Spokane Valley Speaks
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.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 63 minutes
- Episodes
- 34
- Years Active
- 2022
Ep 9A: State Politics. 4th District Rep: Interview with MJ Bolt
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 conversat…
Ep 9B: State Politics. 4th District Rep: Interview with Suzanne Schmidt
Al Interviews Candidate for 4th District Legislative Representative, Suzanne Schmidt discussing her platform and policies for this crucial election.
Ep 8b: Law & Order Interview with Larry Haskell, Candidate for and Current Spokane County Prosecutor
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 Of…
Ep 8a: Law & Order Interview with Stephanie Olsen, Candidate for Spokane County Prosecutor
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…
Ep 7: Spokane Valley City Composition, Council Corner
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 Ex…
Ep 6 2022: Homelessness Part 2: Interview with Ben Stuckart, Chair of Continuum of Care
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.
Ep 5a: Law & Order Interview with John Nowels, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff Part 2
Part 2 of 2, Al discusses John Nowels' thoughts on the specifics of Spokane Valley's crime issues, contract, and some other issues.
Ep 5b: Law & Order Interview with Craig Chamberlin, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff Part 2
Part 2 of 2, Al discusses Craig Chamberlin's thoughts on Spokane Valley crime rates, the contract, financials, and other issues.
Ep 4b: Law & Order Interview with Craig Chamberlin, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff
Part 1 of 2, Al discusses Craig Chamberlin's philosophy on policing and how that philosophy will guide his policies if elected Sheriff
Ep 4a: Law & Order Interview with John Nowels, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff
Part 1 of 2, Al discusses John Nowels philosophy on policing and how that philosophy will guide his policies if elected Sheriff
BONUS EPISODE: International Relations, Ukraine
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.
Ep 2 2022: Homelessness and the Continuum of Care Part 1: An introduction
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 M…
Ep 1 2022: Apartment Crisis Part 1: Status
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 Spokan…
Ep 0 2022: Introduction to Al and Spokane Speaks
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.