Newt Gingrich and President Clinton occasionally do goofy things - like gripe about plane seats or admit a tax hike was too high - but their antics can’t compare to the political zaniness found in Spirit Lake.

The tiny Idaho town has had more mayors this year (four) than this country has had presidents in the last two decades. World War II tail-gunners lasted longer than Spirit Lake mayors do.

Mayor Bob Knapp, elected only a month ago, already is in trouble. He probably will face a recall effort, along with two council members, after he’s served long enough to qualify for one - three months. After campaigning on mundane issues, Knapp and his council shocked townsfolks by firing widely respected Police Chief Jeff Alexander.

Spirit Lake residents understandably are mad and frustrated by the typical City Hall shenanigans. They also have a right to demand an accounting from Knapp beyond his lame excuse: “The police department’s attitude and overall concept must be changed.”

Whatever that means.

Was Alexander fired for investigating complaints earlier this year that then-mayor Paul Korman was misusing city funds? Alexander found enough evidence against Korman to turn the matter over to state investigators. Is this payback time?

We do know a few things about Alexander.

He’d won the bipartisan respect of Republican Sheriff Pierce Clegg and Democratic Prosecutor Bill Douglas. Clegg called Alexander “one of the best police officers they have had there in the last 20 years.” Douglas dwelled on Alexander’s “outstanding service to the citizens of this community.”

Alexander was actively involved in the Kootenai County Domestic Violence Council. He also was working to organize a youth group in Spirit Lake and implement a neighborhood watch program.

Incredibly, Knapp didn’t allow Alexander to speak in his defense at the City Council’s recent kangaroo court - nor did he permit audience participation. Knapp’s actions came after a campaign in which he said he’d like complacent townspeople to become more involved in their government.

Well, now they are - picketing City Hall and demanding the ouster of Mayor Knapp and council members who voted to fire Alexander. Unwilling to wait three months, some residents have started a petition asking Knapp to step down voluntarily.

None of this would be happening if the Knapp administration had focused on fixing Spirit Lake’s dirt streets - rather than carrying out a hidden agenda.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board