Campaign ‘96

Coming to political speech near you

Almost the minute Kootenai County Commissioner Dick Compton learned that Money magazine named Madison, Wis., the best place to live in the United States, he called to check out its property taxes. Compton’s visited once or twice, but apparently hadn’t visited the assessor’s office before. The news: A $100,000 home in Madison runs a $3,300 annual property-tax tab. The closest thing in Coeur d’Alene runs about $1,000. Now there’s something politicians will be scrambling to take credit for.

Seating not limited

There’s little doubt that North Idaho’s Democratic ranks are so thin they would about all fit in a Ford Pinto station wagon. But it’s making the Kootenai County Democratic Party more inclusive. The notice for its next meeting advertises “moderates, conservatives and liberals welcome.” By the way, it takes place at noon Friday at the Iron Horse Restaurant in Coeur d’Alene.

A long road to Boise

Considering the Idaho Democratic Party has all but disappeared since Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus left office in 1994, it’s curious to look at the Democrats’ state convention schedule - three days in Boise beginning Thursday. The Republicans, although mightier in number, are getting by with two days - beginning Thursday - in the much smaller city of Nampa. When you’re No. 1, perhaps there’s less to talk about.

How about a parting of the bureaucratic sea?

During last week’s visit to North Idaho, Gov. Phil Batt noted newspaper stories on the Orofino couple whose home was demolished to save the city from further flooding in February. Months after the city erased Wayne and Cindy Wilson’s home, the couple is dodging foreclosure on the now nonexistent structure and awaiting long-promised help from state and federal officials. “We’ve got to do something about this Cindy Wilson thing,” Batt told an aide. Like use the money once earmarked for a new governor’s mansion?

Bear necessities, trichinosis opportunities

As signature-gathering forces attempt to put an initiative to stop using bait and hounds to hunt Idaho black bears, Oregon hunters are working to undo a similar law passed there in 1994.

Oregon officials announced Thursday that opponents of a similar law, that also extended to cougars, had the 74,000 signatures to put a repeal on the fall ballot.

The addition of cougar to the measure in Idaho might be a plus. After all, the Potato State last year became nationally acclaimed in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report because a hunter got trichinosis from cougar jerky.

Start the fund raising

Speaking of initiatives, our spies in Boise note that the campaign to put the anti-nuclear waste initiative on the ballot has resorted to holding yard sales to raise money. The initiative would stop plans to allow more nuclear waste to be stored at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory in Idaho Falls. Critics don’t believe the federal government will hold to promises to eventually move the waste, arguing no state wants it. Maybe we should discount it, dress it up as a trinket, and hold our own garage sale.

Web Site of the Week

Although Power the Vote does advertise itself as “the only election Web Site Especially for Women,” this page has information helpful to both genders. Ladies Home Journal and the League of Women Voters combine to provide candidate profiles and a helpful feature entitled “Words Worth Watching” to cut though the rhetoric. “Watch out for a candidate who can’t give a straight answer to a direct question,” it cautions …)In many states, including Washington, the site can also help you register to vote. Find it at http://www.lhj-lwv.com/.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: How they voted

MEMO: Campaign ‘96 is published regularly during the campaign season and is compiled from staff reports. To submit information on a political event or a question you want the candidates to answer, write us c/o The Idaho Spokesman-Review, 608 Northwest Boulevard, Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814. Or call Cityline at (208) 765-8811 on a Touch-Tone phone, then press 9893 to leave a message, your name and phone number.