Group Opposes Land Swap w/Buell

A group of southern Shoshone County residents is looking to overturn a controversial land swap. Forty-seven residents signed a petition requesting an investigation. The group wants the land swap to be declared null and void. The petition was sent to the Shoshone County Commission and the state attorney general. On Dec. 31, the commission voted to approve the swap 2-1 with Commissioner Larry Yergler dissenting. Outgoing Commissioners Vince Rinaldi and Jon Cantamessa voted to approve the deal, which transferred 40 acres of land to (long-time Benewah County Commissioner) Jack Buell (pictured) in exchange for another 40 acres. St. Joe River Valley residents came to a Dec. 24 meeting with the then-commissioners to request that the land swap be postponed. The 40-acre swap included a former county dump, half-acre in size, surrounded by land owned by Buell located east of Calder. That land was swapped for what the petitioners say is steep logged-over land that is unusable and fairly inaccessible/Caleb Soptelean, Shoshone News Press. More here.

Question: Does it sound as though the residents have a legitimate complaint?