re: My SR editorial from Thursday calling for release of e-mails here.

This responds to the Spokesman Review editorial opinion published on March 24 concerning an Idaho Public Records request made to the Kootenai County Board of County Commissioners for my E Mail correspondence between the former Juvenile Drug Court (JET Court) coordinator and myself. There was also a request for all E Mail correspondence between two magistrate judges and my JET Court coordinator.

After a careful legal review of the Spokesman’s request, the commissioners correctly followed the law and released only those E Mails allowed under Idaho law. An erroneous release could subject the county to legal liability.

The Spokesman opinion contains several mischaracterizations about E Mails. First, Kootenai County Policy No. 425 allows the exchange of personal E Mails if allowed by the department head. Second, each E Mail not produced contained a reason for non-production because they contained personnel information, confidential drug treatment information, family names, and, yes, private information. Idaho Code Section 9-337(12) states, “public record’ is any writing “relating to the conduct of the public’s business.” Release of information which is not the public’s business is unlawful and improper. Such is the law.

In the meantime, my thirty-one year marriage and leadership is an open book for all to see here.

Bill Douglas
Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney

---

---