One of Idaho’s Assistant Deputy Attorney Generals, Brian Kane, responded to Rep. Kathy Sims’ letter asking for a review of possible conflicts of interest in the McEuen decision.  Kane’s letter said that,  based on Kathy’s letter and the minutes of the May 24th city council meeting, there did not seem to be any conflicts of interest of a civil nature.  The AG’s office cannot evaluate possible criminal conflicts.

The very good thing in the letter was the part about the public’s right to a referendum or initiative on this issue.  The AG himself, Lawerence Wasden, told Kathy Sims, in a phone conversation, that he does NOT agree with Scott Reed’s assessment of the public having no right to a vote; the Attorney General said the citizens do have a voice.  Here’s the quote from the official letter:

In short, although the City Council may have rejected an approach to place the McEuen Master Plan before the electorate, your constituents may have the option of placing the McEuen Master Plan on the ballot themselves through either the Referendum or Initiative processes… The Idaho Supreme Court has recognized the power of the initiative specifically noting: “Sometimes it compels authorities to listen when nothing else will.”…In sum, the Court recognized the ability of constituents to circulate petitions for initiatives with regard to virtually any issue that may come before a city council.

You can read the whole letter from the AG’s office here.

Seven term New York Congressman Anthony Weiner just announced that he lied about the lewd photo that he sent to a young woman in Seattle.  He went on to apologize for it and admitted 3 years worth of inappropriate behavior.  But he won’t resign.  He said his actions were regrettable but they didn’t violate his oath of office or the Constitution.

Are you kidding me?  HE LIED to the public, he lied on national news, time after time after time.  He accused reporter Andrew Breightbart of hacking into his Twitter account and sending the underwear photo…something that would have been a federal crime, and yet now he admits he was lying about all of it and that he himself sent the photo.  Falsely accusing and lying must certainly break all kinds of Congressional rules. I hope he is removed from office.  Wonder why the public’s trust in government has gone limp?

Mary Souza’s Newsletter

Crazy things are going on around here these days, and people in authority are trying to pull the wool over our eyes   (more…)

This morning’s Press has an article describing the new tentative contract agreement for our school district. The teachers are taking some cuts.  They will “slash”, the article says, a whole 2% of the amount contributed to the health insurance for the families of the teachers.  That big “slash” is from 75% all the way down to 73%.  Wow.  This bold move will save our school district $156,000 next year, when we will have a $2.3 Million dollar deficit.

Oh, but don’t worry, the district (with our tax dollars) will still pay 100% of the medical insurance for the teachers themselves!

WE NEED your help!  Attend this meeting and bring your friends and like minded supporters…Car pool to the meeting at Woodland Tuesday May 24th at 6 pm.  (more…)

It’s nice when the City officials can just have their own inside attorney proclaim there is “no conflict of interest” in owning key properties near the proposed McEuen park renovation plan, which will cost the public an estimated $39 Million or more.  You can read today’s front page article in the Press and see what you think.

There’s no conflict because the mayor’s building was inherited?  She will still see a direct financial boost from the plan, so she shouldn’t vote on it.  Councilman Mike Kennedy works for the guy who owns a big section of land right across the street from the park.  (The Press just corrected their wording on this to show that Mike’s direct boss owns the property) It’s Mike’s main job and it’s how he feeds his family.  Mike may not get a direct financial benefit, but the law says that if you’re an elected official you can’t vote on items that would give you,  your close family or business associates a financial gain.  Kennedy should not vote on it.  City attorney Gridley kind of glossed those over, didn’t he?   Your thoughts?

With surprisingly rude and divisive comments in this morning’s Press article, CdA School Board Chairwoman Edie Brooks sent a strong message to the newly elected board members:  You are not welcome here.  That’s not a good start to a working relationship, and certainly not good leadership from the Chair.

Some readers are asking how to find their voting places.  Tuesday’s election will be at your usual voting location…the one you use for general or presidential elections.  You can go to the County Elections web site to check your voting place, here’s the link: 

http://www.co.kootenai.id.us/elections/voterinfo/vinfo6.asp

Mary Souza’s Newsletter

The time has come, dear Readers. It’s “Go-Time”.  The first important election to take back our community is next week, on Tuesday, May 17th, when we get to vote on School Board Trustees and Highway Commissioners.

I’m not writing to remind you to vote, I want you to make sure you each get 10 other people out to vote with you.  And this is not just a suggestion.  If you want to change the problems we’ve been griping about, you must be part of the solution!  (more…)

Government at Work?

This was nearly what we had at the CdA City Council meeting last night!  During the “‘Public Comments” part of the meeting, while citizens gave their impassioned thoughts on subjects from dog parks to boat launches,  nearly every member of our city council was looking down.  Were they writing?  Were they snoozing?  No one can be sure.  But their job is to give their ATTENTION to the people who take the time to come out and speak, in public, about a topic that concerns them.  I’m embarrassed by the lack of basic manners shown over and over again by the behavior of our mayor and city council.

They don’t need to take notes, they have two paid staff members taking notes during the whole meeting  (clerk Susan Weathers and administrator Wendy Gabriel), plus the meeting is recorded.  The mayor and council should be making eye contact, actively listening and asking questions.  What do you think?