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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Skittish local GOP prepares for trouble

Alex Barron, secretary of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, talks to state Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d'Alene, in this updated photo. (Duane Rasmussen file photo)
Alex Barron, secretary of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, talks to state Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d'Alene, in this updated photo. (Duane Rasmussen file photo)

Concerns of violent protests have the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee ramping up security at its annual Lincoln Day dinner.

A letter sent by committee secretary Alex Barron to potential attendees of the event, which takes place at The Coeur d’Alene Resort on March 4, details measures to prevent interference from outside groups. Brent Regan, chairman of the central committee, told The Press Monday the organization is taking precautionary measures in light of national news.

“When you hold an event you are responsible to make sure attendees are secure, so we’re going to take steps to make them safe,” Regan said. “It isn’t because of any imminent concern or threat. Tensions are high nationally right now and we want to be prepared.”

An item in the letter, Regan added, stating the central committee has arranged for “a uniformed Post Falls LEO to be present” was an error.

When asked if there would be any official law enforcement presence at the event, Regan declined to comment/Keith Cousins, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.



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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