New Campaign Websites

New campaign websites have been added for Jennie Willardson, Ed Mertens, and Bill Gothmann. The primary losers have been eliminated.

Only Howard Herman and unopposed candidates remain with unknown or non-existant websites.

Mertens, Gothmann Maintain Leads

Mertens and Gothmann maintain their leads (votespokane.org):

City of Spokane Valley - Council; Pos 6
RONALD LIPPINCOTT; NP 645 7 %
EDWARD J MERTENS; NP 2,276 23 %
DALE STROM; NP 1,796 18 %
CHARLES G PARKER; NP 1,012 10 %
BILL GOTHMANN; NP 2,370 24 %
JOHN G KALLAS; NP 1,725 18 %

About the winners (from Spokane Valley Online):

Who? Bill Gothmann, 67, is a retired Eastern Washington University instructor and current member of the Spokane Valley Planning Commission.
One of his issues: Future growth. A longtime supporter of incorporation, Gothmann believes the development of the city's first comprehensive land-use plan will be key to mapping how Spokane Valley grows in coming years.
Notable quote: "The county's mistreatment (of the Ponderosa area) made the issue of lack of representation very clear to me."

Who? Ed Mertens, 75 is a retired Valley businessman who was a key figure in Spokane Valley's incorporation effort. He has unsuccessfully ran for the state Legislature (in the 1970s) and the City Council (2002).
One of his issues: Mertens is militant against raising taxes, saying the city has all it needs to continue in the black.
Notable quote: "I always said the city wouldn't have to raise taxes, and it turned out to be true."

Mertens, Gothmann Lead in Primary

Election results as of Tuesday night:

City of Spokane Valley - Council; Pos 6
RONALD LIPPINCOTT; NP 590 7 %
EDWARD J MERTENS; NP 2,089 23 %
DALE STROM; NP 1,631 18 %
CHARLES G PARKER; NP 925 10 %
BILL GOTHMANN; NP 2,134 24 %
JOHN G KALLAS; NP 1,574 18 %

Primary Update

Bill Gothmann does finally have a candidate statement up at the Primary Voters Guide. He stresses his membership on the Planning Commission as well as concerns with careful budgeting and development.