Spokane Valley Speaks: Recent Episodes
Albert Merkel
Local politics, news, and other issues related to Spokane Valley, Spokane County, and Washington state. Valuing keeping Spokane Valley the community its residents have come to love, as well as keeping taxes as low as needed and making sure residents have input into local issues.
Interview with Mary Kuney Candidate for Spokane County Commissioner District 4 (South Valley).
Interview with Brian Noble.
reference:
https://www.facebook.com/ChurchandState1776/videos/536290554814696
Special Announcement: Spokane Valley City Council votes 4 - 3 (Haley, Higgins, Woodard, Padden) to DEFUND VALLEYFEST :(
Interview with Larry Haskell. Covering his race and his opponent who did not respond to repeated requests to interview.
in this episode, Spokane Valley Speaks addresses some breaking news on Sheriff Candidate Wade Nelson.
Resources:
Candidate interviews/forums/debates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZqbY87eg6E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeRFAdCYe2c
https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneNews/videos/398286042272312
Primary documents released by PIR:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aLLXv2TNpHboul7hHJQKh5_C3s8Q8MPV?usp=sharing
Spokane Valley Council Corner:
https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=1171&meta_id=74618
Al interviews Washington Secretary of State Candidate Julie Anderson for 2022. This is a very important race for those who are concerned about election integrity. We discuss voting, archives, and many other great topics!
https://julieanderson.org/
Interview with Vicky Dalton, Spokane County Auditor since 1999. In part 1 we discuss the general role of the auditor as well as the following specific duties: Recording, Motor Vehicle Licensing, and Financial Services.
Note: Candidate Bob McCaslin, also running for Auditor, was invited to interview as well. He initially agreed but withdrew after receiving the questions which were the same as those used for this interview.
Al Merkel
509-315-6416
al@alforval.com
Interview with Vicky Dalton, Spokane County Auditor since 1999. In part 2 we discuss election management.
Note: Candidate Bob McCaslin, also running for Auditor, was invited to interview as well. He initially agreed but withdrew after receiving the questions which were the same as those used for this interview.
Al Merkel
509-315-6416
al@alforval.com
Regular Episode:
CVSD's Superintendent search is detailed including information on all 4 candidates.
Council Corner on Valley Council meetings of March 22, March 29 and April 12, 2022
Al Interviews CVSD School Board President Cindy McMullen about the most controversial topics of the day: School COVID Response, Critical Race Theory, School Bonds, the new CVSD Super Intendant, and more. Part 2 of 2
Interested in advertising on the program? **Contact us at al@alforval.com or 509-315-6416
Are you a listener interested in sponsoring our podcast? check out our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/Spokanevalleyspeaks**
Al Interviews CVSD School Board President Cindy McMullen about the most controversial topics of the day: School COVID Response, Critical Race Theory, School Bonds, the new CVSD Super Intendant, and more. Part 1 of 2
Interested in advertising on the program? **Contact us at al@alforval.com or 509-315-6416
Are you a listener interested in sponsoring our podcast? check out our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/Spokanevalleyspeaks**
Al Interviews Candidate for 4th District Legislative Representative, Suzanne Schmidt discussing her platform and policies for this crucial election.
NOTE: During this episode, I wrongly referenced the Mead School District, IN FACT, it was Deer Park that had to make changes NOT Mead. This change does not really alter the substance of the conversation from the Spokane Valley perspective or for the 4th as neither school district is in the 4th Legislative District. Al Interviews Candidate for 4th District Legislative Representative, MJ Bolt discussing her platform and policies for this crucial election.
Al discusses how the current Spokane County Prosecutor's Office works with Ms. Stephanie Olsen, candidate for Prosecutor this year 2022.
we discuss:
General Office Function
Crime Rates Increasing
Blake Case
Spokane Valley Contract
New Jail
Controversies involving insensitive comments made by Mr. Haskell's wife
Al discusses how the current Spokane County Prosecutor's Office works with Mr. Larry Haskell, Spokane County Prosecutor since 2014, and candidate for Prosecutor this year 2022.
we discuss:
General Office Function
Crime Rates Increasing
Blake Case
Spokane Valley Contract
New Jail
Controversies involving insensitive comments made by Mr. Haskell's wife
Al covers how our city government is composed, explains how a weak mayor system differs from Spokane City's system.
Council Corner
Covers Meetings: 2/22, 2/24, 3/1, 3/8, and 3/15
Resources:
Fair and Expo Center Packet:
https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=1105&meta_id=69561
Solid Waste Strategy
https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=1108&meta_id=69752
TPA Section:
https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=1112&meta_id=69930
Council Salary Packet
https://spokanevalley.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=1113&meta_id=70067
Al Interview's Former Mayoral Candidate, Former Spokane City Council President, and Current Chair of the Continuum of Care about the region's response to the homelessness crisis.
Part 2 of 2, Al discusses John Nowels' thoughts on the specifics of Spokane Valley's crime issues, contract, and some other issues.
Part 2 of 2, Al discusses Craig Chamberlin's thoughts on Spokane Valley crime rates, the contract, financials, and other issues.
Part 1 of 2, Al discusses Craig Chamberlin's philosophy on policing and how that philosophy will guide his policies if elected Sheriff
Part 1 of 2, Al discusses John Nowels philosophy on policing and how that philosophy will guide his policies if elected Sheriff
Al talks about the situation in Ukraine from his Foreign Service Background. This is a bonus episode, not needed for local politics, only here for listener edification.
Al goes through a basic introduction to the problem of Homelessness and how the Continuum of Care leads (or at least tries to lead) efforts to help/combat the problem of Homelessness in the Spokane Metro Area.
part 1 of a series on housing and apartments in Spokane Valley. Al discusses Spokane Valley's 'Apartment Crisis', or what some may call the "Housing Crisis" and it's status today. Al shows why Spokane Valley does not have a Housing Crisis, and how the code allows developers to place costs on Valley residents with no returns to our city. Also, why this is different than other cities like Spokane.
Al talks about the city council meeting of 2/15/2022.
Resources:
Spokane Valley Council Agenda, minutes, and video:
https://www.spokanevalley.org/content/6836/6892/6931/6941.aspx
Spokane Valley Housing Needs Assessment Annex:
https://www.spokanevalley.org/filestorage/6836/6896/7072/HAP_Appendices_Final.pdf
Introduction to Al Merkel and Spokane Speaks. Al tells 3 stories that helped formulate his values in order to help listeners understand his perspective and how he recognizes problems.