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Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes has been recognized as Idaho’s 2012 Outstanding Republican Administrator and installed in the GOP Hall of Fame by the Idaho Republican Party. Hayes accepted the award in Boise on Friday night. In giving the award to Hayes, the Idaho Republican Party noted that he has, “…brought back confidence in the integrity of our election process.” Hayes’ accomplishments are particularly noteworthy, because he has been the Kootenai County Clerk for only 1-1/2 years.
As Kootenai County Clerk, Hayes has one of the most diverse jobs of all county elected officials. In fact, Idaho’s Constitution and statutes have given him five distinct titles: Clerk of the District Court, Auditor, Recorder, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and Chief Elections Officer of the County. In Kootenai County, there are over 90 deputy clerks who work in the various departments under Hayes as well as in the Board of County Commissioners Office. In the role of Auditor, he is responsible for preparing the annual county budget for the Board of County Commissioners. The Auditor’s office also notifies every taxing district or authority as well as the state board of education of the total taxable valuation of all the taxable property located within each taxing district.
Past award winners include: 2011 – Tom Luna, 2010—Lawrence Wasden, 2009- Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, 2006- Jim Risch, 2005- Carl Bianchi, 2002- Dennis Hansen, 2000- Pat Takasugi, 1999-Roger Madsen, 1998- Pam Ahrens, 1997- Al Lance, 1996- Jeff Malmen, 1995- Phil Batt, 1994- Mike Simpson, 1994- Jerry Twiggs, 1993- Phil Reberger, 1992- Ben & Penny Ysursa, 1991- C.L. “Butch” Otter, 1988- James Siddoway, 1987- Lydia Justice Edwards, 1984- Jim Jones, 1983- David H. Leroy, 1982- Jerry L. Evans, 1981- Don Samuelson, 1980- Phil Batt, 1979- Robert Smylie, 1978- Pete T. Cenarussa.
Cliff is an honest and capable. He has integrity and wants the Kootenai County Clerk’s office to “follow the law”.
The Citizens of the County are fortunate to have an honorable Clerk.
Does it surprise anyone that that neither of the two local rags have bothered to mention this award?
LG
Comment by LG — January 8, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
Thank you Cliff Hayes for your service! I appreciate your efforts to restore integrity to our election process!
Comment by LTR — January 9, 2012 @ 6:52 am
Certainly a well deserved recognition. Why nothing in the press? Jeesh if anything like this had happened for English the SR would have sponsored a celebratory parade. The CdA Press is more likely in its typical news lag time stupor and will have an article on this in March. You can bet it has the in-crowd at city hall steaming mad.
Comment by Wallypog — January 9, 2012 @ 6:54 am
Yes Mr. Hayes has brought integrity to the election process. It is troubling, however, that the Republicans (or anyone for that matter) feel that he qualifies to be inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ for merely doing his job and following the law. On the other hand, it is humerous that former inductee Ysursa’s incompetence is what led, in part, to Mr. Hayes’ award. As for the local press, LG and Wallypog have that nailed. Their incompetence is yet another example why ‘print’ news is dying and blogs are flourishing.
Comment by Joe Six-Pack — January 9, 2012 @ 8:44 am
Joe Six-Pack,
As you and others have pointed out, Hayes’ accomplishments stood out because they were in stark contrast to the actions and inactions of his predecessor. That he has accomplished what he has in only 1-1/2 years in office is a testament to his skills as a public administrator.
The public and the Idaho Republican Party should remember, however, that had it not been for the courage and persistence of Jim and Christine Brannon and their attorney, Starr Kelso, the failure to comply with elections law in Kootenai County would likely have still been going on. It was their actions that pulled back the veil and revealed the need for change not only in the County Clerk’s office but also in Coeur d’Alene City government.
I believe that both Ysursa and AG Wasden have let Idaho’s voters down by their failures to do the housekeeping that enables the legislature to keep Idaho’s election administration laws up to date and less vulnerable to fraud. Recall that it was Wasden’s deputy Brian Kane who joined with the CdA City Attorney to threaten legal action against citizens who, long after the 2009 City election was over and certified, were trying to raise money to support Brannon’s lawsuit.
Comment by Bill — January 9, 2012 @ 9:10 am
Thanks Bill for reporting this story. Cliff is doing an excellent job as a true public servant. As a crackerjack reporter, do you know anything further on the election contest? Has the matter been settled?
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — January 9, 2012 @ 11:11 am
2c3i,
I believe all the briefs have now been filed with the Idaho Supreme Court. If that’s correct, then the next step will be for the Court to put oral arguments on its calendar. I’d really like to see the case argued up here on April 2, 3, or 4 when the Justices are doing their imitation of circuit riders and holding Court in CdA. So no, the matter has not been settled.
It was a far more complex case than the general public was (mis)led to believe from the lack of newspaper reporting. As disappointing as the lack of news coverage was the lack of interest by some (any) of the teachers and administrators from School District 271. This case was an opportunity to bring election administration reality into high school government classes.
Comment by Bill — January 9, 2012 @ 11:32 am
Bill,
The only time the teachers unions will rock the boat is when it is contract time. The rest of the time they stay under the radar and out of controversies harmful way. Sadly there are too many folks who operate that way.
Comment by Wallypog — January 9, 2012 @ 2:37 pm
Wallypog,
AMEN!
Comment by concerned citizen — January 9, 2012 @ 3:13 pm