You wonder why Larry Spencer can afford all those sound-bite yard signs slamming incumbent Commissioner Dan Green? Spencer has raked in almost $31,000 to date for his campaign for Kootenai County commissioner, or twice as much as Green, according to the 7-day pre-election campaign finance reports filed before the Tuesday afternoon deadline. Meanwhile, Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes as raised less than $3000 in his long-shot bid for the office. I'll be back to break things down. Meanwhile, you can read the campaign finance statements for yourself: Larry Spencer here, and: Dan Green here, and Vic Holmes here.

• Spencer's donations include $11,000 in $1,000 increments from the same Spokane, Wash., post office box, including one from Dennis Swartout, a Spokane developer whose subdivision for 1,500 affordable houses near Silverwood was rejected in 2006 by the Kootenai County commission.
• Green has raised $14,960 and spent $7219 with Ron Lahr's Strategery Group, which is aligned with the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans (the original RR group)

Question: Any thoughts on the backers of Spencer & Green?

Item: County drops suit, wants petitions by June 11/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: Kootenai County dismissed a suit Wednesday that had asked a judge to rule on the deadline for recall petitions. So, the 5 p.m. June 19 deadline includes the time it will take Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes to certify the signatures. “I’m not satisfied with it, but I understand how they came to that,” Hayes said of the Secretary of State’s interpretation of the statutes governing the recall process. “(The conflicting statute language) is obviously an error by the legislature. They’ll fix it in January, I guess.”

Question: Are you satisfied that the 75-day deadline includes time to verify signatures?

Item: Chilco waterfall for sale: Ice climbers, environmentalists objecting to proposal/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: The Kootenai County commissioners are considering selling a parcel of county property that includes the Chilco waterfall, which has devoted ice climbers and environmentalists in the region rallying in objection. “I believe it is an asset to the county,” said Hayden ice climber Jason Baker, also a member of the Chilco Falls committee for the Kootenai Klimbers. “It's the only accessible local ice (for climbing) within a couple hours.” But county officials justify that the site is inaccessible, not maintained, often unused, and that its sale could fund a more useful county effort.

Question: Should the county sell Chilco Falls Park?

From Erica Curless' story on Kootenai County commissioner Seat 3 race: “This is the first time Spencer has run for elected office and instead is known for his behind-the-scenes efforts against anything he sees as a misuse of taxpayer dollars or an assault on private property rights. Yet he hasn’t dropped his evasive persona, refusing to tell his age, which public records show is 39, or the name of his company, DH Consulting. Spencer hung up on a reporter who asked about a 2008 property foreclosure and three run-ins with the law in the early 1990s that resulted in traffic-related charges for racing, obstructing an officer and careless driving.” More here.

Question: Should a Kootenai County commissioner candidate refuse to answer a reporter's questions?

We got word from some dedicated ice climbers that Kootenai County Parks and Waterways is considering the sale or disposal of Chilco Falls Park, one of the best ice-climbing spots in the entire inland northwest. Difficult to find, difficult to access, and with no park amenities whatsoever, the property is being considered for surplus, with the proceeds of any sale rumored to go toward facilities in more popular parks and waterways facilities in the County. This isn’t the first time the County has had the idea, however. Back in 1998, the Spokesman-Review covered a previous attempt to unload the property. However, according to the article, “Chilco Creek was donated to the state in 1914 by developer C.S. Argo. He stipulated that the land must be open to the public ‘forever.’ It eventually became county property”/KEA Blog. More here. (Spokane Mountaineers photo via KEA Blog)

Thoughts?

The Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously after a public hearing on Thursday to approve Silverwood Theme Park's request to rezone more than 400 acres in the park from rural to commercial. The commissioners agreed the rezone is necessary for the acreage, most in a triangular shaped area beside the train ride and water park, to conform with the largely commercial zoning across the rest of the theme park. “I'm not sure how we got to some of the uses, but it is there,” said Commissioner Dan Green of the mismatched zoning in the midst of the park. “I'm not a proponent of just because something's there, we condone it.” Commissioner Todd Tondee supported how the rezone would allow Silverwood to eventually pursue more attractions or other projects on the roughly 413 acres, if needed/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: How often do you go to Silverwood in a given year?

Also: Kootenai County ranks #10, Boundary #11, Bonner #12, Benewah #34, and Shoshone #42; all counties here (hold cursor over county)

It’s pretty hard to find a healthier place to live than Blaine County. With easy access to primary care physicians and low obesity rates, the county has easily topped Idaho as the healthiest county in the state, according to a recent health study. Unfortunately, for those who live on the edge of the Wood River Valley, the study’s authors didn’t find the same results. Gooding County ranked 40th among Idaho’s 44 counties, making it one of the least healthy counties in the state. The University of Wisconsin study also found that Jerome County ranked 33rd, while Twin Falls County ranked 27th/Kimberlee Kruesi, Twin Falls Times-News. More here.

Question: Should Kootenai & Bonnner counties rank higher than #10 & #12?

Seems two of the three wings of the Kootenai County Republican Party disagree on the candidates running in the GOPrimary, except for three: Congressman Raul Labrador, Bob Nonini in Senate District 3, and Steve Vick in Senate District 2. The anonymous posters behind the new Chuckle Berries Online appear to support the Phil Hart/Constitutionalist/UCNI wing of the local party, backing John Green for sheriff, Donald Gary for prosecutor, and, of course, Vito Barbieri and Hart. Chuckle Berries hasn't list an endorsement in the three-way race for incumbent Commissioner Dan Green's seat, which includes Larry Spencer. You can read their endorsements here. Reagan Republicans have endorsed Keith Hutcheson for sheriff, incumbent Barry McHugh for prosecutor, Green for one commissioner post, and Ed Morse over Hart for one House District 2 seat. You can read those endorsements here.

Question: Do either of these two slates of candidate appeal to you as a voter?

Kootenai County commissioner candidate Larry Spencer doesn't believe the county needs a parking garage built at the administration complex. “Voters want a lean government, and there is nothing lean about planning to spend $7.8 million on a county parking garage,” said Spencer, running for the District 1 seat currently held by Dan Green. He also disagrees with the current commissioners' ballot initiative to restructure county government. If approved by voters, the initiative would allow for a county administrator, and would also make several county officials appointed, instead of elected as they are now/Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Obviously, Spencer believes the proposed county parking garage and ballot measure to change county government structure are wedge issues for him. What do you think?

A former Arizona sheriff whose speaking appearance today in North Idaho has created a rift among local Republicans called on Spokane County politicians Friday to make protecting the Constitution their No. 1 priority. Richard Mack disputed claims that he’s a darling of the militia movement in his speech at the Spokane County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Mack, who frequently speaks at national tea party events and is an outspoken critic of gun control, said he’s never advocated violence against federal officials. “My message across this country has been one of hope – that we can take our country back in a peaceful manner,” Mack told the packed crowd, which included many Spokane County GOP officials. “Where we take America back is county by county and sheriff by sheriff”/Meghann M. Cuniff, SR. More here.

Question: Put on your prognosticating hat and predict what will happen at the Kootenai County Lincoln Day Dinner tonight, featuring speaker Richard Mack.

Item: Jobless rate continues to decline across North Idaho/Scott Maben, SR

More Info: Kootenai County showed a sharp drop in the unemployment rate in February – 8.1 percent, down from 8.8 percent in January and 9.2 percent a year ago. Total employment in the county was about 68,000 last month, an increase of nearly 800 jobs from January, the Idaho Department of Labor said today. Statewide, seasonally adjusted unemployment dropped a tenth of a point to 8 percent in February. It was the seventh straight monthly decline and the lowest rate since September 2009.

Question: Are you more optimistic today than you were at this time a year ago that things are turning around?

Holding office was never on Donald Gary's radar before he filed candidacy for Kootenai County prosecuting attorney, he admitted. But the Post Falls attorney considers his campaign a civic duty, he said, on account of the issues he believes must be redressed at the prosecutor's office. “I have children, we all have children, and I believe somebody needs to do something,” said Gary, 56, a principal and board member at Winston and Cashatt, Lawyers. Gary, an attorney for 20 years, said topping his list after election would be reducing prosecutorial misconduct. He alluded to the initial sentencing of Jonathan Ellington, which was thrown out over misconduct involving improper questioning by a county prosecutor/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Who is this guy?

There will not be seven candidates for County Commissioner District 1 after all. Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes announced today that “Elections staff did not follow all our procedures when handling the candidacy declaration for Steven Peter Benner. We allowed Mr. Benner to file for County Commissioner District 1 without verifying his residency within that district.” County Commissioners are elected county-wide, but Idaho Code 34-617 requires them to reside in the Commissioner District for which they declare candidacy. Mr. Benner resides in Commissioner District 2, which isn’t up for election in 2012/Kootenai County Clerk's Office news release.

Thoughts?

Item: Parking proposal: Commissioners seek to build 7-story, $7.8 million structure on Northwest Boulevard/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: The Kootenai County commissioners hope to construct a nearly $8 million, 7-story parking garage on Northwest Boulevard, and the officials are asking the city of Coeur d'Alene and the Lake City Development Corp. to jump on the project to share cost and use. “This is going to happen fairly soon,” said Commissioner Jai Nelson on Monday afternoon, at a meeting between the commissioners and city and LCDC officials. “If we can work out a relationship benefiting several parties, it could maybe happen sooner.”

Question: Is this a good project for LCDC money?

On Friday, Kootenai County commissioners will begin accepting applications to fill the Coeur d'Alene School Board vacancy created earlier this year when a judge ruled that trustee Wanda Quinn had been appointed illegally to a board opening last year. The letters of interest will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, April 13. According to a news release from the commissioners office, a resume needs to be included with the letter of interest.  Applications will be accepted from all of the zones within District 271.  Preference will be given to applicants from within Zone 1.  Only Zone 1 residents will be able to stand for election in May 2013. More here.

Question: Should Wanda Quinn reapplied for the vacant trustee post?

Item: County commissioners to appoint Cd'A trustee/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: “Randy Adams has rendered his opinion that the vacancy was null and void at the time of the resignation in June of 2011. Therefore, the 120 days has gone past. It is now up to the county commissioners to fill the vacancy,” said school board chair, Sid Fredrickson, on Tuesday. Idaho Code 33-504 requires that a school board must declare a vacancy within 30 days when any trustee resigns.

Question: Which board would you rather see fill the vacancy — commissioners or school trustees?

Item: Power to the people: Initiative proposing county manager to be put on ballot/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press

More Info: The commissioners have asked the prosecuting attorney to draft a ballot measure that, if it passes, would give the commissioners authority to hire a county manager tasked with administrative duties. The same measure would also propose making the offices of county assessor, clerk, coroner and treasurer appointed positions, instead of elected as they are now. The positions of sheriff and prosecuting attorney would remain elected positions. The board of commissioners would also continue to have three full-time members, despite past discussions of expanding to five. … A county manager would handle day-to-day administrative tasks and free up the commissioners' time for policy making, Green said.

Question: How would you change Kootenai County government?

In the Kootenai County Commissioner District 3 race, incumbent Dan Green is defending his seat against two well-known Republican challengers — Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes and conservative activist Larry Spencer. Dan told me over coffee a couple of weeks ago that he would have run for a four-year term the first time if he'd known what he does now — that it's hard to get much done in two years. The commission appears to be running smoothly. And there have been no real controversies (aside from the internal dismay among county employees re: possible pay and position cuts). So do Holmes and Spencer have a chance against Green? Can Holmes ride popularity in the Rathdrum area to victory. Can controversial Spencer tap into that deep well of Far Right resentment for elected officials to snag a seat?

Question: Who will win this race? Why?

An insider provides this peek behind the curtain re: the battle royal that will be waged for control of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee this spring: “Two grand coalitions will do battle in Kootenai County. Same with all the other offices in the Rep. Primary. On one side the anti-Republicans : Constitution and Libertarian usurpers, Hartophiles, Spencerites, Paulers, Rally Righters, UCNIs, and assorted wing nuts (tax protesters, soverign citizens, nullifiers, kinists, neoconfederates.) On the other side are real Republicans: Pachyderms, Reagan Republicans, Republican Women, NIPAC, CAVErs, CBErs, Santorum, Romney and Gingrich supporters and other rational folk. Battle of the Rons: Ron Paul “Republicans” versus Ronald Reagan Republicans. List of current CC races to come.

Thoughts?

Spencer: And for those wondering about my residence, I spent a half hour proving that to Cliff this morning. We covered my residences for the last fifteen years, and I have been given a clean bill of health on the residence question. And let me tell you, he was well prepared. It wasn’t a case of “show me a utility bill” it was more like a full on police interrogation. Thorough doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Thoughts?