Robert Ketchum, Director of NIC’s Workforce Training was fired Tuesday. I’m told Robert had no idea; that he was called in for some routine meeting and was unexpectedly met with “We don’t need your services anymore.  You will be paid until the end of the year but clean your  desk out by tomorrow.” NIC Trustee Ron Vieselmeyer claims he knew nothing, I’m told, while Christie Wood, who is Chairperson of the Trustee Board, also says she was kept out of the loop.  So who are the true power players?  Well, it’s been said that at least three Trustees must be in favor of any big decisions at the school ( they could also be the drivers of the decision).  So, that leaves Judy Meyer, Mic Armon and Rolly Williams as the folks likely approving or pushing the abrupt firing of Robert Ketchum.

Our readers have already been commenting on this topic on another thread, so I will copy those comments here and we can start this discussion.  What do you think?

Here are the links to the Press articles on this topic:  Wednesday’s,, Thursday’s, Today’s

Apparently, CdA City Councilman Mike Kennedy was on the KVNI morning radio show yesterday.  He was there in an official capacity as a city councilman.  During his on-air conversation with the radio guys, Chris & Norm, MikeK announced he brought them a “Six Pack of Guinness”.  (Beer of course.)  He even said he “might have to come back and share some of it with you later”.

Well, apparently it is ILLEGAL to have any alcohol at a radio station, by FCC rules.  And word on the street is that Chris & Norm are now gone.  They were not on the radio today.  Replacements coming next week.

Do we have helpful elected officials in the City of Excellence?

An alert reader insisted I read the goings on at the Spokane gossip blog.  It is something I avoid with a vengeance, but I went there to see what was so rotten, and I concur.  There were nasty comments and hypothetical scenarios about the meeting Jim Brannon and his lawyer might have with the judge this afternoon.  Who does this?  What normal, functional adult person comes up with these disgusting stories? One of their followers commented that the only thing missing, in the fabricated story, is that a local guy (they named him) who is in jail for a shooting that may or may not be self defense, would come into the courtroom shooting everyone up.  The whole thing is beyond tasteless.  Anyone who posts over there, or even reads it (and gives its lead person the satisfaction of a page hit, which is all he wants), is part of the problem.  Wise up, people.  What you do has consequences.  If you buy into that garbage, or even look,  you are part of it.

The North Idaho Tea Party Patriots sponsored a rally again Wednesday night at the State Line Events Center.  It drew a huge crowd of over 1400 people!  The music was great, the singing was wonderful and the speakers were interesting and informative;  it was good citizenship at its best.  (The photo is from the September event)

The people at these Tea Party rallies are demanding these basics from our government:

1.  Stop spending our money so fast! (Don’t say Bush did it too, we didn’t like it then either)

2. Reduce the size and scope of government.  Get it out of our way so we can create jobs.

3.  Stop making ridiculously huge bills that no one will read.  Take more time, break up the subject into manageable parts, and write bills for each section.

Do you have any more suggestions to add to the list?

Well known local community volunteer and retired Physical Therapist, Lee Shellman, died suddenly last night of an apparent heart attack.

Here’s what Lee’s son Scott wrote to friends this morning:

“Hello Friends:
I want to let you know that my dad passed away last night after suffering a heart attack.  He drove his boat across Hayden Lake at about sunset (it was an absolutely stellar sunset last night), and called for help from the boat ramp where an unknown bystander stayed with him.  He was brought back a few times, but couldn’t fight his weakened heart.  We were able to say our goodbyes last night as he slipped away.”

In an obvious effort to distract from the main issue of ELECTION INTEGRITY, bloggers elsewhere have started bashing Jim Brannon for his legal challenge of the local election.  They are attacking Jim on a personal level rather than discussing the rights of the electorate to have confidence in the honesty and efficiency of the system.

Idaho election laws have some serious problems!  This is the first time a local election in CdA has been this close.  After the results showed only a FIVE VOTE difference, Jim looked into the idea of a recount.  But the law says that recounts can only be the same ballots counted by the same people in the exact same manner as they were the first time. No examination of the ballots, no hand recount allowed.  The only difference would be that more officials would be watching.  (more…)

Why would City Attorney Mike Gridley go on the attack once again?  His candidates won the election, albeit by tiny, embarrassing margins: 5 votes for one and only 29 votes for another.  Hardly comfortable margins.  Mike Gridley is rumored to be threatening  legal action against a contributor to challenger Jim Brannon’s campaign for what Gridley says is a possible  contribution violation. (more…)

Councilman Mike Kennedy

NOW do you think local voters will believe in the power of their vote?  Only FIVE votes separated challenger Jim Brannon, who spent about $7,000 on his whole campaign, and incumbent Mike Kennedy, who ended the night ahead in the count,  and wielded  THREE TIMES more money, at $22,000.

But Jim and Mike’s race wasn’t the only tight one.  Challenger Dan Gookin came within  29 votes of Deanna Goodlander, who also outspent him by a large margin.

So, two important questions come to mind:

1.  Are you comfortable with the accuracy of the counting—should there be a recount?

2.  Can elections be bought here in CdA—does the amount of money spent determine the outcome?

Any other election comments?

This morning’s Press has big ads for the Mayor and one City Councilwoman.  Their ads are huge, taking about a half page each, and are basically a big list of names.  No plan for the city.  Nothing to give hope to the 10.4% of Coeur d’Alene’s population who can’t find jobs. (It’s the highest unemployment rate in the whole state!)  No ideas for reducing the tax burden on those struggling to keep their homes or businesses barely hanging on.   And no promises for what they will do in the future.   (more…)

Mary Souza’s Newsletter, Oct. 29, 2009

Dear Newsletter Readers,

Our local CdA City Council election is more than “heating up”, it looks like something out of old-time New York politics—the intimidation from city hall is unbelievable!  Here’s a quick overview of some of the action, followed by my review of each candidate in the city council races.  Hope the information helps you make a clear voting decision: (more…)