Two Officials Deserve Praise

Boundary County Sheriff Greg Sprungl and Prosecutor Randy Day deserve points for trying to solve the Ruby Ridge riddle - while Potatoheads such as me sniped at them. And for keeping costs down during their local investigation. Now, the two believe they know which gun - and, therefore, who - shot Sammy Weaver in the back four years ago. They say they’ve found the bullet that killed the 14-year-old, a discovery that has eluded federal investigators for four years. (Skeptics, of course, point out this is an election year, and such a “discovery” would boost Sprungl’s and Day’s re-election chances.) But if they can back up their claim, Sprungl and Day will have solved one of this decade’s mysteries, and they will have done it at a discount rate, spending less than $8,000 of the $100,000 allotted to them for the case by Boundary County. Maybe we should send these two to Los Angeles to help O.J. Simpson track down his ex-wife’s killer. Or we could tell O.J. to look in the mirror.

I’d rather be a winner in voting game

Change usually produces winners and losers. In recent redistricting of Kootenai County voting precincts, the winners are those who can continue to vote at their familiar polling places. I’m a winner - though my precinct’s now No. 28 instead of No. 5. I still vote at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene. The biggest losers are Bunco Road and Beauty Bay residents. Some of the former now must travel 23 miles to vote; the latter, all the way to Coeur d’Alene. Still, the bipartisan panel that redrew boundaries deserves Sweet Potatoes for handling a tough task. Its work will mean shorter lines at the polls this November. Those hurt by the change should vote by absentee ballot or by mail this year - and hold elections officials to their promise to fix rural voting problems as soon as possible.

Curtis merits another trustee term

I’ll say it one last time: Incumbent Jane Curtis has earned the right to continue representing north-central Coeur d’Alene - my zone - on the school board. She’s independent, smart, tough and the least likely board member to be co-opted by the teachers union. In December, Curtis distinguished herself by siding with outgoing trustee Ken Burchell to support the right of a parents group to make a presentation on the controversial whole-language program. In addition, she rightfully supported consolidation of school trustee and levy elections and was the only one who questioned use of district maintenance money to construct a press box at the Lake City High football field. She deserves your vote. , 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.