... there was some fireworks last night at the executive committee meeting of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. Seems new Chairman Tina Jacobson didn't like the presence of write-in candidate Howard Griffiths, who was seeking to include his literature with other Republican material on a table at the coming Tea Party meeting at the Greyhound Park. Griffiths is running against tax-protesting Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol (pictured). At least one witness told Huckleberries that Jacobson, who has filled in for Hart in the Legislature, was so confrontational that Griffiths left. Later, she warned Matt Roetter that his position as state committeeman would be in jeopardy unless Roetter supported Hart. Contacted by Huckleberries, Roetter confirmed that the scenario had happened because he said he couldn't support a tax protester like Hart over Griffiths. Roetter said he pointed out to Jacobson and the executive committee that Griffiths is a lifelong Republican while Hart switched allegiance from the Constitutionalist Party to Republican simply to get elected. Stay tuned ...

Question: Will the battle over Phil Hart and his questionable tax-protesting ways tear the local Republican Party apart?