... That local Republicans who oppose speaker Richard Mack for the Kootenai County Republican Lincoln Day dinner are pushing to discuss the matter at their Central Committee meeting tonight. Thirteen precinct committeemen and Lora Gervais, chairwoman for the old Legislative District 3, have signed a letter protesting the appearance of Mack, who, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, is popular in militia & Patriot circles. Mack has filed a defamation lawsuit against the SPLC. The meeting is scheduled for 7 tonight in the Kootenai County Administrative Building.