We received an email from a reader  with a detailed comment about the proposed “Education Corridor.”  He identified himself to us.   Please read his comment and then add your own: (more…)

This commentary is floating around the e-mail circuit. (Courtesy of reader JFJ.)

Jeff Foxworthy on Idaho

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don’t work there, you live in Idaho.

If you’ve worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Idaho.
(more…)

Wendy Hague Gabriel and Kenny Gabriel are a City of Coeur d’Alene duo. Kenny is our Fire Chief and Wendy is the City Administrator. The two have been married since December 2005. My info says that Wendy was Kenny’s direct supervisor and that posed a problem if they got married. So a new position was created and Jon Ingalls was promoted from Street Department Supervisor to Deputy City Administrator for $100,784./year. Kenny makes $100,247 as Fire Chief and Wendy makes $106,784 as City Administrator.

Here’s Wendy’s job description as taken from the city’s web site:

The functions of the City’s Administrator are to:

• Facilitate the goals and policies as set by the Mayor and City Council
• Implement partnerships with community organizations, citizens, and civil groups seeking to improve the quality of life in the City of Coeur d’Alene
• Work with outside groups or organizations seeking to do business within the greater CdA area
• Oversee and coordinate efforts of City departments, committees, agencies and commission
• (the points above are from the city’s web site and constitute the entire job description listed)
• I’ve been told that Wendy is the political arm of the Mayor because of her connections in Boise.
• Wendy’s Dad is Bruce Newcomb, former Speaker of the House in Boise who retired in 2006.
• Wendy’s Step Mom, Celia Gould, is also former legislator and now heads up the state’s Dept of Agriculture.
• Kenny also sits on the board of the Kroc Community Center

The Grange up on Mica Flats was the place to be last night. On a cold and rainy night, it was a haven of welcoming faces, a roaring fireplace, coffee with homemade cookies and a lively Candidate Forum for the County Commissioner Republican primary. Incumbent Todd Tondee and his challenger Tim Herzog were present, as well as incumbent Rick Currie and challengers Tom Cronin and Jai Nelson. They all comprised the panel up on the quaint, wooden stage. (more…)

This time, it’s from New Jersey, though the scenario could play anywhere: Corrupt public officials offer public land for sale to developers for pennies on the dollar. The developers then turn around and make millions in profit, kicking a bit back to their government pals as a thank-you.

I’m sure that when critics pointed this out, they were called names by local, left-wing bloggers. And I’m sure the sweet old ladies on the City Council said, “But look at all the good we do!” Yeah, yeah, yeah. But they’re going to jail for “doing good,” thankyouvermuch.

A brisk discussion was going yesterday under a different topic, and the subject moved to the Audio Visual issues in the new Library’s Community Room.  That’s where the City Council meetings are held now, as well as P&Z and LCDC.  The City gave an additional $100,000 to fund this room, but the technical components were not integrated or designed well.  One high-ranking city official told me there was no input requested from the technical staff during the design process.  Oops.

I would have respected David Rawls had he decided to run for the legislature (District 3) as a Democrat. But no. The issue reminds me of a famous photo, which I have suitably doctored:

• Sergeant & Public Information Officer for CdA Police Dept.
• Board of Trustees, CdA School District 271 (elected position)
• Board of Trustees, North Idaho College (elected position)
• Author of two published children’s books, the latest in 2007.
• Attending college full time to pursue a master’s in law justice studies.

Anyone visiting City Park probably notes the following: The lovely grounds, the Fort Sherman Playground, the Rotary Bandshell, the tree stump art, and the Gazeebo. Oops!

(more…)

One good example of open government locally is the Lakes Highway District. When two new commissioners were elected laster, year, the first thing they did was move the meeting time from the godawful 3:00 PM to the evening, when more people could attend. But apparently scheduling government meetings at odd hours is not a trick unique to the obfuscation crowd in North Idaho.
(more…)