Christie Wood: The KCTFHR presented a letter to the legislators based on one concern, and that is the current lack of cooperation of LE leadership that creates a public safety issue for all residents of Benewah County. Mr. Payne's history lesson as to why the elected officials are angry at the tribe is of no interest. Their duty as officers of the law and of the court is to put public safety for their citizens first and foremost. Do not confuse our concern for public safety (remember our mission is the protection and promotion of human rights) as a personal issue with the Sheriff or whether we believe Sheriff Kirts have ever served his country. I am sure his military record is impeccable, and honorable but that is simply not the issue. Mr. Payne knows better but has no reasonable explanation as to why he would condone criminals being set free. So he attempts to cloud the issue. More below.

Question: Why do you think cross deputization with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe works in Kootenai County but not Benewah County?

The “emergency powers letter” he refers to is in dispute and he knows it. His letter does not explain why cross deputization works very well in Kootenai County but miraculously will not work in Benewah County. Actually I guess he did….something to do with “power”. I hope for his sake he does not have to share his theory about Tribal domination with a grieving family someday due to the County's failure to act.