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Noder Launches No-Campaign-Contribution Run For Spokane Mayor

Three candidates are now running three entirely different campaigns for Spokane mayor. Well-funded incumbent David Condon is being challenged by grassroots-minded SharLichty and government-funding-critic Mike Noder.

Noder, the most recent to announce, says city government doesn’t manage money responsibly, and that people must pay a premium to live or own a business in Spokane.

Noder: “We need water, we need sewer, we need roads, we need police, the standard stuff. Look at what we pay for it though. Laying down these concrete and asphalt roads, we probably pay 3-4 times what market is by the time you pile up all these regulations and all these agencies that get their share. At the end of the day are we giving good value to the citizens, the rate payers?

Noder, who runs a small business out of Nevada, says money is also wasted on political campaigns. That’s why this year, like when ran for mayor in 2007 and 2011, he is not taking campaign contributions, or making signs. He says any money raised will likely be donated to charity.

Another candidate, community organizer Shar Lichty, says she will run a grassroots campaign asking for support mostly from individuals. She wants more independence in the police ombudsman’s office, and advocates for a larger fire department.

Incumbent mayor David Condon is running on the platform of making Spokane the city of choice for people and businesses, a theme he has used through his term. His campaign has raised nearly a quarter-million dollars.

Copyright 2015 Spokane Public Radio

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