Priest Lake Needs To End Squabbling

Sat., Sept. 18, 1999

D.F. Oliveria For The Editorial

From this distance, it’s hard to say which side is to be believed in the ongoing squabble between Priest Lake resort owners and Bonner County law enforcement.

The resort owners contend the marine division has been so heavy-handed that it has chased off recreationalists. And ruined business.

Specifically, they say young Deputy Matt Hathaway, who was involved this summer in a waterway gun battle, is harassing their customers and them. Their claims are supported by several boaters, including some from Spokane County.

On the other hand, veteran Sheriff Chip Roos says Priest Lake is a tough area to patrol, summer or winter, because tongues are always wagging. “I’ve seen routine stops to warn a violator to stop violating turn into a vicious beating and a trip to jail with only a few retellings.” After reviewing tapes of Hathaway’s boating stops, the sheriff said his deputy acted properly.

One thing’s certain, no matter which side is right: Beautiful Priest Lake has a major public relations problem. That was confirmed last week when the rhubarb boiled over into the topic du jour on at least one Spokane radio station. Roos, the resort owners and Priest Lake residents should take steps to address the lake’s image problems and resolve differences. The amount of hubbub surrounding the marine patrols is unusual, even in contentious Bonner County. Nearby Kootenai County, with its many lakes and rivers, has nothing like it. An old adage may apply: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Is Roos sure he has the right people patrolling the remote lake? If not, he should make some changes.

Who knows if Hathaway’s reputation, real or imagined, played a role in the gun battle with a Coolin man? Unquestionably, Hathaway provided grist for the rumor mill in July when he and an underaged female had drinks at a Priest Lake tavern. Hathaway claimed he didn’t know his companion was a minor and reported the incident to his superiors when he found out. Later, the bartender who sold the drinks was arrested, further polarizing Priest Lake opinion against Hathaway and the marine division.

However, it’s possible that the resort owners, boaters and residents are squawking about marine deputies who take their responsibilities seriously. That they’re unhappy because Roos, Hathaway and marine Sgt. Larry Schultz expect boaters and water skiers to live within the law. If that’s the case, it’s hard to sympathize with the complainers.

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