Back in August, I let law enforcement know if their cities were defunding police departments, the City of Spokane was hiring. Please join me in welcoming these 4 lateral officers from Seattle who were sworn in today. A BIG win for
#Spokane
!
Please pray for the Spokane police officer shot this afternoon while responding to a drive-by shooting call. And while you’re at it, please extend prayers to the officers protecting our city tonight, tomorrow and always! They risk their lives each and every day for all of us!
Our economy is stronger? Who’s even working??? We’ve been shutdown since March,
#SpokaneCounty
has been in Phase 2 for three months, businesses are barely surviving and the clock is ticking for those that increased capacity outside this summer. What am I missing here?
The minimum wage in Washington is higher than any other state. And guess what? Our economy is stronger for it. Because Washingtonians know that our economy thrives when people have more money in their pockets.
My letter of support for HB 1772. Washington has been under a statewide emergency for 700 days. Enough is enough! This bill limits a State of Emergency to 60 days unless authorized by the legislature, allows lawmakers to terminate SOE, and reduces fines for violations.
We can’t let Spokane become Seattle, and Lisa’s soft-on-crime policies will do just that! Instead, I will keep working to make crime illegal again in Spokane!
UPDATE:
(1) Spokane County elected officials today pleaded with the governor to allow businesses to open up earlier under phase-2 of the state’s reopen plan. In order to do so, counties must go 3 weeks without a single Covid case. UNREALISTIC, for a county with 500,000+ people!
Spokane is open for business! We are now in Phase 2 and on the safe, careful road to economic recovery. Because you are
#InlandStrong
, Spokane is the largest community to move forward so more businesses can open & people can get back to work! Stay healthy and respect one another!
A heartfelt THANK YOU for your prayers following the passing of my mom. She was diagnosed w/terminal cancer Wednesday & died Friday. I'm grateful I could care for her thru Parkinson's Disease, 2 strokes & 5 surgeries in the past 4 years. She's at peace & with dad. My❤️ is full.
(1) It’s time to drop Washington’s mask mandate! On Friday The CDC changed its recommendations for indoor masking for most people, depending on Covid risk by county. Spokane is at medium risk, meaning healthy people don’t need to mask indoors.
Sharing a Hallelujah moment! My mom had a stroke Wednesday, 2 surgeries in 24 hrs & in ICU. Today, she moved to the Neurological floor to start physical therapy. And what a blessing, Sacred Heart’s Covid policy changed the day she was admitted allowing me to be by her side! ❤️
Very, very thankful that my sweet daughter-in-law’s family is safe. These pics are from the
#OregonRoadFire
that destroyed their garage and shop. Thankfully, NOT, their home. Her sister and nephew have been evacuated from the
#GrayFire
. One family hit by two devastating fires!
If you can’t get your ramen fix inside the restaurant...
#OrderUpSpokane
! Join me by using takeout or delivery to support your favorite eatery. Share the hashtag and your pics, and help keep the doors open and our residents employed! Our businesses are depending on us.
This incredible view outside my office is a constant reminder why I left a successful career to run for public office: I absolutely love this majestic city, it’s compassionate neighbors and resilient spirit. I am blessed beyond measure to serve as your humble Mayor! ❤️
"Seattle, Tacoma leaders should take notes from Spokane on crime."
Find out why the west side is talking about Spokane and what I'm doing right on crime:
We got the news we were hoping for! Spokane County is being considered for variance to move to Phase 2. Our case is
#InlandStrong
and our petition will be in the Governor’s hands tomorrow. Were expecting a quick response and businesses to open in time for Memorial Day Weekend!
We’re expanding space for restaurants and retailers because many can’t survive at 50% or 75% capacity in Phase 2 or 3 of reopening. Hope it help more businesses survive!
Today
@MayorSpokane
signed an Executive Order, adopting the Restaurant & Retail Recovery Plan. The plan helps restaurants & retail shops gain access to sidewalks, parking stalls, & parking lots to expand dining & retail areas to meet
#COVID19
requirements.
We cannot let Spokane become a fentanyl trafficking hub. Law enforcement officers are risking their lives to break the links in this deadly market. We won’t stop fighting until family and friends stop dying from this deadly drug.
Lisa’s extreme stance in solving the homeless crisis now includes encampments in parking lots across Spokane. The individual who oversaw the disaster at Camp Hope now wants to run encampments in parking lots. We can’t afford more of Lisa Brown!
Now that I've announced my retirement from TV news... new job offers are rolling in. I will soon be
#Spokane
's first professional Margarita taster. I should have retired a long time ago!
#Spokane
has been working so hard, following public health guidance to open up our businesses. Case #’s have trended down since late Nov. and we could have met 3 of the metrics to get to Phase-2 by next week. Incredibly disappointing the goal posts in the Gov’s plan moved again!
Spokane is home to 30,000 Ukrainian Americans who bring their beautiful culture and strength to our community. We stand in solidarity with our Slavic community and the brave citizens in both Russia and Ukraine who are standing up against Pres. Putin's brutal assault on democracy.
Time is running out for our restaurants that’ve kept their doors open by expanding capacity outside. Livelihoods and jobs are on the line if we don’t get to Phase-3 or expand capacity indoors NOW!
(8) These are the stories I hear every day. My office has received 100’s and 100’s of letters, emails and phone calls. People aren’t asking for the world. They don’t want a government handout. THEY JUST WANT TO GET BACK TO WORK!
SPOKANE!
Now that I've had some time to breathe, I want to send a heart-felt THANK YOU, for your trust, confidence and vote to be your next mayor. It has been a privilege to be a voice for Spokane for 28 years, and it will be an honor to serve YOU in city hall for the next 4.
(2) Those at high risk for illness should talk to their healthcare provider. There’s no need to wait until March 21st to drop Washington’s mask mandate. I’m calling on our governor to do it NOW!
Spokane, you’re beautiful!
Check out the view from my temporary office at City Hall. In my 35 yr career in broadcast journalism, I never had an office. And 33 of those years were spent in newsrooms without a window. How lucky am I?
I am the only candidate for Mayor supported by law enforcement. I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Spokane Police Guild and Spokane County Sheriff because of the real results we’ve delivered to keep Spokane safe.
During my conversation with the governor late this afternoon I pushed for a regional and slow approach to opening up our economy, emphasizing Spokane is drastically different than western Washington.
#Spokane
’s Pavilion, the lantern of our city, shines brightly in blue and yellow as a sign of solidarity to our Ukrainian community. We stand with you ALWAYS! 💙
Got my second dose live on TV. Piece of cake. The real reward? When 70% of our state initiates vaccination (one dose) we can fully open. We’re almost there,
#Spokane
.
#GetVaccinated
so we can get back to normal!
1) Some anti-police activists are calling for our Police Chief’s resignation. They’re angry the chief collaborated w/ property owners & businesses to increase public safety & improve the environment in our downtown core. Let me be clear - I fully support Chief Meidl!
Got the chance (finally) to catch up with my former co-anchor and close friend, Charles Rowe. THANK YOU for being a fierce supporter, voice of reason and believer in me for 33 years. Count your blessings if YOU have a pillar in your life! ❤️
(2) We currently have 10 people in the hospital, with plenty of ICU, isolation and surge capacity. Cases have leveled off to single digits daily. WE’VE FLATTENED THE CURVE! Businesses are closing permanently and people are losing jobs. Food banks are seeing a 200% increase.
Lisa Brown is too extreme for Spokane. She now opposes Proposition 1 which would ban homeless encampments near schools, daycares and parks. This is a common sense solution to keep children safe!
(3) No one under the age of 50 has died. The vast majority of deaths have been 70 and older. SO, LET’S PROTECT OUR VULNERABLE POPULATION WHO ALSO HAVE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS. And/or live in congregated living facilities.
Hey
@MayorSpokane
, what about lighting the pavilion in Ukrainian flag colors like the Empire State Building has done? I have Ukrainian students here that would appreciate it!
#Spokane
welcomes and stands ready to provide safe harbor for our new Afghan, neighbors who aided the US military and saved American lives as translators, contractors and allies during the 20 yr war in Afghanistan. 300 individuals will soon call Spokane home.
1) I want to thank everyone for the love and support they have shown me over the past couple of weeks. We have been through a lot, worked really hard, and accomplished a great deal. The election results are not trending in a direction that’s favorable to me…
Make no mistake, removing qualified immunity for our law enforcement is defunding the police. I will never support removing qualified immunity, but my opponent and her already weak on crime track record is completely silent on this issue. Voters deserve to know where she stands.
Returned to Spokane from a wedding/anniversary weekend early because of our region’s fires. No worries, we’ll celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary properly, on our 35th? It’s been one heck of a ride! ❤️
Thank you Sheriff Nowels for your endorsement! He knows that my support for our officers and law-and-order approach to public safety is what Spokane needs!
(4) Sorry for yelling. But, I’m fighting for those I’ve heard from who don’t have a voice. Like the woman who’s new in her recovery & relies on working out to keep her focused on her sobriety. She stir crazy because she can’t go to the gym and is afraid she’ll relapse.
A fantastic weekend talking to neighbors in north and south
#Spokane
. Lots of support, great conversations… so let’s get those ballots turned in ASAP! Thank you.
Today’s debate couldn’t be more clear: this race comes down to moving Spokane forward with commonsense solutions like Prop 1 and elevating law enforcement, OR the dangerous anti-police pro-criminal policies of Lisa Brown.
Thank you to Rotary 21 for hosting a great debate.
How low do they go? They hire an actor to politicize pain and suffering and mock actual fire victims with a made up story, and a pornographer to produce this OUTRAGEOUS ad to fool the voters. Thankfully,
#Spokane
is smarter than this!
I’m proud to receive the Spokane Police Guild’s endorsement & even more proud of everything we’ve accomplished to create safer communities. They know there’s no better recruiting tool than a law-and-order mayor, & I’ll continue to deliver public safety results in my next term.
Lisa Brown has called for homeless encampments in parking lots around Spokane. She has now taken down that language from her website- does she still believe we should have a Camp Hope in parking lots across our city? Voters deserve to know.
One last visit to Suki Yaki Inn before it closes this month after 74 years in business. Never tried sushi before coming here 30+ years ago. So thankful I had the chance to thank owner Emi for investing in our city and creating jobs for generations of Spokanites.
Spokane’s City Council may have to deferred a public vote on fluoridation, but their acceptance of a $4 million grant to fund it puts the city on the path to fluoridation. The
#Spokane
voters have been robbed of a PUBLIC VOTE!
Please drop off your ballot today to make sure it’s counted on Election Day! This is the most important election Spokane has ever seen, I won’t stop working until our communities are safe and affordable!
We already know Lisa is supported by anti-police and defund-the-police activists… but, also this convicted domestic terrorist and attempted murderer?
#Spokane
deserves better!
Breaking! 🚨: Lisa Brown has been caught trying to hide her plan for homeless encampments in parking lots. Leaked audio of Lisa Brown couldn’t be more clear, despite her removing “safe parking” from her campaign platform on her website. Tell Lisa, not in my lot!
@HutchinsMatt
Matt, can you DM me your number? I’d like to follow up with you. We need to do everything we can to make projects like yours work! Thank you
(7) Or the restaurant owner who says opening at 25% or 50% capacity isn’t worth it. His employees are making more on unemployment. To get his business back open he’ll have to hire fewer of them and pay them more. It still might be enough.
Encouraged by the
#Spokane
City Council’s unanimous vote to defer indefinitely an ordinance to fluoridate our water. There’s no need to hurry a decision that will impact every one of our citizens. Let’s hope the next step is a PUBLIC VOTE!
Oh, yes I did!!! I may be mightily outnumbered by Coug fans (including the boss lady) in the newsroom, but I wore purple and gold, and shouted “Go Huskies” at the end of tonight’s newscast. I’m a risk taker y’all, and I still have a job!
#AppleCup
#Huskies
(6) Or the small business owner who’s willing to open his doors in defiance of the governor’s order and risk losing his license or get slapped with a fine, because he’s about to lose everything he’s worked for anyway.
(5) Or the professional photographer who’s not allowed to take a picture of a high school graduate in the park, 6 feet away. Or a married couple on their special day. She can’t get a business loan or even get through ESS to apply for unemployment. SHE CAN’T PAY HER BILLS!
The sign lives up to the claim. First Ave. Coffee is not only damn good, they feature 10 organic varieties. And their in-house bakery is entirely gluten-free. My new fave!
#LoveSpokane
#SupportSmallBusiness
Imagine a City Council that’s willing to work w/the Mayor, supports law enforcement, listens to the ENTIRE community & doesn’t routinely pass legislation by emergency ordinance just because they hold a super majority. Vote
@KimPleseWA
for Council Prez & let’s protect
#Spokane
!
We advocated for more time to get our community vaccinated and asked the governor for a 3 week pause to avoid another rollback. He listened! We now have 2 weeks to get more shots in arms, particularly those 40 and under. Plenty of appointments available.
#GetVaccinatedASAP
Incredibly honored and humbled to receive the National Society of the Daughter of the American Revolution Award for Women in American History. Now’s the time for more women leaders in our community! Thank you Washington DC.
Don’t forget to make your voice heard, return your ballot by 8pm tomorrow, November 7th. We have to protect the future of our city and every vote counts! Thank you.
Honored to be among more than 150 mayors from 40 states invited to the White House for a bipartisan seminar on Transforming America’s Communities. The President even stopped by to address the nation’s local leaders!
#MayorsDC20
A great day thanking fire crews from across Washington who are in our region fighting the
#GrayFire
and
#OregonRoadFire
. These professionals live and breathe service to others. We are blessed! ❤️
3) … and particularly on a day that we honor those who have served our country to protect our freedoms and democracy. I will make a full statement about the mayor’s race once all the votes have been counted.
Fully appreciate the Governor’s clarification today on variance to move from Phase 1 to 2 to open Spokane businesses. He’s working on a plan for counties our size (500,000+). Looking forward to seeing it.
UPDATE:
(1) Spokane County elected officials today pleaded with the governor to allow businesses to open up earlier under phase-2 of the state’s reopen plan. In order to do so, counties must go 3 weeks without a single Covid case. UNREALISTIC, for a county with 500,000+ people!
Soft on crime laws increase crime. SPD, at my direction, is targeting one of the most troublesome areas of downtown- 2nd and Division, where the addiction crisis is victimizing businesses, their employees and customers, property owners and visitors.
2) … but out of respect for everyone who has cast a ballot that has not yet been counted I am going to see this through to the final ballot. I want people to know that voting is important and that their vote matters, especially in local elections…
Beautiful fall weather & great turnout for doorbelling in northwest
#Spokane
. I’m humbled by the support of our volunteers, especially those engaging in local issues & elections for the first time. They realize how important this election is to keep our city moving forward!
She thanked First Responders w/ an appreciation lunch after the Freeman HS shooting. Tonight, 7 months later, she treated the senior class to dinner on prom night. The owner of Chaps is a
#Spokane
treasure & these kids were kind enough to let me take their picture.
#FreemanStrong