Limited Argument Possible For Decision On Work Center

Now, I know why Gov. Phil Batt chose to ignore common sense and let stand a goofy bureaucratic decision to build a regional juvenile work center in Lewiston. Because (drum roll, please) Lewiston’s in northern Idaho, too! That’s the only defense for the decision offered by Lewiston Tribune editorialist Jim Fisher, who generally eschews boosterism for thoughtful, though often liberal, opinion pieces. In the last week, Fisher has written two editorials that poke fun at Coeur d’Alene’s outrage at losing the center to Lewiston. If he was on this end of the stick, he’d be calling for an investigation. He might even wonder if Ron McMurray, former Port of Lewiston executive and current state GOP chairman, had anything to do with the choice. Since neither of Fisher’s opinion pieces offered a reason for Lewiston’s selection, let me reiterate why it’s wrong. First, of the 102 northern Idaho juveniles placed in state custody since Oct. 1, 1995, twothirds came from the five northernmost counties. In fact, Kootenai County had more juveniles placed during that time than the lower five counties of the Panhandle combined - 47 to 33. Secondly, Kootenai County offered the state free land at the county airport. At Lewiston, the state will squander money purchasing a site and later transporting the majority of juvenile delinquents from the five northern counties. Maybe state officials still feel guilty that Boise stole the capital from Lewiston ages ago.

Ramsey Road speed irritating but wise

I like speed. I generally drive at or slightly above the posted limit - as most of you do. BUT the move to increase the speed limit on Ramsey Road, north of Interstate 90, is asinine, even if 1,100 were stopped during the past year for driving faster than the posted 35 mph. A higher speed would increase the danger of accidents with all the traffic entering and exiting Ramsey Road from the garbage transfer site, Ramsey Park, several major subdivisions and Lake City High. Besides, most drivers are motoring between 3 and 5 mph above the limit now. The cops tend to ignore the minor violators in favor of those 10 to 15 mph out of whack.

KMC, Hagadone Hospitality earn yams

Give Kootenai Medical Center and Haga, Haga … Hagadone Hospitality (praising The Company doesn’t come easy for me) Sweet Potatoes for a rousing welcome to winter Friday. My family was among the masses thrilled Friday evening by the parade, carols, wreath lighting outside The Coeur d’Alene Resort and a sneak preview of KMC’s Festival of the Trees inside.

, 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.