Huetter election turmoil remains

A challenge to the recent political takeover of a North Idaho town by a group of 20-somethings appears to be intensifying.

The Kootenai County Clerk’s Office ruled Monday that Huetter Mayor Brad Keene and City Councilwoman Jennifer Brown are, indeed, residents, as are two others whose voter registrations were challenged by former Mayor Jackie Meeks. But the ruling by County Clerk Dan English may not be enough.

The political struggle has left Huetter, a community of about 100 people, deeply divided. Two security guards were stationed at the Kootenai County administration building during Monday’s hearing.

Still unclear is whether Keene and Brown are eligible to serve.

Their status as elected officials remains in doubt because when they failed to answer the original challenge to their voter registration within the allotted time they were automatically stricken from the voter rolls.

“If you’re taken off the rolls, as those two were, you’re ineligible to sit on the council,” said Huetter’s attorney, Art Macomber.

That’s bunk, said Keene. “I was elected. I did take my oath of office to become mayor. I was never removed from office. I am the mayor,” he said.

Macomber said the three remaining council members could appoint the two who were elected to retake their posts. Such reappointments may be unlikely since just one of the three other council members – Luke Gibler – is an ally of Keene’s and Brown’s. He, too, was elected in November’s 20-something takeover. The voter registrations – and those of several others – had been challenged by Meeks, who lost her re-election bid last fall but was appointed by outgoing council members to a vacant council post through a complicated series of maneuvers in December.

Meeks did not attend the hearing, but submitted written comments alleging that the four, who have addresses just houses away from her, don’t live in Huetter. She also submitted similar comments from some supporters, including Councilwoman Kim Rodway. In addition to the new mayor and council member, Meeks also challenged the registrations of Huetter voters Lang Sumner and Jamee Pillmore, both friends of Keene and Brown.

“I’ve never invited her over for a beer or anything, so I don’t know how she would know where I reside,” said Sumner. “I guess I need to invite everyone over for a barbecue.”

Kootenai County Elections Supervisor Deedie Beard said the entire situation could have been avoided.

“If they had replied and sent back the piece of paper challenging them, none of this would have happened,” Beard said.

As to why they didn’t respond to the original challenge, Keene and Brown said they were given the impression by county officials that they didn’t need to do so. “It was my young mistake,” Brown said as she vowed to continue fighting for her post.