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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kootenai County Taxphobe Caught With His Rants Down

D.F. Oliveria Opinion Writer

New Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin didn’t take long to learn the tricks of the political trade like lesson 101: “Shifting Blame for Tax Increases.”

On Tuesday, the ex-tax watchdog blamed the 1997 Legislature for a proposed 3 percent hike in the county’s 1997-98 budget. After all, he said, the solons voted to add another district court judge to North Idaho and, thereby, foisted an “unfunded mandate” on the county. Rankin, however, failed to mention that he and the other two commissioners wrote in support of the extra judge. In fact, state Sen. Stan Hawkins, R-Ucon, quipped during debate that Rankin’s signature should be checked for possible forgery and then said: “If Mr. Rankin thinks we need it, it must be needed.” Indeed, the new judge was needed. In the past decade, the District 1 caseload has jumped 53 percent. Rather than play the Blame Game, Rankin should have defended the budget increase.

City administrator plays blame game, too

Ken Thompson, the Coeur d’Alene city administrator, played a more complicated version of the Blame Game this week - Lesson 102: “Covering Your Butt When Reporters Are at the Gates.” He relied on this old trick while trying to explain why most of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department’s emergency medical technicians no longer are properly certified. According to Thompson, a fire official held off on applying for recertification because a county worker told him new rules would take effect soon. Then, the county worker quit and the fire official took sick leave. And, voila, the EMT crew was grounded by a paperwork snafu. Well, maybe “grounded” is too strong of a word. Thompson doesn’t think a lapsed certification card should stop EMTs from responding to calls. Maybe not. But the fact that they could be charged with a felony for technically practicing medicine without a license should.

Some people will do anything for $2

The chintziest people around are the boaters, generally from Washington, who cram into Boothe’s Landing to launch their $25,000 vessels free. More and more of them have been doing it since the state Parks and Recreation Department began charging a $2 fee to launch at Higgens Point, a mile east on Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive. The half-acre gravel lot can’t handle the traffic. And emergency vehicles can’t get in when the lot’s packed. I wonder how many more cheapskates will be flushed out to Boothe’s Landing next year when the city of Coeur d’Alene begins charging for use of the Third Street boat ramp?

, 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.

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.