From today's
Spokesman-Review:
Council Position 2 - Candidates who run for office should understand that voters place them in positions of leadership to make tough decisions. That truism provides a bright line between the City Council candidates for Position 2.
Artist Jennie Willardson demonstrates a good understanding of the issues, but she wants to seek advisory votes on several of them, including taxes, light rail development and possible Sprague-Appleway couplet changes. Willardson, 43, says her involvement in city matters began with the library controversy. She wants control of the library returned to the Spokane County Library District. She says that issue underscores the need for greater public input. She even advocates elected neighborhood councils. Public input is good, but governments can carry it too far. At some point, the information gathering must end and decisions have to be made. Though only 29 years old, incumbent Steve Taylor has a lot of political experience. He served on former Congressman George Nethercutt's staff and is on a number of regional government boards. He has helped guide the city from its infancy and is well-informed on the challenges that lie ahead.
The chief challenge will be the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, following the principles of the Growth Management Act. Taylor isn't a big fan of the GMA; he'd like more local control. But he understands that the Valley has to continue the transition from a rural to urban setting. Willardson's motto is "preserving our Valley way of life." She'd like to see more areas with rural zoning. That's unrealistic.
The issues surrounding the couplet provide a good example of the candidates' philosophies. Taylor wants to keep the current one-way arrangement on Appleway and Sprague and extend the couplet east. Willardson has concerns about extending the couplet but wants to ask the voters about it.
The Valley needs decision-makers. Steve Taylor is the clear choice.