Nail Down Nic Board; Obviously, It’s Warped
The North Idaho College board of trustees owes this community an explanation for forcing President Bob Bennett to resign this week.
The current reason being given - “communication problems” - isn’t acceptable.
In Bennett, the community had a president who competently had guided its college for the past 10 years. Norm Gissel, a respected former trustee who, like many of us, was stunned by the power play, said: “In terms of academic excellence, having a good staff, the physical condition of buildings, the excellent athletic programs, fiscal responsibility, … on each category of measurements, Dr. Bennett did an excellent job.”
On the other side, we have a board that’s green as an infield diamond. Two trustees - Steve Widmyer and Barbara Chamberlain - have been in office less than six months. That hardly seems enough time to prepare them for such a momentous decision.
I’m irritated further that this decision was made without a public vote on the issue of renewing Bennett’s contract. The law not only permits skulking trustees to skewer a college president in executive session, but it also allows them to discuss publicly the issues that led to his firing. The trustees aren’t just skirting the law; they’re hiding behind it.
Then, I wonder about the fiscal competency of a board that fires its college president midway through a two-year contract and agrees to pay him off with a $142,280 settlement - and pay an interim president, too. This, just after the trustees raised $75,000 per semester for the college by increasing student fees $25.
Have the inmates taken over the asylum?
Stay tuned.
Hey, it’s only money
I pity any politician who tries to give himself a raise. It never sits well with us working stiffs who occasionally have to beg the boss for a few extra bucks. Yet, there are times when a pol deserves a pay hike. Take Coeur d’Alene Mayor Al Hassell and the City Council, for example. Ple-e-ease. (Just joking - they do a good job.) I was present 10 years ago when former Mayor Ray Stone and the council increased their monthly salaries to the current $800 and $400, respectively. At the time, I thought the new scale brought Coeur d’Alene in line with other comparable Idaho cities. Now, pay for the mayor and council has fallen behind again. Although I understand its reasoning, the council made the wrong decision Tuesday when it voted 3-2 not to raise salaries again. A good stipend does attract better candidates. And I can’t believe I’m lining up with Concerned Businesses of North Idaho on this issue.
, 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.