Your Vote Really Does Count

I’ve always wanted to vote in an election decided by one ballot. Then I could say, “He (or she) is in office today because I voted for him (or her).” Or I could point to a school building and say, “That wouldn’t be here without my vote.” I vote as though my ballot is the tiebreaker. Idealistic? Maybe not. In North Idaho on Tuesday, one school trustee election ended in a tie, another was decided by one vote and the Boundary County school levy failed by only 21 votes. Incumbent Don Soltman and challenger William Reese will flip a coin to break a 74-all tie in a Lakeland School District trustee election. Sharon Porter received one more vote than Howard Houck to win a St. Maries School District seat. Your vote does count. Remember that Tuesday when Idaho’s spring primary polls open.

Ruby Ridge miniseries rates a so-so

What did you think of the CBS-TV miniseries, “Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy”? I found it odd that Hollyweird would place Ruby Ridge north of Bonners Ferry (which it spelled with an apostrophe) instead of south of it. That the dead U.S. marshal wasn’t named William Degan. That the Aryan Nations compound bordered Hayden Lake. That strapping Randy Quaid played medium-built Randy Weaver. But who am I to judge? Former Spokesman-Review colleague Jess Walter says the script generally followed his book, “Every Knee Shall Bow,” upon which the script was based. I ran into Jess Saturday in Coeur d’Alene. He’s being bombarded for interviews about the miniseries and his latest book, “In Contempt,” a New York Times best seller about O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden. Jess didn’t seem to mind that Ruby Ridge directors didn’t cross every “t” and dot every “i.” Apparently, that’s OK as long as the royalty checks are made out properly. But you should read Jess’ book on the shootout if you want the real skinny on Ruby Ridge.

Another good Coeur d’Alene trustee bites the dust

A friendly antagonist called Wednesday to chortle about Herb Cheeley’s 56-vote win over incumbent Coeur d’Alene School District trustee Jane Curtis. If you follow “Hot Potatoes,” you know I am a Curtis fan. That’s no reflection on Cheeley. I don’t know him, though Mr. Friendly Antagonist assures me he will make a good trustee. But Curtis has been a good watchdog, like Ruth Smith and Eli Ross before her. Also, like Ruth and Eli, she now has lost a re-election bid. Maybe the message here is to keep your yap shut and follow administrators and the teachers union blindly. I hope not.

, 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.