Mary Souza’s Newsletter, March 9, 2010

Who are the customers for our local government?  We are.  We consume their services and, as taxpayers, we pay for everything they do.  So, do you think we’re getting good customer service?  Would you put up with arrogance, name-calling or absurdly high prices, if you were dealing with a regular business?   (more…)

In a stunning, arbitrary decision this afternoon, Judge Benjamin Simpson imposed a $40,000 bond on those challenging last November’s local city council election.

His action appeared random because the number was apparently plucked from thin air, as we all watched, without reason or rationale given by the judge.  First he asked Mike Kennedy’s attorney, Scott Reed, what dollar amount Scott thought the bond should be to cover his expenses.  Mr. Reed hesitated and said it would take some thought… but the judge prodded him again, asking for a dollar figure, to which Scott Reed answered, “$25,000”.  (more…)

How unprofessional.  A county attorney is using the media to openly ridicule citizen efforts. Not only that, but he is asking that the records from the last election be sealed, so the public cannot view them.  And his salary is paid by the very people he insults and obstructs.

Kootenai County attorney John Cafferty was quoted in the Press last week, calling the legal challenge of the last election a “witch hunt”.  Excuse me?  The challenge is a legitimate legal action, undertaken to review the process and procedures during last November’s election.  It is an effort on behalf of the voters of Coeur d’ Alene and all of Kootenai County.  Yet this attorney, representing the County, is flinging inflammatory, juvenile names and accusations.  (more…)