Stand-Up Guy Puts A Dent In Misgivings About People

My faith in humans was upgraded a bit three weeks ago when an Atlas Building Center employee banged his pickup into my parked car. Many people would have looked over their shoulder to see if anyone was looking and then boogied. Not Rich Johnson. After he had hit my car, he left a note for my wife that included his name and the line: “I hit your car.” Then he tried in vain to find her in the store. Later, I told Rich how much I appreciated his honesty. Said the Montana transplant: “I hope someone would do the same for me.” His insurance company, of course, tried to pay me less than the actual cost for repairs. But that’s the nature of insurance companies. They wouldn’t know what the golden rule is if it bit them in the butt.

U.S. Bank does right by Sandpoint

Will Rogers once said you shouldn’t trust anyone who works with money for a living. And if he didn’t, he should have. Still, U.S. Bank deserves Sweet Potatoes for loaning debt-ridden Schweitzer Mountain Resort another $750,000. This, despite being sued and owed $21 million by the resort owners. The latest loan will ensure that the ski hill will open this winter, saving 500 jobs and Sandpoint’s winter tourism economy. U.S. Bank, of course, realized it could get more money for a resort that continues to operate. But let’s not pick nits here. It’s good corporate citizenship and it’s inspiring.

Idahoans are bad neighbors

And now a word for you Idaho lead foots who work in Spokane County: SLOW DOWN. Seems the East Valley School District has a major problem with Idahoans running late for jobs at Kaiser, Spokane Industrial Park or downtown Spokane. District officials are teaching children how to be safer pedestrians. But there’s only so much they can do. Said Doug Sanders, head of district transportation: “Wherever they’re going, they traverse our entire district, and it seems like they’re always late and in a hurry.” Be careful out there.

Tiff points to need for independence

The tiff between Kootenai County commissioners and the assessor’s office over Cougar Gulch assessments is another indictment against a plan to streamline county government. As you may recall, an advisory committee wants offices such as assessor, clerk and sheriff to be appointed rather than elected positions. If that were the case now, Marv Vandenberg and his staff would risk unemployment every time they stand up to commissioners, who are amateurs when it comes to appraisals. Frankly, I don’t know which side is right about the Cougar Gulch valuations. But I’m glad the decision doesn’t rest solely with the partisan commissioners.

, 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.