A Bonner Pilgrim’s Progress: Propriety Goes To Hell, On Wheels

Unfortunately, Bonner County Commissioner Larry Allen is up for re-election, rather than his former buddy, Bud Mueller.

Allen is growing in the job.

Mueller? He’s still Mueller, an ultraconservative who wants constituents to do as he says, not as he does. Case in point: a resolution passed by Allen and Commissioner Dale Van Stone to crack down on abuse of county vehicle use. As you may recall, Mueller rode into office decrying taxes and government waste. He even complained about seeing county workers out to lunch in county vehicles. Well, now Mueller’s the main culprit. He’s not only out to lunch in county vehicles - but breakfast and dinner, too. In fact, he takes his county vehicle home regularly and even to Spokane, occasionally.

Bud’s take on the resolution? “This whole thing is geared to stop me, so I just won’t stop,” Mueller said. “I’m still going to do probably what I think is proper for the county. I don’t think I abuse the privilege now.”

A politician who considers himself above the rules should get the boot.

Zone 5 trustee missing in action

Two years ago, I was amazed when voters in Coeur d’Alene’s Zone 5 rejected incumbent Jane Curtis in favor of Herb Cheeley. As a Zone 5 resident, I admired how Jane stood up to the former administration and always fought for the schools in the old part of town. At the time, I didn’t have anything against Cheeley. Now, I do. On the most important vote since he took office, Cheeley was missing in action. He couldn’t have been listening to his constituency when he abstained from the school board decision Tuesday night to float a four-year, $19.81 million levy. Part of his district is within the boundaries of Coeur d’Alene High, which finally will be brought up to grade if the special facility levy passes. This is one vote to remember if Cheeley seeks re-election.

Daughters turn Daddy’s heads

Doug Burr’s another father who’s had a change of heart about Title IX as a result of his daughter’s participation in sports (Hot Potatoes, Tuesday). In the 1980s, Doug was the Boise State official assigned to fight the government attempt to force gender equity in college sports. It seemed so clear then, e-mails Doug: “Now, I, too, am the father of a middle-school daughter who has participated in every sport available to her. I, too, have coached throughout her athletic career. And I, too, have had a huge change of heart.” Who says you can’t teach us old dogs new tricks?

, 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.