Bill Shouldn’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance

I don’t believe in ghosts, UFOs - or honest politicians, for that matter. But I’d like to know if someone was murdered or committed suicide in a home I wanted to buy. So, I’m against state Sen. Gordon Crow’s bill that would allow real estate agents to withhold that information from prospective buyers. The bill brings back memories. I never mentioned it to my wife, but a previous tenant blew his brains out all over the enclosed back porch of our first rental house. The fact never bothered me much. But I did notice I stayed away from the back porch late at night.

Judy, Judy, Judy

So, what was new Mayor Steve Judy’s first official act? Signing a cemetery deed. Yep, a file marked “Mayor’s Signature” was sitting on his desk when he arrived for his first day of work. Said Steve: “That sort of puts it all in perspective” … (And for you trivia buffs, the first book checked out of the CdA library at its Harrison Avenue address was Garrison Keillor’s “Lake Wobegon Days.” Former Mayor Jim Fromm did the honor) … Then, Judy’s young son was worried when he came home one day and found Pop, ill on the couch. Said the tyke to his mother: “Dad can’t get sick; he’s the mayor” … During his state of the city address, Judy agreed with listeners that traffic congestion made it hard to get around town. And the CARE patrol made it even harder to do so, at any respectable speed. Bingo.

Done good

Give it up for Suzan Ward, who not only bowls well (a 153 average in the 3C’s league) but is a good cook, too. Her apple cream sauce is featured in the March edition of Parents magazine. Attagirl … Deep Thoughts by D.F.: If CdA truly is concerned about its image, it wouldn’t spend all its time worrying about Aryans and Superfund designations. Some thought should be given to the billboard blight that makes Northwest Boulevard an ugly gateway … Eagle-eyed John Rook spotted the “A” and “I” transposed on the Lakes Middle School readerboard Thursday, advertising a “sci fiar.” Groused Big John: “No wonder our kids don’t get it right” … Not all CdA police officers will be thrilled if the City Council approves plans to build a new police department. Detectives will have to give up their great digs at Harbor Plaza. (Please join me in a moment of silence for the old Osprey restaurant, once located in the north end of the plaza. It served great food with its view of the Spokane River.)

Huckleberries

A CdA woman had her priorities right after the gendarmes hauled off her boyfriend and dog after a Feb. 28 dispute. She called authorities and (drum roll, please) asked for her dog back … Rumor Patrol: The aforementioned Sen. Crow doesn’t know where people come up with the idea he’s soon to land a full-time state government job. Tain’t true. He’ll throw his hat back in the ring in two weeks … A Lewistonian was amused when he spotted this bumpersnicker at Wallace: “Lord, protect me from your followers” … Quotable Quote: “Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food and tyrannize their teachers.” Values guru William Bennett? Nope. Socrates … So, Coldwater Creek wants someone who’s fluent in Japanese and willing to work from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., including weekends and holidays? It’d better be willing to pay more than $5.35 per hour … Who says the CdA building department doesn’t have a sense of humor? Ever notice its Elvis poster? Here’s Elvis holding what looks like a Uniform Building Code, under a sign that says, “Read.” Get it? Even “The King” reads the UBC. I guess you have to be a bureaucrat.

Parting shot

The state should think twice before dumping surplus land near the Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course. It’s chock full of fossils. So says CdA’s Jerry Justus. As a kid, Jerry once won a regional science fair contest with an exhibit that featured fossils from the property now coveted by Hagadone Hospitality. Stay tuned.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry. Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125; daveo@spokesman.com.

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