I am stunned to read what John Austin wrote on the Spokesman’s gossip blog about our friend Marv Lekstrom who died last Sunday evening. Here’s John’s comment, in full:
JohnA on June 12 at 7:16 p.m.
“I felt really sad when I saw Marv Lekstrum died. Until I saw that he signed Mike’s recall petition. Now I just feel sad. The only thing I can figure out is that Lakes Highway District, on which he was an elected official, loses money each year LCDC is in existence and he thought to his dying day that recalling these folks would end that diversion of cash. In any event I am saddened by the fact that he died but equally saddened by the fact that one of his last functions was to sign a recall petition.
It brings up an interesting point. What happens if the signer has passed on? I’m guessing it is a valid signature. Kind of like when the levy for the Post Falls High School passed by one vote and it was later determined that an elderly lady had voted absentee in favor of the levy and then died before it could be counted. I always thought a room at the school should have been named for this lady but I’m probably just a little morbid about such things. 🙂
RIP Marv, even if you were a little misguided at the end.”
The tastelessness of John’s comment is incredible. Marv just died. He hasn’t even been buried yet and John is insulting Marv’s political decisions and wondering if Marv’s signature on the Recall petition is valid now that he’s dead. OMG! I am stunned at the lack of basic human respect.
Here’s a news flash to you, John Austin, and to all the other gossip hounds associated with the Spokesman blog: Marv Lekstrum didn’t just decide to sign the Recall petitions in some “misguided” move at the end of his life. Marv was part of our organizing committee, starting way back in February!
When I first visited Marv in the hospital several weeks ago, I took an extra Recall CdA button to pin on his gown as a little joke, and he laughed, showing me the whole paper bag of Recall buttons, pamphlets and business cards he brought with him. He said he’d been talking to the nurses and sending them over to the Recall HQ to sign. Then last week, when I visited, he was much weaker. But he still smiled amidst his nausea and told me he didn’t think he’d be able to walk the rest of his district for the Recall, but he was sure hoping we’d get enough signatures.
Marv was a very smart man, he understood urban renewal well and he did NOT like it. He was a man of distinction who stood up for what he believed, and he certainly didn’t care if people like John Austin agreed.
John Austin’s comments are disrespectful and offensive.
Shame on you, John Austin. People like you are usually referred to by a single word.
Comment by Gary Ingram — June 13, 2012 @ 9:29 am
Mr. Austin does not appear to have any class. His regular threats of violence, his bullying tactics online and his overall bombastic tone are very much out of the lowest run of the socioeconomic culture. That also may explain his want/need to be “accepted” by those with money and power. He is to be pitied more than anything, at least in my opinion. Just my opinion of course.
Just
Comment by justinian — June 13, 2012 @ 9:36 am
And, of course, Dave Oliveria didn’t have the decency to remove the comment.
Comment by Fiftysmtg — June 13, 2012 @ 9:51 am
Fiftysmtg…… Indeed. But there is nothing new here with Austin, or Oliveria, for that matter. Still, Austin is simply holding true to his nature. Not much character. But there is no greater definition of ‘loser’ than a man who knowingly fails character traits of his own measure. The man called Oliveria has become everything he is known to despise. He has become what he abhorred about Hagadone. He professes piety but had better pray there are no eternal demons in hell as he has mortgaged his soul. You can see it in his eyes. He is a shell.
Comment by Wallypog — June 13, 2012 @ 10:22 am
Stunned? This is John Austin we’re talking about. Mr. I am always correct and the rest of you are wrong/ignorant/hard headed/lack basic understanding of just how we are stealing your money, etc.
Dave Oliveria doesn’t have any decency. He is a bitter old man waiting to retire after having been demoted by the SR. He is a pathetic little gossip monger/spite spewer. IMO,the SR kept him on rather than firing him because he wasn’t worth the battle with the union. It is Oliveria who panders to Bloem and Co. because he wants to be considered an insider. They use him and laugh at him. What a nothing, in any scheme of things, Oliveria is.
I did not know Mr. Lekstrum, however I doubt he gives a single thought as to what the likes of John Austin and Oliveria have to say about him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Dignity always trumps ignorant commentary.
Comment by rochereau — June 13, 2012 @ 10:29 am
Wally, Oliveria dislikes Mr. Hagadone because he had the good sense to fire Oliveria years ago.
Comment by rochereau — June 13, 2012 @ 10:32 am
Disgusting just plain disgusting John Austin.
Comment by Appalled — June 13, 2012 @ 10:32 am
John, whatever excuse you use to explain the lack of intelligence you exhibited, does not excuse your lack of compassion for the family of this man or the friends who supported his wishes. You, John Austin, as my grandmother would say, are a JackAss!
Comment by lexacon — June 13, 2012 @ 10:59 am
I’m appalled. They don’t deserve consideration nor comment.
Comment by Ancientemplar — June 13, 2012 @ 11:27 am
JohnA Just whined over on HBO at Joker and I because he’s being “beat up” over here….I guess he’s blurking
Comment by Randy_Myers — June 13, 2012 @ 2:55 pm
Marv had more class in his little finger than this Adam Henry had in his whole body. You can ask Bill what Adam Henry is a euphemism for.
Comment by Will Penny — June 13, 2012 @ 4:42 pm
How unbearably sad. Marv was a classic all American mensch. To see him insulted post mortem by a slimey no-account piece of trailer trash is just beyond description. FWIW I am glad the nasty little strutting egotist has stopped posting here. His lies were bad enough, his bullying pathetic but this? He should not be tolerated among people of good will. He has demonstrated who he is.
Comment by Pariah — June 13, 2012 @ 5:10 pm
John Austin, You deserve this…..When a person reads Idaho Repository court records of John Francis Austin and Idaho.gov. and search liens, you will see a person with troubles.
Comment by LTR — June 13, 2012 @ 5:12 pm
That explains the late night nastiness LTR. Very sad. I hope he gets help.
Comment by Pariah — June 13, 2012 @ 6:28 pm
Marv’s memorial service is at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Church of the Nazarene in Coeur d’Alene.
I can imagine that if Marv were reading Austin’s comments, he’d shake his head, and then he’d probably just smile and with a little laugh say something like, “Forget about Austin.” I think that would be an appropriate response now, too. Marv deserves our smiles and laughs remembering him. I’d prefer to remember Marv without ever thinking about John Austin again.
Comment by Bill — June 13, 2012 @ 7:11 pm
I am Marvs granddaughter. It saddens me greatly to read a comment that criticizes Marv’s political beliefs and questions the legitimacy of his vote before he has even been laid to rest. Please show respect for Marv’s family and know that it hurt all of us greatly to read such and immature, disrespectful and insensitive remark about our beloved grandfather. I understand that everyone has their own political views and opinions, but please try to demonstrate some level of empathy for his family, as well as appreciate Marvs devotion to serving his country.
Thank you for your understanding,
Anna
Comment by alekstrum — June 13, 2012 @ 9:24 pm
Thank you, Anna, for sharing your thoughts here. Your grandfather was a good friend and a wonderful man. We will miss him, as we know you and the rest of the family will even more. We hope to meet you at the funeral tomorrow. Our prayers are with you.
Comment by mary — June 13, 2012 @ 9:46 pm
One of my toughest times was loosing my grandfather who was always there for me. Around the same time I lost a friend who was 17 battling illness, I am still amazed how strong she was including writing this a few days before she passed;
When it come time for me to end my years,
Please realize I wouldn’t want your tears,
But for you to remember how much you truly meant to me,
For some time we all must die,
And this is only a present time good bye.
Anna, I never had the pleasure of meeting your grandfather I wish I did though. God bless you and your family.
Comment by Appalled — June 13, 2012 @ 10:59 pm
Verification that money is the root of all evil. That man will make such slanderous statements to justify his greed.
Comment by concerned citizen — June 14, 2012 @ 6:20 am
This morning I read Mr. Lekstroms obit. WOW !!! What a man, what a life. God bless and keep you sir, you fulfilled the gift of life that you were given and now rest well from a job more than well done.
Comment by rochereau — June 14, 2012 @ 8:49 am
I refuse to put John Austin or Oliveria in the same post as Mr. Lekstrom accomplishments.
John, in your wildest dreams you couldn’t accomplish even close to his. I am sure he was supremely confident in his (recall) opinion. Tell me John, what exactly is your CV? Other than obfuscation and spite.
As for Oliveria, what can I say. He did state that if anyone over here ever said anything good about him, he would put himself into the cooler. Well a sweater Davy boy. His daughter is a lovely and accomplished young woman.
Comment by rochereau — June 14, 2012 @ 8:55 am
It was a very nice memorial service this morning.
Comment by Bill — June 14, 2012 @ 11:17 am
I’m sorry…I am not surprised that John said this. Sure would be intersting to know if DFO will put him the cooler.
Comment by Captain America — June 14, 2012 @ 3:46 pm
Will Penny, I got your reference to Adam Henry, pretty funny and fitting.
LTR, The Idaho Repository Court Records IS a very interesting site. Lot of information there.
Comment by reddy — June 14, 2012 @ 5:56 pm