Officials need to learn to play well with others

I have been watching with great interest the turmoil between the elected officials of Bonner County for just over a year. As a newcomer to North Idaho and Sandpoint, I don’t know all the issues, coalitions, alliances and friendships that have created this toxic atmosphere. However, as a recent escapee of the California governmental gulag, I can recognize a dysfunctional, ego-driven turf war being waged by bureaucrats who are not overly concerned with the best interests of the taxpayers they were elected to serve.

Perhaps prior to seeking an elective office all candidates should be required to produce their kindergarten report card, this so that the voters can see that box “plays well with others” has been checked. The fact that the commissioners (three “presumed” adults) had to consider “mediation” in order to solve their issues is an embarrassment to each and every resident of Bonner County. The fact that in spite of a salary of $56,000 per year (20 percent above the average salary in Idaho) Lewis Rich (one of the Commissioners) “didn’t have the discretionary funds” to pay the $166 that would have been his share of the costs for the mediation is truly disingenuous.

Shall we now address the request for private legal counsel at taxpayer expense by county Clerk Marie Scott, Treasurer Cheryl Piehl, and Assessor Jerry Clemons? The taxpayers already pay for two deputy prosecutors to give counsel to all elected officials. If there are perceived conflicts between elected officials  — see  above paragraph about “plays well with others.” If you take issue with someone’s tone, tell them about it and work it out. The commissioners are responsible for having a total understanding of the budget that they are required by law to approve. If they ask questions, or have a tone that makes you uncomfortable; consult with the deputy prosecutors who are at your disposal. If they advise you that the question is within the duties of the commissioners, answer the question to the best of your ability. If you disagree with the deputy prosecutors and feel that there is a conflict of interest and a hostile work environment: then retain an attorney at your own expense and “roll the dice.” If you are successful, your attorney fees will be paid (as usual) by the taxpayers of Bonner County. Is it just possible that the three of you would be par more likely to seek “private legal counsel” if it was the taxpayer’s money being spent and not yours? Absolutely.

In the event that there is information about the budget that you don’t feel that you should be forced to share with the commissioners (no matter what their “tone”) then perhaps you would feel more at ease with a forensic accountant auditing the books. Personally I would rather spend the $24,000 on a compressive audit of the county books if there was ever a situation where you refused to release any information regarding your work product.

As in Washington, D.C., I think term limits would solve most of these issues. Once elected officials have been in power for too many years they seem to feel that they only answer to themselves and not to the taxpayer. As the old saying goes. “politicians need to be changed as often as diapers — and for pretty much the same reasons”.

Anyway, that’s my view from the cheap seats.

JEFF JOHNSON

Sandpoint