Cardinals Coach Deserves Applause For Reaching Out
It’s early. But I’m fast becoming a fan of North Idaho College men’s basketball coach Hugh Watson. First, Watson stresses good old-fashioned manners. For his players, it’s “Yes, ma’am” this and “No sir” that. They’re told to take their hats off in buildings, too. Recently, Watson emphasized his demands for good behavior by booting Quentin Hall off the team. Hall, a quality reserve who averaged 8.8 points last year, wouldn’t behave himself in his dorm or in Christianson gym. Second, Watson said he and his players will schedule appearances at schools and senior citizen homes and before civic groups. In the past, the NIC basketball program has failed to reach out to the community and paid the price in poor attendance. Finally, Watson seems to have recruited another good NIC team. Considering all of the above, I wish him and his Cardinals the best of luck.
Conley read writing on the wall
Amy Kleiner, Gov. Phil Batt’s spokeswoman, can’t figure out why everyone thinks her boss is behind Jerry Conley’s resignation. Conley, Idaho Fish and Game Department director for 16 years, is taking over the Missouri Department of Conservation. Said Kleiner: “He (Batt) has a good relationship with the director.” Hmmm. One of Batt’s first orders of business, upon taking office last year, was to try to fire Conley. Quoth the guv then: “We must get this department back in touch with the average citizen of the state of Idaho.” At the time, Batt caused a stink by asking for the resignation of the Fish and Game Commission, which appoints the Fish and Game director. He quickly backed down. Curiously, Conley’s resignation comes weeks after a $3 million budget crisis and only two months after Batt gained control of the commission with his fourth appointment. Coincidence, Amy? I think not.
Let me - no, me - cut your property taxes
When it comes to cutting property taxes, whom do you trust? Ron Rankin? The tax activist swears his One Percent Initiative will provide huge relief without raising other taxes or ravaging schools and local government. But many analysts disagree with him. Would you trust Gov. Phil Batt? Last year, at the governor’s urging, the Legislature provided $40 million in tax relief and slapped a 3 percent property tax cap on all local budgets except those for schools. But Batt didn’t follow through this year with his promise for more relief. Now, he’s again looking at options. Would you trust the Democrats? Ha ha ha. (Just checking to see if you were awake.) It’s nice, however, that everyone’s talking about property tax relief again.
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