Editorials-Selection of 3 by APG-West (Idaho Press)

OPINION

Until they all come home

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Idaho Press-Tribune

Section A

OUR VIEW

Invest in areas with high rate of return As veteran members of the Idaho Legislature will say, there are two times when serving in the Statehouse is the most challenging: when the state is in an economic recession or when there’s a fat surplus. Recessions leave no real options other than to cut spending, while a surplus opens the floodgates to ideas. Gov. Butch Otter and Rep. Brent Crane of Nampa, the House assistant majority leader, have lived through the best and worst of times during their political careers. But there are distinct differences in how the two have responded to the ebb and flow of state revenues. Otter has shown the ability to adjust his thought pattern according to the changing times; Crane has not. But as legislators ponder what to do with a projected $139 million revenue surplus, Otter and Crane are setting the stage for an interesting legislative session next year. Crane told reporters last week that House Republicans are looking to tax cuts “the first thing out of the box.” “We feel like it’s time that we give some of the money back to the citizens that have been paying the bill,” he said in an article written by the SpokesmanReview’s Betsy Russell. He talked about efforts to buy down the tax rate “a tenth at a time,” further cuts in the personal property tax which businesses pay for inventory and increasing the property tax exemption. Otter has said tax cuts are not on his radar and that his primary focus would be in education – which in our view is the right priority. Still, there are some House members who think taxes should be reduced and no doubt welcome Crane’s comments. They’ll be making plenty of noise about the issue, with encouragement from the conservative-based Idaho Freedom Foundation. So the political battle looms.

Otter and Crane came into their If Crane really is serious about cutting respective offices during the most trying taxes, we suggest he bolster state funding of economic times – when the state’s of public education and let our school economy was tanking and state revenues districts wean themselves off supplemental levies. Statewide, school district were falling. Otter, with the help of taxpayers are taxing themselves legislators such as Crane, did the about $188 million collectively. best that could be done during Taxpayers have agreed to those those trying times. Funding for tax increases over the past several public schools was slashed, and years because they recognized higher education was hardly an that the education funding after-thought. Some healthcare coming from the state was not programs were cut drastically or sufficient to provide an adequate eliminated entirely. Roads and return on investment. So before bridges were crumbling before we start talking about modest tax our eyes, and Otter couldn’t even Crane cuts at the state level, let’s work get through a 2-cent per gallon on getting rid of those supplemental fuel tax to fund the roads. levies. But times have changed for the better, As much progress that Otter has made and Otter has adjusted accordingly – in recent years, Idaho is at only the 2009 starting with a stronger commitment level of funding for education toward education. In his eyes, – which is hardly an impreseducation holds the key to economic recovery and the filling of sive benchmark. A $139 million thousands of high-paying jobs surplus won’t push Idaho to 2017 that remain vacant because worklevels, but it would help. And it ers lack the skills that employers could help give a needed boost need. to programs that were cut back Speaking at last week’s Nampa during the recession. Chamber of Commerce legislaIt also could allow Idaho to Otter tive luncheon, Dwight Johnson, put more money into reserve state administrator for career and accounts – which was done, amid technical education, said there will be criticism, before the recession and ended an estimated 49,000-worker shortfall in up saving the state from a financial hurricane during the recession. skilled workers in Idaho. Bedke points out that Idaho was able At the same luncheon, House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, spoke philosophi- to weather the recession at all because, cally about why you get what you get in part, the state pulled out about $400 with a Republican-controlled Legislature: million in savings to patch holes in the Conservative lawmakers, rather than just budget. doling out money, look for the return on Rather than cut taxes, we would rather investment before committing to spendsee the state continue to bolster rainy-day ing. When it comes to Crane’s proposal funds in preparation for the next monto cut taxes, apparently simply for the soon. sake of cutting taxes, we fail to see how We haven’t even touched on the subject he makes the argument for a return on of transportation needs, which as well has investment. been short-changed and could still use

an infusion of well-placed government spending. Has Interstate 84 in Canyon County gotten better yet? Studies, including those from the Idaho State Tax Commission, itself, show Idaho’s state and local tax burden among the lowest in the country, among the lowest in the West region and among the “fairest” in the country, meaning the combination of sales, property, income and corporate taxes doesn’t burden any one taxpaying group disproportionately. Further, Idaho has one of the fastestgrowing economies — with the current tax structure. We have to ask, with such high marks in terms of rate and fairness, why the push to fix what ain’t broke? Ten years ago, Crane campaigned as a hardline fiscal conservative, and he has lived up to his end of the bargain – voting for the hard cuts that needed to be made during the recession. But he would be no less of a conservative by allowing the state to catch up a bit now that a more generous revenue picture is in place. “Conservatism” is not a bad word in politics, especially Idaho politics. But as Otter and the likes of Bedke have shown, being “conservative” also means being practical and making smart investments that will yield a high rate of return. Areas such as education, transportation, workforce training and mental health clinics have a proven record of high rates of return. Now is not the time to starve them.

Our editorial board Our editorials are written by Idaho Press-Tribune editorial writer Chuck Malloy and are based on the majority opinions of our editorial board. Not all opinions are unanimous. Members of the board are Publisher Matt Davison and community members David Beverly, Layne Bell, Claudia Swope and Marlene Jacobsen. Editor Scott McIntosh is a nonvoting member.

No more Hall columns?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Fake news is a real problem

Even though I most often didn’t agree with him on issues, I used to respect Ron Paul for at least bringing up good points that merited discussion and debate. No more. His ridiculous rant about the effort to curb fake news as being a “war on free speech” shows he’s gone off the rails. Stating that “a few viral Internet hoaxes” are leading to an assault on the First Amendment demonstrates he doesn’t have a clue about the extent of the issue. Several examinations of fake news show that half or more of the “news” shared millions of times on Facebook and retweeted on Twitter leading up the election were completely fake. Totally fake news sites are prominent on the Internet, and thousands of people here in the U.S. as well as all over the world are making extra money writing totally made-up “news” stories to be sold online. In this social media-crazy culture when people immediately share or retweet information without thinking about it, it creates a situation where we don’t know what we can or can’t believe. The one thing I will agree with Paul on is that the effort to curb fake news should not include new government regulations. It needs to be led by Facebook, Google and independent fact-

checking organizations dedicated to making sure the facts are available so people can make up their own minds about important issues. All of us also need to take responsibility for the “news” we share with others. Evan McMullin, a principled conservative I’ve come to have a lot of respect for, offered some good advice a couple weeks ago when he said, “Identify and follow many credible sources of news. Be very well informed and learn to discern truth from untruth.” Very good advice indeed. Stephen Wilson Nampa

‘War on fake news’

On your opinion page dated Dec. 16, 2016, the headline was “War on Fake News,” and the next three columns was filled with fake news in an article by Dick Polman. Without citing any facts, he laid out six allegations against President-elect Trump. I would expect this from the “lame stream media” or the Idaho Statesman, but I was disappointed to see it appear in IPT. I understand this was an opinion article, but you have control over the veracity of what you choose to print as news. Dick Wasson Meridian

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Idaho State Journal newspaper Please pardon the reminiscing, but the time of year encour- a decade-plus after he’d left, I often prowled through his writages it, as did a newspaper ings about local and state policolumn I read a few days ago. tics, using them to fill in gaps in The column from last weekwhat I was learning elsewhere. end was by Bill Hall, whose writing base for about By then I knew where six decades has been to look because of the Lewiston Tribune. Hall’s editorials, which Its message was, that I’d read at college and column would be his afterward. They were last. a lethal combination: By the time I arWell informed and witty, and up for taking rived at the University on just about anyone. of Idaho back in 1974, Even Idaho hunters, as Hall already was rehe wrote when the idea nowned around Idaho RANDY STAPILUS arose of a wildlife counfor his editorials and Local columnist columns at the Tricil picking Fish & Game bune. Soon after that Commission members: he departed, for about a year“That could be a two-edged and-a-half, to work for Sen. sword because it might tend to Frank Church, and there wasn’t give a disproportionate voice a certainty he’d be coming back. to those chronic whiners who But Church lost his presidential want to blame state biologists bid in 1976, Hall wrote a book every time they get too drunk, about it (“Frank Church, D.C. inept, or unlucky to kill an elk.” and Me,” from Washington Many newspapers shrink State University Press, a great from editorial heat, but the Triread on all three topics) and bune never has. Hall’s view as soon returned to Lewiston. I heard it was that he was good His departure and his return business: People might yell at was much noted and not just in the newspaper but they sure Lewiston, where Hall’s blisterkept reading it. Part of what allowed this to ing, biting and often funny work was the unusual atmoeditorials so often launched political conversation in the sphere at the Tribune, which mornings. It was a big deal issued punchy editorials before statewide, even in the far Hall’s tenure and has continreaches of the state, and even in ued to since, under the local the pre-Internet era. Politically control of the Alford family. But interested people considered it Hall’s humor has been a critical necessary to get hold of what individual part of the mix. Since Hall was saying. his mid-70s hiatus, his columns One of the Tribune writers have been humorous, personal, who worked closely with Hall, often gentle — different to an Jay Shelledy (now a journalism almost drastic degree from the professor at Louisiana State sometimes fiery editorialist. But University), was quoted in one the two sides could never be article about Hall, “There are separated entirely, and a serious not many papers in the United sensibility underlies even many States where the best-read page of his more recent columns, is the editorial page. Without since he retired from editorial question, Hall is the bestwriting in 2002. known journalist in the state’s No more Hall columns. history.” Hardly seems like Idaho. He learned about Idaho in Randy Stapilus, a former the three corners of the state, Idaho newspaper reporter and growing up in Canyon County, editor, blogs at www.ridenbaugh. then attending college and com. He can be reached at stapistarting his newspaper career in lus@ridenbaugh.com. A book of Pocatello. By the time in 1965 his Idaho columns from the past he left for Lewiston, he already decade, Crossing the Snake, is was well-schooled in Idaho available at www.ridenbaughpolitics. When I arrived at the press.com/crossing.

OPINION PAGE EDITOR: PHIL BRIDGES, 465-8115, OP-ED@IDAHOPRESS.COM C M Y K

OPINION

Until they all come home

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Idaho Press-Tribune

Section A

OUR VIEW

Vote ‘no’ on HJR5 — again H

ow many times do Idaho voters have to say “no” to a proposed power-grabbing constitutional amendment before the Legislature gets the message? Two years ago, voters rejected HJR 2, a constitutional amendment to essentially give the Legislature supreme authority over agency rules, overriding anything the executive and judicial branches might do. In layman’s terms, compare the proposed amendment to a pig — a dirty, smelly animal that most people don’t like to touch. For this election, legislators took the same pig, gave it a new name (HJR 5), cleaned it up and drenched it in perfume to mask the bad smell. But it’s still a pig, and we’re recommending that voters say “no” again. The system is not broken and does not to be fixed by a constitutional amendment that few people outside the legislative arena can fully understand, or care about in their daily lives. Legislators have no choice but to pay attention to rulemaking, because they’re spending the early

part of every session reviewing those rules. Lawmakers often are frustrated, because rules have the same effect as laws and some of those rules shouldn’t belong on the books. At least, in the mind of some legislators. But giving the Legislature full authority over rulemaking and taking away the checks and balances provided by the three branches of government is not the answer. Agency rules are part of what comes from the executive branch. The judicial branch has the authority to evaluate the rules and even decide if those rules are constitutional. The Legislature has oversight and the ability to accept or reject rules. It also can write new laws. U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, a former longtime state legislator who is promoting passage of HJR5, says in a recent opinion piece that was published on our pages that a “yes” vote “will be securing the ability to hold politicians accountable, protect Idahoans from excessive regulations, ensure your voice is heard and hold our state govern-

ment accountable to the people it serves.” The Legislature’s authority to approve or reject rules, he said, “will not be taken away by an activist court.” Part of Risch’s argument is that the proposed amendment has “strong support” of the Idaho Farm Bureau, the Milk Producers of Idaho, the Idaho Chamber of Commerce Alliance, the Idaho Realtors Association and the Idaho Water Users. To us, listing the high-powered lobbyists supporting HJR 5 is an excellent argument for voting against it. Idahoans have more to think about in their lives than the laborious rulemaking process, and there’s no great demand for holding local state representatives accountable. But the lobbyists certainly care about the rules and would love to have the ability to have their hands digging deeper in the process, which certainly would occur if HJR 5 passes. In the “ideal” world, legislators are accountable to the people who elect them. In the “real” world of legislative politics, lawmakers

too often end up being accountable to the lobbyists — and especially the high-powered ones that donate to campaigns. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, who is against the proposed amendment, discussed his concerns about lobbyist influence in another opinion piece that appeared in this paper. “HJR 5 will permanently allow well-heeded individual interests to overturn the open negotiated process of rulemaking by hiring a lobbyist, who can then influence the Legislature to reject rules based on narrow lobbied interest,” Wasden said. The attorney general is on target with his assessment. Voters should reject HJR 5 and hopefully soundly enough so this bad idea does not return on Idaho ballots.

Explain this split within the Republican party Here is one of the ways this year’s Idaho’s Republican voters saw that in presidential campaign is so unusual: the primary contest, when the state The elected officials from one of the went for Ted Cruz over Trump.) two major parties are split on their Trumpism has attracted and closely nominee, but more than that, it is the allied itself with white supremacists in-party supporters to that nominee and hard core nationalists of the kind who will have a much harder time Idaho, and many of its top officials, explaining themselves, down the road. have been trying to shake off for Presidential nominee years. Trump’s Florida speech Donald Trump has divided Thursday would have gone Republicans natiowide, and over well at the old Aryan no less in the Gem State. Of Nations compound. Idaho’s five major officials, Trumpism has no consistent policy. Those Republicans there’s (as this is written) an worried about who Hillary even split, Governor C.L. Clinton might appoint to the “Butch” Otter (who has a Supreme Court should reflect position in the Trump campaign) and Representative that no one (likely including RANDY STAPILUS Raul Labrador sticking with Trump) has any idea who the Trump, and Senator Mike orange whirlwind actually Local columnist Crapo and Representative would appoint. Trump on any Mike Simpson in opposition. Senator substantial topic is a spinning wheel; Jim Risch, reportedly was out of state I can point you to 18 distinct changes and apparently not weighed in. of position on his hallmark issue – The kind of rejection of one’s party immigration – alone. Conservative? nominee Crapo and Simpson have Liberal? Those concepts don’t seem to made is rare coming from elected ofbe understood by, and are unimportant ficials in either party, especially those to, Trump. Forget about any certainty. in the upper rungs. I can’t recall any Except this: a strong predisposition similar, after the party nominations to authoritarianism, or more bluntly, were made official, in Idaho in the last an American dictatorship. Republicans half-century. Crapo and Simpson are no less than Democrats have raised not the kind, either, to lightly abandon this concern. Congress? The Supreme their party; over the years they have Court? Unimportant, along with been as loyal to the Republican brand participation by the American people. as any party loyalist could ask. Some(He seems no more interested in the thing really powerful must have blown states, or in the 10th amendment.) them loose. (Neither, I should note, Trump’s answer to all problems and ishas gone as far as endorsing Democrat sues, devoid of explanation, is what he said at the Republican National ConHillary Clinton.) Crapo cited Trump’s “pattern of vention and repeated since: “I alone behavior .... His repeated actions and can fix it.” He alone – no one else. You comments toward women have been think the federal government has been disrespectful, profane and demeaning. too powerful? Wait ‘til you get a load I have spent more than two decades of this guy. working on domestic violence prevenThis is a Republican who doesn’t tion. Trump’s most recent excuse talk about freedom or liberty or opof ‘locker room talk’ is completely portunity, but about “safety” and “winunacceptable and is inconsistent with ning” and “getting tough.” His is the protecting women from abusive, disspeech of a dictator, not an American paraging treatment.” politician. Simpson said he found “his recent Trump runs directly counter to comments about women deplorable. nearly everything leading Idaho In my opinion, he has demonstrated Republicans have said, over generathat he is unfit to be President and I tions, that they support. The next time cannot support him.” Otter or Labrador tell you how much The large and fast-growing record they love freedom, state’s rights and of Trump statements and incidents the reputation of Idaho, ask them why concerning women offers plenty of they supported Trump. You may find backing for those statements. But you Crapo and Simpson won’t have nearly have to wonder. For these two to split as much trouble with the question. from Trump, surely there was more Randy Stapilus, a former Idaho than just a collection of statements and newspaper reporter and editor, blogs incidents, many of them years old. at www.ridenbaugh.com. He can be If you listen to the ideas offered by reached at stapilus@ridenbaugh.com. A Idaho’s congressional delegation, and book of his Idaho columns from the past its governor, over the years, you get decade, Crossing the Snake, is available little overlap with Trumpism. (Maybe at www.ridenbaughpress.com/crossing.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Robyn Brody for Supreme Court

Curt McKenzie said he was endorsed by several groups, among them Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, Idaho Chooses Life, and the NRA. He finished saying he would fairly apply the Constitution and statutes as written. What McKenzie forgot to mention was that he sponsored HJR 5 which will amend Idaho’s constitution. Why did Mr. McKenzie push for HJR 5 when Idaho legislators already have the power to accept or reject administrative rules? Vote “Yes” for Robyn Brody for Supreme Court. She has a better understanding of the law. Vote “No” on HJR 5. It is an unnecessary and possibly dangerous change to Idaho’s Constitution. Robin Lundgren, Meridian

Be careful what you wish for in government

There are those who cry for reducing our “government.” Which government do they want to reduce? A corporation-sponsored group of representatives or a government of the people, by the people and for the people? Our founding fathers fled a government (?) that was run/selected by a few who dictated to the many. People’s likes and desires were ignored, and the “in” rulers benefited ($$$$$) and controlled the

“peons” who really lived and survived at the will of their rulers. They had little and no voice in matter of the state. Our founding fathers gave us a country of “We The People.” A voice and ability to select who would run and represent this nation of ours. Before anyone jumps on the “lesser government” band wagon, they’d best look at the money spent to get someone elected to office, then look as to where this money comes from. One form of “lesser government” just might return us to what our forefathers fled. Keith Nielson, Shelley

Vote for Evan McMullin for president

Just two months ago, Evan McMullin, a former CIA agent and House of Representative GOP policy director, saw the way the elections were heading and made the bold decision to step forward and take on the presidential race as a viable option to replace both Trump and Clinton in this election. So what are Evan’s position on the issues? To get the full scoop, check out www.EvanMcMullin.com. A few of the highlights: 1. Support our troops by providing adequate resources and training, never asking them to compromise their honor, and building up our defense to provide for the common defense of

the American people. 2. Revise the Tax Code to lower taxes and reduce intrusive federal regulations that stifle businesses. Support small business owners so they can strengthen our economy and provide jobs! 3. Give choice back to parents and schools in regards to education. McMullin opposes Common Core, believes in rewarding teachers and supporting local and family choice regarding education options. 4. Internationally, Evan believes we should strengthen our long-term partnerships with nations that share our values. America should stand strong as a force for peace, human rights and liberty. He stands with Israel. 5. Evan supports repealing Obamacare and replacing it with a pro-market approach to insurance. He proposes to reform Medicare and Medicaid to put patients, families and doctors first while reining in government spending. 6. McMullin supports the Second Amendment and our right to bear arms 7. Evan believes that life is precious and should be protected. He believes that a culture that subsidizes abortion “runs counter to the fundamental American belief in the potential of every person” and undermines the dignity of mother and child alike. It is not too late! Vote McMullin for President! Tanya Orton, Caldwell

EDITOR: SCOTT MCINTOSH, 465-8110, OP-ED@IDAHOPRESS.COM C M Y K

OPINION

Until they all come home

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Idaho Press-Tribune

Section A

OUR VIEW

Health care gap task force needs to take action

he legislative task force that is exploring ways to fill the healthcare gap for 78,000 Idahoans should have an appropriate name to match its accomplishments so far. Let’s call it the “Do Nothing Commission.” A longer version could be “The Waste of Time, Effort and Legislative Per Diem Panel,” but that sounds too bureaucratic and would take too much time to explain. “Do Nothing” is simple, and it fits. Don’t take our word for it about this group’s inaction. Meridian Republican Sen. Marv Hagedorn, a co-chairman of the task force, said in an Idaho Statesman article last week, “I just don’t see us agreeing here.” The other co-chairman, Rep. Tom Loertscher of Iona says in the same article, “for this group to come up with legislation would be foolhardy.” So the co-chairmen should pound the gavel, shut it down and end the pretense that Idaho legislators give a hoot about the gap population – those who make too much income to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough to qualify for coverage under the state’s health insurance exchange. Tell the estimated 78,000 people

in the gap population (more than 10,000 of which are in Canyon County) that they’ll have to continue to choose between buying food or medicine for their children. Tell county commissioners in Idaho to ramp up the indigent care budgets. Then take the “do nothing” recommendation to the full Legislature where, of course, nothing will be done. The quick solution, and the best so far, is for lawmakers to accept Medicaid expansion, which will remove the coverage gap and — at least temporarily — solve the problem. We understand why legislators are nervous about dependency on federal dollars, because we have reservations ourselves. But nobody has yet come up with a better idea, or one that the legislative task force has accepted. Idaho doesn’t have to be married to Medicaid expansion. Lawmakers can try it out for a year or two and see if it works — or until they can come up with something better. Even a “do-nothing” group of legislators ought to be able to figure out a way to sunset Medicaid expansion. Simple solutions aren’t always the best for political purposes –

at least in the eyes of politicians. Medicaid expansion is the brainchild of “Obamacare,” which to Republicans is nastier than any four-letter word uttered after a bad golf shot. Republicans have legitimate reasons for opposing Medicaid expansion that goes beyond dislike for Obama. According to an article by Kimberlee Kruesi of the Associate Press, opponents warn that expanding the program could cost the state millions, while doing little to drive down medical fees. Dr. John Livingston, a Boise physician and adviser to the Idaho Freedom Foundation, says states that have expanded Medicaid have faced higherthan-expected enrollments, along with higher costs. So if Republicans on the panel don’t like Obama and don’t think that Medicaid expansion is what it is cracked up to be, then fine. Do your jobs and come up with something that will work. Wayne Hoffman, director of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, suggests funding the gap by clearing the way for more charitable giving. His solutions include expanding Idaho’s charity-care liability immunity statute “to include physicians offering services

for free from their own clinics, and to provide continuing education credits associated with such services.” He talks about expanding laws governing individual development accounts, which could be used by Idahoans to save for healthcare emergency. One fairly painless option is to give taxpayers the option of donating their grocery tax credit toward healthrelated programs for low-income individuals and families. These are not bad ideas, and they’re certainly worth talking about. If the taskforce likes Hoffman’s plan, then adopt them. If the number crunchers think these ideas would cover the healthcare gap without Medicare expansion, then by all means adopt them. For gosh sake, do something. The task force is scheduled to meet again late October. If actions warrant, we’ll be delighted to come up with a more flattering name for the group. Our editorial board Our editorials are written by Idaho Press-Tribune editorial writer Chuck Malloy and are based on the majority opinions of our editorial board. Not all opinions are unanimous. Members of the board are Publisher Matt Davison and community members David Beverly, Layne Bell, Claudia Swope and Marlene Jacobsen. Editor Scott McIntosh is a nonvoting member.

Never give up on Christopher Reese’s homicide case

hirteen years ago, in 2003, a man wearing an FBI jacket walked into the Xerox Federal Credit Union in the quiet suburban town of Webster, just outside of Rochester, New York, robbed the credit union and shot two Xerox employees who were there transacting business. One of those customers, Raymond Batzel, 51, was killed. He had a son and two high school-age daughters. At the time, I was an assistant metro editor at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and I remember our staff covering the robbery and homicide. I also remember the many, many follow-up articles we ran in the subsequent weeks and years. We would pull out the grainy, pixelated surveillance camera images of the killer and run them on the front page of the newspaper. We’d talk to police officials about whether there were any updates on the case. Year after year, we shook the

OK?” the 89-year-old Bentrees, hoping someone would come forward, and police nett told the Democrat and would arrest the killer. Chronicle. “I said, ‘This is the Last week, just a little over best day of my life.’ “ 13 years since the robbery At a press conference last and homicide, police week, Bennett said, made an arrest in “I’m 89-and-a-halfthe case, arresting a years-old, and it former Xerox Corp. was my prayer that employee who once I would live long sued the company for enough to see this racial discrimination. case come to justice.” Richard Leon As I’ve been readWilbern was charged ing these stories, I’m in federal court with reminded of our own the robbery and the local cold case, that SCOTT McINTOSH homicide of Batzel. of Christopher Reese, I always wondered who was killed Dec. Editor’s Notebook if our stories and pub17, 2014, when the Jackson’s convenience store licity of the case ever did any in Notus, where Reese was good. As the years went by, working, was robbed by two each one without an arrest, it masked, armed assailants. seemed pointless to continue Reese was 25 and had a to drag the story out of the 4-year-old daughter at the archives. time. Well, now that an arrest has Just like my former paper, been made, my former newswe here at the Idaho Presspaper called Rowena Bennett, Batzel’s mother, and asked her Tribune have run several stories about Reese’s murder how she felt. in the past two years. We’ve “All my other children were pulled out the surveillance calling me to say, ‘Are you

camera photos and run them cording to Jackson’s company on the front page. We’ve run officials. photos of Reese. We’ve talked I’m heartened by last week’s to his mom and his sister. It’s arrest in the Webster Xerox a heart-wrenching story of an credit union robbery and hoinnocent man whose life was micide. It was brought about cut short in a senseless robfrom a tip that came in after a press conference bery. I don’t want it to take the FBI held in Two masked March this year people, one wear13 years, but I do nearly 13 years ing a camouwant us to interview — after the robbery. flage jacket and Reese’s mother some It goes to tan pants, one wearing a black day and ask her how show that we should continue hooded sweatshe feels when an to do what we shirt and blue arrest has been made do, continue jeans, walked to write stories into the Jackson’s in her son’s case and continue store with guns to let the public know that drawn. Surveillance video we haven’t forgotten, that we footage shows one man leavare still waiting for justice. I ing with a bag, still carrying the weapon. The other person don’t want it to take 13 years, is seen entering the store with but I do want us to interview Reese’s mother some day and a hand truck and leaving with ask her how she feels when an the store’s safe. arrest has been made in her The safe was found off son’s case. Purple Sage Road near where Scott McIntosh is the editor the robbers abandoned Reese’s of the Idaho Press-Tribune. 2007 Lincoln MKZ, stolen Call 465-8110 or email smcinfrom the store’s parking lot. The safe was not opened, actosh@idahopress.com.

Freedom to hunt diminished by landowners’ decision to bar recreation

tions they depend on to bring people to the area; many places where people have enjoyed the backcountry now were off limits. And with the loss of access comes significant loss of revenue to local businesses. That Valley-Adams buy was the second really large Idaho lands purchase by the Wilkses. In 2015, they were reported to have purchased 38,000 acres in Idaho County and there, too, promptly cut off recreation access. These are only a part of the family’s massive land buys around the West. Attempts on the part of Idahoans, including private citizens and the Department of Fish and Game (which has tried to mediate), have had little success. Maybe the Wilkses may have figured Idahoans wouldn’t object, on political grounds. They have been major multimillion-dollar donors to the

ment, a Texas property develhose who reflexively opment firm led by members find private ownership of the Wilks family. The and control freeing and Wilkses have been, as Rocky liberating, and government Barker reported in the Idaho control and ownership the reStatesman, “buying up land verse, will find a conundrum all over the West, and closhere. ing off much of the access to About 305 hunters, some those lands. . . . The Idahoans and some Wilkses are closing from out of state, were off the timberlands eagerly anticipating to hunting and other the opening of huntrecreation. They aling season to start ready canceled leases tracking down elk in with Valley County certain southern parts to maintain roads of Idaho backcountry, that provided access pieces of which are to snowmobile trails publicly owned, but RANDY STAPILUS on public land.” much of which was The hunters, who long owned by PotLocal columnist were left with little latch Corporation and area to hunt, were stunned. Boise Cascade. Those compaBut there wasn’t much they nies generally did not object, though they could have, to the could do. Local communities around hunters being there or pursuAdams and Valley counties ing game. and their leaders were likeRecently, however, Potlatch wise left with few options. sold many of its large tracts, They faced the loss of a big reported to consist of about 172,000 acres, to DF Develop- part of the outdoors attrac-

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presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who was the top choice in Idaho’s presidential primary this year. Cruz has suggested that Texas, which (surprisingly given the size of the state) has almost no federal public lands, should be a public lands model for the nation. In 2014, Cruz proposed an amendment to a sportsman’s law capping the amount of federal lands in any one state, and forcing federal agencies to either give to the states or sell to the top bidder any overages. Late last year, he told the Review-Journal newspaper in Las Vegas, “I believe we should transfer as much federal land as possible back to the states and ideally back to the people.” The point, as he explained it, was to maximize freedom. Freedom for some, apparently those like the Wilkses, but not for all. It’s a diminished freedom for the hunters and other recreationists

who find that a decision by the new land owners — one that could have been made by previous owners but wasn’t possibly in the interest of good will — has significantly cut their options. As compared to publicly owned lands where hunting, fishing and recreating may be regulated but still are broadly allowed. Try applying all this to the formula of private=free, public=locked up, and you’ll quickly wrap yourself in pretzels. Or maybe the ideologues among us simply need to come up with new and more creative definitions for words like “freedom.” Randy Stapilus is a former Idaho newspaper reporter and editor and blogs at www.ridenbaugh.com. He can be reached at stapilus@ridenbaugh.com. A book of his Idaho columns from the past decade, Crossing the Snake, is available at www. ridenbaughpress.com/crossing.

EDITOR: SCOTT MCINTOSH, 465-8110, OP-ED@IDAHOPRESS.COM C M Y K