Al French’s North Idaho Connection

Item: The French Connection: Al French led the fight to keep ads on the city’s bus benches — and, in turn, he may have violated the very ethics code he put in place /Nicholas Deshais, Inlander

More Info: French and Hamilton — an architect and a developer, respectively — go way back, and their relationship has had some setbacks. Like the time in 2004 when they were working together on a 200-foot channel into the Spokane River behind Hamilton’s Post Falls house without any permits. Authorities found out, and after all was said and done, the episode cost Hamilton about $100,000 and left a smear on French’s reputation. But overall, things have been good. In fact, Hamilton donated some $6,800 worth of outdoor advertising in 2003 to one of French’s unsuccessful campaigns. And the two are currently working on the designs for an apartment complex in Airway Heights.

Question: What do you make of Councilman French’s relationship to developer Hamilton?