League Women Can Enjoy Well-Deserved Last Laugh
Who says nice gals finish last? The League of Women Voters of Kootenai County landed on its feet after its recent scrape with county commissioners. The Three Billy Goats Gruff, as you will recall, objected to the league’s use of the county press to print its annual citizens guides. Never mind that the exercise costs taxpayers only $200. And never mind that the county clerk’s office was eager to distribute the league’s brochures. Commissioners Dick Compton and Dick Panabaker wanted the organization to remove its name from the front of the pamphlets to make them look more official. Now, the league has received donations to cover printing costs, plus an offer of a free Web site to launch the information into cyberspace. Joy Scherr, delightful co-chairwoman of the Kootenai County chapter, is glad things worked out the way they did. Quips she: “We didn’t want their (county) name on the front of our cover.” Still, the league plans to reserve a number of copies for county distribution. Give these classy women Sweet Potatoes.
So, you’re a Bonner school trustee; now what?
A word of caution to Jerry Owens and Tom Fuhriman, the Bonner County School District trustees-elect. You may be riding high now that you have unseated incumbents Rebecca Hawkins and Bill Osmunson. Friends and family may be patting you on the back and applauding the great ideas you have for the district. But that all ends in July when you’re sworn into office. Others before you have entered these offices with high hopes of straightening out the badly bent district, only to burn out or to quit instead of facing recall. (I’m thinking specifically of the talented but ill-fated board chaired by Ford Elsaesser.) The thankless jobs you soon will hold may be the toughest political positions in the Panhandle. I hope you succeed. But I’m not going to hold my breath.
Water enthusiasts do the right thing
Resort owners, fishing tournament officials and rafting companies deserve Sweet Potatoes for warning people to stay away from the water this weekend. For some, that’s quite a sacrifice. But the high water that’s plaguing the area as we move toward Memorial Day weekend and the official start of boating season is full of debris and is, therefore, dangerous. Frankly, I was wondering whether we’d do the right thing or ignore danger and go ahead with business as usual this weekend. Call it the Jaws syndrome. Remember how the mayor and town officials in the original “Jaws” movie played down the first shark attack so tourists wouldn’t be frightened? We all know what happened after that.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125 or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.