We Know How To Pick ‘Em
By and large, I’m proud of The Idaho Spokesman-Review endorsements for North Idaho legislative seats last fall. Those who won with our blessing performed solidly in an otherwise lackluster session. Those who won without our endorsement failed to distinguish themselves - other than, possibly, state Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene. Our picks? For state senate: Shaun Keough, Larry Kenck, Gordon Crow and Jack Riggs; for state representative: Rush Balison, Wayne Meyer, Alan Wasserman, Jim Clark, Don Pischner and Larry Watson. Alltus beat Wasserman and then carried a number of sensible bills including one that could mean more sales-tax revenue for Kootenai County. On the other hand, he unsuccessfully proposed a constitutional amendment that would limit Idahoans from using initiatives to challenge hunting practices. That was a bad one. Still, Alltus probably is the north’s most improved sophomore. The best North Idaho delegation? District 4 - with Riggs, Pischner and Watson. Hands down.
Yes, Oldtown can do something about Jones
Oldtown Mayor Brian Orr is right to be concerned about his town’s image after a city councilman erected homemade signs promoting “Patriot Country” and “Idaho militia.” But he’s wrong to think there’s nothing the town can do about it because the signs are on private property. Rather than wring their hands, upset residents should exercise their democratic privilege to recall Councilman Cliff Jones. The problem is not going to go away. In fact, Jones claims that several others are asking for duplicates of his signs, which are made to look like official Idaho road signs. Oldtown has become a center for ultraconservative activism since the election of right-wing Bonner County Commissioners Bud Mueller and Larry Allen. A recall effort against Jones might determine if the far right has seized control of Oldtown, too.
What will Rankin’s commission do next?
In its first three months as a Republican team, Ron Rankin’s Kootenai County Board of Commissioners has blackmailed the Panhandle Health District on behalf of a major polluter and adopted an English-only resolution that has divided the community. On his own, Rankin already has filed papers for another One Percent Initiative in 1998 - a waste of time and money on everyone’s part. So, what goofy thing do you think Rankin’s board will come up with next? Submit your ideas to Hot Potatoes at the numbers below.
, 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.