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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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CdA Asks McHugh To Withdraw Suit

The Coeur d'Alene City Attorney's office has asked Prosecutor Barry McHugh (pictured) to withdraw the lawsuit filed against the city on behalf of County Clerk Cliff Hayes to clarify the deadline in the attempted recall of Mayor Sandi Bloem and three City Council members. Deputy City Attorney Warren Wilson told McHugh in a three-page letter that the Secretary of State's office had backed Coeur d'Alene's position (that recallers had 75 days to complete their signature gathering including about 15 days for the county clerk to verify the signatures). "Unfortunately, Mr. Hayes has not followed the instructions from the Secretary of State's office. Instead a suit has been field against the City of Coeur d'Alene and four of its elected officials challenging the interpretation contained in Mr. Hurst's instructions. Mr. Hayes continues to disregard this instruction as a 'city opinion' and continues to insert himself into a process that, by statute, is to be administered by the City Clerk." Letter and related information here. And here.

Question: Who do you trust more to give a proper opinion re: city recall rules -- County Clerk Cliff Hayes or the Secretary of State's office?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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