D.F. Oliveria

The Idaho Education Association has itself to blame for its lack of friends in high places. For years, the association has been viewed as a fund-raising arm of the state Democratic Party, borrowing heavily to defeat conservative, and sometimes moderate, Republicans in the nation's most conservative state.

Resort owner Bob Templin shocked a packed house at Post Falls City Hall last week by placing neighborliness next to godliness. Neighborliness, that is, when it comes to welcoming Micron Technology to town with open arms. And he had a few strong words for the heathen who want the computer-chip giant to go elsewhere. Said Bob: "If you're not willing to share space with your neighbor, you'd better check your Christian attitude." Afterward, several speakers prefaced their remarks with the statement: "I'm a Christian, too, but ... " A good neighbor? At the same meeting, resident Gene Reed worried aloud that nearby Rathdrum, rather than Post Falls, would land Micron's $1.3 billion plant. Then, Post Falls would be stuck providing police, fire, roads, sewer and water for an influx of new residents without benefit of additional property tax revenues. But didn't Bob say neighbors are supposed to share? ... In the end, Post Falls councilors OK'd tax increment financing for Micron. Few Post Fallers know what TIF is or does but that doesn't stop most of them from having an opinion on it, including Tim Herzog. Testified Tim: "I don't understand tax increment financing, like a lot of us don't, but I don't see anything wrong with it." Huh? New Rear's resolution: Watch for Coeur d'Alene Catholics to flock en masse to local health clubs - at least the ones from St. Pius X Church, that is. Father Andy Schumacher apparently wants his congregation to get fit in '95. Why else would the good padre wish in the church bulletin that parishioners have a "Happy New Rear"? Onward.

Idaho bureaucrats are paddling up the wrong creek by suggesting that canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized boats be registered. There's little need to do so - other than to send more money floating away to Boise and to increase the size of state government. Legislation proposed by the state Parks and Recreation Department would raise a pittance statewide - barely enough to build two concrete outhouses - while saddling state assessors with another unfunded mandate.

Connie Chung and the mainstream media can't sucker punch conservatives and wholesome values any more without paying a price in ratings and circulation. Rapidly growing "hot talk" radio has made the press accountable for inaccuracies, bias and, in Chung's case, questionable tactics used in compiling the news. No wonder the liberal media hate talk radio and try to dismiss it as irrelevant, dangerous or a fad.

I can't decide if you couch potatoes who join health clubs en masse every January deserve a Hot Potato or a Sweet Potato. Time will tell. As a club regular, I don't mind you clogging the weight machines, treadmills and pool as long as you're not lollygagging or goofing off. Most of you will be gone by April anyway and deserve a Hot Potato for being dumb enough to sign a 12-month contract on impulse. On the other hand, the few who will make this the first month in a healthier life deserve applause and a Sweet Potato, without butter or marshmallows. Welcome. New, improved Compton beats '94 model

Kootenai County - with Spokane County's help - should do everything legally possible to land a proposed $1.3 billion Micron Technology Inc. plant. If that means offering controversial tax-increment financing to the Boise computer-chip maker, so be it. If that means standing on our heads, let's do it.