Rathdrum insurance agent Steve Nagel is playing an unnecessary game of political brinksmanship.

Snubbed by his hometown and Kootenai County commissioners, Nagel has announced his intention to transform 12 acres on the edge of Rathdrum into an unwelcome pig farm instead of commercial property. City and county officials believe he’s bluffing about the pigs, as some property owners do when they don’t get their way on a planning decision. But Nagel claims he is negotiating with southern Idaho farmers to buy hogs and launch his Makin’ Bacon Ranch along state Highway 53 at the western entrance to Rathdrum.

“Now maybe when I go to negotiate with these people,” Nagel told Spokesman-Review staff writer Erica Curless, “I’ll get a little better response.”

Rather than negotiate with 600-pound boars rutting and reeking on the city boundary, Nagel should try talking to Rathdrum officials in good faith. They have a right to expect his property to meet certain standards because it is only a half mile from Rathdrum and within the city’s sphere of influence. City sewer hookup should be required for the property to protect the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Aquifer because Rathdrum will eventually annex it.

Apparently, Nagel enjoys fighting City Hall with his wild scheme to force Kootenai County to approve his request for a commercial zone, which would allow him to construct a professional building for his insurance company and a few other businesses. But he doesn’t appear to have counted the entire cost for his radical idea, including the purchase, transportation and care of a herd of hogs, as well as the stigma that will come from such an operation so near town.

A businessman who depends on neighbors for his living shouldn’t irritate prospective clients to make a point at City Hall, which represents the community. Nagel doesn’t seem to grasp the concept of planning. He doesn’t understand, for example, why the city of Rathdrum should have any input about his property since it is located in the county. He considers what’s happening to him to be a dangerous precedent. Yet, city spheres of influence have been with us for a long time. They enable communities to plan for the future by ensuring that property that’s sure to be annexed meets their standards.

Kootenai County did the right thing by denying Nagel’s request in deference to the wishes of Rathdrum officials. Now, Rathdrum officials should work with Nagel to provide a time frame to extend city services to his property.

Nagel has had his laugh. But if he follows through on his threat, the joke could be on him.