The City’s Pulse Newsletter
By Mary Souza, July 22, 2008
In last week’s column, I reported that the NIC Board of Trustees cut money from their number one strategic goal, Professional Technical Education. A response from the NIC Trustee Vice Chair, claimed my facts were wrong. She later admitted they were accurate but went on to make excuses for the Board’s decision.
My information is correct and has been verified by multiple people within NIC.
The NIC Board lists Professional Technical Education (PTE) as their top priority, but they cut money for its operating budget. This is not the only contradictory action by the Board. They also cut $150,000 from student financial aid, a fact confirmed by phone with NIC’s spokesperson, Kent Propst. Additionally, the Board is raising student tuition by 7.4% next year and raising student fees as well.
The Board’s actions are not in line with the frequent public plea to keep our community college affordable for our students.
Affordability is a top public concern, as documented by the college’s Strategic Plan Committee. I attended the NIC meeting in May when this fact was presented. Yet in response to this survey information, the Board increased tuition and fees, cut financial aid and cut PTE’s operating budget.
These actions point to one conclusion, in my opinion: Students are not the top priority.
The taxpayers are not the top priority either, it seems. NIC’s Board plans to take the maximum tax increase and pulled foregone taxes into their budget as well, which will increase the financial burden on all taxpayers of Kootenai County. This tax increase is not just for a year or two, it becomes part of their permanent base, so the increase is forever. The Board is planning to pay $10 million dollars for the DeArmond Mill site but will not allow a public vote and has yet to engage the public in an open dialog to answer unfiltered, honest questions.
If the students and the taxpayers are not the main focus of the NIC Board, what is? Well, they increased the President’s salary and benefits to total $179, 250, which includes $1000 per month for housing. The Board also increased President Bell’s expense account significantly and raised their own Trustee expense account too. All money left in these accounts carries over to the “Fund Balance” for the next year which the Board can use for any purpose. As a matter of fact, the Fund Balance for this year is well over a million dollars but they did not use any of that money for their number one goal, PTE, which they could have. They cut PTE the budget instead.
Please recall, if you will, the purpose of this column. I promised to cut through unnecessary distractions and clear the smoke to discover the essence of the subjects. The personal attacks and name calling that have appeared in letters to the Press and on local blogs are distractions. They are attempts to divert focus away from the behavior of our public officials. It’s the old political move where, if you can’t answer the questions, attack the messenger. Well, I’d like to challenge the NIC Trustees to explain the decisions I’ve addressed in this column. Please tell us why you have used our public money in ways that seem to contradict your goals and our wishes. We want to understand.
Let’s stay on-topic and work toward an honest dialog which will help our community. The heart of this matter is the accountability of the NIC Board of Trustees to the students, the entire college and the taxpayers of Kootenai County.
************************
Dear Newsletter Readers,
Above is my column that appeared in last Sunday’s Press. I have received many emails in support of my information but I also have the following email questioning my methods. It is interesting because it comes from someone I know. I will share the content of the email, not the identity of the source, and I will show you my response:
Mary,
I have been on the NIC Foundation Board for several years now. I have been working very hard to raise money for NIC in the form of scholarships and grants and ask you to please take a look at the approach you are taking in an effort to try to inform the community about NIC. I appreciate your concerns, but your approach is negating all of the work that we have put in over the last few years to improve one of Coeur d’Alene’s biggest assets. I would also encourage you to participate in one of our campaigns so that you can see the hard work that we put into the PTE programs and scholarships for students.
Please consider taking a more productive and effective approach.
Very Sincerely,
______
Here is my response:
Dear ____, Thank you for the email. I agree with you that NIC is important to the students and citizens of our area. The concerns I have expressed in my columns about the budgetary decisions of the Board are in support of the students. My questions have focused on the Board’s decisions regarding increased tuition and fees for the students as well as decreasing the operating budget for PTE and cutting student financial aid.
Please help me understand how asking these legitimate questions can “negate all the work” you have been involved in? I applaud your volunteer efforts with the Foundation in raising money for scholarships and grants. Any help the students can get is wonderful. That is why I was especially surprised at the Board’s decision to cut Grants-in-Aid by $150,000. Is this action not of concern to you?
I’m sincerely asking you for clarification and would appreciate any feedback you have to give.
Best Regards,
Mary Souza
__________
So, Newsletter Readers, I have yet to hear back from my email, but will leave you to your own thoughts on this matter. Have a great week.
student aid, cut. tuition, raised. fees, raised. taxes, raised. pte funding, cut. priorities? raise executive pay. raise trustee expense accounts. pay developers money for land.
pretty cool if your are the president. or the developer. not so cool if you are a student or a part time instructor without benefits.
Comment by TheWiz — July 22, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
Some of the good jobs city officials intend to produce via the corridor are professors making good salaries with benefits. The problem is that many community colleges keep expenses down by hiring part time instructors with no benefits. I would like to know how many instructors at NIC are full time and how many are part time; and of the part timers how many want full time positions. This would help indicate the potential of good jobs produced by the college as envisioned in the corridor plan. Perhaps, someone could find the answer to this or perhaps an NIC Board member would care to respond to my quest for information.
Comment by Mama Bear — July 22, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
Mary,
Can you post a current link to a current list of the NIC Foundation Board members? I went to the North Idaho College About the Foundation webpage, clicked on the Board of Directors link, and got the 404 File Not Found tombstone.
Comment by Bill — July 23, 2008 @ 7:02 am
Many young adults look to start their venture into higher education at the JC level. I know I did. The JC I graduated from charged no tuition. I paid for books and various lab fees but that was all. Already NIC fees are keeping many people away from accessing that entry level of higher education. That NIC intends to increase those costs and lessen student aid will only make that situation worse. Dedicated, educational professionals indeed. We need to say goodbye to Mr. Chips.
Comment by Wallypog — July 23, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Bill, I could not find the info either, so I emailed Rayelle Anderson, the Foundation Director. Here’s my email to her this morning:
Dear Rayelle:
I have been asked about the Foundation and the people on the Board of Directors, but I cannot find that information on your web site. The site gives me the following message: “404 File Not Found. You’ve requested a page which has moved or is no longer in use.”
Would you please send me the list of those on the Board of Directors for the Foundation, along with contact information? Thank you very much for your help.
Best Regards,
Mary Souza
Comment by mary — July 23, 2008 @ 8:44 am
In today’s CDA Press is an article about a college in Nampa set to open in January. Listen to this: they “have proposed cutting a quarter of the school’s budget to avoid breaking a promise to voters to keep property taxes down”. Sounds like they consider residents as human beings, not just a money trough to dip from to pay for raises, etc. Sure wish I could get a 5% raise!
Comment by reddy — July 23, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Maybe,the voters in Nampa,hold their elected officials more acountable than the voting public in N.I.does.
Summary:If the taxpaying public truly wants change in the CDA area, they have to come out in force and vote.Nothing will change,if we can’t hold our elected public officials accountable at the ballot box.
Also,the elections have been so close,if a mere 27% of the populace voted in the CDA area,change would occur IMO.
Comment by kageman — July 23, 2008 @ 10:19 am
kageman,
You are absolutely correct.
Comment by Bill — July 23, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
Under comment #5 above, you will see that I sent an email to the Exec. Director of NIC’s Foundation, asking for Board Member information. She responded to my email with this message:
On Jul 23, 2008, at 12:14 PM, Rayelle Anderson wrote:
Dear Mary:
The North Idaho College Foundation, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501 c 3 corporation and the Board of Directors is comprised of community volunteers. We never release contact information for volunteers or our donors.
Rayelle
************
I have just sent her another email, detailed here:
Dear Rayelle:
Thank you for your response. Would you please list the members of the Board of Directors for the NIC Foundation? I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mary Souza
Comment by mary — July 23, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Rayelle seems to be playing games with me because she did not send the list of members in her first response, as she could have done. Yes, Foundations are private organizations. They do not have to disclose where their money comes from or how they spend it, but because they are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, they do have to comply with government reporting rules.
Comment by mary — July 23, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
I am confused. Is this Rayelle skirting around the disclosure members of the Board of Directors for the NIC Foundation by impling that they are volunteers and donors?
I remember that page that has been removed – it was some time ago but various doctors of the community and also business folks were on the list. One comes to mind that used to sign my ex husband’s pay check. I was never allowed into any program at NIC, even when I met all of the criteria some time ago. Since then I have given up on any possible future toward enhancing my education here.
So, is NIC obligated to disclose these members? Why is the page gone?
Comment by Stebbijo — July 23, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Sorry about the typos, but I am sure you can figure it out. Thanks.
Comment by Stebbijo — July 23, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
I found this link if it helps at all? This is from year 2006. I see that the guy who used to sign my ex husband’s checks was still there. I was in the forest products industry if that gives you a clue.
Comment by Stebbijo — July 23, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Mary,
It clearly slipped Rayelle’s mind that she had signed the North Idaho College Foundation, Inc., 2007 annual report to the Secretary of State. Page 2 of that report lists these officers:
President – James M. Thorpe
Vice Pres. – David Wood
Secretary – Priscilla Bell
Treasurer – Michelle Schini Mitchell
It goes on to list all 22 directors with addresses. Some interesting names on the list.
Comment by Bill — July 23, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
Mary, if I wanted to donate to the NIC Foundation, I would ask for a list of the Board of Directors. When I donated to other local charities they readily complied. Please post the list when Rayelle provides it. This information is not secret and as an individual who supports our local non-profits, I believe that you get a pretty good feel for the organization by looking at the members of their board of directors. I had successful dealings with Rayelle’s predecessor, Steve Shenk as he was building the NIC Foundation. His leadership and ideas helped to make this entity what it is today. I know that secrecy is not one of the principles that this foundation was built upon. A list of directors is expected. A way to personally contact them is not.
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — July 23, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
Stebbijo, your link is interesting and gives background on some of the Foundation members. Bill’s link to the Sec. of State lists them all and Doublesee makes a very good point too. I will let you all know if and when I hear back from Rayelle.
Comment by mary — July 23, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Also Tarnasky used to be my doctor. The last appointment I had with him was the day after he lost the nomination for Governor here in Idaho. He was actually disclosing quite a bit to me on how Huntley was too old and crippled to do the job. I think he was upset that he lost. I told him I was recording his conversation and I wanted a story. He turned white. ( I was just teasing, but you should have seen the look on his face.)Then after that,I could not afford him so I received no health care in the State of Idaho. He delivered both of my daughters – way back when.
I was dropped like a hot plate from insurance companies and the like once I had no money and many folks helped put me in that position for the money. It’s been a struggle here ever since. I do believe that there was a guy on the board of NIC at one time with the last name of Bennett. Yep it was Robert Bennett and I remember some sort of ugly scandal with him, but not exactly sure what it was over, it was kind of secrect. I think he also may be timber connected as well. Correct me if I am wrong or if anyone remembers.
Comment by Stebbijo — July 23, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
see http://www.guidestar.org/ and see the 990
directors include brad dugdale jim coleman ben rolphe rick maxey david wold john goedde and many more they have over twelve million in the bank
Comment by TheWiz — July 23, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
I started to search the SOS site on these foundations. I found some of the same people on the Kootenai Health Foundation who are also on the North Idaho College Foundation. Not that that is a big thing – just interesting. How do you account for the money? Where is that listed?
Comment by Stebbijo — July 23, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
see form 990 it is all listed lots more names to
Comment by TheWiz — July 23, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
Wow – that is a wealth of info TheWiz. That stuff needs to be printed out, scanned and accessed easier. If I wasn’t working tomorrow, I would do it.
I took a look at KMC – they are a year behind on this site but have a timeshare on their report for something over almost 7000 bucks for the – Royal Holiday – wherever that is. What was that – a golf tournament fund raiser? Misc expenditures — almost 70,000 dollars. I guess those that play together – pay together. I will be damned if these jerks get a donated Christmas ornament out of me. Their bottom line was around 8 million.
I saw the 12 million bottom line on NIC but I am not a CPA – a lot of it is greek to me but really does not look “right.” It is really not itemized or detailed. But I see where they could blow 10 million or so on more than scholarships. However, I could be wrong and it would not be the first time.
Comment by Stebbijo — July 23, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
There is a small group of people whose names appear on boards, commissions, and donor lists over and over. It’s the same group. Get to know these organizations and you get to know who the players are.
Comment by Dan — July 24, 2008 @ 7:53 am
so there is a small group committed to this community? if others are offended by that then they too should commit their time,their efforts and their dollars to this community.stebbijo what does not look right?
Comment by reagan — July 24, 2008 @ 9:19 am
Reagan – I am not here to pick a fight with you but I used to “know of” some of the “players” when they sold 1-ton trucks with their pants down. Does that make me an authority on the inner circle here? Nope. I was rural but a few of these “board names” had a direct effect on my life. I have been out of the loop for a long time, I am too poor to do anything but vote let alone play golf,now. I will never touch the likes of NIC again.
If I had skimmed the top of the scale from LP and various mills that subcontracted through them under their regime long ago when the money was good, I might be able to afford to give back to this great community that is now sucking me dry. Yep, I should have.
Comment by Stebbijo — July 24, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Stebbijo,the money is drying up for me too in Idaho.Little work to be had in Idaho.The environmentalists and the rich folk are the ones who control Idaho now.BTW-alot of rich folks contribute money to environmentalists causes.Is there a correlation here?
It has been a sacrifice for me,to live here in this great state.We don’t make fortunes in Idaho,the mayor and the council are trying to bring peoples fortunes into N.I.
Comment by kageman — July 24, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
kageman: I understand what you are saying and I agree. My goal is to move and I am working on it – just not happening as fast as I might like it to – because I am a slave. If anyone wants to contribute to the Foundation of Stebbijo, I will leave sooner. 🙂
Comment by Stebbijo — July 24, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
No. There is a small group committed to itself, keeping itself small, and keeping everyone else out. That’s unhealthy in any community.
To prove it: Try and join some of these groups. You’ll instantly find out what it’s like to be on the outside. They like it that way. Anyone who rocks the boat gets attacked — like Mary does, eh reagan?
Comment by Dan — July 24, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
Dan,
You forgot, to join you have to play THEIR way or not at all. Kinda like grade school, “I have the ball so I make the rules.”
I remember being in court one time with a developer that was trying to pull a fast one. The judge asked for documentation pertaining to the case. The developer said he did not have it. The judge then told him he had no grounds for judgement in his favor. The developers reply to the judge was, and you’re gonna love this one, “WE’VE BEEN DOING IT THIS WAY FOR 40 YEARS.” The judge raised his voice and said, “WELL YOU’VE BEEN DOING IT WRONG FOR 40 YEARS.” The developer was in with the “who’s who” crowd and it took a good judge that did not buy into the “who’s who” way of thinking to FINALLY say, enough is enough!
There is a difference in doing something poorly UNTIL you get it right and just keep on doing it wrong because that is the way you’ve always done it.
NIC could take some lessons from Hazel. Now THERE is someone that finally realized that you do not have to do things the same way just because that is the way it has ALWAYS been done.
Comment by concerned citizen — July 25, 2008 @ 8:23 am
CC, good observation. There seem to be lots of things that have “always been done that way” around here. Like handing out professional services contracts to “nice” people who’ve been on your board or commission. They’ve “given back” to the community by volunteering their time, so they “deserve” the contract for their company. Yes, I applaud and value the time people donate to good causes, but to do so for the end result of a certain business contract is wrong.
These boards and groups should have a Professional Services Contract policy & procedure, to make sure the contracts are going to the best possible service provider for the most cost effective price. That’s one thing that should change.
Comment by mary — July 25, 2008 @ 9:18 am
Also, I have not heard back from Rayelle at the NIC Foundation, regarding my request for a list of the Foundation Board members. (see comments # 5 & 9 above)
And I have not heard back from the NIC Foundation Board member who emailed me to say my columns discussing the cuts in financial aid and PTE are “negating” all their hard work. I asked for clarification but have not received a response. (see the end of my newsletter above to read the actual emails)
Comment by mary — July 25, 2008 @ 9:24 am
“Anyone who rocks the boat gets attacked — like Mary does, eh reagan?”
who is attacking mary?
perhaps if dialog- two way back and forth, listening to the other side and not insisting that you and only you are correct, not making unsubstantiated charges of corruption, not smearing people and groups with false charges and innuendo, seeing things from the other perspective even if you do not agree with it– was attempted and not just a steady stream of negative comments and accusations, then maybe some progress could be made by both sides. there was a column in the press the other day about the pte budget and it did not attack anybody and managed to clarify some issues about the budget, that type of article can help dialog. and i do not think the writer had to tape record anybody to write it.
Comment by reagan — July 25, 2008 @ 9:36 am
Is it possible that conservatives are just as intolerant of other people’s opinions;as liberals are?
Lets meet in the middle and get along like brothers and sisters.
After all,we are all in this together.
Comment by kageman — July 25, 2008 @ 10:40 am
kageman i think you are on to something, extremists from both sides dig in their heels and scream ‘i am right and everyone else is wrong’ the truth is usially found somewhere in between the two.
Comment by reagan — July 25, 2008 @ 10:53 am
I agree with both of you. That’s why these public conversation are so important. If the Trustees at NIC don’t think my information is accurate, or tells the complete story, why are they not publicly explaining their view in a format where dialog can flow both ways?
My goal has always been to bring important local issues to the table for open discussion.
Comment by mary — July 25, 2008 @ 11:07 am
but mary when you secretly tape record people and then refuse to admit or deny it you hold yourself to be above the standards you expect others to adhere to and in doing so damage your credibility. and you claim open , honest and rational,if you held yourself to those standards your story would tell the complete story and your information would be accurate. unfortunately you appear to be guilty of the very thing you accuse your opponents of- presenting information in a biased manner in order to support an agenda. and you continued insistence on demanding that every institution that disagrees with you must be “publicly explaining their view in a format where dialog can flow both ways? ” puts you in the camp of extremists who insists that things can be done one way and only one way- theirs. has it ever occured to you that your style has painted people in to a corner where they no longer want to deal with you?
Comment by reagan — July 25, 2008 @ 11:24 am
the self named reagan tries to keep alive the non issue of an alleged taping…of a politician…who is also an armed police officer…who has a history of attacking critics and making claims of he said/she said without substance…who admits the legality of the alleged taping. reagan you add nothing to the conversation with such attacks you simply show yourself to be the alter ego of the local democrat who plays one note charlie when playing to his friends at another less balanced blog.
Comment by TheWiz — July 25, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
pariah was allowed to attack individuals on this site and now it appears that the wiz is taking up where pariah left off.all because i do not stay on message. will none of the principals on this site disavow the wiz’s tactics? i aske questions, albeit unpopular ones on this site and am accused of attacking. the wiz implies that people are liars, brings up the total non issue that sgt wood has a permit to carry a weapon ??? and then makes wild guesses and accusations as to an individuals identity. mccarthyism at its best? can we all behave as pariah and the wiz have? mary? bill? dan?
Comment by reagan — July 25, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
Regan, your have only to re-read your post #35 above.
Comment by mary — July 25, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
mary, not an attack, an opinion and a series of questions. care to answer them?
Comment by reagan — July 25, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
reagen… I think that once a question has been asked and not answered repeatedly that continuing to pose it becomes assaultive at most and tedious at the least. It certainly is not constructive and it is obviously intended to aggravate. But, by all means do continue to be pugnacious.
Comment by Wallypog — July 25, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Your “opinions” are most often attacks. There are many here who have questioned why you are allowed to constantly go off-topic on your repetitive personal tirades. So, why don’t you write an actual opinion on the topic, which is NIC and their responsibility to the students and taxpayers?
Comment by mary — July 25, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
wrong reagan on all counts. again.
Comment by TheWiz — July 25, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Bzzzt, wwrong answer.
At least you recognize that you are not on ‘message’ here.
What ‘tactics’ would you have disavowed? Pointing out the truth?
Speaking of the truth, how about telling us a little about what you think of the very lackluster ‘support’ for PTE from North Idaho College? The very same PTE they claim is the number one priority for them. And the increased taxes, fees and tuitions that will help pay for more land rather than go to their “number one priority”? Are you up to that reagan?
Comment by Pariah — July 25, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
for the record here is what an editor of the spokesmanreview had to say about similar question about ethices and legality during the jim west affair
“As long as its legal, I dont have a problem with it”, he said.
that was bill morlin talking to frontline defending the questionable ethics of the paper.
Comment by TheWiz — July 26, 2008 @ 7:07 am
NIC is a community college and is an asset of Kootenai County.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — July 26, 2008 @ 8:38 am
You mean it’s not “Coeur d’Alene Community College”? And it’s not an economic development tool for downtown CdA?
Comment by mary — July 26, 2008 @ 10:18 am
Perhaps it is just another entitlement issue?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — July 27, 2008 @ 10:07 am
its a jobs program and a cash cow to be milked for the benefit of the pretty people.
Comment by TheWiz — July 27, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
It is first and foremost a marketing tool for Downtown.
I noticed something in today’s Press editorial. While the Press advocated cutting funding for projects outside downtown including $15,000 for the BMX thingy, it did not mention cutting the $50,000 to $60,000 for the concrete bunker in City Park. Of course the Press strongly supports that project, a project that will do nothing but improve the worth of Hagadone’s holdings. Hypocrisy? Naaaah.
Comment by Bill — July 27, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Of course it is a development tool for the downtown just as the Comprehensive Plan reads like a brochure from the Chamber.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — July 28, 2008 @ 8:07 am