Huckleberries: Councilman’s free parking stratagem shot down

You may know that Coeur d’Alene Councilman Steve Adams decided not to appeal a judge’s decision to allow sewer expansion without a public vote. But did you know that Adams lost a different appeal last week?

Seems Adams, who is a stickler for his version of the federal and state constitutions, believes elected officials shouldn’t get parking tickets when they’re conducting official business. Adams was involved in a joint meeting of the council and Lake City Development Corporation when his red Ford pickup was tagged with a ticket for overstaying its two-hour welcome in the Coeur d’Alene Library lot. Which, BTW, is reserved for library patrons.

Adams appealed the ticket to the city Parking Commission. In his appeal, Adams protested that he “was attending a ‘special call’ council meeting in the community room of library.” That he was on “official Government Business.” That the “meeting ran long.” And that he believes “there (is) an exception for elected officials.” (At least he didn’t say that the dog ate his parking ticket.)

His appeal was denied. Now, Adams has until April 15 to pay the $15 fine or face a collection agency.

Elderberries

In this column 25 years ago (April 1988), I wrote: “Moscow Idahonian (Moscow-Pullman Daily News) columnist Harry Missildine says the ‘HMS Hagadone,’ developer Duane Hagadone’s ballyhooed floating green, will introduce a new set of scorecard abbreviations: ‘SW’ – shipwrecked, ‘FO’ – fell overboard, and ‘MTB’ – missed the boat” … You might be interested in a news story I reported for the Spokesman-Review that same month in 1988 re: a changing of the guard at St. Pius X Catholic Church of Coeur d’Alene. The Rev. Andrew Schumacher, then 54, of Lewiston’s St. James Catholic Church, was named to replace his third cousin – Bill Wassmuth, the local human-rights activist whom many of us still miss … That April Fool’s jokester who placed a pile of fake poo behind the giant dog statue at the Aslin-Finch store on Government Way brought smiles to many faces last Monday.

Huckleberries

Poet’s Corner: “The winter snow sits/On the hill,/but in their yard –/a daffodil!” – The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“April”) … Another difference between Idaho and Washington? Idaho doesn’t require motorists to remove their studded tires until May 1 – a month later than Washington. And – yes – Huckleberries has heard the sound of studs tearing up Coeur d’Alene streets in recent days … Among the individuals hanging out at Motel 6 on Tuesday afternoon was a man who was drunk – and naked. No extra charge for the view … Not only is Coeur d’Alene school Trustee Brent Regan a ha-huge fan of radical community organizer Saul Alinsky but Regan offered a seminar on Alinsky to private schoolers last week. Two years ago, Regan spoke on “Rules for Radicals” – the title of an Alinsky book – as part of a Friends of Liberty program in Newman Lake, Wash. Who knows? That might make an interesting focus of a high school course. Or not … Maybe you can answer this question from worried parent Nic Casey, of Coeur d’Alene: “My 8-year-old knows the difference between Frankenstein and the Frankenstein Monster. Should I be impressed or worried?” Anyone? … Poll: By 49 percent to 42 percent, my blog readers voted that the Spokane County prosecutor shouldn’t file felony charges against the Spokane homeowner who shot a car thief to death as he was fleeing.

Parting shot

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, has been so quiet during his first term that Henry Johnston, of Moscow, was surprised when Risch announced for re-election Thursday. Sez Henry: “I honestly forgot he was in office.”