Competitor Qualifies For A White-Hat Christmas
Now, I generally don’t say nice things about the other guys in the so-called North Idaho Newspaper War. So, listen closely. Ready? Businessman Duane Hagadone, owner of the Coeur d’Alene Press, deserves credit for brightening the Inland Northwest this Christmas with the brilliant new light display at The Coeur d’Alene Resort and for dropping a request to change the lease terms for his floating green. As you may recall, Hagadone Corp. had asked the Idaho Land Board to drop a requirement for public access to its 500 feet of Sanders Beach. Apparently, Hagadone’s munchkins hadn’t bothered to talk with the boss. According to a company lobbyist, Hagadone didn’t want the provision removed from a new 10-year lease (or, I’m sure, a nasty public hearing before the Land Board). Hagadone’s presence and investment along the north shore has benefited his hometown. Occasionally, it’s nice to celebrate those contributions.
Wallace hires doc on wing and a prayer
East Shoshone Hospital District officials apparently feel very lucky - or are simply very desperate. Why else would the Silver Valley district hire Dr. Jimmie L. Hutchison, who stands accused of improper sexual conduct with four patients in Othello, Wash.? And then defend its hireling when a pesky reporter began asking questions? Said administrator David Hughes: “We think he’s a good doc. We’re going to give him a chance to prove it.” To his credit, Hutchison didn’t try to hide his checkered past when Hughes hired him to work at the Wallace Medical Clinic. That doesn’t minimize the fact that he could lose his Washington medical license. Or that Coulee Community Hospital denied him privileges, based on delayed care, lack of attention to patients and failure to complete medical charts. Or that Utah refused to reinstate his medical license. Maybe Hutchison will be exonerated. Until then, the East Shoshone district is hanging out a mile.
Unassuming LCHS senior sparkles
I write because I can’t cipher - other than to balance my checkbook, given enough time. Christy Jordan, on the other hand, can do both, extremely well. Before she transferred from McMinnville, Ore., the Lake City High senior scored a perfect 1,600 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, one of 453 high school students nationwide to do so. She didn’t make a big deal about her score, either - even after Coeur d’Alene School District officials trumpeted the fact that classmate Tony Russo had aced the math portion of the test. Said Christy: “I’m not an ostentatious person.” Maybe not. But she sure is scintillating. And unpretentious.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.