Thank you Mr. Frost and thanks to the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce for holding tonight’s candidate forum.

And thank you all for coming out tonight.  I really appreciate the support and encouragement the Council has seen from the many, many individuals who take time out of their own busy schedules to share their thoughts with us. 

As a business owner for over 28 years, it is essential that I make one year and five year business plans to insure that my business stays viable, not to mention profitable.   Without a well thought out business plan, we would be planning for failure.  So it is with a City.  Our city needs a business plan so that we can enjoy prosperity, new jobs, a thriving economy, and a great place for raising our families.

Some citizens tell us we don’t need a plan – let things happen by luck, that planning will happen through natural evolution.  For a Sprague Avenue with 40% of the commercial space and 60% of the vacancies of the County I ask Dr. Phil’s favorite question, “How’s that working for you?”

Your City Council developed a great plan – It’s called our Comprehensive Plan.  Once this was done, we then set out to plan for the future of the Sprague-Appleway corridor.  Through the hard work of our Planning Commission and fellow citizens, in over seventy meetings, we developed the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Project.   The Spokane Valley Business Association, the auto row dealers and the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, representing over 1,000 business members with about 570 of them doing business in Spokane Valley worked hand in hand with us to develop a plan to restore economic vitality to this Corridor.

I know there will be changes to my business plan to reflect changing trends in business.  In a similar manner, as the Sprague/Appleway Plan is implemented, there will be revisions and there will be changes made as economic conditions and practicality dictates. 

This is a forward-looking plan.  With it, instead of continuing to deteriorate, Sprague will flourish.  Instead of empty buildings we will see thriving businesses.  Instead of lowered property values resulting in less tax revenues, property values will rise, providing the funds to maintain our streets, provide for public safety, and develop our parks.  Commuters will see improved travel times.

Tonight, I endorse heartily a plan that doesn’t yearn for a hopeless past, but looks forward to a bright future for the businesses and the families of Spokane Valley.

I have a thoughtful, careful approach to issues and a commitment to our citizen’s quality of life.  I am a strong advocate for small business.  I have the energy, the time, the enthusiasm and willingness to tackle the tough issues facing our city.  And I have the perseverance and persistence and patience necessary to help effect change.

            Thank you.