Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Redistricters open on somber note

Idaho redistricting commission Co-Chairman Allen Andersen, left, and Commissioner Julie Kane, as the commission begins its meeting on Monday, on Labor Day. (Betsy Russell)
Idaho redistricting commission Co-Chairman Allen Andersen, left, and Commissioner Julie Kane, as the commission begins its meeting on Monday, on Labor Day. (Betsy Russell)

The Idaho redistricting commission opened on a somber note this morning, as Co-Chairman Allen Andersen fiddled with a colorful hand-held wooden puzzle, saying it's an interesting toy that can come together in a variety of ways. As he toyed with it, he said, "Last night, I was chagrined in realizing that I had been sucker punched. ... It appears that my confidence was breached, which caused me some real concern. So I got to spend a lot of time last night seeing if there was a way I can make this work." Twisting the colored pieces, he said, "It is difficult, especially when trust is a part of the process and that trust is breached. But we still have to move on best way we know how. This can be worked with, different combinations, permutations are made, eventually a design will come out of it that is pleasing. Hopefully that's what we can do today."



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

Follow Betsy online: