Mayor Too Busy Making Poor Decisions To Fulfill Duties
Mayor Steve Judy claims he needs a $33,000 administrative assistant because he doesn’t have time to handle his city duties. Well, he hasn’t seen anything yet. The firing of capable City Administrator Ken Thompson Tuesday is going to make everyone’s job at City Hall tougher. Not only was Thompson popular with his staff but he was a straight shooter who got things done. And there are many things that need attention now: the public waterfront, collective bargaining, Aryans. Last year, Judy and the City Council torpedoed employee morale by dumping collective bargaining rights. Now this. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
1,000 acres down, 279,000 to go
Is it only me? Or do you also see the poetic justice in the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe using bingo revenue to buy back its reservation piece by piece? In the last two years, the tribe has purchased 1,000 acres and now owns 66,000 of the reservation’s 345,000 acres. When will the purchases end? That no-comment smile by tribal Chairman Ernie Stensgar says it all.
Jumping through hoops, Palouse style
Apparently, Idaho’s upset victory in the Humanitarian Bowl didn’t impress the NCAA. The sports governing body continues to insist that Idaho average 17,000 fans per game to remain in Division I-A. So, the Potatoheads plan to rent Wazzu’s Martin Stadium to do so. And if they meet their goal? They get to move back to the smaller Kibbie Dome. So what’s the point? Why doesn’t the NCAA simply waive the rule?
Skin show trumps cigarette revenuers?
During our last show, KVNI’s Bruce Deming and I concluded that State Line Showgirls might be Idaho’s way of thumbing its nose at Washington. Follow me on this. The State Line strip joint opened about the time the Washington Liquor Control Board began busting Washingtonians for crossing the state line to buy cheaper cigarettes. Now, Showgirls is luring performers - its word, not mine - and customers from Deja Vu and Spokane County, where lap dances are measured in yards, not inches. A coincidence? Yeah. Obviously, Bruce and I had too much air time on our hands.
It takes a war vet to know a war vet
So, who was the Red Lobster manager who impressed Hot Potatoes by providing free meals to honor ex-WWII prisoner of war John Carson and his wife (HP, Jan. 14)? Shawn Murphy. Shawn came by his respect for military sacrifice honestly. Not only did he serve in the Army for five years, but he’s a Persian Gulf War veteran. And a great addition to the community.