Reader feedback on Monday's newspaper
Spokane resident Michael Novak is the first to respond to my daily questions about Monday's newspaper. If you'd like to participate and receive my questions via email this week, shoot me an email at garyg@spokesman.com
Q: Can you recall which story you read first in Wednesday’s paper? Why?
Michael: The very first story I noticed was 87-Year-Olds Attacked and Robbed in Their Garage. The reason that story caught my attention is because I have noticed how crime appears to be increasing. This concerns me deeply.
Q: What do you consider the most important story in today's paper? Why?
Michael: The different stories on Legislation are some of the most important stories. The field burning in Idaho is a very important issue because that affects us here in Washington. Every time the fields are burned there seems to be a rise a breathing problems here.
But also the stories on Legislation issues educate the people on what is happening in our area.
Q: Which story did you enjoy the most ? Why?
Michael: The story I enjoyed the most was the one about Avista customers receiving a small credit. Every year the utility bill goes up. This really hurts people that are struggling to get by day after day.
So reading a story that gives even a small credit to us. That brought a small smile to my face. That small credit just might make a big difference to some people.
Q: Did you watch the Oscars Sunday evening? If so, did you read the story we published in today's paper about the event?
Michael: I have to admit that I did not watch the Oscars or read the story. I usually do not have much time to watch movies.
Q: Have you visited the Spokesman-Review website? If so, were you looking for something in particular? Did you read any of the blogs on our website?
Michael: I read the Spokesman-Review online all the time. I read all stories that relate to local issues. I also read the blogs that are online because they talk about local issues.
Q: Is there any general or specific comment you'd like to make about the paper regarding its content, design or completeness?
Michael: I find the online version of the newspaper really easy to navigate. I also like how it updates during the day if there is a breaking story.
Today’s reader:
Name: Michael A. Novak
Age: 33
Occupation: Sales Account Manager for Kodiak Security Services, Inc.
City or town of residence: Spokane
Last book you read: Think and Grow Rich by Dr. Napoleon Hill
A journalist you admire: Undecided at this time
A politician you admire: Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan
MICHAEL A. NOVAK EYES OLYMPIA WITH ELECTION BID FOR DISTRICT 3 POS. 2 REP. GOP
(Spokane, WA) Michael A. Novak has announced his candidacy seeking District 3 Pos. 2 Representative.
Michael Novak moved to Spokane, WA over 11 years ago after serving in the U.S Army. He discovered it was the perfect place to call home. He began work as a janitor and a security guard while he served in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 2004 Michael received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army after 12 years of service at the rank of Sgt. Then he found work at a call center, a Fortune 500 company, to make a living. While working for that company he was promoted to Corporate Trainer. Michael quickly learned about Globalization and the out sourcing of our jobs overseas. Michael found this to be an issue and very disheartening.
Currently he is the Sales Account Manager for a woman owned small business here in Spokane. In the past two years he doubled the size of the company. In those two years he noticed instead of globalization, Seattlization is taking place. He notices our jobs and money being given to Seattle and Tacoma.
He also noticed, as we all have, the gas prices going higher and higher. He also realizes the problem with the gas prices is the Washington State gas tax that was meant to fix our roads. He jokingly tells a story about the pot hole on his street that qualifies as a new National Monument similar to the Grand Canyon. He watches as our college graduates leave our state after they graduate due to no jobs in Spokane. Michael has watched as small businesses are taxed to the point that it eats away their profits, keeping them from hiring more people. By volunteering in a local school Michael noticed how bad it was for public schools not getting the funding they need to stay open and educate our children the way they need to be educated. These issues Michael believes to be unacceptable.
These are a few of many reasons why Michael A. Novak has decided to run for District 3 Representative Pos. 2 as a Republican.
Michael will take his experience and knowledge to Olympia to create more jobs and ensure that Eastern Washington starts receiving the funding we deserve. Michael will be a very strong voice for Eastern Washington and Spokane.
It is time for a positive change.
Committee to Elect Michael A. Novak
Area legislative races heating up, a year early
Brown right at home in Senate; Sump ready to move on
OLYMPIA – As early bird candidates start to file their bids for a legislative seat in 2008, the region's most powerful lawmaker says she's resisting suggestions that she consider leaving the statehouse to run for state treasurer.
"I think it's an intriguing idea – except that I think I have the best job already: Senate majority leader," said Lisa Brown, D-Spokane. Despite feelers from Democrats who think the economist would be a good fit when incumbent Democrat Mike Murphy steps down next year, she said, "I am almost certain to run for my seat again next year."
After 15 years in the Legislature, she doesn't intend to be there for another 15, she said, but she wants to remain involved in public policy in some capacity. She confirmed she's thought about a run for governor in 2012.
"Yes I have," Brown said, "especially since I've been working with this governor and very much admire and respect the job she's doing."
Brown's name has frequently been floated in recent years as a potential Democratic candidate for the 5th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. And some Democrats had speculated that she might run for mayor of Spokane.
"I think state issues are really where my heart is," Brown said, citing health care and education. "I feel like I can be of service to the Spokane community and to Eastern Washington in general."
One area lawmaker has already decided not to run again when his term ends next year.
"I think it's time to turn the page and start a new chapter," said Rep. Bob Sump, 67, who's finishing up his bachelor's degree in theology. "There are other things that I want to do, and I think it's really neat to go out on your own terms."
Sump, R-Republic, predicts several people will file for his seat and said he doesn't plan to endorse anyone. That's up to voters.
Sump said his wife's fall and a resulting scare last year over life-threatening blood clots led him to reconsider moving their household back and forth across the state every year. Sump's legislative district, No. 7, is the largest in the state, stretching from roughly Omak to Metaline Falls, and includes Newport, Deer Park and Airway Heights, and runs south as far as Sprague and Odessa.
Normally, candidates don't announce they're stepping down until the last moment, but with a 12,000-square-mile district, Sump said candidates need time to meet people and raise money.
That, Sue Lani Madsen said, is exactly why she's filing for his seat now.
"True, it is mighty early," said Madsen, a Republican architect and goat-rancher in Edwall. But she expects a lot of interest in the job and wanted to get a jump-start. It's her second run for a House seat representing the sprawling district. In 2004, she came in third in a three-way GOP primary against Mike Hanson and winner Joel Kretz, of Wauconda, who eventually won the House seat.
"I have a lot more political experience now than I did the first time," Madsen said. She described herself as a conservative small-business woman who realizes firsthand the economic impediments from overregulation. And she said an architect – a big-picture person used to matching resources to goals – is well-suited to government.
"I'm committed to us not getting forgotten by the rest of the state," she said.
In Spokane, Army veteran and sales manager Michael A. Novak, also a Republican, has filed candidacy paperwork for a 2008 challenge to two-term state Rep. Timm Ormsby, a labor-oriented Democrat.
Although neither can officially file for office until June 2008, both have submitted campaign paperwork with the state Public Disclosure Commission to allow them to start fundraising.
In Spokane, Novak appears to face an uphill battle against Ormsby. District 3 is the most liberal in Eastern Washington, and hasn't sent a Republican lawmaker to Olympia in 26 years. Novak couldn't be reached for comment earlier this week. But in an election announcement posted on his myspace.com page, he describes himself as a conservative worried about taxes, school funding and Spokane's economic opportunities.
Differences of Republicans and Democrats
In order to protect American lives and our national interests, we must engage terrorists before they attack American soil.
Republicans support the Bush Administration's war on terror and the historical doctrine of pre-emption in U.S. conflicts.
Republicans support the Patriot Act with all of its provisions as a reasonable and necessary balance between personal freedom and national security.
The Democrats have proposed abandoning the war on terrorism offering instead to: 1) establish a national Cabinet-level Department of Peace; 2) rapidly remove U.S. military forces in Iraq; and 3) repeal the Patriot Act which they characterize as an irrational reaction to the terrorist acts of 2001.
Republicans believe in the need to review and reform the Critical Areas Ordinances, the Endangered Species Act, and other environmental regulations in order to avoid unnecessary limitations being imposed on Washington citizens.
Republicans support legislation that will prohibit governmental agencies from using eminent domain for the development of private property in order to increase revenue.
Republicans believe in compensating property owners at market value when their property is devalued or taken by government action.
Republicans support a balanced approach to salmon recovery in the Pacific.
Democrats support subjecting all United States citizens to the Kyoto Protocol, despite the U.S. Senate's rejection of the treaty 95 to 0 in 1997 during the Clinton Administration.
Democrats support expanding the current regulations and scope of the state Growth Management Act.
Democrats support government use of "eminent domain" for the development of private property as a source of government revenue.
Republicans believe in the right of parents to direct the education of their children.
Republicans support appropriate funding of public schools, including tax credits, vouchers, and charter schools.
Republicans support graduation requirements that emphasize rigorous academic skills in English, literacy, mathematics, and sciences.
Democrats oppose charter schools and voucher programs for low-income families and want to eliminate military recruiting in public schools.
Democrats want to eliminate the WASL as a high school graduation requirement.
Democrats demand publicly funded education for all, at all levels, preschool through university.
Republicans oppose a universal government-run health care system.
Republicans support a free-market solution to keep costs down through increasing consumer choice and information. Health care is a personal issue and informed individuals can make better decisions about their own health care than government bureaucracies.
Democrats support government run health care through the "establishment of a comprehensive national healthcare plan (as in HR 676: universal single payer healthcare)."
Republicans support I-601 which placed caps on taxes and government spending, but which was repealed by the Democrat-controlled State Legislature in 2005.
Republicans support making the Bush tax cuts permanent.
Republicans oppose any form of a state income tax.
Democrats support the creation of a new state income tax with the call for a progressive tax system at both the federal and state level. Their platform does not include a single word on the rate and increase of government spending, but calls for a repeal of the Bush Tax cuts which they have always opposed.
Republicans support gaining control of our borders and adopting immigration reform that includes a guest worker program but does not include amnesty for those who have entered the country illegally.
Democrats want amnesty for illegal immigrants. They believe in allowing access to taxpayer supported social services for illegal immigrants.
