Huckleberries gone wireless: County clerk knows perks of sticking around
County Clerk Dan English is the only Democrat holding elected office at the Kootenai County Courthouse. You can read his entire interview with Huckleberries Gone Wireless online today at: spokesmanreview.com/blogs/hbo.
D.F. Oliveria: What are some of the roles you’ve played in the community through the years?
Dan English: I have been a county clerk (1995-present), Coeur d’Alene City Council member (1993-95) and Coeur d’Alene School Board trustee (mid-1980s to early 1990s). I also founded Anchor House and Youth for Christ. I was a licensed professional counselor for about 20 years. Way back when, I ran (the sheriff’s) juvenile diversion program.
DFO: Who’s your favorite all-time locally elected official?
DE: (Hayden Mayor) Ron McIntire; he served for years and years on the school board.
DFO: Which is the biggest controversy that you were involved during your years of elected service?
DE: The hiring and aftermath of (former Coeur d’Alene schools superintendent) Merlin Ludwig. Some other fun ones that come to mind (while I was on the council) include the Blackwell Island annexation issue and the “Thong Man” ordinance.
DFO: Didn’t you vote to allow “Thong Man” to wear his thong bathing suit at City Beach?
DE: I voted not to spend police time and resources checking rear ends at City Beach – and the police thanked me.
DFO: When will Idaho approve vote-by-mail?
DE: I don’t think it’s a matter of “if” but “when.” We may be a decade away, given the (conservative) makeup of the Legislature.
DFO: When will Idaho publish voter guides?
DE: When enough individuals let their legislators know that an informed and engaged electorate is a priority.
DFO: Should we consolidate the four state-sanctioned election dates into two dates – one in May and one in November?
DE: I wouldn’t be in favor of it. People might be surprised at how many small elections there are on the other dates. We are better served by having four dates. But there is a huge information gap. Everyone could do a better job in getting word (out) about the smaller elections. Frankly, I think some of the smaller districts like a smaller turnout because it helps their political advantage.
DFO: You’ve lived on a house boat in Bayview and now live on the middle channel of Twin Lakes. Why did you decide to live so far from Coeur d’Alene?
DE: We love the water, and we can’t afford to live any closer.
DFO: If a movie was made of your life, who would play the starring role?
DE: The Tom Hanks character in “Forrest Gump.”
DFO: What have you told your staffers re: private use of the county e-mail system?
DE: I try to make them aware that anything you do with public equipment and time is the public’s business. That doesn’t mean they can’t use the computer on a break to look at the JC Penney ad (just as they would an ad in the newspaper on the table). It’s a time-usage thing.
DFO: You’ve had the courage – or some might say foolhardiness – to be an active participant on my Huckleberries Online blog. Most public officials are intimidated by such an unpredictable forum. Why aren’t you?
DE: I was apprehensive at first. Like anything, there’s some fear of the unknown. But I’ve come to believe there’s more value in participating than standing back. I’d like to see more (elected officials) give online communication a try. I really feel the public has a right to know your frame of mind and point of view on different issues. This is one way to do it. It has an incredible advantage of the real-time nature.
DFO: How have you been able to survive as the only elected Democrat at the courthouse?
DE: It helps to have been born and raised here. I’m known for things other than political.
DFO: Have you ever thought about joining the dominant Idaho Republican Party?
DE: Not a chance. I don’t want to lose all my seniority.