It’s my observation that Mayor Bloem and the City Council seem to want to sweep this area’s heritage under the rug.
Coeur d’Alene is an old blue collar town, founded on timber and mining. Where’s the evidence of that today?
Vote for Dan Gookin, on November 8.
Starr Kelso, esq. who represents Jim Brannon recently submitted his appeal brief re: 2009 Brannon City Council Elections Contest in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to the Idaho Supreme Court. (At this time, I am not aware of any hearing date that has been set.) Jim Brannon lost the election back then by 5 votes. He challenged the election and now 2 years later, we are still getting to the bottom of the administration of that particular election. I followed it but I did not go to the hearing and admittedly, there is a lot of fine details concerning this case that I would not be able to absorb in a trial. I heard lots of stuff, I read lots of stuff but there is nothing better than reading a final summary of the findings of that trial. Star Kelso has given it to us on a silver platter. I am still combing through this because I want to understand the process and I have captured some highlights from his brief that any layperson can understand – I hope. His statements are backed up by testimony and legal statutes. They are facts. I am going to give it to you in bits and pieces from my perspective – short and sweet. This is what I discovered, nobody knows how to count:
How many times did it take to count the absentee ballots and still not get it right? Taken from the appeal brief:
- The first absentee ballot record was first printed two (2) days after Beard had already prepared the “District Canvass,” and she never compared the two. The “absentee ballot record” is Plaintiff‟s Exhibit 5.145 English testified the November 6th “absentee ballot record” documents all absentee ballots.
- On the same day a second “absentee ballot record” was printed. It also documented more legal ballots were machine counted than were returned
- A third “absentee ballot record” was printed on November 24, 2009.
- Once it became clear a trial would not be prevented the County printed a fourth absentee ballot record on August 19, 2010.158 This record also didn‟t help the County establish that the number of absentee ballots that were not “Voided” upon return, equaled the number of ballots that were machine counted.
Despite acknowledging it was aware of the voided ballots168 the district court failed to deduct the 6 voided absentee ballots from the total of 2051 absentee ballots that it found were returned.
I.C. 50-451 requires that an absentee ballot record be kept and available to be examined by the public. It provides:
The city clerk shall keep a record in his office containing a list of names and precinct numbers of electors making applications for absent elector‟s [electors‟] ballots, together with the date on which such application was made, and the date on which such
absent elector‟s ballot was returned. If an absentee ballot is not returned or if it be rejected and not counted, such fact shall be noted on the record. Such record shall be open to public inspection under proper regulations.”
Folks, there was no absentee ballot record and all of the computer documentation had been cleaned. How convenient.
The single most important record necessary to ensure an accurate count, the absentee ballot record, was knowingly not prepared when the polls closed.
In a nutshell, common sense tells you our elections need valid documentation to back up every vote, not an envelope or two that are missing. You don’t count voided ballots into the count, you just don’t and that is what happened and more. If our elections were run like this in Kootenai County I suppose that is the way they do it across Idaho and that is why not one legislator has decided to take the lead and make a difference. We now know how everyone gets voted into the door. It’s obviously been working but this time it was too close for comfort and the process was examined at the resistance of many individuals in this community. Why? You tell me.
This next city election to be held Nov. 8th in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho will have an absentee ballot record only because the last administration of our city election was voted out and replaced. Anyone out there have a problem with maintaining an absentee ballot record according to Idaho law? Go to the IRS without a record of your expenses during an audit and see how far it gets you.
Read it – if anything, read the conclusion. You’ll get it.
As Chef Ramsay might say, “Come on”! However, folks, this isn’t a cooking show, this is our government in action and how they interpret the voting process.
The district court acknowledged that „residence‟ under municipal law was different than under state and county law, but was „uncomfortable‟ holding that residency requirements were different depending on whether it was a city or a count/state/federal election. As a result it held that a permanent resident of Canada who had not resided in the City since 1988 and four other non-city residents were legal voters in the City‟s election.
Come on, does the legal system here, really think that some of us don’t know the difference between the taste of real butter vs. shortening that is dyed the color yellow? What a botch job.
It’s going to be different this year. The ballots will be counted once and the count will be right.
Related Post: The 2009 Coeur d’Alene City Election Contest
I would post you the other ramen fare they sell in Japan but I try to keep this site on the clean side so you will have to check out the soup for sluts here along with other choice selections.
On a good sale we can get ramen noodles for 10 cents a piece.
Not so, in Japan. This stuff goes for 3 bucks at least for the select stuff!
“What’s for dinner tonight, honey?”
“Soup for sluts, dear.”
The folks over at Blue Q have taken the college student’s staple, instant Ramen Noodle Soup, and cleverly repackaged four different flavors with hilarious names. The genuine and yes, authentically edible, instant Asian noodle soups come in the following flavors; Soup For Sluts [spicy vegetable], Wasted & Broke [spicy beef], Hello Lazy [chicken flavored] and Din Din Fuk Chow [shrimp] and cost $2.99 each for each 3oz 85g package. Admittedly a bit more that the .39 cent versions you can find at your local market, but the reaction when someone sees them is worth the $2.60 difference.
Did you know that a cold or the flu can you make you fat! I know, I don’t believe that either. But, with enough fancy words and strategic planning folks will be lining up for their combination virus/fat vaccine. Prevention is cure!
This article on yahoo.com caught my interest. I am always looking for ways to battle the bulge. But, this one? I am not buying.
Achoo! A Virus Can Cause Obesity
Adenoviruses are responsible for a host of ills, from upper respiratory tract problems to gastrointestinal troubles. The link to fat was uncovered when researchers at the University of Wisconsin injected chickens with the viruses and found that certain strains fattened them up.
Stem cells, known for their chameleon-like abilities to transform, also turned into fat cells when infected with the viruses. “The virus seems to increase the number of fat cells in the body as well as the fat content of these cells,” says Nikhil Dhurandhar, PhD, now an associate professor of infections and obesity at Pennington.
Human studies, including comparisons of twins, suggest that obese people are indeed more likely to harbor antibodies for a particular virus, known as adenovirus-36.
We have flu shots; could an obesity vaccine be the next step? It may sound far-fetched, but “that’s what they said about cervical cancer too,” says Dhurandhar.
I have always been a meat and potatoes cook. I don’t cook small, it’s in a dutch oven or a 
big fry pan and there is always leftovers. There is nothing I can’t make gravy out of including bacon grease and water. I know it sounds horrible but it is tasty and there were those days when a good cook could fix somethin’ out of nothin’. So the ‘ole standby is out of the freezer and it’s waiting to be used for dinner. Hamburger, it’s a lifeless filler upper. Not a whole lot of zip to a package of hamburger, something you have cooked SO MANY TIMES in the past. There is always just plain hamburgers, burritos, taco soup, spaghetti, goulash or hamburger gravy! Yep, this standby over Texas toast is what’s for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. However, not just any hamburger gravy, this one is decked out with mushrooms, a red pepper, and a hint of curry. This no fuss, no muss lean hamburger delight is downright quick and easy. Fry up the lean hamburger about 1 1/2 lbs, julienne some red pepper, add sliced mushrooms, sprinkle and mix in about 2 T. of flour into the mix of it, pour in about 2 or so cups of no fat milk and thicken. Use cornstarch if you prefer. Add salt, pepper and curry to taste. Toast your Texas toast and the rest – well, you know what to do. Only thing that could make this better is some fresh venison from someone’s back forty. Get fancy and serve with fresh green beans or a salad. Slap on a couple of eggs over easy and it’s good for breakfast!
I have started to profile some of Corey Vogel’s photos. He has talent and was recently recognized by Outdoor Idaho with the following photo! Click to enlarge
. The following links are Facebook links.
“Sunset over North Fork Clark Fork River. Photo by Corey Vogel.
I wish there were another way I might know when a rule change is going to be considered. However, this is better than nothing, we were notified also when the committee is going to meet.
Today is the last day for comment.
(J) Misuse of disqualification without cause. A motion for disqualification without cause shall not be made under this Rule to hinder, delay or obstruct the administration of justice. If it appears that an attorney or law firm is using disqualifications without cause for such purposes, or with such frequency as to impede the administration of justice, the Trial Court Administrator shall notify the Administrative Director of the Courts requesting a review of the possible misuse of disqualifications without cause. The Administrative Director shall review the possible misuse of this Rule and may take remedial measures. The Administrative Director, before or after taking such remedial measures, may refer the matter to the Chief Justice, who, upon determining that there has been misuse of disqualifications without cause, may take appropriate action to address the misuse, which may include an order providing that the attorney or firm that has engaged in such misuse is prohibited from using disqualifications without cause for such period of time as is set forth in the order or until further order of the Chief Justice.
The Civil Rules Advisory Committee will be meeting on October 7 and the following is one of the proposals the committee will be considering.
If you have comments you wish the committee to consider please email them to Cathy Derden at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
by September 30.
These are the members of the Civil Rules Advisory Committee.
Anyone you know? I see a few names that look familiar to the area but it’s difficult to confirm since, there are no bios available about these people who are appointed to conduct legal business for us.
I know, cheese and potatoes are now a forbidden food and that gives us one more reason to cook up something so evil, it makes your heart stop. I love watching Man vs. Food, I decided to do these up after seeing the critters served in a restaurant out of Tennessee.
First, you take thick cut slices of bacon and cut the strip in half, start with a frozen tater tot, then a slice of jalapeno pepper, then roll. Secure with a toothpick thru the bacon. You can do these up ahead of time and freeze them. They actually come out better, because the bacon is frozen to the tater tot quite nicely.
Okay, now you deep fat fry these little babies for approximately 3 minutes – depends on your fryer and how many you fry up.
After they are done, drain any excess fat on a paper towel. I use soybean oil.
Put in casserole server, smother with cheese, then broil till bubbly. These are zzlicious – meaning over the top and like no other tater tot you can imagine! Perfect party snack or appetizer! The only other thing you could do to really bring out all of the wickedness is to dip them in ranch or blue cheese dressing or drench in hot sauce.
It’s close to my birthday.
I hear a thump on the door step.
I see a package.
Oh my, it’s a birthday present from Avista?
Who ordered these? I didn’t.
So, I had to Google it. Here was my Google answer.
Avista customers receive ‘free’ energy efficient light bulbs.
by KREM.com & Othello Richards
KREM.com
Posted on July 28, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Updated Friday, Jul 29 at 9:56 AM
SPOKANE– Every Avista customer is getting a package of energy efficient light bulbs in the mail as part of an energy conservation program.
The company is sending out 4,000 light kits a day until the end of November to residential electric customers.
Avista says it’s part of their Energy Conservation Program, encouraging people to switch light bulbs, and conserve energy.
Avista customers are charged about $3 every month for the program.
Huh? I have some choice analogies for this one, but I will refrain. Some lipstick. Coming soon to your doorstep.
More from the Office Hours blog.
Why: a) Because a 2006 voter-approved law requires Avista to set target reductions in energy use, including conservation and energy reduction. CFLs help do that in a lasting way.
b) Because Avista has been setting aside a monthly surcharge or tariff it collects on residential customers. It’s about $3 per month, on average.
That’s the source for the roughly $7.5 million it’s costing Avista to buy and mail the kits.
Seriously, did I vote for this? Did I – really? Last time I checked, I was in Idaho.
Washington voters approved I-937, also known as the Energy Independence Act of November 2006 – an initiative that requires utilities to acquire both a percentage of their energy load from qualified renewable sources and achieve a defined energy savings goal. Our CFL direct-mail program will help Avista achieve some of those energy-saving targets.
I wonder when they are going to send me a low flow shower head?
UPDATE 09/28/2011: This is not funny. A facebook friend of mine said the State of Washington did give out some low flow shower heads. I wonder how much those cost? I called the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. I was told I was the first one to call on this. They are supposed to get back to me and give me an explanation, like did I miss the vote here in Idaho?
I have been patiently waiting for news on this lawsuit. Rumors have consistently surfaced that our elections are fixed. This election’s lawsuit challenge basically verifies that those rumors were true. If the Supremes hold this in Boise, it may be worth the drive! Many changes have taken place in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho since this last city election, including a newly elected county clerk. However, the lawsuit is still going through the hoops of justice and is making it’s way to the Idaho Supreme Court. Bill McCrory gives us a detailed breakdown of Star Kelso’s legal work. The entire case consists of “2,676 pages of documents in the trial court record, 111 exhibits consisting of 563 pages, 876 pages of trial transcript, and transcripts of numerous other hearings held before and after the trial.” I am posting the link so you folks who enjoy reading dry legal jargon might find this very – to say the least – appealing! It’s not really dry – it has some good “speedo” parts!
On Appeal — The 2009 Coeur d’Alene City Election Contest
Issue No. 2: The district court erred in holding that non-city residents are entitled to have their votes counted in the municipal election based upon the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff, et. seq. (UOCAVA). [Brief, p. 8]The issue is whether the federal UOCAVA permits non-U.S. service/non-City residents to vote in municipal elections required to be conducted pursuant to Idaho Code, Title 50, Chapter 4. At least five non-City residents and non-US service absentee ballot voters (Paquin, Farkes, Friend, Dobslaff, and Gagnon) received and voted absentee ballots that were counted in the City election. Paquin and Dobslaff were each sent a City election ballot even though neither had specifically requested one for that election.
Paquin, Farkes, Friend, and Dobslaff are apparently US citizens who actually reside in Canada. Paquin and Dobslaff, by their own admission, are Permanent Residents (PR, formerly known as “landed immigrants”) of Canada. That is a Government of Canada immigration status which conveys extra privileges. It is a required status which a PR must have if that PR intends to apply for Canadian citizenship. It requires the PR applicant to complete a detailed application form declaring, “I am a permanent resident of Canada” and acknowledging, “I understand that any false statements or concealment of a material fact may be grounds for my prosecution or removal.” The brief notes that neither the City nor Kootenai County election officials conducted any investigation into the residence, the primary home or place of abode, of any of these persons. The court allowed their four votes to be counted but refused to issue an order for them to appear to testify to have their residency determined.
Gagnon is not in the US service and has never been a resident of Coeur d’Alene. The court allowed her vote to be counted but refused to issue an order for her to appear to testify to have her residency determined.
The brief explains that while the Idaho Legislature specifically applied UOCAVA to federal and state elections held in Idaho by adopting it into Idaho Code, Title 34, the Legislature intentionally did not adopt it into Idaho Code, Title 50, which prescribes how municipal elections must be conducted.
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