Commissioners Vote To Boot Militia

The U.S. Militia Association will not meet at the Ada County building anymore, nor will any other citizens’ group.

Ada County commissioners on Tuesday voted 2-1 to restrict use of the building to county business only.

“This building was built for government purposes,” said Commissioner Roger Simmons, who moved to implement the policy. “Ada County taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing specialinterest groups.”

Currently, two organizations meet regularly in the commissioners’ hearing room: the U.S. Militia Association and Grandparents Acting as Parents.

“We’ve met at other places before. I suppose we can do it again,” said Wendy Dalton, a member of the U.S. Militia Association. The group has gathered there about six months, she said, drawing a crowd last month when Blackfoot founder Samuel Sherwood attended.

Commissioner Gary Glenn, who opposed the new policy, accused Simmons of letting personal bias against the militia influence his motion.

“Denying all taxpayers access to tax-funded county meeting rooms because you don’t like one particular group’s political views is a ridiculous overreaction,” Glenn said. “A policy punishing all citizens as a result is simply boneheaded.”