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.
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Season 2 Ep 6A: Interview with 4th LD Rep Candidate Suzanne Schmidt 2
48:30
48:30
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covering some more topics. Listen to Interview 1 for moreBy Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Ep 6A: Interview with 4th LD Rep Candidate Ted Cummings
1:15:49
1:15:49
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Interview With Ted CummingsBy Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Episode 5: Spokane County Commissioner District 4: Mary Kuney
1:16:12
1:16:12
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Interview with Mary Kuney Candidate for Spokane County Commissioner District 4 (South Valley).By Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Episode 5B: Spokane County Commissioner District 4: Brian Noble
1:18:46
1:18:46
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Interview with Brian Noble. reference: https://www.facebook.com/ChurchandState1776/videos/536290554814696By Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Episode 4: SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Valleyfest Defunded, 2nd Interview with Larry Haskell, Candidate for County Prosecutor
59:40
59:40
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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.By Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Ep 3: BREAKIING NEWS: Concerning Wade Nelson, Candidate for Spokane Sheriff; PROPERTY TAX INCREASE Spokane Valley
52:29
52:29
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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.goo…
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Season 2 Ep 2c: Prosecutors Revisited: Stefanie Collins
1:26:26
1:26:26
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1:26:26
Al interviews Stephanie CollinsBy Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Ep 2b: Prosecutors Revisited: Stephanie Olsen
1:19:25
1:19:25
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1:19:25
(Repost) Stephanie Olsen InterviewBy Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Ep 2a: Prosecutors Revisited: Larry Haskel
1:37:03
1:37:03
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(Repost) Interview with Larry HaskelBy Albert Merkel
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Season 2 Ep1: Interview with Tiffany Smiley Candidate for Senate
41:37
41:37
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Al Interviews Tiffany Smiley, Candidate for US Senator from Washington State.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 14a: Spokane County District Judge Interviews, Position 3 Eric Dooyema
1:12:25
1:12:25
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Al Interviews candidates for District Court Judge.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 14d: Spokane County District Judge Interviews, Position 6 Andrew Biviano
55:58
55:58
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Al Interviews candidates for District Court Judge.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 14c: Spokane County District Judge Interviews, Position 6 Deanna Crull
27:02
27:02
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Al Interviews candidates for District Court Judge.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 14b: Spokane County District Judge Interviews, Position 3 Jenny Zappone
32:03
32:03
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Al Interviews candidates for District Court Judge.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 13: WA Secretary of State Candidate, Julie Anderson 2022
1:10:10
1:10:10
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1:10:10
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/By Julie Anderson
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Ep 12A: Interview with Vicky Dalton, County Auditor Part 1
1:14:34
1:14:34
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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 re…
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Ep 12B: Interview with Vicky Dalton, County Auditor Part 2
1:04:16
1:04:16
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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.co…
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Ep 11: CVSD Superintendent Search and Council Corner
56:40
56:40
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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
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Ep 10A: Don't Know much about CVSD, Interview with School Board President Cindy McMullen Part 1 of 2
1:27:00
1:27:00
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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 ou…
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Ep 10B: Don't Know much about CVSD, Interview with School Board President Cindy McMullen Part 2 of 2
38:55
38:55
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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 ou…
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Ep 9B: State Politics. 4th District Rep: Interview with Suzanne Schmidt
1:00:41
1:00:41
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Al Interviews Candidate for 4th District Legislative Representative, Suzanne Schmidt discussing her platform and policies for this crucial election.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 9A: State Politics. 4th District Rep: Interview with MJ Bolt
1:53:44
1:53:44
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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 D…
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Ep 8a: Law & Order Interview with Stephanie Olsen, Candidate for Spokane County Prosecutor
1:19:25
1:19:25
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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…
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Ep 8b: Law & Order Interview with Larry Haskell, Candidate for and Current Spokane County Prosecutor
1:37:03
1:37:03
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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 wif…
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Ep 7: Spokane Valley City Composition, Council Corner
57:38
57:38
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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.g…
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Ep 6 2022: Homelessness Part 2: Interview with Ben Stuckart, Chair of Continuum of Care
1:07:38
1:07:38
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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.By Albert Merkel
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Part 2 of 2, Al discusses John Nowels' thoughts on the specifics of Spokane Valley's crime issues, contract, and some other issues.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 5b: Law & Order Interview with Craig Chamberlin, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff Part 2
1:25:51
1:25:51
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Part 2 of 2, Al discusses Craig Chamberlin's thoughts on Spokane Valley crime rates, the contract, financials, and other issues.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 4b: Law & Order Interview with Craig Chamberlin, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff
53:23
53:23
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Part 1 of 2, Al discusses Craig Chamberlin's philosophy on policing and how that philosophy will guide his policies if elected SheriffBy Albert Merkel
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Ep 4a: Law & Order Interview with John Nowels, Candidate for Spokane County Sheriff
1:00:11
1:00:11
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Part 1 of 2, Al discusses John Nowels philosophy on policing and how that philosophy will guide his policies if elected SheriffBy Albert Merkel
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Ep 2 2022: Homelessness and the Continuum of Care Part 1: An introduction
1:07:14
1:07:14
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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.By Albert Merkel
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BONUS EPISODE: International Relations, Ukraine
59:29
59:29
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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.By Albert Merkel
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Ep 1 2022: Apartment Crisis Part 1: Status
40:35
40:35
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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 t…
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Ep 0 2022: Introduction to Al and Spokane Speaks
43:44
43:44
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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.By Albert
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Homily for Sunday 4/27/21 by Fr. Tom Merkel, associate pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Homily for Sunday 2/14/21 by Fr. Ben Hasse, pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Fr. Ben Hasse Homily Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021
10:14
10:14
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Homily for Sunday 2/7/21 by Fr. Ben Hasse, pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Homily by Fr. Tom Merkel for Sunday, January 17, 2021
3:58
3:58
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Homily for Sunday 1/17/21 by Fr. Tom Merkel, associate pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Fr Ben Homily for Sunday, January 10 2021
13:10
13:10
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Homily for Sunday 1/10/21 by Fr. Ben Hasse, pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Homily for Sunday December 13 by Fr. Ben Hasse
9:28
9:28
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Homily for Sunday 12/13/20 (third Sunday of Advent) by Fr. Ben Hasse, pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Homily for Sunday 11/8/20 by Fr. Ben Hasse
15:23
15:23
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Homily for Sunday 11/8/20 by Fr. Ben Hasse, pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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Homily for Sunday 11/1/20 by Fr. Tom Merkel, associate pastor at St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Technological UniversityBy St. Albert the Great at MTU
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