Ben, Sandy Weigh In On Gookin

Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Resource Specialist/Biologist Beth Reinhart (cq) along with Coeur d’Alene resident Dan Gookin took a look at the Spokane River shoreline at Riverstone on Thursday, April 12, 2007, to investigate an allegation that the developer interfered with the flow of the river. The original account of the so-called “Wild Goose Chase” on Huckleberries Online here . (Kathy Plonka/SR)

In a letter sent out on behalf of Councilwoman Deanna Goodlander Wednesday, sheriff’s Major Ben Wolfinger and long-time GOP aide Sandy Patano provides two examples why they don’t want challenger Dan Gookin to win — one of them you first saw here in March 2007:

“During the construction of the park and pond at Riverstone, Mr. Gookin heard a rumor that the Spokane River was being “illegally diverted” to fill up the pond. Rather than investigate further to determine whether this information was actually valid, his behind-the-scenes working group contacted the media and a local newspaper reporter and photographer were led by Mr. Gookin on a “wild goose chase” which turned up no wrongdoing. Dan Gookin preferred publicity and an attempt at “gotcha politics” over factfinding and problem solving. This is not the judgment and foresight we need in City Hall.”

• You can read the full letter here

Question: Reagan Republicans have tried to make an issue of Councilwoman Deanna Goodlander’s Republican pedigree? Both Ben Wolfinger and Sandy Patano are well-known Repubs. Will this letter sway mainstream Repubs?