Have A Gripe? Hassell Has Form Letter

Could it be that CdA Mayor Al Hassell is losing touch with his subjects? John Johnson, a Fort Ground salon owner, complained in writing to Hizzoner II about traffic problems near North Idaho College. In return, he received a form letter from the city thanking him for his interest in serving on a city committee - along with an application form for a committee! But, when Johnson’s neighbor Roxanne Gunther also griped, she got a personal response from King Al and assurances that something would be done. Hmmm. Maybe John would get more respect if he signed up for that committee.

Go away kid … you bother me: Randy Smith, 52 and father of seven, recently subbed as an escort during the CdA High homecoming game while youngest son Sid played ball. At halftime, Randy and queen candidate Gretchen Hammarberg joined other royalty in riding around the football field in convertibles. As they passed the Sandpoint rooters on the far side, a youngster ruined the mood by bellering: “Gee, that guy looks kind of old to be in high school.” … FYI: Lake City High could have spoiled Coeur d’Alene High’s homecoming activities (before the Sandpoint Bulldogs did). My bloodhounds tell me that the name of the queen accidentally was faxed to LCHS central earlier in the day. But the T-Wolf brass kept mum, and the suspense held until Jill Pederson was crowned. … Those CHS sophs who painted that sign for the homecoming parade have a point. “Sophomore” shouldn’t have three O’s.

How about them M’s? The Seattle Mariners stretch drive has been so exciting that Hale Ashcraft regularly calls Bob Bemis to make sure his buddy’s taking his blood pressure pills. … Overheard at a Clark Fork tavern, an excited 30-something reliving Edgar Martinez’s series-winning double against New York: “Some black guy ran from second to home to win the game.” Indeed, Ken Griffey Jr. is some black guy. Do they know their baseball in Clark Fork or what? Hah! … The best local sign of the Mariners’ success appeared on the reader board of Steve LaTourrette’s salon on Fourth: “The Mariners are to dye for.”

What conflicts? A bloodhound was amazed by the agenda at a recent Post Falls Highway District meeting. Old business included review of a sole bid on a maintenance building from ex-chairman Bob Cook and a lone bid for a heater from the company founded by ex-commissioner Bob Wilbur. The highway commission decided to seek new bids before turning to new business: work on Stateline Road, which just happens to run by Commissioner Lynn Humphreys’ homestead.

Huckleberries: Sign on the side of a Coeur d’Alene garbage truck: “Used Meals on Wheels.” … Separated at Birth: Religious right firebrand Ralph Reed and Bruce Reed, local boy makes good and a White House aide? … Now that she’s almost single again, ex-Post Falls solon Barbara Chamberlain has made a terrible discovery. Or so the “thought for the day” on her answering machine indicates: “There are too many men in politics, but not enough elsewhere.” … That was quite a religious right contingent at CdA’s Bethel Baptist Church a week ago: “Give-Em-Helen” Chenoweth, Ada County Commissioner Gary Glenn and ex-Democratic strategist David Ripley. Helen sat farthest to the right. Of course.

Parting shot: When Superintendent Lorence Simonsen resigned from the Bonner County School District in May 1992, he made no mention of being intimidated, harassed and forced out. Nope. He said he was leaving of his own free will. Said he at the time: “I came, I saw, I did and I left.” Now, he can also say, I sued and I lost. Last week, a U.S. District Court judge tossed out Simonsen’s $1 million suit against the district and ordered him to pay $1,969 in court costs. Translation: You shouldn’t have let the door hit you in the rear on your way out.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline, (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review