Late Filing Tests Irs’S Funnybone
Idaho S-R staffer Tom Clouse lost his battle with the IRS deadline. Not that he missed it altogether. In fact, he made it with days to spare. But on April 21, he received a call from his mail carrier. Seems she’d tried to reach him before to tell him that his IRS return didn’t have a stamp. She’d thought about adding it herself. But one thing led to another. And she didn’t. Now, Tom, our City Hall reporter, is wondering what the penalty is for being late - and hoping IRS agents have a sense of humor. Ahaha.
Three cheers for EPA?
In the Silver Valley, you’d better smile when you say “EPA” or “Superfund” - such is the locals’ animosity toward the federales. Or so it seems. The Web site for the Silver Valley Economic Development Corp., however, tells another story. Quoth: “Superfund status has helped the Silver Valley renew its natural environment in ways no other process could have. Technology, funding, environmental expertise and federal partnerships have been combined to create state-of-the-art remediation techniques.”
Take that, cad
North Idaho College student body races offer the best political mud fight this spring. In her bid for president, veep Bridget Burns flung this: “I really don’t think that the students need to be sentenced to a president like Donovan Arnold.” Donovan’s shortcoming? He wants to cut $20,000 from the events budget. Must be a young Republican … Caught between colleagues Wanda Quinn and Edie Brooks, school Trustee Herb Cheeley spent a recent evening moving a portable mike back and forth. Finally, Quinn fixed him with a devilish smile and said: “You have a new job here. You’re the swinger.” Ah, you had to be there.
Aging gracefully
Asked his age recently, Shoshone County Commissioner Jim Vergobbi would say only: “I’m old enough to vote. I haven’t caught up with Hilde. And I don’t intend to go after Strom” … Huckleberries was surprised to read this headline Thursday on an Associated Press story: “Mayor fires city manager who refused to sack police chief.” Steve Judy and ex-city administrator Dan Dible? Nah. Miami … My helpmate was ready when I griped about the latest uplifting message from what once was a fire-breathing Davis Donuts readerboard: “Have a Good Friday and a Happy Easter.” Retorted she: “Whaddya want ‘em to say? Crucify Him?”
Huckleberries
According to a Bonner County Bee headline, the Bonners Ferry district “ranter” is moving to Utah. An anti-tax zealot? Nope. Just something “Ranger” Elaine Zieroth will remember the Bee by … Quotable Quote: “I can’t spend the rest of my life worrying what people think of me. What does Mark Fuhrman do?” - Bill Litsinger, a Bonner County sheriff’s wannabe with a checkered past that includes the fatal shooting of a handcuffed suspect … Bumpersnicker reported by NIC Sentinel: “Money won’t buy you everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch” … How do you attract attention in Clark Fork? Drive a logging truck through town with its self-loader up - and knock out all the power. It happened … Sterling Mining CEO Frank Duval isn’t concerned that the Rock Creek Mine would harm the Clark Fork, one of the most threatened U.S. rivers. He told the Missoulian: “That river’s already polluted.” Hmm … Cheek firmly tongued, Commissioner Ron Rankin tried to sic human-rights activists on Stephen F. Meyer of Hayden Lake - and got weak smiles instead. Rankin sees bias in Meyer’s letter to the editor blasting him in part for backing prez wannabe Alan Keyes, a black Catholic.
Parting shot
Idaho Lt. Gov. Butch Otter is a charismatic cuss. But his tongue slips. During an interview, Otter referred to CdA tribal official Cliff SiJohn as “Clint.” Called House GOP Whip Tom DeLay, “Delaney.” And used “self-depreciating” to describe a type of humor. But Huckleberries isn’t going to judge - as long as he doesn’t mention black helicopters.