassador for the Baha’i faith. Just two years after his transplant, Urlacher laced up his sneakers and walked the entire 7.46mile course at Bloomsday.

No days are taken for granted on Urlacher’s calendar. He and his wife Marsha will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next year.

They are proud parents of a grown daughter, Tiara.

“It is all bonus time,” Urlacher said. “To see our own daughter graduate high school and graduate from two colleges and get married are

all blessings. Marsha and I can travel and be together each day. Yes, that is precious. Love your family, be of service to mankind and be grateful for the gift of life – again!”

Urlacher first knew something was amiss while on a trip to Vancouver Island in 1994. He was having difficulty breathing and experienced fluid buildup. His energy level was also lagging. A trip to the ER and a later exam at Sacred Heart initially pointed to lung issues.

A native of Yakima, Urlacher was working as a reading specialist on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation in Worley, Idaho at the time. By 1996, Urlacher found himself taking more sick days, something he rarely did. In October 1997, he passed out at school. Fluid retention was again a problem.

Marsha took her husband to see a retired doctor who quickly determined that Urlacher was a prime candidate for a heart transplant.

“My heart wasn’t pumping enough to get fluids out and I was also building up toxins,” Urlacher recalls.

“I was probably in denial. I don’t like going to doctors.”

It was finally determined that Urlacher’s heart was on its last leg.

Something called an “ejection fraction” – which measures the percentage of blood leaving a heart each time it contracts – revealed that he was only at 16 percent. A healthy heart averages 50 to 60 percent while the threshold for being added to the transplant list is 20 percent.

For Urlacher, the news came as a surprise and led to a trail of concerns.

He would remain in the hospital until a suitable heart could be found.

“To tell you the truth, I was more worried about my kids at school,” he

said “I wasn’t even able to make plans for a substitute. I was just devastated.

I was upset that I couldn’t provide for my family or provide service to others.”

While the road ahead appeared uncertain, Urlacher didn’t have to look too far to find his most avid supporter.

“Marsha was the one who believed I was going to get through this alive,” Urlacher said.

A retired music teacher who spent 30 years in the Central Valley School District, Marsha worked half days and then drove to the hospital to be with her husband. Friends, family and neighbors rallied around the family with meals and other support.

“I was always confident that Joe would recover and did all I could to care for him and our daughter,” Marsha said. “We knew we loved each other so very much and that we would get through this together.”

On Feb. 19, 1998, Urlacher flat-lined in the hospital but was revived thanks to a quick response from his medical team and jolts from a defibrillator.

His ejection fraction had plummeted to 2 percent and heart pumps were installed shortly after.

“It was my double lifeline,” Urlacher said. “Next time Marsha saw me, I was hooked up to every machine imaginable.”

Two months later, Urlacher received his new heart. The donor was Casey Dean Bauer, a Montana cowboy who passed away on his farm in Augusta, Montana after suffering an injury tending cattle. In May 2000, Urlacher attended the graduation of Casey’s daughter, Colleen, from Shields Valley High School.

“She said it was important for her

to have her dad’s heart there when she graduated,” Urlacher said.

Urlacher’s post-transplant rehabilitation took about a year with only one bout of his body briefly rejecting the new heart. An adjustment in medications took care of the problem.

“I have not stayed overnight in the hospital in 22 years,” Urlacher said. “I have been able to live my life in a normal fashion. I have adapted to my condition and know my boundaries of my body’s capabilities and best practices. I can do house duties and take care of Marsha by grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and washing clothes. I made myself of service to my family, friends and faith.”

Urlacher has also made it point to spread the word about the importance of organ and tissue donation, set up a support group for patients, organized a transplant symposium and presented to local groups about the gift of life.

Marsha said savors each day with her husband while remaining grateful for his donor.

“We thank God for Joe’s recovery and for his health,” she said. “I was very thankful that we could resume our normal lives together and could put the transplant and years of illness behind us and enjoy life, our daughter, nature, travel, Priest Lake, each other, family and friends.”

Want to learn more?

To learn more about organ and tissue donation, visit the LifeCenter Northwest website at www.lcnw.org or call toll-free 877-275-5269. Those who have not indicated organ donor status on their driver’s license can sign up on the website.

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The Current

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The next season of wrestling

By Steve Christilaw Current contributor

The only thing we know for certain about the 2020-21 high school wrestling season is that it will most assuredly not start in the usual way or at the usual time. That much is consistent with 2020 being a most unusual year.

After a global pandemic forced schools to close for in-person learning at the start of the spring sports season and the state cancelled the fall sports season, the current hope is that the winter season of boys and girls basketball, wrestling and gymnastics, can be played in some form beginning in January.

There are, however, contingency plans for a later start.

According to guidelines set forth by the state of Washington and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the soonest area wrestling rooms could open up will be after the New Year.

But, for the first time in a half century, the season will not kickoff with a slam-bam tournament in Coeur d’Alene.

The annual Tri-State tournament at North Idaho College, set to celebrate its 50th year over its two-day run December 18-19, was canceled in mid-September due to concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic. The anniversary now will be celebrated December 17-18, 2021.

“While this decision is being made for the health and safety of all involved, it is still devastating to the wrestling community,” NIC wrestling coach Mike Sebaaly said in a statement.

Across the country, there are states who have moved to normalize

high school athletics. Idaho and Montana, for example, currently are playing football. Some large amateur wrestling tournaments have been held under tight rules.

“I’ve had families rent apartments and move so that their kids can play fall sports,” East Valley wrestling coach Craig Hanson said. “It means that much to them.”

The East Valley School District opened for in-person learning, but has cancelled all extra-curricular activities like athletics, music and drama. Hanson, who teaches physical education, explained that all students sit in assigned seating, even in the gym, so that the district can trace a student’s contacts in the event of a positive case of COVID-19.

In the phased re-opening plan outlined by the state, a return to a modified form of high school sports competition would require surpassing Phase Four (called

Contributed photo Abel Delarosa wrestling against his rival Angel Rios in the state finals. My son won 2 to 1 in triple over time. It was his first of 3 state titles. He was runner up to Angel the year before. It was at 132lb and Post Falls won the team title, the first of 3 in a row.

Phase Four Plus).

Still, East Valley coach Craig Hanson remains optimistic that there will be a high school wrestling season.

“I still think there will be a season and we’ll get to wrestle,” he said. “It may not be what we would want. There may not be a state tournament. They’ve been talking about just having district tournaments. But at least we would get to wrestle.”

A high school wrestling room is a bustling place during the season.

Athletes pack the room, squaring off against one another for drills and exercises. It is the antithesis of social distancing just as the sport has no room for personal space once a match begins.

“You can look at it that way, sure,” Hanson said. “But at the same time, I can argue that it’s the safest of all the high school sports.”

Basketball, Hanson explained, features 10 players on the court at one time, all breathing hard and fighting over one ball. Each individual player is exposed to more than a dozen other players in the average game.

“In wrestling, an athlete is exposed to one player,” Hanson explained. “Just one. Yes, they are close and they breathe the same air, but it’s just one kid. Even in a big tournament you would only be exposed to, at most, five kids. Fewer if you have to wrestle the same kid twice.”

The days of packed wrestling rooms are over – at least for the time being, the coach said.

State guidelines call for athletes to be broken down into smaller groups. Hanson said he envisions wrestlers having exposure to a minimum number of teammates during drills.

Professional and major college sports rely on COVID-19 testing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The PAC-12 announced an agreement with a San Diego-based company that will provide the league with test kids that can provide a result in 15 minutes, leading to news that it was

OCTOBER 2020 • 27

The Current

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BY NOV 3 lorifeagan.com LORI IS PROUDLY ENDORSED BY: Non-Partisan Elected Officials: Shane Brickner, Liberty Lake Mayor Kate McLachlan, Millwood City Council Tim Hattenburg, Spokane Valley City Council Organizations representing: Nurses, healthcare workers, teachers, children’s advocates, firefighters, and many more!

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considering a return to the football field as early as Halloween.

“That’s not happening for high school sports,” Hanson said. “There’s just no money for something like that.

“What we can do is make sure we take everyone’s temperature every day. From then on it’s pretty much going to have to be the honor system. If you’re sick, you’ll have to tell us.”

That’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. As a sport, wrestling has tackled a number of issues head-on, with personal integrity at the heart of the formula.

Issues like weight management and skin diseases have been tackled with a high degree of success, Hanson noted.

Hanson said he sees light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

“I can see it happening – I really can,” he said. “I think it is very likely that our wrestling season will get pushed back. It may not start in January the way we have it scheduled now. I can even see us holding our season in May and June, but I do think we will get our chance to get on the mat and actually wrestle.”

Final Point

By Mike Vlahovich Current contributor

When my dad was in his 70s he said that whoever called these the golden years didn’t know what they were talking about. I can now empathise, although he didn’t also have to deal with self-isolation during a Pandemic, coupled with apocalyptic smoke that has rendered the sun an eerie shade of orange and put us in a mental funk.

To complicate things, it’s also put a kibosh on sports for high school athletes through the professionals (I must admit that I cringe at the cutout of Jimi Hendrix posing as a cardboard fans, staring at me while watching Mariners’ games).

You get stir crazy. You can’t focus fearing the onset of Alzheimer’s.

The other day, by accident, I left water running into my swimming pool overnight. It didn’t overflow into the yard but I had to drain some of it off. While that was happening, I got a phone call and inevitably it drained too much off and had to refill the pool again.

But I digress. Oh, yeah – what about the high school athletes.

Think about the thoughts of boys and girls whose sports are on hold while their Idaho counterparts are conducting business as usual.

Think about the possibility that a multi-sport athlete must pick and choose between one or another.

Maybe unlikely but if as proposed, what now if they jam things into four seasons later on?

Maybe we ask government to wave its magic want and make COVID-19 and the smoke disperse.

Isn’t what we pay our elected officials to do? Just kidding.

By the way, while I’m writing this, I forgot to eat breakfast.

How things have changed Back in the day if a baseball player got a skin scuffing rasberry while sliding into third base the coach would say, “Rub some dirt on it.” Imagine that happening today.

Those were times when neighborhood kids got together in an open field, chose up sides and played games for fun (No uniforms or officials required.) As they matured and their abilities

improved, those same kids played on elementary school courts and fields, they were watched by high school coaches who culled the herd.

Traveling teams were scarcely heard of, if at all.

Today, youth sports had become a high tech cottage industry. Even traveling teams have become an opportunist’s business with promises of a college scholarship.

A recent Sports Illustrated article showed how far this has come. We now have cognitive coaches who teach the mental side of game, how an athlete can eliminate “distracting thought” rattling around in his or her head. It is called psychological flexibility. An example in Julie Kliegman’s article is Kansas City Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes who went from three-star athlete out of high school to the 10th player chosen in the pro draft.

These cognitive skills are becoming as important as strength training. It is currently a college and professional staple. How soon could it filter down to high schools?

Now excuse me. My toast is getting cold.

28

• OCTOBER 2020

Dear Editor: In these times of riots, shootings and lawlessness, we have a great need for calm, clear heads to represent us in Washington D.C. In a little over a month, we will be choosing leaders to govern us in the coming years.

U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers is such a leader.

She has represented Eastern Washington and worked hard for this region and this country. I appreciate that she has not lost track of us at home while working in the Federal Government. She still makes her home here, and our concerns are still her concerns.

She is involved with conservation. She also realizes how important our northwest dams are to farming projects all over Eastern Washington. We like to eat, and we need power and water to produce the food!

She begins looking at solutions immediately following disasters – like annual fires and the need to rebuild, as well as the management of our resources to prevent such disasters.

With much more work to be done in many areas – Rep. Cathy works for us.

Rep. Cathy looks at issues through old-fashioned common sense. I am grateful. That’s why I trust her. It’s why she still represents me.

Linda J Reed

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OPINION Dear Editor, Last week, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers took time to meet with a group of Spokane residents to hear how the COVID-19 pandemic not only threatens the health of everyone in our community, but also presents additional challenges for those living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, the research community and the nonprofits serving serve these vulnerable populations. As a Health Professional working daily with the elderly, most of whom have some form of Dementia I understand firsthand the impact Alzheimer’s and all dementia has on families across our country, and I’m thankful for Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ support in Congress.

The Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act (H.R. 6813/ S. 3703) would require the Department of Justice to develop training materials to assist professionals who support victims of abuse living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in order to improve the quality of their interactions with this vulnerable population, and help protect them from elder abuse.

Please join me, and the Alzheimer’s Association in encouraging Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers to cosponsor this bipartisan policy that will positively impact the millions of families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia in the fourth COVID-19 pandemic relief package.

Jenny Gower

Cathy McMorris Rodgers Is On Our Side In Eastern Washington, we rely on the energy we get from hydropower.

Dams provide affordable electricity for millions of people in the region, critical irrigation for farmers, and navigable waters for transportation of goods, which lowers CO2 emissions from trucks. Extreme environmentalists want to tear down these dams, rather than work to make them transparent for salmon. This would be an unmitigated disaster for Eastern Washington. What’s funny is that these people usually live somewhere far away from the impacts of what they’re proposing.

Carol Snyder

The Current GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

Dear Editor, One hundred years after the ratification of the Constitution’s 19th Amendment, I am turning 18.

This November, I will be proud to cast my ballot for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Representing Eastern Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives, our congresswoman’s principled leadership continues to reach across party lines and inspire the rising generation of leaders to worktogether to tackle problems. Ranked in the 94th percentile for bipartisanship in the House of Representatives by the independent Lugar Group (2019), our congresswoman continues to stand out as a role model and lead by example in the midst of fierce partisan division crippling the legislative process.

By reelecting Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Eastern Washington will be ensuring that we have a passionate collaborator and public servant representing and advocating for us in the People’s House.

Thank you!

Katie Kenlein

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CIRCULATION

CONTRIBUTORS

Steve Christilaw, Bill Gothmann, Craig Howard, Tie Lemerond, Mike Vlahovich The Valley Current P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.valleycurrent.com The Current is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Spokane Valley area. Copies are located at drop-off locations in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and the surrounding area.

The Current is brought to you by

Dear Editor, Dave Wilson, my choice for Spokane’s 5th Congressional District, is worthy of your vote no matter your party affiliation. He has the passion and commitment to serve with distinction. It is time for a change to Dave Wilson who has the courage and experience to stand up for what is right.

Having served in leadership positions on several community and professional boards, he is openminded and fair-minded. We do not need any more Cathy McMorris Rodgers who has aligned herself with Trump who does not represent our American ideals. NOT once has she ever questioned him or had the courage to tell him he was wrong—not about the virus, not about mocking the handicapped, not about the bounty paid for our soldiers, and the list goes on.

Dave is an excellent leader with a strong work ethic, listening skills, and ability to organize people toward a common goal. I hope you are convinced as I am that Dave Wilson is the right person to represent us in Congress.

Karen Larsen

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Errors should be reported immediately to 242-7752 or by email to editor@valleycurrent.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.

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OCTOBER 2020 • 29

The Current

A clean community is a happy community.

That’s why the City of Spokane Valley and Waste Management are pleased to provide bulk waste services with the Annual Curbside Cleanup.

Spokane Valley residents who subscribe to WM garbage collection are eligible for one collection per calendar year at no additional cost.

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Support our partners.

The Current is committed to serving the Greater Spokane Valley area through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships with The Current and its partner publications:

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Index of advertisers

Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Current.

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Spokane County Library District 10

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Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce 3, 32

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Friends of Lori Feagan

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Friends of Mary Kuney

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Service Directory

Spokane Valley Partners

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Waste Management

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28

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Current’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Current’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@valleycurrent.com. With story ideas, contact editor@valleycurrent.com.

30

• OCTOBER 2020

The Current

brought to you by

Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

As University High ASB president, Tavin McAllister is providing optimistic leadership in the midst of a nontraditional school year. “I want students to have some school spirit even though we’re all at home,” he said. The senior is doing his best to generate some of that enthusiasm through online assemblies and other alternative programming.

McAllister maintains a 3.97 grade point average and has played football at U-Hi since his freshman year, most recently as a wide receiver and safety. He has also been a standout on the stage, appearing in school productions like “You Can’t Take It with You,” “Big Fish” and other plays. As a sophomore he was part of a U-Hi delegation that earned the Excellence Award at the State Drama Competition. An Eagle Scout, McAllister attends Opportunity Christian Fellowship where he volunteers with the media team.

Josie Krum has emerged as a standout in the classroom and on the soccer pitch at University High School. One of the best goalkeepers in the Greater Spokane League, Krum tied for the most complete game shutouts last season with three. Her net-minding skills were key to a penalty kick win over Richland two seasons ago that propelled U-Hi into the playoffs.

She was named the team’s Most Inspirational Player last season. Krum has competed in club soccer with the Spokane Sounders for the past six years. “Soccer has given me a great opportunity to learn what dedication means and how to develop a good work ethic,” Krum said. The senior maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has also been recognized with PACE Awards for Caring and Responsibility.

As school resumes in the Central Valley School District this fall, teachers, students and parents can find reassurance knowing Keith Clark is returning too.

Clark has been part of the CVSD School Board since 2007 and currently serves as president. Clark is the longtime owner and operator of Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center on Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley. He and his wife Shelly have lived in the Valley since 1995 and are proud parents of seven kids. Clark has a degree in microbiology from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University. He served a mission to Washington, D.C. for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later became bishop of a ward in the Spokane Valley. Clark also volunteers with Pet Rescue and the Spokane Humane Society.

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The Current

A Better Understanding of Judges and Courts

By Tie Lemerond Current contributor

Sitting in front of the Seal of the State of Washington and the flags of the federal and state governments, behind a raised desk at the front of the courtroom, is the person known as “the judge” who presides over court proceedings. Judges perform a variety of tasks while exercising governmental power.

Responsibilities of the judge: It is the judge’s responsibility to impartially settle a legal dispute in a manner that affirms the rule of law. The role of a judge often varies between courts and legal systems.

Judges listen to testimony, inform defendants of their rights, rule on motions presented by legal counsel, and determine liability or damages.

United States (Federal) Court System: State courts apply and interpret state laws and regulations, while the Federal courts interpret laws passed by Congress. In addition to specialized courts, the federal court system includes the U.S. District Court, The U.S. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the United States.

There is a Bankruptcy Court and a U.S. District Court in downtown Spokane.

District and Municipal Court: The District and Municipal Courts process approximately 85% of the cases filed in the state. The District Court handles gross misdemeanors (ex. DUI’s and 4th Degree Assaults), misdemeanors (ex. Theft), traffic

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ON THAT NOTE infractions, civil protection orders, civil lawsuits (up to $100,000), small claims lawsuits (up to $10,000), and adult name changes. District Court judges serve 4-year terms and are elected by Spokane County residents.

All Spokane County District Court judges will be up for re-election in 2022.

Spokane County Superior Court: The Spokane County Superior Court is one of 39 Superior Courts in Washington. Each county has their own Superior Court. The Spokane County Superior Court has 12 elected judges and 8 appointed commissioners. These judges serve four-year terms that align with the presidential election years. The citizens of Spokane County elect the judges. The judges appoint the commissioners. Both judges and commissioners must be attorneys admitted to practice law in Washington.

The Presiding Judge, the Honorable Harold D. Clarke III, supervises the judicial business of the Superior Court, assigns cases to the trial departments, directs the court administrator in implementing administrative and general court policy, performs judicial and administrative duties, and acts as the spokesperson for the court.

Each judge employs a judicial assistant who manages the judge’s caseload, supervises jurors, coordinates courtroom activities, and keeps order in the courtroom. Each judge also employs a court reporter.

The 8 Spokane County Court Commissioners have much of the same powers and duties as the judges; however, they do not hear jury trials.

In Spokane County, commissioners hear all Child Protective Services cases, all truancy cases, involuntary treatment act cases, plus many other case types.

Superior Court also operates a

OCTOBER 2020 • 31

Contributed photo District III, Court of Appeals - 2019 felony mental health court and the Therapeutic Drug Court Program (TDC). The TDC is a therapeutic reconviction problem-solving court that is closely supervised by a designated Superior Court judge.

Court of Appeals of Washington: In August 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals celebrated their 50th anniversary. The Court of Appeals was originally created to alleviate the workload of the Washington Supreme Court. Three separate divisions were established in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. Twenty-two judges serve on the three-division court: Ten in Seattle, seven in Tacoma, and five in Spokane. This three-division court hears approximately 4,000 cases each year. Division III, Spokane, covers 20 counties, the largest geographic area, yet has the least number of judges.

The Court of Appeals reviews decisions that are appealed from the Superior Court. Cases are decided after the case record has been reviewed and arguments by the attorneys have been considered. No live testimony occurs. The Court of Appeals either affirms the original decision or disagrees with the original decision and sends it back to the Superior Court for further proceedings.

Court of Appeals judges serve

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6-year terms. Division III Court of Appeals judge Kevin M. Korsmo has served on Washington’s Court of Appeals Division III since 2008 and plans to retire when his term expires.

Two candidates, incumbent Marshall Casey, and incumbent Tracy Arlene Staab, are running in the general election on November 3, 2020 for this position. Incumbent, Rebecca Pennell’s term expires on January 10, 2021 and she will be running in the November 3rd election to re-claim her seat in District III. Jury Management: The Superior Court Administrator’s Office is responsible for providing jurors for Superior, District, and Municipal Courts’ jury trials. County residents who have a valid Washington state driver’s license, state I.D. cards, or are registered voters, may be randomly selected by computer to serve on jury duty.

Open to the Public: Spokane County Superior Court Administrator, Ashley Callan, states, “All court rooms are open to the public. We encourage people to come down and observe to get a sense of the type of work we do.” The Superior Court has 18 court rooms that are busy all day, every weekday.

CALL (509) 252-5003 OR VISIT ESTATESANDELDERS.COM Estates & Elders Law 23403 E. Mission Ave #113, Liberty Lake, WA 99019

32

• OCTOBER 2020

The Current

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Our Mission

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We advocate for public policy changes and programs that stimulate and sustain growth for business. Our Government Action Committee consistently reaches out to elected officials at all levels of government to keep you informed on the latest developments.

Regardless of the size or type of business, Chamber membership provides an affective means to network with business leaders, share ideas and receive valuable insights on common business challenges. Our membership provides: • Opportunity to collaborate and network • Member-only discounts • Referrals to member businesses • Sponsorship and advertising opportunities

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