Officials’ Agenda Too Self-Serving

The wolves are circling the Panhandle Health District again.

Maybe they smell blood, now that founding director Larry Belmont has retired. Maybe they see an opportunity to cripple the district’s environmental wing, which has been a thorn in the side of local development interests. Maybe they simply want revenge.

Bonner County Commissioner Bud Mueller, one of the pack’s leaders, said this week he’d like to see the district’s staff and budget cut. Meanwhile, in Kootenai County, Commissioner Dick Compton called on health officials to streamline operations, lop administration and give “the maximum bang for the buck.”

The smaller-government rhetoric plays well in North Idaho. Who doesn’t want to reduce taxes? But there’s more here than meets the eye. The health district already provides a great “bang for the buck,” despite dealing with a rapidly growing population, stagnant budgets and hostile commissioners.

Last year, Compton and Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin threatened to slash district funds unless it backed off its decade-long pursuit of polluter John Hern, a contributor to their campaigns. In fact, the two applauded when a district court judge gutted a huge penalty assessed against Hern. They didn’t have much to say recently, however, when it was learned a former tenant once stored dozens of barrels of highly toxic chemicals at the Hern Industrial Park.

Unfortunately, the health district needs every dollar that comes from state and local governments, about 20 percent of its budget. Among other things, that money is used to attract federal matching funds. Local counties have donated the same amount for two years, while a state reduction last year cost the Panhandle Health District $80,000.

North Idaho commissioners must remember they serve a constituency beyond those who give to their campaigns. Before they consider the district’s budget request this year, they should visit low-income mothers who rely on the district for inoculations, exams and prenatal health care. Or the elderly who need home health care and other services. Dedicated health officials protect North Idaho residents from communicable diseases, hazardous waste and contaminated drinking water and restaurant food - in all five counties, not just the population centers.

The district provides valuable service for relatively few local dollars. The same can’t be said for the wolves who’d love to bring it down.

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