Tony Stewart Scrapbook 2006

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Sept. 8, 2002

Partly cloudy Weather A2 Vol. 94 No. 39

Coming Wednesday

4 sections

Sept. 11 molds lessons

in school curriculurns Teachers use events of past year to illustrate, strengthen lesson plans

By ERIC FLOWERS Staff writer

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See how the events of Sept. 11 affected North Idaho, and how North Idaho has responded in the pages of "One Ysar Later," a special section found only in The Press.

COEUR d'ALENE -Autumn has arrived in North Idaho.

And so the fall rituals begin.

Leaves will be gathered into orderly mounds, rifles will be sighted and televisions tuned into broadcasts of a new foot.ball season full of hopes and expectations.

And students well-tanned and even better rested will attempt to adjust to a new cadre of teachers and subjects as they prepare for

another school year.

From the subtle pleasure of opening new notebooks to the shrill percussion of the school bell that marks the return of the regimented school day, the experience is defined by its enduring familiarity.

But this year will be different. A solemnity will contrast the buoyant spirits of students and teachers as they embark on another year of studies.

In a memorial that will no doubt become a lasting feature of the school year, students and teachers will pause Wednesday to recognize the horrific events that changed the way Americans think about themselves and the world around them.

LESSONS continued on A3

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LESSONS

continued from A 1

But Sept 11 is more than just a day to remember. Many teachers are recognizing the broad implications of the act that stopped the world. And some educators are seizing the opportunity to use Sept. 11 as a way to bring home lessons about American history, politics and religion - subjects in which even the best teachers sometimes struggle to make connections between the past and the present for students.

'That's one of the things that most of us teaching history try to do," said Phil Batchelder, who teaches U.S. and world history at Lake City High School. "We ask bow do we make this subject relevant to their lives."

In the events and the subsequent coverage of the war on terrorism, teachers have found a tool that can breathe life into subject matter that may have otherwise met with apathy.

Confronted by students who wanted to know why people would hate the United States enough to undertake a mission so horrific, Batchelder looked to his lesson plans. He found clues in material like the Monroe Doctrine, a cornerstone of America's foreign policy and staple of U.S. history curriculum across the country.

He also looked to the east, reshuffling his class calendar to teach a one-week unit on Islam to his world history students immediately after Sept 11.

A school district-level cur1 riculum change this year .would have cut that chapter ¡out of high school history classes. but teachers huddled a week prior to school and agreed that the unit should be kept this year - even if it didn't fit precisely the outline of , this year's course.

"I felt students

Tom Flint took a parallel -track with his students at North . Idaho College. A philosophy and . world religions instructor, Flint also flip-flopped his lesson plans . to teach a unit on Islam following the attack. like history teacher Batchelder, Flint found students looking for answers as to how anyone could hate the United States enough to unleash such destruction. He went over the fundamentals of the faith, but also set out on his own to learn more about radical Islam.

What he found was a tradition of militant conservatism within the faith that has spawned charismatic leaders like Osama Bin Laden who are determined to stamp out Western influence in traditional Muslim homelands. He brought what he learned to the classroom. ur felt students needed to have some kind of grasp of the strand of Islam that supports this," said FlinL 'The idea was to try to explain to students why, right or wrong, large segments of the Islamic world hate America" But not all teachers agree.

Some like Eric Edmonds ¡say Sept 11 doesn't have to be part of the lesson plans in ,order for students to understand topics like history and politics. Edmonds who teaches American History at LCHS said students have heard

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needed to have some kind of grasp of the strand of Islam that supports ,, this.

-Tom Flint, NIC philosophy and world religions instructor

enough about Sept 11 from the media. Other than the obvious observance that will take place Wednesday, he has no plans to use Sept 11 as teaching tool.

John Kizza, Washington State University dean of education, said his college is taking a number of steps to commemorate the anniversary of the event, including sponsoring a forum of local instructors to discuss the impact of the attack politically and CW: turally on our society.

And while the topic is ripe for discussion particularly around the anniversary of Sept 11, he said the university is encouraging instructors to speak only within their area of expertise.

"What faculty members are trying to do is make sure the material is appropriate both in the subject area and in the class," Kizza said.

Don Crowley, chair of the University of Idaho's political science department, is one of the instructors who has retooled some of his lecture notes to incorporate material relevant to Sept 11.

He plans to discuss the new homeland security measures, such as the Patriot Act, in his Constitutional law course at Idaho. Crowley bas taught the course since 1983 and although it wasn't offered last year, he said the homeland security debate seemed like a natural in the context of

his civil rights lectures.

University of Idaho President "I think that is the general Bob Hoover tapped Lewis to trend and style of teaching in head up a new program, the the history department," said Initiative for Research for Crowley. "We try to take news- Infrastructure Security, dubbed worthy events and insert them IRIS, that seeks to integrate pubin ways that illustrate the lie and private research to comthings we teach." bat the threat of further attacks.

One of the biggest pitfalls in Among his ongoing work is any discussion of Sept. 11 and a collaborative project with an the war on terror is the tenden- Idaho tech firm to develop a cy to apportion blame on the back up system for large power Arab race, said Tony Stewart, a grids using pioneering research political science instructor at in electrical switches. A few North Idaho College and long- years ago it might have been time member of the Kootenai difficult to sell defense departCounty Task Force on Human ment-type research to acadeRelations. mies. but no longer, said Lewis.

Stewart said his class Toe reason is simple - the includes discussion on American money is there. policies such as the Truman and 'The love of research is one Nixon doctrines. philosophies thing," said Lewis, "but you that have thrust the United have to have money to do it."

States onto center stage in world And while money for high politics. But he also uses the tech research is drying up from events to talk about the changing the private sector, a steady flow balance of global power in the of dollars is expected from the p o s t - c o l d ~ U.S. gQ,Vernment to fund anti"! tell the stu Jerrorimn efforts at the laboratonew challenge and the s ry1evel And while Lewis isn't need to understand that chal~ to throvr-on a lab coat and lenge," said Stewart. "How does fire up a Bunsen burner anythe U.S. foreign policy both from time soon, he is at the moment a perspective of defense departthe go-to person in this area of ment and the state department counter this very serious threat.

All nations are endangered by this new warfare."

Perhaps no academic instructor in the country understands the ongoing threat of terrorism better than Rand Lewis. A retired U.S. Army Colonel, Lewis worked for more than a decade as a counter terrorism specialist and diplomat while stationed in central Europe.

He now oversees the Martin School of International Affairs at the University of Idaho and for several years he has also taught a course on international terrorism, which Lewis says has grown immensely since last year.

But he is more than just an observer or commentator.

Lewis is an active player in the war on terrorism. Last year,

the country when it comes to developing projects that marry academics with real world applications to combat terrorism.

"We have pockets of research but nobody ever talked to the person across the hall to see how what they are doing might be incorporated into their work," said Lewis.

Toe IRIS program is attempting to connect some of those researchers and their work on the front-end to develop everything from electrical switches to bioterrorism responses.

"We are at the forefront of this work," said Lewis.

And while this type of cloak and dagger research may seem a world away from Batcbelder's history students, they and others like them will be working on these projects just a few years from now as student research assistants.

And, says Lewis, the demand is likely only to grow for young minds who want to contribute to the defense of their country in this new era.

'We have been living in a cocoon. Most of the rest of the bas been dealing with terrorism on a daily basis and Americans never did," Lewis said. "Now we have been pulled into the modern world of warfare."

The Press •Wednesday,September 11, 2002 13

Learning to Heal

NIC teachers say key is eliminating preiudices

By Rick Thomas

of war that are not done in peacetime. These are not shoplifters - terroris_ts will kill anybody."

Staff writer

Ai

''Thegovernment needs to do things in times

ericans were complacent before ept. 11, believing it couldn't happen ere, but now that the nation has been attacked, citizens will be up to the task of defeating terrorism, said Tony Stewart, a political science instructor at North Idaho College.

"It's a real challenge," he said. 'Terrorists are harder to deal with than any conventional enemy."

Stewart, a crusader for human rights for over two decades, also believes the government is doing what is necessary to combat the forces of terror.

'The government needs to do things in times of war that are not done in peacetime," he said. 'These are not shoplifters - terrorists will kill anybody."

But he still believes that rights of due process and a fair trial are essential to democracy. _

-Tony Stewart, NIC instructor

'There's no simple answer, butwe'll find ways of dealing with it," he said.

Stereotyping is something that must be avoided.

"Most people are good," he said. "It only takes a few evil ones to make life hard for everyone."

But potential enemies must be watched.

"We'll find the balance." he said.

NIC psychology instructor Victor Duarte was born in Central America, has lived in the U.S. for 40 years, and taught at NIC since 1983, but he's felt the sting of extra scrutiny

optimism that this in airports. enemy could and should "Prejudices exist be defeated, said Duarte. among all segments of the population," Duarte said.

The anthrax attacks "People oversimplify that followed added to things. Ultimately that will the sense of a continuing be self-defeating." threat, a fear he believes Education is important is reasonable. because it deals with the "Extreme hate will complexities of issues and probably mean further events. Instruction in attacks," Duarte said.

Stewart Duarte's classes will Duarte "'They're not going include time spent on dealaway." ing with major trauma, and more students There are parallels to the ongoing battles are now entering the psychology field at NIC in the Mideast, where one act leads to anothbecause they can transfer to the University of er in a never-ending cycle of violence.

Idaho's bachelor's degree program in Coeur Duarte feels that additional security and d'Alene, said Duarte. scrutiny of suspected terrorists will likely Americans with no direct connection to limit major attacks to foreign sites such as the victims of Sept 11 felt the same anguish embassies. as the friends and relatives of those victims 'The Twin Towers were a symbol to because they identified with them, and con- Americans and to those who hated us," versely project their anger onto those they Duarte said. identify with the attackers, Duarte said.

The war on terrorism will not be a short 'The nationalistic fer vor was created by one, Stewart said, but he noted that there's the threat to the group," said Duarte. ''Many nowhere to hide in the deser t. patriotic Arab-Americans became suspects He said Saddam Hussein is a "madman," after Sept. 11. The two basic responses to comparable to Adolf Hitler.

Sept. 11 were fear and anger."

'These are not civilized rulers," Duarte Pessimism was the dominant reaction to those who felt fear, while anger prompted an EDUCATION continued on 14

14 The Press •Wednesday,September 11, 2002

EDUCATION

cont inu ed from 13

said. '·Hussein and Bin Laden have no regard for international law or the Geneva Accord. " Just as Richard Butler, a former leader of the Aryan nation in Idaho, is not a true Christian, Bin Laden is not a true Muslim, Duarte said. '·George Bush said it best when he said Bin Laden is trying to hijack Islam," Stewart said.

"I'm not a military exper t, but we should have surrounded Baghdad and blockaded Hussein."

Stewart is angry with the Immigration and Naturalization Service for their mishandling of and inattention to visitors to the U.S. , 'The criticism of the INS is absolutely justified," said Stewart "It is reasonable for guests to this country to have a record of when they enter and when they exit."

At NIC, Arab students are watched closely not because they pose a threat, but to protect them from harm. He agrees that colleges and universities can be a positive force in teaching different peoples to live together.

"Classes in American government will include discussions on protecting and

defending democracy by combating terror," said Stewart.

The healing process will take time. as will an accurate historical perspective, said Duarte.

"People can be susceptible to mental and physical changes as a result of psychological trauma," he said. 'There are psychological stages people have to go through as they distance themselves from the event."

But continuing reminders of Sept. 11 will make it a slow process. especially for children, for whom fear is the most prevalent emotion, said Duarte.

"Don't live in fear. Don't allow terrorists to limit our freedom," he said.

CLOSE TO HOME • Cynthia Taggart

Family clinic pioneer dies Jo Marinovich knew sex wasn't a dirty word long before most people.

She didn't whisper the word or spell it instead of saying it. She said it without a snicker, and won people's attention with her lack of embarrassment. Sex, Jo told thousands of North Idaho residents back in the early 1970s, is a human function and people should know how to go about it safely.

Jo was the registered nurse behind North Idaho's fin>t family planning clinic in 1971.

She taught the public about safe sex long before AIDS was an issue. She informed people that rape was a crime of violence, not of passion. She helped start programs to support rape and abuse victims.

North Idaho was lucky to have Jo for nearly 30 years. She died Oct. 21 from lung cancer at age 68. The progress she brought to the

Panhandle will live on.

"She was really a pioneer in the family planning field in Kootenai County," says Margaret Fedje. Margaret is a counselor in North Idaho College's nursing program. "She really had concerns for women's health issues."

Jo was a Montana girl raised to value common sense and the people around her.

She turned to nursing after her sister, Mary Ellen, died at 17 from complications of lupus.

Nursing fit Jo. She wanted to help people and teach them to help themselves. She graduated from Montana State University in 1956, married the same year and gave birth to her sons Mark in 1957 and Dan in 1961.

Continued: Close to Home/ BS

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Friday, November 8, 2002

REGION

Close to Home:

Women bullied . .

mto mamage Continued from 81

Her family settled in Hayden Lake ; irl' 1960. Jo worked at Coeur d'Alene hospitals until she found work in •Kootenai County's health department.

Nothing escaped Jo's attention. As a county nurse, she drew blood for pre-marital tests at the Hitching Post.

The happy couples she expected often weren't. Jo met too many "women bullied into marriage. Her son Mark remembers Jo's story about a bride faking fainting, then asking for help out of the wedding as soon as she was placed on a cot away from her fiance. Jo called the Coeur d'A,lene Police. ~ Jo also provided nursing services for an hour a day at NlC, courtesy of the health department. She winced at the students' ignorance regarding body functions, birth control and family planning.

The county health department be• came the Panhandle Health District in 1971, and Jo found herself in a like-minded, progressive group.

Larry Belmont was the first PHD funded the service full-time. director and immediately landed a Help for women was another need family planning grant. He put Jo in Jo couldn't ignore. She helped start charge of the program. the Women's Center in Coeur d'A"Jo had the personality that was lene to serve as a bastion for women just ideal for family planning,'' he fleeing abuse, and a crisis response says. "She was understanding, patient group to assist rape victims. She and fun. She was able to make it non- trained volunteers to meet rape victhreatening, non-emotional and not tims at the hospital and lend support. immoral."

"She was a remarkable, wann, Jo sailed diaphragms like Frisbees loving person," says Margaret, one of in workshops she led. She squirted Jo's volunteers in family planning contraceptive cream in people's and rape crisis support. palms and told them it was hand Jo was 55 when she retired in 1989. cream - at first.

Her Idaho projects were in good "Mom would do something totally hands and she wanted to go where off-base to get people involved," her skills were needed, Mark beMark says, chuckling. lieves. She settled in San Miguel de In 1978 shortly after her divorce, Allende, a city in central Mexico, and Jo persuaded NIC's Tony Stewart to joined a women's group that sent a invite Nathaniel Wagner, a Univer- handful of Mexican children through sity of Washington expert on human college. sexuality, to speak at the annual She traveled the world, riding elePopcorn Forum. The event provoked phants in India and lecturing illa petition drive by opponents led by mannered federales in Guatemala. A Ron Rankin. now a Kootenai County cough nagged her for the last three commissioner. The petition drive years, but it didn't slow her down failed. Wagner was next seen on TV's until last month. Doctors in Houston "60 Minutes." diagnosed lung cancer. Ten days North Idaho accepted family plan- later, she died. ning clinics by the mid-1970s, so Jo "She always needed someone to moved to NIC where she knew she nurse, to mother," Mark says. She was needed. With Post Falls Dr. Dick willed the bulk of her estate to a Eggleston, she persuaded the school scholarship fund for Mexican chilto offer student health services at dren. "I take pride in what she did least half-time. Jo gave so many and solace in the fact that she sports physicals that NIC quickly impacted a lot of lives."

For

'fhePress,'fhursday, Jan. 16,2003

Traveling with the Declaration Early copy of historic document to visit N. Idaho

By KAREN SHERMAN Staff writer

COEUR

d'ALENE

Noted TV and movie producer Norman Lear is bringing the "peoples' document" to North Idaho.

Lear stumbled onto one of 25 original copies of the Declaration of Independence on Sotherby's on-line auction in 2000. He bought the document for $8 million and is now sending it on a multimedia tour called the Declaration of Independence Road Trip, which will hit Coeur d'Alene this swnmer.

"Instead of the Declaration of Independence sitting on Norman Lear's shelf or on his wall he wanted to take what he call~ 'our nation's birth certificate' to the people," said Ashley Mowrey, spokesperson for the DOI Road Trip. 'This is the only one that's traveling the country at this time."

TOUR continued on C3

Independence is a beautiful political essay because it was ; continued from C1 written by our founding fathers," said Tony Stewart, Coeur d'Alene was chosen political science professor at . among 25 other cities to host the North Idaho College. "What . cross-country tour, which will makes this so special is our f continue through November document lays out the princi\ 2004. The tour will visit Coeur ples we should strive for."

Stewart said our country " d'Alene on August 15 and 16 at a 1 site yet to be determined. has succeeded in maintaining ''Your city was chosen those principles in many ways, , because we're trying to choose such as the abolishment of I cities that don't necessarily get slavery and giving women the these type of performances," right to vote. said Melanie Wages, account 'The declaration has been 1 ( coordinator. "I think it's excit- our political conscious to strive ' ing for kids who are learning for implementation of these . about history to come see this democratic principles," ( document."

Stewart said. "It's been our The document is presented responsibility to implement . in a glass case and accompa- and live up to those princi. nied with a 14-minute video ples." ; segment of actors and actressIn the past, Stewart has met - es reading the declaration. civil right activists in Africa It is called the Dunlap who said they used the 1 . broadside because the ¡ docu- Declaration of Independence 1 ment was sent to John Dunlap, as a model to form their . a printer in Philadelphia, who Charter of Freedom. ' printed 200 original copies 'They shared with me that part of their charter was great1 when the declaration was final, ized on July 4, 1776. ly influenced by the contents ¡ "The Declaration of of the declaration," he said.

~TOUR

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Coeur d.Alen.•

Friday April 11, 2003

War entrances North Idaho Debate rages on the Internet

By SCOTT REEVES St aff writer

COEUR d'ALENE - The war to oust Saddam Hussein enjoys broad support in North Idaho, but some chatter on Internet Web sites sounds like an echo from the 1960s.

Many area residents are avid newspaper readers and are entranced by watching the war in real time on the cable networks, an informal survey of the community found.

"I think the war illustrates what a tyrant Saddam Hussein has been," said Tony Stewart, a political science instructor at North Idaho

College. "Today in Iraq, many citizens are celebrating the opportunity for freedom.

There is overwhelming evidence of how people were tortured by his dictatorial regime."

By some estimates, Saddam's regime murdered as many as 2 million Iraqis.

Ron Johnson, a Democratic party activist and a resident of Post Falls, expressed doubt about the ¡ long-term effect of the war.

"I'm against the war," he said. "I think it's going to create more resentment in the region. Basically, the whole world was against this war.

We should have listened. I'm not disputing that Saddam Hussein is an evil man - he is. But I think we attacked Iraq for unfinished business in the Bush family. I don't

think we'll find weapons of mass destruction - it was a trumped- up charge."

Milt Stafford, a World War II Army veteran of campaigns in Africa, Sicily and Italy, disagreed.

"I sure as hell don't oppose the war," he said "I think we should have gotten rid of that son-of-a-gun Saddam a long time ago. The troops are doing a hell of a good job. If you want my honest opinion, I think people who oppose the war are crazier than hell. I'm for the troops 100 percent."

But not everyone supports the troops.

A banner at a recent street demonstration in San Francisco read, ''We support our troops when they shoot their officers."

DEBATE continued on A4

A4 THE PRESS Friday, April 11, 2003

the illegitimate presidency of George W. Bush and to procontinued from A 1 vide a resource for the exchange and dissemination The chatter on democrati- of liberal and progressive cunderground.com, an ideas."

Internet Web site, doesn't One participant cited his repudiate the San Francisco understanding of internationview of the world. al law.

"Hey, U.S. cheerlead"We are involved in an ers," a participant in a dis- immoral, unjustified, precussion forum wrote. "Go emptive, unilateral 'war' screw yourselves. Thjs is against a sovereign nation,' " blood on your hands. How the blogger wrote. many guys have to die just Another participant noted, so you can you can get your "What stand should people jollies?" who were previously The Web site said it was opposed to the war take now? founded on Jan. 20. 2001, Some say we should 'support Inauguration Day, "to protest our troops' and hope for a

DEBATE

quick U.S. victory as the best way to end the bloodshed.

But how can you support the war that you believe is unjustified?"

One chatroom visitor fretted about the future and questioned the moral justification for sending troops into Iraq.

"What now George?

Where are you going to send our boys and girls now? What kind of threat are you going to make up now?"

Some chatroom participants viewed the draping of an American flag over a statue of Saddam as an act of

imperialism.

"It sure isn't the last time that this very revealing display of American arrogance will be commented on," a blogger wrote. "This administration continues to be selfdestructive and insistent on eliminating any remaining drops of goodwill that there may have been left to this country. Respect goes out the window with common decency."

Another participant saw the American flag covering the head of the statue as an ominous sign of what's ahead for the Middle East.

"This was the message

sent to Arabs throughout the world - everything in Iraq will have an American face," the chatroom participant wrote.

At least one participant was confused by recent events and said, "I don't know what to make of this any more."

Others simply blamed President Bush.

"This is a direct reflection on the President of the United States to show his crudeness, his rudeness and how tasteless he has indeed become. This should be an embarrassment to all Americans."

NIC alumni-- honored for

achievement Professor given honorary award for college service , COEUR d'ALENE - The North Idaho College Alumni Association recently named -.this year's outstanding alumni awards recipir ents.

Jack J. Lemley, Class. of '55, was recently honored with the Distinguisbed Alumni Achievement Award, which is presented to NIC ~ alumni for a record of significant achievement ¡in a chosen field of interest or profession.

The NIC Alumni Association also honored Josephine Webb with the Alumna of the Year Award. Webb graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1940. Mer working for years as an engineer, she moved to the Coeur d'Alene larea and served as assistant to NIC presidents Barry Schuler and Bob Bennett, and was a member of the NIC Board of Trustees from 1968 to 1976.

NIC political science instructor Tony Stewart was presented with the Honorary Alumnus of the Year Award.

"It is our privilege to honor such outstanding members of the NIC Alumni Association," said Priscilla Portenier, NIC Alumni Association coordinator. "Each of these award recipients have made many contributions to both NIC and our communities."

Lemley served as the chief executive offi-

cer of a consortium of French and British companies that designed and bu.ilt the Channel Tunnel rail system, which was completed in 1994 after eight years of construction. The Channel Tunnel is a three-tunnel railroad that runs under the English Channel, connecting England and France. It is one of the world's best-known construction project_s and is the largest privately-funded construction project in history. ¡ Lemley still owns and operates the management consultant firm Lemley and Associates, Inc. in Boise.

Though Webb did not earri a degree from NIC, she has continued her education at the college for the past 15 years and is a member of the NIC Alumni Association.

Although not an alumnus of NIC, Stewart has touched many lives in his 33 years at NIC. He is well known as a human rights leader throughout the region, is the founder of the Popcorn Forum and his television program, NIC's TV Public Forum, is the longest-running college-produced Public Broadcasting Service show in the country.

B_oth Webb ~d Stewart were honored at the July NIC Alumni Association board meeting and in the First Bank Fourth of July Festival parade on the Four th of July. Lemley will be honored at a lunch this fall.

Last year's Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award was bestowed on President of Hagadone Corporation Duane Hagadone, Class of '52.

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NIC Honorary Alumnus of the Year Tony Stewart, left, and Alumna of the Year Josephine Webb sit with NIC Alumni Association President Wally Adams, Class of '61, before riding in the First Bank Fourth of July Festival parade on the Fourth of July.

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Pleasant Expect highs in upper ?Os. See A2.

NIC's Fort Sherman faced with its own survival Antiterrorism school needs to get more clients, or more money from college

By Taryn Brodwater Staff writer

COEUR d'ALENE - When North Idaho College announced plans to open the Fort Sherman Institute, it was touted as a potential moneymaker.

So far, the institute - an antiterrorism and hostage survival training school - is a long way from selfsufficiency.

North Idaho College has pumped about $700,000 into the institute since 2001, covering a nearly half.nillliondollar shortfall last year alone.

This spring, college trustees put tighter controls on the Post Falls-based institute, setting a budget of $138,000 that may be exhausted by October. Now the institute needs to find enough business to stay open - or persuade NIC trustees to provide more money.

Some instructors and other college employees are upset about the spending.

They question the college's spending on the institute in tough economic times, with tuition rising and no pay raises in · two years.

"Tuition's gone up 10 percent," in-

structor Tony Stewart said. "There's just such demand on the dollars. Could the college afford to fund it another year at that rate? Some of us are deeply concerned."

But NIC administrators and Fort Sherman Institute Director David Dose say the program is attracting more contracts and deserves the school's support. The early investment could have a big payoff down the road, they say.

Dose said the institute recently secured a $350,000 contract, is negotiating Continued: Fort Sherman/ AU

"There'sjust such demand on the dollars. Could the college afford to fund it another year at that rate? Some ofus are deeply concerned. " Tony Stewart N!C instructor

Spokane, Wash./ Coeur d'Alene, roano

Fort Shennan: Federal money

falls through Continued from A1

another with the Idaho National Guard and could have more in the works. ' Members of the congressional delegation, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and 'yommunity leaders all have voiced •support. Dose said th<'< institute is gaming a national reputatipn.

His dream for the institute is right on track, be says - except for one ·area. · · "The goal was to be selfsustaining," Dose said. "We stiU ' spend more than we take on." '

"In the red · ' The Fort Sherman Institute was · Dose's brainchild. The former middle school teacher, one-time Shoshone County commissioner and go~ernment-trained expert in antiter. ronsm and hostage survival first , pitched the idea to the college in 2001, months before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"The dream originally was to do some of the things at an Uhclassified and appropriate level for civilians that could only be done for the military and folks like that" Dose said. ' After _9/11, Do~e said the college bought mto the idea of opening a , .school, staffing it with national experts and offering services nation·wide.

The Fort Sherman Institute _opened in October 2001 with $100,000 seed money from the college. So far·, the institute offers · courses including terrorism awareness, hostage survival and others tari~ting everyone from government offic1als to church missionaries and business travelers. Fifteen full- and ·par~-time employees work at the mstttute.

For the institute's second year of operation, administrators were banking on a nearly $500,000 federa l allocation last year and a contract to provide training to members of Congr~ss. Neither came through - despite encouragement from Idaho's congressional delegation.

, , The money had already been budgeted as part of the institute's expected revenue for the year, NIC spokesman Kent Propst said.

"They overestimated by a long shot/' he said.

When the fiscal year ended in June, the institute was $475,000 in the red. The college pulled money from its cash reserve to cover the loss.

Board Chairman Fred Ostermeyer said the board was updated each month on the institute's financial status. He said the shortfall wasn't a surprise, and he still believes the institute could eventually make money for the college, taking some weight off the shoulders of students and taxpayers.

In tough economic times, college employees are wondering if NIC can afford to wait for that to happen. . ' At a faculty meeting last week, the institute's spending was an issue of concern, Stewart said. Though NIC's teachers support the premise ?f the institute, he said the consensus 1s that the college needs to be more careful with how it spends its money.

Employees are also incensed by the fact that no raises have been doled out for the past two years.

"I think every employee at NIC is feeling the crunch since salaries have been frozen,'' said Rhena Cooper, chairwoman of the faculty assembly.

"Most faculty believe it's a great cause to champion. There is full "support for anything that works to · oppose terror. Unfortunately, it was in the red as of June 2003."

Source for raises NIC President Michael Burke supports the institute, though he shares concerns over its financial status.

"It still remains, in my mind, a very unique program, a very viable program," he said. "It is going to pro~de protection to people that are gomg ,JJltO harm's way.

"I'm proud that we're able to prqvide that type of service, but we 'want to be able do it in a way that's fiscally prudent."

That's why the institute was asked to begin this budget year with a business plan and an understanding of exactly how much of the college's money it can spend, Burke said.

According to the plan's projec.tions, that money could be used up by the eQd of October, just four months into the fiscal year.

Propst said the institute - like any other department in the college will be expected t.o stick to its budget.

Ostermeyer said the board of trustees has the power to set budgets. If the institute runs out of money, trustees could say that's it or decide to turn over more money.

• Other options are being explored, including partnerships wjth other institutions. The University of Idaho Jbas been approached, but NIC says it has declined to provide what the institute really needs - additional funding.

Even if money runs out and NIC doesn't continue to provide support, Dose said the institute could survive. " I don't know where Fort Sherman will be, but there are too many

Sunday, August 24, 2003

Page AU

FROM THE FRONT PAGE contracts and customers in place that we won't be somewhere providing this service," be said.

Dose said he had heard "through the rumor mill" that there were rumblings on campus about the amount of money spent on the institute.

"There's a Umited amount of money and everybody's got their own idea of how we should spend it," Dose said. "Some folks feel like they would have been better off with raises. Obviously, the leaders decided we should try to create this instead."

The former teacher said he is sympathetic to the salary woes on campus, but be said the institute also has employe~s with families counting on paychecks.

He said NIC's facu lty might just be

using the institute's money troubles as "a stick to throw at the president" and college leaders.

Relations between Burke and NIC's faculty have been strained.

Some don't agree with decisions Bur~e has made in attempts. to trim the coJiege's budget, including bis decision not to give raises.

Dose said he felt colle$e leaders made all the right choices m funding the institute.

"If they're able to stay with it, I think we're going to return the investment," he said. "We could eventually become a source for the raises those people are talking about." â&#x20AC;˘ Taryn Brodwater can be reached at (208) 765-7121 or by e-mail at tarynb@spokesman.com.

The Fort Sherman Institute bulldlng Is near the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center In Post Falls.

Tom Davenpof\ Jhe Spokesman-Review

Helicopter not popular on waterfront HUCKLEBERRIES The Spoke~man-Review

D

uane Hagadone's new helicopter has made a splash on tbe Seattle waterfront. And it isn't all good. According to the Seattle Times, Hagadone skipper Stan Antrim was told to quit using a Port D.F. of Seattle pier as a private helipad, Oliveria after neighbors groused about the blue chopper's comings and goings.

Seems Hagadone, sans permit, ~nnexed the pier to ferry guests to the Lady Lola, his docked $50 million, 205-foot mega-yacht. ln CdA, they'd call that sizzle. But nearby condo-listas had other words for the flights: Frequent. No.isy.

Disruptive. Art Skolnik told the Times: "At first, we thought, well, maybe tbis is some sort of foreign dignitary's boat." B.J. Johnson, who works in the harborrnaster's office was impressed:" lt's a rarity that people get to see that kind of stuff. lt brings a crowd."

And all we get in CdA is a wooden boat show.

Any takers?

John Tuning wasn't making headway as he handed out fl iers at the library before the Spokane mayoral debate Aug. 13. John was promoting "voluntaryism."

Near asJiuckleberries can tell, voluntaryists reject electoral politics, preferring that everything be done by mutual consent instead. Yeah, it's idealistic as all get out. But John's tried party politics -with poor results. John's take on partisanship? "Things haven't turned out the way I thought they would." He figures he'll push voluntaryism for 10 more years. Wonder if John's heard the expression, "lost cause"?

No dotted lines You probably read that an original copy of the Declaration of Independence was viewed by the public recently at North Idaho College. But you didn't read about the viewers' oftbeat questions. Huckleberries' favorite? "Why isn't this signed?" Dutifully, NIC instructor Tony Stewart answered the query over and over during his stint as exhibit chaperone. Seems the 200 originals carried the names of only two men, Continental Congress President John Hancock and secretary Charles Thomson, and were circulated to be read aloud to colonists and militias. Weeks later, the 56 sisners signed their "John Hancocks" on the most famous draft.

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OUR VIEW Program puts an inappropriate strain on NIC's budget.

Survival institute should pay its way When first proposed by military survival training expert David Dose- before 9/11 - the idea was ahead of its time.

Dose, a former Shoshone County commissioner and teacher, wanted North Idaho College's backing to open an institute that would teach ordinary citizens how to survive terrorism. His clients, he proposed. would range from corporate executives, business travelers and government officials to church missionaries.

The college bought into the plan, and Dose opened what became the Fort Sherman Institute for Human Protection at NIC's Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. Since then, Idaho's congressional delegation, Gov. Dirk Kempthoroe and community leaders have voiced support for the institute. And it has been mentioned briefly in Newsweek magazine.

The college, however, has had to prop up the institute at a time when it has frozen faculty pay and cut courses and sports to balance its books. NIC has underwritten the institute by about $700,000 since it opened two years ago. including almost a half-million dollars last year alone. And the $138,000 budgeted by NIC for the institute this year probably will be gone by October.

NIC can't continue to pour taxpayers' dollars into the institute, hoping it will become self-sufficient. In good times, the institute would be a drag on college revenues. In the current bad times, the college shouldn't help fund an expensive experiment that has little to do with its mission of providing "quality education opportunities ... for the students and communities it serves."

College trustees reacted properly, if belatedly, last spring when they tightened controls on the institute. Now, they should set a deadline for the antiterrorism center to begin paying for itself. And they should quit pouring money into the institute if it fails to meet that deadline.

For as much promise as the institute has, it also has shown a propensity to spend money it doesn't have. The center ended last year $475,000 in the red because it was banking on a federal allocation of nearly $500,000 and a contract to provide training to members of Congress. Neither came through - and shouldo't have been considered as revenue in the Fort Sherman Institute budget.

As a result, trustees pulled money from the college cash reserve to cover the loss. Coming a year after they dumped five sports programs and two professional-technical courses to help offset a $1.2 million cut in state funding, NIC faculty members viewed the largesse with reasonable concern.

"Tuition's gone up IO percent," instructor Tony Stewart said.

"There's just such demand on the dollars. Could the college afford to fund it another year at that rate?"

The answer to that question should be a resounding no.

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Mike McGavick Chairman, President and CEO

Safeco Corporation Safeco Plau

Sc-attic, WA 98185-0001 Phone (206) S45-5652 Fax {206) 925-1818 mikmcg@safeco.com www.safcco.com

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NIC faculty pan spending on antiterrorism school Resolution says Fort Shennan Institute.drains college's general, reserve budgets

By Taryn· Brodwater Staff writer

COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho College's spending on its antiterrorism school is "excessive and lacked proper scrutiny," the Faculty Assembly said in a resolution Thursday.

Since fall 2001, NIC has spent about

$650,000 from its general and reserve funds on the Fort Sherman Institute, which some say was supposed to be s.elf-supporting. The institute is part of NIC's Workforce Training Center and provides hostage survival training to groups including\ businesses, the military, police officers, missionaries and overseas travelers.

Faculty Chairwoman Rhena Cooper said

the resolution - approved unanimously by the 55 members at Thursday's assembly meeting - was a way for faculty to take a formal position on issues surrounding the controversial institute.

The assembly has no authority in the matter, but it wants its position known.

The faculty questioned the college's spending on Fort $herman and said they "cannot support any future major drains on the general and reserve funds of NIC to maintain

the Institute."

Tuition has increased 20 percent during the past two years, and employees haven't seen raises for just as long, according to the resolution.

I It identifi~ a need to "be good stewards of the public funds:" The resolution supports NIC President Michael Burke and the college's board of Continued: Institute/A4

Institute: Move was response to an editorial Continued from A1

trustees. which recently implemented more stringent financial controls and approved a limited $138.000 budget for the institute.

According to Fort Sherman Institute·s business plan. that money could be gone by the end of October.

Cooper said some faculty members supported the resolution as a response to an editorial in Sunday's Coeur d'Alene Press. The editorial described NIC faculty as "an academic faculty that wants raises and, generally. sees the institute and the vocational emphasis from Workforce Training as competition."

Though the institute is run under the umbrella of the college's Workforce Training Center. NIC faculty say they support work-force and professional-technical training.

"We just want to be very clear where we stand in supporting all of the programs at NIC," Cooper said.

The editorial also blasted the board of trustees and NIC's Burke for limiting funding for the institute.

Sholeh Patrick, a paid consultant and government lobbyist for the Fort Sherman Institute, is also a columnist for The Press and married to Managing Editor Mike Patrick.

Mike Patrick said his wife has been invited to sit in on editorial board discussions because of her expertise on other subjects, but not concerning Fort Sherman.

She doesn't write about Fort Sherman, he said.

"It's no more of a conflict of interest than Nils Rosdahl representing the NIC faculty and working for The Spokesman-Review," Mike Patrick said. "She's been my wife for a month and a half. We've been editorializing in favor of Fort Sherman and covering it for two years.·• Rosdahl is an NIC journalism instructor and a business columnist for The Idaho Spokesman-Review.

Despite the institute's possible demise, Director David Dose said he's fielding calls from people interested in working there - and is in negotiations with government agencies for training contracts that could bring in millions of dollars.

Getting those contracts before money runs out in October could be a challenge. Dose said. First he has to sell the clienLo; on the training, and then it can take months or even a

couple of years for the agencies to get the money worked into their budgets.

"It takes a while to build a business." Dose said.

The institute·s building and classrooms have only been up and running since April. he said. In that time, the institute has gone from generating nothing to generating about 30 percent of the revenue it needs to break even, he said.

Dose said he's upset about implications that uncontrolled spending resulted in the college having to pull money from its reserve fund.

He said trustees set up a plan so the institute's expenditures came out of the reserve fund. Unlike other college departments, Dose said, the institute didn't have its own budget line item until this budget year.

But, he said, the institute has always had to get its spending approved by college administrators and trustees. .Members of the NIC faculty have said they support the institute's purpose - to provide antiterrorism and hostage survival training.

Dose said the faculty should back

their support for the cause with support for funding.

"It's like driving by a house, seeing it's on fire and going, 'I support you man, I hope you get out, but I don't have time to stop and help you,'•· Dose said. "If you want a more secure America, you're going to have to do something."

College faculty representatives say it comes down to dollars and cents.

"It cannot be the burden of the Kootenai County taxpayers to fund this particular program," instructor Tony Stewart said. "We've never

criticized the purpose, but it has to be funded a different way."

Burke said he doesn't want to comment on the faculty resolution until he discussed the issue with faculty, college spokesman Kent Propst said.

"The faculty have every right to their opinion," Propst said. "Their input is valuable. Their point of view wiU be given full consideration."

• Taryn Brodwater can be reached at (208) 765-7121 or by e-mail at tarynb@spokesman.com.

Stewart gets honors for dedication Alumni recognize professor for commitment, accomplishments aims to provide both the college campus and the wider community with a platform - Staff writer for the free expression of divergent Tony Stewart has been at North Idaho viewpoints and brings a diverse variety of College for 33 years, and during that speakers and events to the school each time, "he has done more for the college year. than any other one person," said former In 1972, Stewart started NIC's TV student and alumni board member Hugh Public Forum, a weekly talk show on Smith. To recognize Stewart's many years Public Television that Stewart produces of hard work and commitment to both the and hosts. The program is now going into school and the community, the Alumni its 32nd year and is the longest-running Association bas awarded Stewart their college-produced Public Television show 2003 Honorary Alumnus of the Year in the country. award.

More than 1,200 tapes of both the A native of Murphy, North Carolina, Popcorn Forums and NIC's TV Public Stewart's road to NIC Forum are available unwittingly began at the -,--- - - - - - - - - - to students and University of Tennessee, where '[don 't believe in instructors in the he was at the time pursuing his retirem ent. Thu 1¡ust NIC library and serve master's degree. Under the students and faculty recommendation of one of his m ove on to as a resource unique U of T professors, He applied som ething else. " to NIC. to Washington State University Tony Stewar t to complete his graduate Some of Stewart's -Political Science Instructorstudies. most prolific work in Stewart's hard work and this community determinism impressed many at WSU, began in 1981, when a Jewish-owned and when Barry Schuler, the president of restau rant was va nda lized with antiNorth Idaho College, called the school Sem i tic slogans. In d irect response, looking for a potential political science Stewart worked in creating the Kootenai professor, Stewart was the first to be County Task Force on Human suggested. Stewart interviewed at NIC Representation (KCTFHR). T he and was consequently offered the job. orga nization was founded to support Although he said he was initially hesitant, victims of human rights violations in he accepted the posit ion and began court, to work with local lawmakers and to combat violence and harassment. teaching in 1970.

In 1986, Stewart also helped create the During his first year teaching, Stewart started the Popcorn Forum, an annual Northwest Coalition Against Malicious lecture series which will go into its 34th H arassment, which provided many of the year this spring. The Popcorn Forum same services as KCTFHR, but worked in

by Nick Bock

Washington. Oregon. Idaho. Montana and Wyoming, eventually adding Colorado as well.

Two years later, in 1998, Stewart played a crucial role in the creation of the Human Rights Education Institute. The institute strives to educate the community about human rights. providing information and working with area schools.

Stewart has served as president for each program at one time or another and is the president of the Human Rights Education Institute. The most publicized effort of these groups was the fight against the Aryan Nations that started in 1998 and ended in 2000 with the demolition of the Aryan Nations compound at Hayden Lake.

Stewart's great efforts to be involved and to make promote change arc fueled by what he explains as being a realization he made at a very young age that "one is here for a very brief period of time ... so if you want to assist or work in causes you believe in, you need to get on the job."

Aside from teaching three classes and tending to his other commitments, Stewart finds time to speak at various events around the country. He gave 22 speeches in the past year at venues that include the Washington State Attorney General's office and the Washington State United Nations.

With no interest in leaving NIC. Stewart plans to only become more involved in the community in the future.

"I don't believe in retirement," he commented. "You just move on to something else."

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Tony Stewart hands out awards to last year's honorees at the Human Rights Banquet. Stewart served as the master of ceremonies for the banquet. He also organized both it and last year's Popcorn Forum and the banquet.

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Mayor's religion attacked

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Fridar, October 17, 2003 The SpokeSman-Rmew Spokane, Wash./Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Aryan Nation founder blasts Hayden polltlcal opponent's Mormonism In flier

By Erica Curless Staff writer

Aryan Nation founder Richard Butler is attacking Hayden Mayor Ron Mclntire's religious beliefs.

In a mer distributed this week, Butler criticizes Mclntire's affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, calling it a cult that preaches false doctrines.

The aging Aryan Nation founder, also known as the pastor of Church of Jesus Christ Christian. ~ - \ is running against McIntire and former City Councilman Gordie Andrea for mayor in the Nov. 4 election.

"I think it's a pretty cheap shot,'' McIntire said. "It's just a McIntire move in desperation."

Butler and two followers, who are running for City Council positions. have handed out numcrow, flier.;, hut 'this is the only one directed ~pccifically al McIntire.

McIntire, who owns Super I Foods, said that he doesn't pay much attention to the hate literature and

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Continued: Hayden/ BS

Hayden: Butler has little interest

in local politics Continued from B1

that most residents throw it in the trash.

Andrea refuses to even ai;knowledge ur talk about Butler\ campaign.

Butler. 85, admits that he has little interest in Hayden politics and 1ha1 his campaign is a new way 10 get uut his message. He has never attended a council meeting.

Butler wasn't available for comment Thursday. but said earlier in the week that he and McIntire have two

separate agendas.

Butler said his is to spread the Ai,•an Nations anti-Semitic and white-separatist views. " I don·1 know what (McIntire'., ) is," Butler said of the mayor's agenda. ··1 think he's Mormon. 1 don't knowwhat his stand ison."

In the flier. Butler calls himself a proven leader and Mclntire·s only serious opponent. The paper also condemns the Book of Mormon. calling it a perwn,ion and contradiction of the Bible.

Local human rights activist Tony Stewart liaid Butler and the Aryan Nations doctrine of hate has a hruad base.

The doctrine is anti-Catholic. antiAfrican American. anti-Jew and antigay. said Stewart. the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Rela-

lions secretary. ''When you look at it. they arc again:it almost all the people of our area except themselves.·· Stewart said. " It's very offensive to sec (McIntire) attacked."

That"s why he pleads with Hayden voters to go to the polls Nov. -t and vote against Butler and followers Zach Beck and Karl Gharst.

Beck is running against Councilman Chris Beck, who is not related.

Gharst is challenging Councilwoman Nancy Taylor and Kootenai County Solid Waste Director Roger Saterfiel.

• Erica Curless can be reached at (208) 765-7137 orby e-mail at ericac@spokesman.com.

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Sept. 23, 2003

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Institute·budget decreases

Faculty puts end to over-funding

by Chris Heinrich Managing Editor -

After two years of consistent funding, NIC has decided to lessen the funds it provides to the Fort Sherman Institute located at the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls.

The institute employs consultants •to train businessmen and women, military personnel, mjssionaries and whoever else wants to be ready to combat aga inst terrorists and their tactics.

The college has funded more than $649,000 since it was created more than 26 months ago. Last year alone, NIC gave the institute more than $158,000 10 pay consultants prior to gaining any significant number of clients, according to the NIC Faculty Assembly Resolution regarding this matter.

"It's about being a steward of the funds,"

said Tony Stewart, political science instructor. "We need more money for the Technical-Professional programs."

Stewart said that the Fort Sherman Institute is not the mission of the college.

T h e mission is to serve low-income

• f:a,:wty ~ a

~ ··supporting.the Fort Sherman Institute but wants its budgetto be lowered people, and if tu ition continues to increase. the community won't be able to attend. he said.

"When you have students on a waiting

list because of a lack of funds, how can you stay silent on this?" he added.

Rhena Cooper, chairperson of the Faculty Assembly. said that there's no controversy about the future of the budget to the institute. and that is one reason why the resolution was drafted.

"We wanted to make it clear that we support all the programs at NIC," Cooper said.

Members of tbc assembly also wanted this resolution written to make it clear that they support the boa rd of tru stee's decision to conti nue suppor ting th e institute financially.

In future budgets, NJC will limit the organization to $138,000 . · Stewart said he is still concerned about the monetary support because he feels that if NIC didn't fun d the institute last year, tuition wouldn't have increased.

Over the last two years. tuition has

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Institute:

Faculty supports antiterrorism school, its purpose continued from page 1

increased $1.2 million, while staff and faculty wage increases have remained frozen, sports dropped and students remained on waiting lists due to lack of funds.

The faculty feels strongly, according to Cooper, that this institution is important to have in order to fight terrorism, but the question still remains of where this money is coming from and . why the institute hasn't raised

their own revenue.

For the last 26 months, the institution has made an income of $180,921 and spent $830,491.

----------

the technical professional programs," Cooper said.

Rumor had it that faculty was being selfish but that offended some faculty because they supported it,

S"] don't think this is

she added. .

The resolution that was prop_osed by faculty was unarumously ac~epted 55-0.

S t~wart ~aid. that h_e worries that 1f this money 1s ta_Icen from these funds, what will happen once the college needs to use the money for emergencies.

"I don't think this is the role of the students to pay nor the members of Kootenai County," he said.

the role of the students to pay nor the members of Kootenai County" Tony Stewart -political science instructor-

NIC has taken money from its general and reserve funds.

"Faculty is an advocate of

OUR VIEW Its time for backe,:'i, not NI C, to provide support.

Institute should put up or shut up When it comes to the Fort Sherman Institute at North Idaho College. it's hard to separate fact from fiction.

Director David Dose, for example, once told this paper that he'd turned down an appointment to West Point. But that wasn't the case. We learned later that he had been nominated for the academy by a senator but his application was rejected. The academy didn ·1 believe he was qualified.

That and other examples of exaggeration on Dose's resume make us wonder how things are really going at the NIC counterterrorism school. Is the institute close to landing that big contract that will enable it to break even, as Dose contends? Or is the college destined to throw good money after bad to keep a white elephant alive?

The institute has almost plowed through its entire fiscal 2003-04 budget in only four months- and is now looking for a subsidy of between $300,000 and $500.000 more.

The college's Board of Trustees will discuss the matter when it meets at 6 tonight. Unless trustees find compelling evidenl·e that the institute is close to breaking even, they should turn off the money tap. How can they rationalize the enormous cost of the institute when employee wages are frozen, tuition is going up and programs arc being cut?

The client list provided by the institute to the college last week isn't very compelling.

DoM! is hanging his hat on such line items as: • A Drug Enforcement Administration agent who attended the institute has recommended that all agents be trained there. This could begin happening next spring and generate $500.000 per year.

Or it may be pie in the sky.

•Maj.Gen. John Kane of the Idaho National Guard belif!l·es the Pentagon will contract for about $400,000 worth of training annually.

• U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is sending a representative to check things out.

The institute, however. got itself in trouble last year by viewing possible funding as a sure thing. It banked on a $500.000 federal appropriation to train congressmen and then begged NIC for funding when it didn't come through.

For all its troubles, the institute has an impressive lineup of supporters, ranging from Gov. Dirk Kempthornc and Idaho's congressional delegation to Coeur d'Alene community leaders.

Republican U.S. Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo have searched for clients and funding for the institute.

One big contract could mute criticism. In the aftermath of Sept.

11. Fort Sherman Institute meets a need, offering counter-terrorism courses for everyone from government officials lo church missionaries and t>usiness travelers.

Perhaps the powerful forces behind the effort to save the institute should underwrite it until the big contracts roll in. It shouldn't be the college's responsibility.

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Teen tires of harassment Gay student leaves school with worries about his safety

By DIANA KLYBERT

Staff writ er

POST FALLS - Ryan Myers walked out of school Monday and said he won't be back.

The 17-year-old said he's taken all he can of student cruelty at Post Falls High School. His last day included being hit by an apple and punched in the stomach.

"Since the beginning of the year, I've been harassed for being different," said Myer. 'Tve had things thrown at me, names called, and I couldn't go from one class to another without being pushed against a wall" Myers, who said he is gay, said the abuse made him want to lash out.

"At times I just wanted to , go slug someone in the face bec'ause it hurt so much," Myers said. "I was getting depressed and felt I was being pushed over the edge."

Courtesy photo

Ryan Myers, 17, said he was fed up with being harassed by other students at Post Falls High School - so he dropped out.

A4 THE PRESS Friday, January 9, 2004

Myers' mother, Kelly Kienow, said she supports her son in his decision, and will go to PFHS to speak with counselors and withdraw her son from school. She said she's concerned for his safety and his education.

"He put up with it very well when school :first started," said Kienow, a PFHS grad herself, who moved with her son and her 11-month-old daughter to Post Falls from Coeur d'Alene in June. "But every day it got worse."

Kienow said she encouraged her son to focus on his education.

"I asked him, 'Do you want me to talk to someone about it?' He knew I was upset and I think he was trying to protect me," she said. ''He said he'd handle it himself."

Myers attended Lake City High School from 2001 to 2003. He said he had a couple incidents of harassment there, but the issue was cleared up immediately when he asked administrators for help.

When he moved to Post Falls, he didn't expect much difference between the two

side of their group," said White.

"I think they find joy in picking on people outside their groups."

Chris Claflin, a PFHS senior taking all but one of his remaining classes at North Idaho College, agrees that teasing goes on at the high school level.

He found a path of least resistance.

'That's one big reason I'm at NIC right now," said Claflin, 17. ''I wanted out of the high school drama that goes on. It gets really old. At NIC, everyone accepts people for who they are. As far as an alternative to high school, if you have the ambition and capacity, I'd say go for it."

While Myers has a number of piercings and earlies a messenger bag over bis shoulder instead of a backpack, he said he believes bis typical attire of a polo shirt and blue jeans is fairly normal. His hair is cropped challenges come to counschools. short, in a style he likes.

"I thought, 'OK, we've got selors, they just want to know Myers said he chose to two different high schools, that someone understands stand up to some students they're 10 miles apart - it and cares about them. who left offensive notes on bis can't be that much worse,"' The rest of the time, they desk or made hurtful remarks Myers said. want action, and go to adminto him, and tried to take care Myers said he went to isb路ators. of matters himself. school administrators more 'The first thing I try to find 'They'd throw something than once about being out is what they want to hapat me and I'd make a joke harassed, including his school pen when they're being about it in front of people, and counselor and vice principal. harassed," said Wood, a counit would embarrass them," he He said he was told if he selor for 30 years. "If they are said. "It worked for a while, stood out in any way, he could pleased and happy being who and sometimes I even got expect to be picked on and they are, I'm pleased for them." them back a little that way. that school staff tried to conBut Wood said students But then I started getting have to realize that not every vince him of ways he could scared."

1 change himself to compensate person at the school is going to Myers said the final sb路aw l for his differences. be tolerant and open-minded. was a punch in the stomach Becky Ford, Post Falls 'They're going to have to Monday after he exited the School District assistant super- expect, not tolerate or accept, bathroom where he was intendent, said harassment but expect some people to be cleaning up from being hit by J charges are quickly looked weird to them one way or the an apple. l into and officials do their best other," he said.

Meanwhile, Myers said he Wood said all students may decide to get a job and to take care of each student.

"All our staff talce very serihave the right to be treated earn money to pursue his ously their responsibility of with respect and the right to a GED, buy a car and pw路sue dealing with students where college at NIC. school that.is a safe place. they are, with their likenesses "Everyone has their differTwo PFHS students ences," be said. and differences," she said. reached at their homes by phone said teasing and harassShe said in Myers' case, Kienow said the fact that "what came forward to the ment are not unusual, and her son did pursue the matter administration was thoroughly sometimes part of the territory. with school administrators Cheryl White, a junior, said and her fear for his safety investigated and dealt with." she didn't know Myers but were reasons she backed his The district declined a Press request to go on cambelieves someone at PFHS decision to leave school. pus and interview students could be singled out for their "He really made a huge about Ryan Myers. School differences. effort to go to school because "We have so many diverse I asked him to," Kienow said.

Principal John Billetz referred questions to the distlict office. groups of people at the school "We'll find a different way to 路 Bill Wood, head counselor - the popular group, the jocks get an education. He's a good - there are so many. And some kid and he deserves that. at PFHS, said that half the time students having peer don't like to accept people outNow we're just moving on."

AN EDITION

or ' D I E ~~REYIEW

-REVIEW

Gay student says bullies forced him to quit school Ex-Post Falls High student says school offlclals didn't heed complaints

FRIDAY

By Taryn Brodwater Staff writer

Ryan Myers says he'd always been told to ignore bullies. Eventually they'd leave him alone.

So that's what he did.

He tried to ignore the taunting and fingerpointing as he walked through the halls at Post Falls High. He tried to ignore the boy who he said sat behind him in sixth period and wrote things like "Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve" and "Die Queer" on his school papers.

But the bullies didn't stop. The 17-year-old said he dropped out of school this week after months of being harassed because he's gay.

Myers said he had gone to teachers and administrators several times to report the

JANUARY 9, 2004

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Ryan Myers, 17, who Is openly gay, says he dropped out of Post Falls High because of haraument.

harassment. but said he didn't feel his claims were taken seriously - despite the school's zero-tolerance policies for harassment and bullying.

He said one administrator suggested ways he could change everything from his clothing to the way he acts and talks. so other students wouldn't Continued: Bu11les/A11

Highs upper 30s./See A2

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PAGE 10 THE SENTINEL

CONFRONTING H ATE

TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2003

Shel Bailey/lhe Sentinel

Mike McGavlck, CEO, president and chair of Safeco Insurance, receives an award from Master of Ceremonies Tony Stewart.

Human •iuhts Banquet ho.nors activists Safeco CEO praises City of Coeur d 'Alene, promotes diversity in corporate America

by Sean Garmire Few NIC students turned out for this year's sixth annual Human Rights Banquet. The banquet was the last

item held in conjunction with Popcorn Forum week and hosted several speakers, an award ceremony and a band.

Despite low student participation the turnout was high at the banquet.

Tony Stewart, political science instructor and master of ceremonies, hosted the dinner and invited the guests to look around at all the different faces in the room to recognize the diversity.

Mayor of Coeur d' Alene Sandi Bloem along with the city's representatives presented the resolution to declare March 23-29 "Human Rights Week" in the City of Coeur d'Alene.

"This is all very exciting,• Stewart

said.

Mike McGavick, CEO, president and chair of Safeco Insurance Co., delivered the keynote address.

McGavick explained the importance of promoting diversity in corporate America.

A message was delivered from Alan C. Greenberg, New York

City, chairman of the executive committee of Bear Sterns Companies, Inc. In his letter, which was read aloud, Greenberg sincerely thanked the Human Rights Education Foundation as well as the people of Coeur d'Alene.

"I will forever have admiration and love for the brave people of your city,• Greenberg wrote.

"Thank you, thank you for what you have done and the

inspiration you have been to all of us in this great country."

The Human Rights Education Foundation helped organize this year's banquet.

The NIC Minority Scholarships were awarded to sophomores Mary CroweU and Kaleb Tomlinson "This is a great award," Crowell said. "I'm really thankful for winning."

Invited to provide music at the dinner were Padma, Thom and Kyle Rutley. Included in their performance was a song from Schindler's List and jazz music; their music also represented diversity.

The banquet and forum were sponsored, in part, by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the HREF. The banquet was held at the Coeur d'Alene Inn. Tickets for the banquet were $25 per plate.

Friday, January 9, 2004

Page AU

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Bullies: Harassment costs districts Center for gay and lesbian teens, said haras&ment "is· almost a universa.1 experience" for teens who are openly pick on him.

Principal John Billetz said he gay or even perceived to be gay.

She said a national survey revealed couldn't speak about Myers specifically, but that the school "immediate- more than 80 percent of gay, lesbian, ly and aggressively" investigates all bisexual and transgender youth were verbally harassed at school and 21 complaints.

Human rights groups and advo- percent said they had been punched, cates for gay youth say the harass- kicked or otherwise injured.

"Many of them are not only being ment of gay teens is widespread in the Inland Northwest - and schools harassed and bullied at school, but aren't doing all they can to educate they're also having problems at students on tolerance and curb bully- home," Whitford said. "They' re more lik~ly to engage in other deing.

California's Morgan Hill School structive behavior, drug and alcohol district this week reached a $1.1 use and self-mutilation, or cutting.

"I think it makes young people feel million settlement with six former students that said other students very isola1ed, fearful for their safety, were barrassing them for being gay. depressed and ashamed."

Myers said he was unable to conThey said school officials ignored centrate on his schoolwork. He had their complaints.

Tony Stewart, a board member of nightmares about another student the Kootenai County Task Force on killing him and considered suicide · Human Relations, said the California more than once.

Myers said the bullying became too case shows the seriousness of harassment of gay students. much to bear this week after another " If students are facing harassment, student punched him in the stomach a district is liable for that harass- and called him "faggot" as he came ment," Stewart said. "A district out of the boys' bathroom. Later, in the school cafeteria, two apples were needs to take this very, very serious."

Closer to home, the Cheney School thrown at him from behind.

"I was afraid if I went back to District paid out $60,000 in 2002 after parents filed suit, saying clistrid offi- school l could get hurt," Myers said. . cials didn't do anything to stop re- "1 wasn't willing to take any more peated harassment against their two chances." sons.

Myers said he plans to find a fullElizabeth Whitford, executive cli- time job, get his GED and maybe rector of Spokane's Odyssey Youth attend North Idaho College in the Continued from A1

fall. ment and bullying.

His mother, Kelly Kienow, said she Post Falls High counselor Bill would be concerned for her son's Wood said no matter what a school safety if he returned to Post Falls does, there will be students who High. harass their classmates.

"I want him to.get an education," " You need to expect that not she said. "I want him to go to school · everybody is tolerant," Wood said. but, at the same time, I don't want "You don't have to accept it or him to be hurt over it." tolerate it. It's your right to be After the harassment at school whoever you are, as long as you're began to escalate, Myers started not hurting anyone, and at the very keeping a journal. He backtracked to least be left alone." the beginning of the school year and Wood said students shouJd go to wrote down what he recalled from school officials right away if they are each incident - and how the admin- being bullied. If they aren't happy istration responded. with the outcome, Wood sa.id they An administrator "asked me what I should "take it up the chain." was doing to receive the bullies' Whitford said there are several attention," Myers wrote in Novem- support groups and resources for ber. "She said if I want to avoid teens who are being harassed. She negative attention, I could change said she has at least a dozen Coeur the ways that I portray myself." d'Alene-area students that carpool to Whitford said gay teens often re- the Odyssey Youth Center to meet ceive advice on ways they can change other gay and lesbian teens. themselves to avoid harassment. She By taking a stand, Myers said he 'said it amounts to "blaming . the hopes to show people the impact victim." bullying has - and spark improveStewart said situations like Myers' ments in the way schools handle emphasize the need for additional harassment of gay teens. educational programs. While many "There are a lot of kids that will kill schools addr~ss tole~ance of <;it~ers themselves because they feel that b~sed on racial, ethmc. and rehgiou,s nobody is listening," Myers said. differences, Stewart said they area t "When they go to an elder· or some~ as quick to teach about tolerance of one they're supposed to look up to sexual orientation. and trust and they don't do anything Billetz said the high school has a about it, they feel so helpless and Freshman Transition class that worthless they just take things into spends two weeks focusing on re- their own hands." spect. And when school starts each year, school officials review the school handbook with students, • The Associated Press contributed to this ~vhich includes policies on harassreport.

A4 THE PRESS / NORTH IDAHO NEWS NETWORK Sunday, January 11, 2004

Editorial

Top school priority: keep students safe It

our schools can't ensure the safety of their students, they can't possibly succeed in educating them.

Ryan Myers is proof.

Ryan, 17, says constant harassment at Post Falls High School forced him to quit school. Since transferring there from Lake City High this year, he said, he's been picked on constantly. ¡ Ryan, who is gay, said he couldn't so much as walk down the hall without getting shoved into a wall. On Monday, he said, he finally was pushed too far. After being hit by a thrown apple, Ryan went into a restroom to clean up. When he came out, he said, somebody punched him in the stomach.

Ryan said he started to entertain violent feelings of retribution, and at that point felt the most prudent thing was to quit school and find an alternative way to complete high school.

That's sad.

Because school officials can't talk about specific students, they're handicapped in situations like Ryan's. Ryan can claim anything, and unless school officials want to risk being sued for violating Ryan's privacy, they can't verbally defend themselves or other students. That's how storie~ like this become one-sided.

But educators can be their own worst enemies when they put up barriers to better understanding. After Ryan was interviewed by both daily newspapers in the area, our reporter sought to talk with other PFHS students for their perspectives. Was Ryan being harassed because he was harassing others? Is harassment common for students who might be "different"? How do other students deal with harassment? Those were some of the questions we hoped students would talk about But our reporter was denied access to Post Falls High School and discouraged from discussing the issue with students, blunting an effort to develop a more thorough, fair news story. Where district officials could have assisted in improved understanding, they chose not to.

That complaint may be minor, though, compared to the bigger question of schools ensuring the physical safety of their students.

Ryan said he was harassed at ~ e City High but that administrators there handled the harassment quickly and effectively.

Ryan's family moved to Post Falls last summer, and when he started classes at PFHS, harassment quickly followed. Ryan said his requests for help went largely unanswered, and that despite the¡ clistrict's "zero tolerance" policy toward harassment, abuse only increased.

Ryan didn't say if he or his family would pursue legal action, and frankly, we hope he doesn't We hope all districts in the region see Ryan's story as a warning: some level of teasing and taunting seems to be a rite of growing up, but when violence and prolonged emotional abuse persist, something wrong must be remedied.

In Ryan's case, he chose to leave. At Columbine, harassed students took a different path.

•

OUR Public schools need to assure safe learning environments.

(;aystudentsneed better protection Ryan Myers' decision to drop out of Post Falls High School demonstrates how persistent and pervasive were the findings contained in a report two years ago by Human Rights Watch.

"The systematic failure of the public school system in the United States to protect these students means that they are left to choose between struggling in isolation to survive the harassment as they seek an education or escaping the hostile climate by dropping out of school."

By "these students,·· Human Rights Watch meant gay and lesbian youngsters. Youngsters who endure some of the most hurtful and hostile bullying adolescents know how to dish out. Youngsters such as Myers.

The 17-year-old Post Falls student said he dealt with everything from sneering notes to physical violence at the hands offellow students.

That can be a recipe for tragedy. Pushed beyond their limits, desperate victims sometimes respond with violence. as too many episodes have shown.

Not Myers. He says he did just what school officials around the country urge. He reported the problem to teachers and administrators and counted on them to assure a safe environment for him to receive his education.

Instead of focusing on the tormentors, though, the adults advised Myers to ignore the harassment and it would go away. They suggested that he change the way he dressed, acted and talked as though being picked on was his fault.

That's how Myers tells it. Post Falls High School Principal John Billetz said that all such complaints are taken seriously, but he declined to talk in detail about an individual situation.

PAGE

BB

S&nlay, J8IIIIIJ 11, 2004 The Spokesman-Review SPol<ane, Wash./COeu1 d'Alene, Idaho

Nevertheless. the pattern Myers describes is consistent with the findings of Human Rights Watch and other organizations that have looked at the dilemma of gay and lesbian students. Dropping out of school is actually one of the milder outcomes co~mon to them.

According to Human Rights Watch, most gay and lesbian youth get little real help from school officials. ''In fact,·· the organization reported. "there is not even a token consensus among public school officials that gay youth deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

That attitude is unacceptable, as some schools are learning the hard way. A California school agreed this week to pay $1.1 million to settle a complaint by six former students who said school officials wouldn't help them in a situation like Myers'.

Schools that are truly committed to educating all students don't require the threat of financial loss for their motivation to provide a safe environment.

They make it clear. to victims and victimizers alike, that their antibullying rule$ will be enforced.

They do it because it's the right thing to do.

• "Our View" represents the editorial voice oflhe Spokesman-Review. It is written by members of the editorial board, who are listed on this page.

THE PRESS / NORTH IDAHO NEWS NETWORK Sunday, January 25, 2004

Al

Child safety is most important

By JERRY KEANE Special to The Press

'To provide a safe, respectful and caring environment fer students, employees

and community members." . - Post Falls School District Strategic Plan Goal The Board of Trustees, administrators and staff in the Post Falls School District are dedicated to ensuring that every child will be safe and free from harassment and/or bullying.

Students must feel " ....... supported both physically and emotionally in order for them to Keane focus on academic pursuits.

The Board of Trustees, our administrators and staff have a full understanding of the negative impact harassment and/or bullying has on an individual student We have no tolerance for this kind of behavior. When

,. ,!â&#x20AC;˘.. : [W]

Guest Opinion an incident is reported to us, we immediately investigate and those responsible are dealt with, including expulsion if appropriate.

Our efforts to address this issue have primarily been focused on prevention through education. These efforts have included staff training on prevention of harassment and bullying, and enforcement and the implementation of a student character education curriculum that specifically addresses issues related to harassment and bullying.

These efforts have helped the district do a good job over time limiting the amount of student-to-student harassment or bullying. However, it is clear we must do more.

To that end, we are now conducting a thorough review of our policies, how they are applied and how they can be

improved. We are working with a national expert to give us input. guidance and advice. Additional staff training will be conducted during the next few weeks. We will augment our school curriculum and will teach directly to this problem.

Parents can be confident we will do everything possible to ensure that students will be safe in every Post Falls District school.

Unfortunately, as reported in recent media articles, an incident of harassment has occurred to one of our students. We are disheartened by this and take the incident very seriously.

We have thoroughly investigated this matter. Students who harass will be ¡ disciplined appropriately.

There is no more important job for a school district than making sure our children are safe and prepared to learn.

It will take all of us - administrators, staff, students, parents and community - to make the above goal a reality.

Jerry Keane is superintendent of the Post Falls School District.

ArtManley, • conservation advocate, dies Fonner lawmaker helped keep Upper Priest Lake, Tubbs HIii, McEuen Field green and accessible

By James Hagengruber Staff writt•r

Coeur d'Alene consetvation giant Art Manley died Monday at a local assisted-living facility. He was 88.

Manley wasn't even dead, though, when people started walking all over his legacy.

Each day they traipse up and down Tubbs Hill, play in the grass at McEuen Field and hike the silent shores of Upper Priest Lake. All these places owe a good portion of their surviving splendor to Manley's • dogged commitment to preservation and public access, according to local outdoor enthusiasts.

Friends say that if Manley had more time, North Idaho would have more parks. trails and quiAle/The Sp0k8Smari-Revu1w et places.

Art Manley, a former legislator and "Art was one of local activist, died Monday. the foremost conservationists in the state of Idaho," said Barry Rosenberg. executive director of the Kootenai Environmental Alliance, a nonprofit group Manley co-founded in l 972.

A look back at Manley's life reveals a man who didn't dawdle much. Apart from his conservation work, his lengthy resume includes 14 years in the Idaho Legislature, servic~ during World War 11 and careers in real estate and business. He was also an accomplished photographer and renowned huck.leberrry hunter.

Longtime friend Scott Reed said a good way to Continued: Manley/A6

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Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Manley: Secured first state funding for NIC Continued from Al

understand Manley's impact is to imagine what the region would be Like had he never been born. North Idaho College might not have as many buildings on its campus. The night skies above Upper Priest Lake would be lit by a thousand yard lights, not a trillion stars. Tubbs Hill might today be a cluster of condominiums instead of one of the prettiest city parks in the nation.

"What he actually accomplished was astonishing," said Reed, a local attorney. .

During his time in legislature, Manley worked with Rep. Emery Hedlund to secure the first state funding for North Idaho College.

Although Manley went on to earn a master's degree at the University of Idaho, it was in his hometown of Coeur d'Alene that he took his first college class in 1934.

During Manley's first term in the legislature during the early 1960s, he tarried a bill that created the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreati~n. Previously, parks typically received scraps of state funding and attention, Reed said.

It was largely through Manley's persistence that Sen. Frank Church was convinced to seek protection for Upper Priest Lake from development, Reed said.

Manley's influence was strong because he earned a reputation for honesty and fairness, said Tony Stewart, political science instructor at North Idaho College. He was a

prominent Democratic voice in the region, but he was also respected by Republicans, Stewart said.

"There was such respect across the aisle for Art," Stewart said. "I have never known anyone in public office with greater integrity. He's a model of what a political leader should be."

Manley's greatest passion was Tubbs Hill. He grew up two blocks away from the peninsula and first climbed its slopes above Lake Coeur d'Alene when he was 6. The year was 1922.

"His first love was Tubbs Hill," said his wife of 62 years, Margaret.

"That was his playground as a kid."

The city began buying pieces of the hill back in the 1930s, but it took another 40 years until most of the land was protected from development, said Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Director Doug Eastwood. Manley was relentless in his work to preserve the park. He could often be spotted picking up litter on its trails.

Although Manley served in politics, he didn't have the bubbly charisma typical of politicians. Even his friends say he could be prickly. But his personality warmed when he spent time on the trails, said Eastwood, who has known Manley for 25 years. The two would sometimes hike in the park together.

"As we would start our walks, I could see the transformation," Eastwood said. "He would smile, he would laugh. You could just see the change."

Manley remained active in the Tubbs Hill Foundation until just before his death. Many citizens helped create the park, Eastwood said, but it would be hard to surpass Manley's work. The city should be thankful, be said.

"Here's 120 acres of natural land

FROM

THE

FRONT . PAGE

Reed, who used to tease Manley with the nickname "Chuckles." Mary Lou and her · husband, Scott, often ice skated with Manley until he quit Plans are still pending for a when he was 80. memorial service for Art Manley.

Manley didn't slow down when he English Funeral Chapel is handling retired, said Bob Thomas, of Post arrangements and said a service Falls. Manley worked at Thomas's will likely be held Monday or insurance and real estate business for Tuesday. the better part of three decades. The The Kootenai ~nvironmental Alliance, which was co-founded by two are the same age and retired Manley, will meet Feb. 5 to share about the same time, in the midremembrances. The gathering is 1980s. planned for noon at the Iron Horse "We chased around more than Restaurant in Coeur d'Alene. · ever at that time, backpacking and picture-taking," Thomas said.

Thomas met Manley in 1951. He last visited his friend on F.riday. with some of the most scenic and When Thomas heard news of the beautiful hiking. trails to be found death, he said he couldn't help but anywhere," Eastwood said. "It's unimaginable. It's probably something think, " I lost part of my life."

Among his other causes, Manley that every community wishes they started an annual huckleberry social had."

One of his friends, Mary Lou to raise money for the local DemoReed, suggested a name change. " ft cratic Party. Manley picked many of really should be named Art Manley the huckleberries used to create the desserts sold at the event. Often, he Hill," she said.

Mary Lou Reed, a former Demo- recruited a crew of volunteers to help cratic state senator, considers Manley him pick, said his friend Buell Hollisher mentor. She worked on all of his ter, of Hauser Lake. Manley apcampaigns and is the co-founder of proached berry picking with the same the Kootenai Environmental Alli- determination he used in politics and ance. The organization is now the conservation. oldest active conservation group in "Art was almost aggressive in his the state. picking," Hollister said. "He was all "Art was a bulldog," Reed said. business up in the woods. He was up "He was absolutely dedicated to- there to pick berries." wards saving land. He wanted to save Manley made it out huckleberryit for the people." picking last year, when he was 87. He Manley had a laserlike focus on could no longer drive, but he didn't sticking to the facts during a debate seem to have trouble hiking to one of and didn't often make small talk. his favorite berry patches at an Those traits were evident in the elevation of 5,500 feet, Hollister said. regular political columns he penned for the Nickel's Worth, a local classified tabloid.

• James Hagengruber can be reached at His no-nonsense manner belied a (208) 765-7 126 or by e-mail at powerful love for life, said Mary Lou jamesh@spokesman.com.

ART MANLEY

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Public land champion dies at 88 Art Manley fought for preservation of Tubbs Hill

By MIKE McLEAN Staff writer

COEUR d'ALENE -The guardian of Tubbs Hill is gone.

Art Manley died Monday in Coeur d'Alene from a heart-related illness. He was 88.

Manley was a champion of public land preservation, education, the Democratic Party, photography and huckleberry picking.

He grew up in a neighborhood on Bancroft Avenue in the shadow of Tubbs Hill in Coeur d'Alene. The hill was his boyhood playground and he continued to walk it Manley nearly every day of his adult life.

"It was Art's leadership that started acquisition of Tubbs Hill," said Mary Lou Reed of Coeur d'Alene. "It took 10-15 years to get it into public hands."

Reed and her husband Scott met

Manley in 1956.

"Art was our mentor for all these years," said Mary Lou Reed, who served six terms in the Idaho Senate beginning in 1985. "He put us to work."

Mary Lou Reed said Manley downplayed his own intelligence.

"He always said 'It's persistence that pays off,'" she said.

Tubbs Hill is a monument to that persistence.

Doug Eastwood, Coeur d'Alene parks director, said Tubbs Hill is unmatched anywhere. "Imagine a 120acre natural park setting surrounded by a beautiful lake on three sides in the

center of a downtown area."

Eastwood said Manley was a font of information about Tubbs Hill "It was fun to hike around with him," Eastwood said. "You could see him going back to the days of his youth."

Eastwood said the city often called upon Manley to guide tours around Tubbs Hill.

Sometimes they didn't have to call him.

"We would go out to do an inspection on Tubbs Hill and often find Art

MANLEY continued on A4

MANLEY

continued from A 1

and some mends with shovels and hoes cleaning up trails," he said.

Manley was also instrumenâ&#x20AC;˘ tal in securing McEuen Field at the base of Tubbs Hill as an open public area.

In the late 1950s. the city proposed to~ll the McEuen Field area to be developed as a shopping center. At that time, the city needed a public vote to sell public property.

Manley led the opposition and the proposed sale was defeated.

"May McEuen got her name on the field," said Scott Reed, a Coeur d'Alene lawyer.

"But Art put it together."

When some trees were marked for removal because of damage from Ice Storm '96, Manley checked each one to make sure cutting was necessary.

"I think he hugged every tree on Tubbs Hill," Reed said.

Manley and Mary Lou Reed

l

'"fhe whole landscape of Idaho would look differently without Art Manley."

- Mary Lou Reed founded the Kootenai Environmental Alliance in 1972. It is the oldest environmental organization founded in Idaho.

Manley was known for his emphasis on preserving public lands and access in his 14 years in the Legislature from 1965 to 1972, and 1975 to 1980.

In his first year at the Statehouse, Manley sponsored legislation that created the Idaho Department of Parks.

That year, he also worked with the late U.S. Sen. Frank Church to negotiate a deal with the U.S. Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Lands to protect Upper Priest

Lake.

Church's widow Bethine Church remembered Manley as the voice of reason.

"He worked with Frank on wilderness issues. He cared about access for people," she said. "He was a very even person. And he was always on the right side."

Manley spearheaded the North Idaho College acquisition of shoreline along Spokane River.

He also helped negotiate the acquisition of Mowry State Park at Gasser Point on the southwest shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene in 1975.

The 258-acre park is two parcels with nearly two miles of shoreline.

As a state senator, Manley sponsored the Stream Protection Act 'The whole landscape of

Idaho would look differently without Art Manley," Reed said.

Manley attended North Idaho College when it was in its infancy on the upper floors of the original City Hall on Sherman Avenue. He went on to the University of Idaho where he received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in political science.

As a state senator, he paired with Rep. Emery E. Hedlund on the Joint FinanceAppropriations Committee to bring the first state money for buildings to NIC. Prior to that the ¡school was funded solely by property taxes.

"Art Manley was as good a biend as North Idaho College has ever had in the Legislature," NIC Political Science instructor Tony Stewart said.

His building legacy on the NIC campus includes Boswell Hall, Seiter Hall and the Hedlund Building.

"Art would carry and champion our annual budget through the Legislature," he said. "He had an understanding of the need for higher education. Occasionally he taught a state-and-local-governent course at NIC." Bob Eagan, past president of the Tubbs Hill Foundation, said Manley was an incredible negotiator.

"U we had some problem we could send him in with politicians and business leaders," Eagan said.

He said Manley would be embarassed to be singled out for his achievements.

"He did it for the good of community, not for recognition," Eagan said. "He earned the respect of everyone. We don't have a replacement for him."

Marc Johnson, who was chief of staff for former Gov. Cecil Andrus, said Manley was admired by people both sides of the political isle.

"He had lots of respect and was highly regarded for his views on the state budget," Johnson said. "When he stood up on the floor of the Senate, people paid attention."

Manley drew fellow Democrat Bob Haakenson into politics, where be served in the state House for six years while Manley was in the . Senate.

Haakenson said Manley knew how to balance the environment and jobs.

Manley was good with a budget, too, he said.

"He watched out for the taxpayer's money," Haakenson said.

Bob Thomas of Post Falls worked and played with Manley.

Manley got Thomas a job as manager of Co-Op Supply in 1951. Thomas started his own insurance business and returned the favor by hiring Manley to run bis real estate division in 1965. ¡ The men hiked, camped and enjoyed photography together.

They started the Coeur d'Alene Camera Club.

"I bate to see him go," Thomas said. "He was a friend to a lot of people."

One of those friends, George Lyman of Coeur d'Alene, shared many berrypicking adventures in the mountains with Manley.

"Wherever there were huckleberries be was out there like bear," Lyman said. "Once we even ran into a bear."

Manley is survived by Margaret. his wife of 61 years, two sons Victor and James and daughter Merri.

Services are being arranged for early next week.

SECTION

B

Friday, February 20, 2004 The Spokesman-Review ~pokane, Wash/Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

~arole King urges NIC students to explore politics Encourages class to use Internet to learn about candidates and Issues

By James Hagengruber Stuff writer

Soft rock diva and political activist Carole King usually has no problem employing her fame to pack an audience.

But her greatest hits are a decade older than many of the students at North Idaho College, where she met with a political science class Thursday.

At first, the students weren't sure of the significance of the woman standing before the chalkboard.

"I've heard her name," a young woman said to a classmate. "What did she sing?"

Perhaps it would be the same reaction rap artist Jay-Z would receive at a nursing home or a Moose lodge.

Jesse Tinsley/The Sookesman-Rev\ew

"""'-IOll&Mfter Carole King describes her role as environmental and polltlcal activist

JllundaJ w1t11 tlle American Government class at North Idaho College.

.

Professor Tony Stewart then explained that King's 1971 album, "Tapestry," was

recently ranked as the 36th greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

And that the woman before them gave birth to such hits as ¡'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow'' and "A Natural Woman."

Students began nodding in recognition.

King, 62. is a New York native who has lived in Stanley, Idaho, for the past 26 years.

She's campaigning for presidential candidate John Kerry. "Because I'm a person of some fame, I can bring people into a room," she told the students.

Although Idaho is one of the most solidly Republican states in the nation, King's home area near Sun Valley has thrown considerable support behind Kerry. The New York Times recently reported that Blaine County, Idaho, has the nation's highest per capita contributions for Kerry. at $2.21 per resident.

Continued: Klng/82

for expanding health insurance coverage, are politically and financially realistic.

"You'll notice he isn't promising the moon," King said.

King has written more than 1,()()() songs. but her new passion is politics. She spends much of her time Continued from Bl lobbying for the proposed Northern King visited North Idaho on Rockiec; Ecosystem Protection Act. Thursday to build support for Kerry which would protect about :!O milin the Panhandle. Her message to lion acresofwildlands. the American Governmt:nt class, "I'm exhilarated by the political however, wac; nonpartisan. She kept world." King said. "I don't feel that it simple, urging the students to get I have a whole lot new to say in the involved and to use the internet to world of songwriting." study the positions of political canKing ended her political talk by didatt:s. singing her song, " I Fed the Earth Frt:shman Charles Nt:ureuther Move." A handful of the 30-somt: said many young people arc cynical students in the classrClom joined in bccausc politicians seem to be full the singing and clapping. of empt} promises.

After the sung, King walked out ''Why do you think John Kerry is of the classroom and stood in the going to be any different'?" he hallway. She wore a wide grin. asked.

"I think even these kids knew it,'" Kerry will bring real change, King she said. inc;isted. I lie; policies, particularly

King: Saysshe is supporting

John Kerry

-:!&71/Hf)J/8 f/BW8c=.rhe WeeksWonh is published weekly by che College Relations Department. Submit items to Sr.acy Zehm

Singer/songwriter Carole King speaks to political science class Singer/songwriter Carole King speaks to one of Political Science Instructor Tony Stewart's classes about the importance of political activism on Feb. 19. King, a resident of Stanley, Idaho, has been active in the political process for many years and travels annually to Washington, D.C. to lobby for environmental legislation.

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Friday, March 19, 2004 The Spokesman-Review !pokane, Wash./Coeur d'Alene. Idaho

File/The Spokesman-Review

Richard Mullen greets his famlly and friends whlle conducting a "giveaway" In 2001 at his parents' anniversary gathering. The respected member of the Coeur d'Alene tribe died March 1 at age 46.

CLOSE TO HOME • Cynthia Tagga,t

Historian reached out with respect RICHARD MULLEN NEVER FORGOT the warning he read as a boy in downtown Coeur d'Alene bu ine e : We hoot dog and Indians.

But he grew up in Worley carrying no bitternes in hi · Coeur d'Alene Jndian heart. ln tead, he era ed the distance between the tribe and the non-Indian world with re peel, intelligence and friendline .

"He reached out from the tribe. He was one of the amba . adors,·• ·ay Tony Stewart, who served for years with Richard on the Kootenai County Task Force for Human Relation . "He was always at peace with him ·elf and had no need to put other people down."

Richard wa only 46 when he died March L Diabete and cancer "I consider him an ganged up on him. Still, he participated in historian and community life to hi la t moment. spiritual leader, "He was al the and the seeds he (Democratic) caucu the Tue day before he died," planted will be say Mary Lou Reed, a tate lcgi lator with us for a long former from Coeur d'Alene. "We time.,, thought he was getting well. It wa a chance to have one last Kim Brown, conversation with him."

Po!il Falls Historical Society The world is dimmer presidefll without Richard.

Panhandle schoolchildren know Idaho' hi ·tory predates the arrival of white fur traders and soldier because Richard told them storie about the area's first re ident .

"The Coeur d'Alene tory i part of our root system," says Kirn Brown, pre ident of the Po t Fall Historical Society. The ociety will dedicate a native tree to Richard with a memorial plaque May 19 at Q'emiln Park. "1 consider him an historian and ·piritual leader, and the eeds he planted will be with us for a long time," he aid.

Richard aided the Po t Fall Hi torical Society o much that hi. face and name were well known in Po t Falls. He erved on the Mu cum of North Idaho board and treated Coeur d'Alene to a recent exhibit of Coeur d'Alene Tribe artifact .

"He was such a bu!iy man," says Skip Kuck, who became friend with Richard on the human right task force. "Be ide all the tuff he did for the tribe, he took the time to come up here and extend himself to our Continued: Close to home/B4

Close to home:

Legacy got an early start Continued from B1

community too. He was a real bridge builder."

Richard lassoed life young, as if he knew he didn~t have much time, But he acted with grace, not urgency. He graduated from Worley High School flanked by his grandmother~. He absorbed their histories and wisdom decades before tnost adults recognize such treasure.

He won election to the tribal council at age 20 and represented the tribe wherever he believed his presence was needed. " He talked to anyone willing to learn about the tribe," says Raymond Brinkman, a tribal linguist who shared an office with Richard for two years."He had a profound sense of those things that needed to be passed on. Richard was an elder in every quality but age."

Richard constantly collected oral history and passed it along. He also combed through archives like a scholar to find names of Coeur d'Alene Tribe families, then fit the names into the puzzle of history.

Brinkman mourns for all the

information Richard gathered that he hadn't yet passed along.

"There was nothing widespread about what Richard did. There's no one to carry it on," Brinkman says.

"It's heartbreaking."

Richard graciously accepted his role to promote understanding. He helped his tribal neighbors understand their origins. He helped his non-Indian neighbors understand and value their connection to the Coeur d'Alene ¡ Tribe.

"Richard extended himself. He really tried to put our two communities together," says Kuck, remembering when Richard marched with the task force in Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade.

He succeeded because he saw people as vital ingredients to a healthy world. Too few people share his vision and respect.

"He was so unassuming and modest," Stewart says. " I never saw him cause anyone to lose selfesteem or dignity."

Rii;hard was the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council's vice chairman when he died. His position will stay empty until an election in May. "His leadership will be sorely missed," says Brown.

And so will his character. â&#x20AC;˘ Cynthia Taggart can be reached at 765-7128 or by e-mail at cynthiat@spokesman.com.

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Sunday, March 21, 2004 The Spokesman-Review Spokane, Wash/Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Spokane preps for race- relations event Citizens will look at ways to combat discrimination Virginia de Leon Swff writer

When black law students at Gonzaga University became the target of racist letters for three consecutive years, the community took action.

Through rallies, newspaper columns and frank conversations about race, ordinary citizens in Spokane and the Inland Northwest sent a resounding message: "Hate will not be tolerated here." 路 Nearly a decade after that first wake-up

call, the region has reasons to celebrate: The Aryan Nations compound near Hayden Lake has been razed; hate crime incidents reported to the city of路 Spokane have decreased to seven last year compared with 33 in 1998; groups that work for civil and human rights, such as the NAACP, AHANA and the Gonzaga Institute for Action Against Hate, have become more prominent in the community. .

Yet in the absence of a white supremacist compound and other blatant forms of discrimination, it's easy to become complacent, some 路say. Gone are 路 the rally cries and impassioned speeches. The fight against hate no longer feels as immediate or clear-cut.

"We're still conditioned to think that no

news. is go.ad news," said Raymond Reyes, associate vice president for diversity at Gonzaga University. "If we don't hear of hateful things going on, we assume that everythino is

OK"

b

But everything is not OK, he said. Discrimination in the Inland Northwest has taken on more subtle forms, but it is as prevalent as ever.

"If. anyo~e ~e~lly ?igs deep enough, they ca!1 find (d1scnmmat1on) on a regular basis," said Bob Bartlett, Gonzaga's director for multicultural education.

"It's not fixed. It's not over. There is much work still to be done."

Continued: Human rights/8 2

Human rights: This year's congress to focus on~people's relationships Continued from Bl As the community prepares for another Congress on Race Relations - an annual event that began in response to the unsolved hate crimes at Gonzaga - people are looking for ways to rejuvenate themselves and learn new approaches to combat hate.

Working for equaUty and diversity hasn't always been easy for those involved. Many activists suffer burnout, aid Robert Lloyd, former publisher of the now-defunct newspaper, the African American Voice. " I've been there and I've done that, and I've done all I can do," said Lloyd, an art professor at Eastern Washington University who has kept a lower profile since his newspaper published its last issue in December 2000. "It's a long fight, a long, difficult fight."

Some organizatipns even have fallen by the wayside. Last year, the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity, which was founded in 1987 by the late human rights champion Bill Wassmuth, suffered a financial crisis and ceased operating. ...

The Spokane Human Rights Commission, a 15-member volunteer board designed to serve as a human rights adviser to the community, currently has three vacancies. Its members still are working on its goals of a living-wage ordinance and attaining domestic partnership benefits for city employees, but the organization has lost momentum.

"As a group, we see ourselves as a • conscience for the community," said Brad Read, chairman of the Spokane Human Rights Commission. It's • tough to get things done, he said, but it's important to keep the commission alive. _ Like the region's human rights movement, the annual congress on race relations also has undergone a transformation.

In the past, the event featured . ~ .. food, dancing and opportunities to "celebrate diversity," organizers said.

Those components still exist, but this • year's congress will focus on practical - methods to help improve people's relationships with one another, said

Vince Lemus, vice president of the Spokane Task Force on Race Relations and the Equal Employment Opportunity officer for the city of Spokane. For example, speakers at Wednesday's event will discuss theories on emotional intelligence and how it relates to diversity.

The new approach also reflects how far the community has come in terms of understanding and accepting diversity, saicl Ben Cabildo, one of the founding members of the 1996 task force on race relations and executive director of ARANA, a nonprofit organization focused on recruiting and helping minorityowned businesses in the area.

"We have really moved forward," said Cabildo, who was recently appointed to the state's Human Rights Commission. "We have not eradicated hate crimes or discrimination, but we have established the infrastructure to deal with those problems."

Instead of just offering "warm and fuzzy" diversity events, activists are focusing on economic and social issues that affect the community. In other words, it's not enough to simply fight hate, activists say; the goal is to work together for justice.

"We have to get to the heart of things," Reyes said. Phase one was simply celebrating differences while acknowledging people's commonalities, he said. The next step was sharing stories and experiences to get a better understanding of different experiedces. Now, the congress has reached a point where people want to learn "how to walk the talk, how to improve their ability to make relationships so they can improve the quality of life for everyone."

Despite the continued efforts to boost diversity here, the Inland Northwest is still predominantly white. Latest figures from the U.S. Census show that although the area's Hispanic and Asian populations are on the rise, almost 92 percent of Spokane County's I)'Opulation is Caucasian. North Idaho remains one of the state's least diverse regions Kootenai County has a minority population of only 4 percent, according to the 2000 census. ·

To ensure that diversity remains a priority for Spokane and the entire region, activists in the area have created numerous events and workshops, in addition to the annual congress.

This weekend, Gonzaga's Institute for Action Againsf Hate hosted. a ground-breaking conference to establish the academic field of "hate studies." The institute invited the Southern Poverty Law Center's Morris Dees, whose lawsuit bankrupted the Aryan Nations, Ken Stern of the American Jewish Committee and other experts to discuss what an interdisciplinary field in hate studies could look like.

To fight discrimination, the institute wants to focus on "the ingredients of hate," Bartlett said, "to understand why people hate in the first place."

Like germs that mutate and take on other forms to create new diseases, hate groups in the region and throughout the country have simp.ly morphed into something different, Bartlett and others said. These groups have also· called less attention to themselves by removing "white supremacist" from their names or titles. "People have become more savvy in how they promote their message of hate," he said.

The white supremacist compound in Hayden Lake may no longer exist, but there are still people out there willing to discriminate and harm others based on skin color, religion, sexual orientation and other reasons, Lemus said.

"You don't have to show up at work with a white hood to send your hate beUefs," be said. Extremists "can better blend into their. surroundings and are more effective acting alone or in small cells."

Despite the absence of an obvious threat like the Aryan Nations and the current lull in the region's human rights arena, people still are talking about the issues and prepared to take action, former Spokane Mayor Sheri Barnard said.

As an activist for many years, even after she left office, Barnard believes the region is full of people who are making a difference in quiet ways.

"We continue to hope and work for change," said Barnard, a member of the race relations task force's board of directors.

Working for civil and human rights ,

IF YOU GO

Community Congress on Race Relations The seventh Community Congress on Race Relations takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Spokane Community College. This year's theme is "Walking the Talk." The event features Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Rowe, partners in a Los Angeles management consulting firm, and psychologist Dr. Jorge Cherbosque, co-director of UCLA's Staff and Faculty Counseling Center. They will focus on their research, "Emotional Intelligence and Diversity: ACritical Competence in a Complex Wortd." To register, go to www.spokanehumanrights.org/ ccrr/.

in the region can bring peoP.!e down, especially because change often happe!)S slowly. To address that issue, the annual congress also bas become a source of rejuvenation for participants, said Reyes, a member of the â&#x20AC;˘ race relations task force's board of directors.

Is it preaching to the chorr? Certainly, he said, but the choir can always use a regular tuneup. LLke a family reunion, the annual congress

and other events provide people with opportunities to come together, learn new skills and support one another for the long haul.

"The challenge of race and human difference is an ongoing challenge," Reyes said. "It's a journey, not a destination." â&#x20AC;˘ Virginia de Leon can be reached at (509) 459-5312 or by e-mail at virginiad@spokesman.com.

Civil rights lawyer emphasizes importance of justice

.I

-

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路supremacist Aryan Nations near Hayden, Invoking the teachings of Jesus and Idaho.

Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights lawyer His words of encouragement and hope Morris Dees spoke Saturday night of the need to work for justice and to "take care of Saturday culminated a ground-breaking conference that brought scholars from the least among us."

"There ca路n be no.peace in the world until across the country together to examine and we have justice," Dees told a crowd of more develop the academic fi eld of hate studies. 路 T he event - dedicated to the memory of than 200 at Gonzaga University. the late civil rights champion Bill Wassmuth Dees-one of the founders of the - was organized by Gonzaga's Institute for Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama Action Against I-late, an organization that - is known throughout the country for strives to examine the causes and effects of taking on and shutting down racist groups hate. through the courts. In the Inland In addition to endorsing the work of the Northwest, he is revered for his role in a Continued: Dees/82 lawsuit that bankrupted the white

--路

.Ao

:.a...&:..I.

deeply divided, speaker says Continued from 81

institute and the goals of the conference, Dees called attention to Coeur d'Alene attorneys Norm Gissel! and Ken Howard, who were his cocounsels in the trial that put an end to the Aryan Nations compound. He also noted the work of Tony Stewart and members of the Kootenai County Task Force on Hur:nan Relations for taking a stand against hate.

"It takes teamwork," said Dees, who spoke with a Southern accent and an unassuming quality. "I've been given a lot of credit for things that other people did."

America is deeply divided, he said, pointing to how his friend, South Carolina Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, struck a nerve when he asked, "Whose America is this?"

"It is so important that we make this nation for all of our people," said Dees.

There are currently 750 hate groups in this country, 450 hate sites on the Internet and thousands of hate crimes annually, he said. Those who commit these heinous actions are not aU bad people, he said, "they are people that you and I need to talk to

Holly Pickett/The Spokesman-Review

Southern Poverty Law Center director Morris Dees greets guests at a banquet Saturday evening where he gave the keynote address. The Institute for Action Against Hate at Gonzaga University sponsored the event.

... as a first step to building bridges."

But as horrible as some of these groups are, their crimes account for only a small fraction of all the acts of hate and discrimination each year, he said.

Bias and prejudice appear in hiring, the way different people are treated in stores and other everyday actions, Dees said.

As a white man, he carried a de facto affirmative action card because, unlike black law students during his years in college, he didn't have to take the bar exam.

"America loves affirmative action," Dees said. "It just depends on

whose actions are being affirmed."

Despite the serious focus of his speech, the crusading civil rights lawyer took the time to crack a joke and acknowledge the Gonzaga Bulldogs' loss at the NCAA tournament.

"Hate comes in aJI forms," he said. " . . . I bet a lot of people at Gonzaga don't Like Nevada right now."

Much of his discourse, however, focused on the disparity between haves and have-nots and the need to bring them together in pursuit of equality.

It's impossible to eliminate systemic bias overnight, he said, but to continue moving forward, people must sustain a passion for justice.

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SUnday, May 2, 2004 The Spokesman-Review Spokane, Wash,/Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

CLOSE TO HOME • Cynthia Taggart

Liz Kishimoto/The Spokesman-Review

Karin von Krenner sits with her sons, Kristopher, 14, and Kleran, 6, In their Coeur d'Alene home.

Custody battle •

•

msprres woman to help others

By Cynthia Taggart Staff writer

Karin von Krenoer isn't ashamed to admit she was a fugitive, because she wants to save other women from the grief and terror she experienced.

Her case two years ago dominated local headlines for weeks. The Spokesman-Review reported that a U.S. marshal and two Kootenai County sheriffs deputies took her 12-year-old son, Kristopher, from her Coeur d'Alene home.

Kristopher's father, Elmos Konis, a citizen of Cyprus, claimed Karin, his former wife, had abducted the boy from his home just south of Turkey and west of Syria. He invoked international law to get Kristopher back.

U.S. Federal Court scheduled a hearing of Karin's case. But Karin and Elmos reached an agreement before the court heard the case.

Now, Karin shares her story everywhere she can to show other women they can beat the Hague Convention - the international treaty that returns children abducted by one parent from another to the country of habitual residence.

She's also working with Seattle University's law school to amend the Hague Convention after it nearly returned her to the country and influence of the man from whom she'd fled.

"What happened to me happens to thousands of other women and children," she says. "We need to educate judges, lawyers, the general population."

According to Karin ana past Spokesman-Review stories she married Elmos in 1989 in Missoula and oave b&th to Kristopher two months later. They visited Elmos' family in Cyprus in Kristopher's first year, then stayed to live despite Karin's objections.

She chafed in the male-dominated country and accused her husband of beating her for going out alone. Kristopher was 3 years old when Karin left Elmos and filed for divorce.

Elmos denied the abuse accusation and his father, 'fakis Koois, head of Cyprus' social services ~epartment, told ~ou~ts h_e had neve~ witn~ssed ~is son threatening or actmg m,v1olence agamst his family. ;-. Cyprus courts granted Karin fu.11 custo?~ of ~istopher in 2000. Cyprus_ law s~ill proh1b1~ed her from leaving the country with Kristopher without Elmos' consent.

- In July 2001, the court finally allowed Karin to take Continued: Close to Home/87

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

REGIO the proce · down," Karin ay. ''We owe our live to Beth."

Karin called Gov. Dirk Kempthome, Idaho's congre ional delegation anc,i anyone el e he believed could help. The U.S. State Department enforce the Hague Convention in this country and was prepared to . end Karin and her on to Cyprus Continued from B1 with no questions asked.

Under the Hague Convention.

Kristopher on vacation out of the Kristopher in Cypru becountry for one month. She had to cau e he hadbelonged lived there l 1 of his 12 leave a $100,000 bond as in urance they'd return. years.

She took Kristopher and never Karin cried foul. looked back. She'd analyzed the "Since when does a foreign country treaty. If she stayed hidden from have juri diction over an American Cyprus authorities with her . on for a citizen in her own country and ·ince year. he might convince the courts when i an American citizen dethat Kristopher was established in a ported in a non-criminal case?" he new life and houldn't be uprooted. says.

"It wa a de perate loophole," he Forty-eight hour pa ed and Karsay now. in and Kri topher remained in Coeur Karin and Kristopher eventually d'Alene. Karin grabbed 10 year' hid in Coeur d'Alene with Karin' worth of record · she keep in a new bu band, Richard Stevens, and pla tic blue file ba ket and vi ·ited younger son, Kieran. Authorities Coeur d'Alene attorney Glen Walker found them even month into their for help. Her attorney, Stella Stephafugitive year. The Hague Convention ni. in Nico ia Cypru , tood olidly required their return to Elmo in behind her.

Cypru within 48 hours.

The Hague Convention was a Kristopher wa taken from Karin learning experience for Glen. The without any belongings, not even a United State · backed it becau e it toothbru h. The federal mar hal returns to American parent children wouldn't tell Karin where he wa abducted from the United State by taking her son. Karin frantically foreign parent . called her minister. who pa ed along But Hague works the same way for the nature of her call to Beth Barclay, the 71 other countrie that pledged to Project Safe Place director in Coeur abide by it. d'Alene.

Glen prepared to argue that Kri Beth offers help to children in topher wasn't a voluntary re ident of every imaginable situation, but she'd Cypru , but more of a pri oner. never heard of the Hague ConvenFor the next month, Karin held her tion. She called Karin. ground and Children's Village and "I could hear the fear in her voice," Glen got to know Kristopher. KrillBeth ays. topher under tood well the detail of She instinctively trusted Karin' hi turbulent hi tory. He also exstory that she hadn't abducted her pres ed hi wi h to live with hi son but had escaped with him. Beth mother in the United State and was found Kristopher at Children· Vil- willing to testify in federal court. lage and convinced the Kootenai ' " He's a brilliant child of brilliant County Sh,eriff J?epart~ent that hi parent ·," Glen told North Idaho c.ase wasn t the k1dnappmg they be- College in tructor Tony Stewart on heved.

"NIC's Public Forum." an interview "She wa monumental in lowing how. "He' ubtle, quick, witty. He

Close to Home: 'I could hear the fear in her voice'

___ _. -.

a

T

C

Kristopher was taken from Karin without any belongings, not even a toothbrush. The federal marshal wouldn't tell Karin where he was taking her son. .-,,.

-- -- ..

~

knew where he wanted to b_e." I The case was headed to U.S. federal court for a hearing when Karin and Elmos reached an agreement. Karin would continue to have full custody of Kristopher and they'd live in the United States. Elmos was granted visiting rights.

Karin insisted the new court orders include a clause that the United States will retrieve Kristopher immediately if he's abducted to another country.

And, she pledged to help anyone in similar straits.

"When I was looking for help before I escaped, there was nothing,'' she says. "l can tell my story while others on the run can't."

She found Seattle University's Hague Convention project on the Internet. Sudha Shetty, an attorney with the university's law school, started the project after she'd helped represent two women facing Hague Convention extradition orders.

Both women were domestic violence victims and had fled to the United States with their children.

The law's immediate extradition rule left her no time to prepare a case.

Sudha began studyiflg Hague cases heard in U.S. courts to learn how often domestic violence and child abuse were used as defenses. The Hague Convention doesn't address the reasons why one parent takes a child away from the other parent.

"fl was created with the best intentions, but it's had unintended consequences for women trying to protect their children," Sudha says.

With the help of about 60 law students. Sudha started a Web site www.law.seattleu.edu/accesstojustice/hague - with case information and the names of lawyers who have worked in Hague cases. She posted information she could have used for her two cases.

Karin called Sudha as soon as she read about the project.

"She challenged habitual residence. That hasn't been challenged before," Sudha says. '"It's one more avenue for us.¡¡ At Sudha's request. Karin shared her experience with students on the project.

"They were so moved with her courage and guts that none wanted to quit working on the project," Sudha says.

The Web site is in its infancy and Sudha wants any information she can add to help other people facing Karin's dilemma.

Ideally, Sudha would like to amend the treaty so domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault are considered before children automatically are returned to a parent invoking the Hague Convention. But the 72 countries that recognize the law are unlikely to agree.

Instead, Sudha hopes to convince U.S. courts to include the issue of grave risk in any Hague Convention extradition hearing.

Karin supports the effort wholeheartedly.

"We're the lucky ones,'' she says.

"We can be a voice for everyone out there."

To share international child custody experiences with the Seattle University law school's Access to Justice Institute, call (206) 398-4173 or e-mail atji(f, seattleu.edu.

Inland Northwest SECTION

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Sunday, September 26, 2004 The Spokesman-Review Spokane, Wash.jCoeur d'Alene, Idaho

I

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Unfortunately, many eligi,ble voters will be no-shows come election day Story IJ'j Heather Lalley The Spokesman-Review

M

isty Starr, 21, says she's registered to vote but probably won't make it to the polls on Election Day. The Spokane woman doesn't own a car and it's just too tough to get there, she says.

Plus, says Starr, "It's not important enough to me because I'm sure Bush will get thrown out anyway." · Spokane carpenter David Nicholson, 46, guesses he hasn't voted in at least 20 years.

He's turned off, he says, by politicians' lack of action.

"I'm disgusted," Nicholson says, sitting at an outdoor cafe in downtown Spokane. "If they want to get my vote, start doing something."

Starr and Nicholson are in good company. In 2000, nearly half of all people 18 and older never cast a ballot in the presidential election, according to the Federal Election Commission. And about

ON THE WEB

[f!

Searching for Democracy

Staff writer Dan Webster seeks out ordinary Inland Northwest citizens .c:.JeCl:UJn t9r a piece of their mind. d Follow his blog, "Your America," 1 online at www.spokesman review .com/ electlons/20Q4/blogs/youramerica.

DI~

•

I •lw

one quarter of registered voters never made it to the polls, the FEC says.

It's hard to miss the fact that the 2004 presidential 9ontinued: No-shows/F7

No-shows: Many reasons cited for some citizens not voting Continued from F1

election's just a little more than five weeks away. Walk past a newspaper rack. Turn on the TV. Doesn't even have to be a news show. The candidates are popping up on entertainment programs, too.

Pay attention to any of that coverage and you know it's a contentious, hard-fought race.

Some polls have George W. Bush and John Kerry in a dead heat.

But there will still be a large percentage of eligible voters who either never register to vote and ma11y who register to vote but never follow through.

Why? "There are so many different reasons," says Jack Doppelt, an associate professor of journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, 111.

Doppell should know. He studied nonvoters in the 1996 election for the book, ·'Nonvoters: America's No-Shows" (which be co-wrote with colleague Ellen Shearer).

The two professors grouped nonvoters into several categories Doers (educated, affluent, community-connected), Unpluggeds (disconnected from community, out of the political loop), Irritables (cynical about the process), Don't Knows (don't follow the news) and Alienateds (avoid political process in disgust). But many people who don't vote share a similar sentiment about the political system, Doppelt says.

"The way candidates go about it poshes people out of the process," he says. ·'There's a fundamental d~connect. ... Almost all politicians

AT A GLANCE

How to register to vote Want to register to vote? You have until Oct 1 to register by mail in Washington. After that, you can register in person at the elections office until Oct 18.

To download a registration form or get more information, go to www.secstate.wa.gov or call (800) 448-4881.

In Idaho, voters can register on Election Day. The deadline to preregister in Idaho is Oct. 8. Voters should register at the clerk's office in their home county.

For more information, log on to http://www.idsos.state.id.us/ or call (208) 334-2300.

The General Election will be Nov. 2.

are really talking a language and using a kind of political speak that young people, people entering the political process and people that have been around for a while don't connect with at all. That's huge."

Plus, the youngest generation of voters isn't hard-wired to go to the polls like previous generations were, he says.

"The habit and ritual that the haven't registered to vote because American public had 30 years ago no they don·t want to become part of longer exists," Doppelt says. "They the jury pool. (Jurors are chosen don't have the instinct that it's part of from among registered voters, but it's what they do, it's part of their ritual." not the orrly way to get on the list; For some, it's cynicism that keeps drivers' license records are also them from the voting. used.)

With the media talking about1·ed But, mosOy, Dalton hears from states, blue states and swing states, people who say, "I just never got some people believe their vote around to it," she says. doesn't count if they live in a state "That, I've interpreted to mean, is that is already tied up for the · that people don't·understand how to Democrats or Republicans, says register to vote," Dalton says.

Rusty Nelson, director of Spokane's There's something different about nonprofit Peace and Justice Action the election of2004, though. People League. are registering in droves this time "There's the complete sense of around. Spokane County elections disempowerment," Nelson,says. officials say they are receiving record "They don't really feel like their vote numbers of applications.

Interest in voting often spikes is going to count." .

And, of course, apathy plays a during uneasy times, Stewart says. major role.

"Voter turnout goes up in times of "Some voters don't think it makes great crisis," he says, citing the Great any di.fference who wins," says Tony Depression and the conflict in Stewart, a political science instructor Vietnam. "When we're not at war, at North Idaho College. "Things will there's prosperity, that really reduces just be the same." the vote." · As Spokane County auditor, Vicky Doppelt credits the increased Dalton talks often with newly interest to a growing "buzz" about registered voters. this election. That doesn't mean that Sometimes, Dalton hears from people, particularly young people felons who have completed the terms a group chronically underrepresented of their sentences and are finally at the polls, have developed a getting their voting rights restored. newfound interest in politics, he says.

Often, she hears from people who Rather, they're simply plugged in to

pop culture.

Michael Moore's movie, "Fahrenheit 9fil." adds to the buzz.

The Bush daughters addressing the Republican convention adds to the buzz.

Comedy Central's faux newscast, "The Daily Show," adds to the buzz.

"I believe the buzz is intended to hit a crescendo in October," Northwestem's Doppelt says. "All of the signs seem to be congealing this year to make it really plausible that young people will vote this time."

Donna Montgomery has made sure that her children have voted since the time they were able.

Montgomery, who lives in Hayden, Idaho, is the·chairwoman of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee.

She used to make her kids show her their "I Voted" stickers and would tell them, "You'll be out of the will if you don't vote."

"It's not just a privilege but a duty," she says. "To me, it is....

People died fighting for our rights. '·I wish I knew the magic answer of how to get people to vote. Whatever it was. I'd do it."

• Staff writer Heather Lalley can be reached at (509) 459-5089 or by e-mail at heathert@spokesman.com.

Nortti lilaho

NIC recognizes staff achievements THE PRESS Saturday, May 21, 2005

"Staff Awards 2005#

This year's North Idaho College Staff Achievement Award recipients were senior accountant Sandra Jacquot, custodian Jim Howerton and Silver Valley Center administrative assistant Geri Totey. The awards were presented at the annual commencement breakfast May 20.

CS

COEUR d'ALENE - North Idaho College communication instructor Tim Christie believes that in life, all people strive to make a mark in the world.

The impact he has had on students during his 33 years at NIC is the mark Christie left, changing thousands of lives and earning him this year's NIC Faculty Achievement Award.

'There are in our lives a select few people we come in contact with who have the ability to impact us on a scale that resounds our entire lives through," said Joel Crane, a former student of Christie's. "Tim Christie is one of these people."

Christie is also a freelance writer and nature/outdoor photographer, which he says adds to the life experiences that he shares in class to help students grasp new concepts.

"I am, and hopefully with good health, will always be a lifelong learner, which enriches my life and expands the boundaries of what I do and can do," Christie said.

In three decades of teaching, Christie's passion for education has come full circle.

"Tim Christie has an instructional style that is inspiring, nurturing and admonishing-all essential ingredients for student success," said Lewis Watkins, an NIC academic adviser and a former student of Christie's. "Tim's passion for teaching is contagious to his students and colleagues and I am fortunate to have experienced both in my time at NIC." Toe award was presented to Christie along with a $1,500 check from the NIC Foundation at the annual Employee Awards Breakfast May 20.

"I am deeply touched by the nomination and profoundly impacted by the overwhelming outpouring of appreciation for what I've tried to be for my entire career at this wonderful college ... a good teacher that truly makes a difference in the lives of my students," Christie said.

"Faculty Awards 2005"

This year's North Idaho College Faculty Achievement Award recipients were counselor, adviser and instructor Don Bjorn, NIC communication instructor Tim Christie, NIC health professions and nursing counselor Margaret Fedje and adjunct faculty member Idaho State Police Department Captain Wayne Longo (not pictured).

"35-year Employees 2005â&#x20AC;˘

Awards for 35 years of service to NIC went to business and professional programs instructor JoAnn Nelson, political science instructor Tony Stewart and nursing program coordinator Beverly Hatrock.

Other finalists for the Faculty Achievement Award included NIC health professions and nursing counselor Margaret Fedje, a 33-year employee of the college, and counselor, adviser and instructor Don Bjorn, a 12-year employee of NIC, who were presented checks for $500 from the NIC Foundation and honored at the awards breakfast The Adjunct Faculty Achievement Award, for parttime faculty members, was

presented to Idaho State Police Department Captain Wayne Longo, who has taught in the NIC Law Enforcement program for 16 years. Longo received $500 with the award, which is sponsored by North Idaho Title Company.

Staff members recognized for their outstanding service to NIC with the Staff Achievement Award included custodian Jim Howerton, Silver Valley Center administrative assistant Geri Totey and senior accountant

Sandra Jacquot Each received $500 from the NIC Foundation.

Employees were recognized with Length of Service Awards, sponsored by the NIC Board of Trustees.

• Five-year award recipients include David Abshere, Bob Bennett, Erin Bundy, Kim Cheeley, Jeff Crowe, Kathleen Czurda-Page, Cindy Deschamp, Roxanne Finney, Peg Gillespie, Virginia Hickman, Milt Jacobs, Jim Jeitler, Kim Johnson, Kriss Klassen, Patty Leiser, Barb Lundberg, Patty McCrayRoberts, Mary McNeil, Craig Morris, Kathy O'Brien, Corky Partridge, Janice Ramirez, Karen RuppeL Dwight Sederhohn, Ali Shute, Kecia Siegel, Steve Taylor, Pete Townsend and Darrell Tso. • 10-year award recipients include Lyon Bates, Andy Finney, John Gallegos, Vic Gilica, Jim Hamilton, Alan lamb, Aon Lewis, Linda Shaw, Deborah Stone, Larry Wise and Tom Wuest • 15-year award recipients include Joyce Ferrell, Duane Gross, Kathryn Hunt, Dalona Lee, Pat Lippert, David Mann, Judy Parker and Richard Schultz.

• 20-year award recipients

include Charlotte Anderton, Michele Chesnut, Lucy Hein, Kris Brown, Don Friis, Chad Klinger, Mona Klinger and Nils Rosdahl.

• 25-year award recipients include student activities director Dean Bennett, accountant Doug Halliday, campus events director Jim Headley, math instructor Tom Rigles, information technology director Steve Ruppel, art instructor Allie Vogt and English instructor Fay Wright.

• 30-year award recipient physical education instructor John Owen.

• 35-year award recipients nursing program coordinator Beverly Hatrock, business and professional programs instructor JoAon Nelson and political science instructor Tony Stewart

Op/Ed

Bignall book series imparts a THE PRESS/ HAGADONE NEWSPAPER NETWORK Sunday, July 10, 2005

A5

fascinating piece of history

B

liss Bignall, retired Coeur d'Alene attorney, his wife Annette, and his mother, Reva Yeates Bignall, have made a significant contribution to the recorded history of the West in three books dealing with the railroads and the early work of Mormon missionaries in the South Sea Islands.

More than 1,000 books have been sold, a product of five years of planning and writing about the immigrants and pioneers of the 19th century, construction of the western railroads, and missionary work in the South Pacific by Bliss' grandfather, Frederick Merlin Bignall.

'The Mothers," one of the three books, tells of the early-1800s when Bignall's great-grandmother migrated from South Africa to the western plains of Utah before the Civil War. She made the wagon trip from St. Louis west and the book has references to Mormon leaders Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and non-Mormon Capt. William Hooper, the territorial congressional representative. There are stories of the early days of railroad building.

"Western Argonaut" recalls how the author's grandfather, at 18, left England for New York City where he worked in a broom factory for almost a year so he could continue on to Utah. He married and Bob personally grappled Paulos with demands he found as a Mormon Notebook convert, and turns his attention to building railroads to serve his new home, the West.

"Sandals of Service" is taken from journals of the author's father, Frederick T. Yeates, for his 3 1/2year mission to the French Society islands.

Bliss' mother spent five years writing the books, then Bliss and Annette took two years in editing the works and publishing them by Bliss Publications.

Tony Stewart of North Idaho College will feature the book on two KSPS programs, the last Sunday in July and first Sunday in August.

Bliss has fulfilled the promise he made his mother just before her

death 12 years ago. I scanned the books and find them to be interesting works about the building of the western railroads and the effect Brigham Young had on that period in our history.

The books are available online, and information on outlets is available by calling 664-9278.

•••

SPOKES AN EDITION OF

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NIC gets gift of lifetimes Meyers' $1 million donation to help students 'forever'

By Christopher Rodkey Staff writer

Administrators at North Idaho College were amazed and smiling Tuesday after an announcement that the school's foundation received the largest donation in NIC's history.

Steve and Judy Meyer, of Coeur d'Alene, announced their $1 million donation to a crowd of about 50 in front of the new Health and Sciences Building, and pledged that the money would go into an endowment to pay for technology upgrades at NIC. "Our intent is to P.rovide a way for the college to keei? thel classes and equip-

'

ment at the leading edge as technology changes," said Judy Meyer, also a member of the NI C board of trustees. "Steve and I want to help keep NIC programs and students ahead of their counterparts in India and China."

A beaming NIC President Michael Burke said the donation will take NIC "to a place weâ&#x20AC;˘ve never been before."

The money wilt fund classroom technology like projector screens and distance learning equipment, said Rayelle Anderson, executive director of the NIC Foundation.

"It's going to help students for, well, forever," said Dick Sams, president of

the foundation.

The Meyers formed Parkwood Business Properties, a commercial real estate development company, in 1975 and have served on various boatds over the years.

Judy Meyer was appointed to the Idaho State Board of Education and was elected president of that board in 1998.

Steve Meyer was a founder of Advanced Input D evices in 1979 and serves on the NIC Foundation board of directors.

Both said they felt it was important to invest in their local community college to Continued: Glft/A6

Thanlm a million

â&#x20AC;˘

Jesse llnsleyflhe Spokesman-Revfe'o\

Tony Stewart, left, hugs Judy Meyer, after It was announced on Tuesday that she and her husband Steve Meyers gave the North Idaho Foundation a $1 mllllon endowment.

Page AS

Wedne.sday, September 21, 2005

The Spokesman-Review

WORLD / FROM ¡rHE FRONT PAGE

Gift: $3 million

and counting Continued from A1

enhance the region's economy.

"Historically businesses have come here because we had high unemployment, low wages and a good work ethic," Steve Meyer said. "We would like to help change those reasons to make the intellectual capital of our citizens the primary point of attraction."

The college ¡recently opened an $11.9 million Health and Sciences Building, increasing NIC's classrO(;im space by 25 percent. The state paid for the building itself, but all furniture and technology had to be paid for by the college, which launched a campaign to raise funds.

The Meyers' donation blew away the campaign's original goal of rais-

Jesse llnsley/The Spokesman-Review

Steve Meyer kisses his wife Judy Meyer on Tuesday after they announced thelr $1 million gift to North Idaho College at the new Health and Sciences Building.

ing $2 million, bumping the total raised to more than $3 million, with

more gifts from others still to come, Anderson said.

.,.

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NIC joins pledge drive Students volunteer to help 'Friends of Seven' "We immediately wanted to help as soon as Phillippe (Valle) told us," said Jessica Becker, 19, Clark For~, - STAFF WRITER . . . graphic desig n major and president of the Graphic Taking an opportunity to help local pubhc telev1s1on, Design Club. catch some screen .time an~ converse with people across Arriving at the station on South ~egal. Street ~t 6 a five-state and international r~ge, NIC students, p.m., the volunteers received an onentahon session faculty and staff trekk~d into SJ?ok~ne to the and began answering phones at 7 p.m. They were KSPS studios on Sept. 21 to assist the station ma pledge featured in live remote shots airing on television as they drive. . answered calls and took pledges.

KSPS-TV Spokane is the Public Broadcasting "It's been really fun-except for the accents," said System's (PBS) flagship station for the Inland Becker. "Sometime they're (the callers) pretty hard to Northwest and parts of western Canada. understand."

According to the station, more than 35,000 For some students, the chance to hold people support KSPS throug~ donati?n.s and F FACT conversations with random callers was ''Friends of Seven" memberships, providing 80 AST alone worth the experience. percent of KSPS' total annual funds.. . .

• The KSPS pledge "I love the enthusiasm people have had Pledge drives function as a public telev1s.1on drive raised around when they've called in," said Shelly Page, telethon as the station runs progra~mmg $40 than 19, Coeur d' Alene, graphic design. "They 000 1 encouraging viewers to call the studio. a°:d ' ' ar~er really want to help people." . donate money in exchange for membership m averagetakings.

At three points during the evenmg, the ''Friends of Seven." all of the studio's 24 phones were busy, Volunteers are needed to answer phones and and the volunteers were each handling fill various behind-the-scenes support roles. . thousands of dollars in pledges.

Students from the Graphic Design Club_ and ~h1 "I'm having a blast! I've already had over $2,000 (at Theta Kappa joined Phillippe yalle, ~raph_ic design 10 p.m.)," said Jack Knecht, graphic design, Moscow. instructor, and Tony Stewart, political science mstructor, "Someone pledged $500." as well as college staff members to volunteer. The group At the conclusion of the drive at 11 p.m., the totaled 32 people and was arranged by Stewar!. volunteers had logged a total of $40,274, $31,000 of Stewart said he is in regular contact ""'.1th KSPS which came during the broadcast of Austrian violinist because the station airs his pro_gram Pu~hc For.um, Andre Rieu's program. recorded live at NIC ~y Instr~c!101:al ~ed1a Services.

The totals were significantly higher than u_sual, He issued a campus-wide email mv1tabon to volunteer according to Dawn Bayman, director of membership for for the drive.

KSPS. "Teaching college students to engage in volunteerism "This is one of the best groups I've ever worked throughout their lives is extremely important," Stewart with," Bayman said.

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Ready for whatever comes (left to right): City Administrator Wendy Haque, Police Chief Wendy Carpenter and Mayor Sandi Bloem.

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snow decorating n·ee limbs, Christmas lights glittering and downtown shoppers greeting friends with smiles, Coeur d'Alene is the American small town of happy stories. Everything about the city is appealing right now, and city residents believe they know why.

"Women are in leadership," says Mary Lou Reed, a former state legislator who has lived in Coeur d'Alene for 49 years. "They work with collaborative style.

People are feeling great about the future. The entire climate is very · wholesome."

Coeur d'Alene is the only city its size or larger in Idaho and Washington with three women at the helm - Mayor Sandi Bloem, City Administrator Wendy Hague and Police Chief Wendy Carpenter. A fourth woman, Dixie Reid, is Coeur d'Alene's City Council president.

Such a municipal leadership combination is rare. Port Townsend, Wash .. offers the closest match in two states with a female mayor and police chief.

"I thought what we had here was unique," says Carpenter, who leads the 90 employees in Coeur d'Alene's police department.

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DECEMB_ER 15, 2005 • INlANDER •

"I've always believed that governments are better off as entities with a lot of

women at the table with men. Both bring different talents to the table."

- TONY STEWART, North Idaho College professor

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INLAND NORTHWEST

NEWS "COEUR ,D'ALENE'S ANGELS," CONTINUED... city leadership roles. Washington has 280 cities and 72 female mayors. Idaho also has its share of female mayors, though few cities have female police chiefs.

Still, gender often takes the blame when the city governed falls apart. In Coeur d'Alene's case, people are crediting gender with the city's relative contentment at the moment.

"I've always believed that governments are better off as entities with a lot of women at the table with men. Both bring different talents to the table:' says Tony Stewart, a political science professor at North Idaho College.

"Coeur d'Alene has certainly verified that belief."

A Northwestern University study in 2001 found women in leadership positions operate in a more democratic style than men in the same role. The study credited women with a less hierarchical, more cooperative and more collaborative approach to management - traits social scientists strongly connect to the female

.._

gender. Business T#ek in 2000 reported that management guru~ in search of the most effective leaders had begun hiring women.

responsibility and trust their department heads," says Mike Kennedy, a 14-year Coeur d'Alen resident who was elected to his first council position last month.

"Sandi does that very well. City Hall feels it can nave a say in things involving its own departments."

How true, says Carpenter.

She was appointed interim police chief 16 months ago and so impressed the City Coun1.il that the appointment became permanent. Carpenter wasn't convinced she wanted the position until, as interim chief, she experienced Bloem's hands-off management style.

"She doesn't interfere with anything. It's a great working relationship," Carpenter says.

"She's very supportive of all the

loem was first elected mayor in 2001. City residents easily elected her for a second term last month. She took over a city wary of its leaders and skeptical that citizens were welcome at City Hall. Bloem's predecessor in the mayor's office, Stevejudy, was controversial.

"This administration is a breath of fresh air," says John Bruning, a city planning conunissioner for 23 years. "They had to overcome the previous administration's mistakes, lower the stress level among staff, reorganize, get people so they weren't running scared all the time. They reinstilled a whole lot of trust."

Bloem's approach " It has to do with no to leadership was administrative egos to nothing like J udy's.

She encouraged satisfy. The entire climate departments to work is very wholesome." together and council members to work with - CdA resident MARY LOU REED city departments. She appointed leaders and agencies and department heads. If trusted them to do their jobs.

"I don't think the tean1 we've done something wrong, she concept that's in place would have leaves it to us to fix."

Communication was a major worked as well under prior administrations because the mayor component of Bloem's teamwork and council really have to delegate approach. She assigned each

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council member two city departments to shepherd. Council members became m ore knowledgeable about city services and depar ~ent heads knew they had a council member listening to them. .

"That type of interaction is a key," , says Ben Wolfinger, a C oeur d '.Alene councilman for the past five years. "She trea~s people the way she wants to be treated and that's a key element in a good manager."

Bloem extended h er teamwork approach beyond Coeur d'Alene. She started the North Idah o Mayors' Coalition that brings mayors together ~egularly to share problems, issues and plans.

..11iat ·was never done . before.'' says Kennedy. "Sandi has a very soothing p~encc.

She·5 retained her soft side . masterfully. but you also lu~ow m a meeting with her that she s . taking it all in and her concl~s1on will be reflective of everyone s input.'' . d Stewart believes Bloem s cep roots Ill Coeur d'Alene arc as instn.unental to her success as mayor as many of the charactens· tics of her gender. . ..She's been here her ennre life," he says. "Sh~ wanu: to maintain the quabt)' of life she enjoyed in chil~hood:" Bloem's history in town linked her tightl)' to another long· time resident, business magnate Duane Hagadone. Her first campaign for mayor was greeted with skepticism by 1:°311Y ~op~e who believed her friendship w1th the resort developer and newspa· per owner would allow Hagadone to call the shots from C!ty Hall.

She proved otherwise. When Hagadone propose~ a huge garden project that included drastic changes for Coeur d'Alene's downtown, Bloem marched unscathed through a gauntlet of personal and public pressure. She said little, but she listened to everyone.

"People don't have to get everything they want as long as they're listened to:' Stewart says.

"People arc tolerant until they'~e. ignored. Mayor Bl~m's he~ 1S m the right place and 1t shows.

Hagadone dropped the highly controversial proposal after the City Council decided the public should vote on it.

"What happened changed a lot of people's perspective of her because the council did the right thing and she supponcd it," Kennedy says. "As a citizen, it was tremendous for me to watch her do what was right for Coeur· d'Alene in the face of intense pressure."

Characteristically, Bloem credits her team for much of her success.

"My idea oflcadership is that the only way I can be successful is to create many new leaders

around me," she says...I love to play on a team, and it's an honor to be given the opportunity to be part of a team.''

City AdrninistratOI ·wendy Hague is a key player on Bloc111's Citv Hall team. Like Carpenter, Hague began her position to fill an absence during a ~carch for the 1ight replacement. She handled . affairs so efficiently. though. that It was clear to the Clly Council that she was the right replacement.

"She's a sharp. sharp lady," Wolfinger says. "You Ju,ow where you stand with her. She'll tell you what she expects and le~ you you, job. That·s how th1S admm1S· rralion works."

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take the credit,'' she says. ~It's a gi·eat department. Everyone works hard."

Her attitude mirrors Blocm's and Hague's and is the reason Coeur d "Alene is humming along so metl1odically right now, says Recd.

"It has to do with no .1dminis· trative egos to satisfy,'' Recd says. ··Tue women m those roles say '\Vhat can we do together to get this job done?' The entire climate

is very wholesome." olice Chief Carpenter understood and believed in the team approach long before Bloem moved into the mayor·s office, so she bl.ossomed under Bloem's lcaderslup.

Carpenter's staff appreciated her experience. Carpenter began her career in tllc police depanmcnt ticketing cars for parking violations and climbed up through the ranks. Her knowledge of police work was unquestioned. Only her leadership skills were untested, but they proved sm:>ng du~g ~er five months as intcrun pobce chief.

"She knows the job ir1Side out:' says Wolfinger, w_ho is a captain in the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department. "She's a take-care-of-business kind of person [with] no hidden agenda.

She ir1Stills trust in people and cams their respect. They know she knows the job."

Carpenter faced some tough business. One of her officers, Michael Kralicek, was shot and critically wounded on the ~ob. A father in his mid-30s, Kralicek survived but with spinal cord injuries that left him in a wheel· chair. Six months later, Coeur d'Alene faced its worst crime ever - a vicious quadruple h?micide . and kidnapping. The crune was m the county, but Carpenter's department helped immensely, says Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson.

"They loaned detectives, covered calls for us, loaned us personnel to protect the ~ e scene," Watson says. "The aty police and sheriff's department constantly do joint ~~ together and it works well. She s JUSt a good manager:· .

Carpenter accepts the pr.use for her work modestly. "\Ve all work together. I can·t

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The road ahead isn't smooth by any definition. Coeur d'Alene faces some major growth 1Ssucs that are controversial by their nature - subdivisions and tall buildings downtown. Candidates in the recent City Council elecuon were hanunercd with questions about tall buildings blocking the view of Lake Coeur d'Alene and changing the city's small-town atmosphere.

Height controls arc on the City Council's schedule for next year, and the issue is sure to generate emotional debate.

Residents believe a view of Lake Coeur d'Alene is their right and will defend that right with passion.

Developers believe taller b~ildings will revitalize downtown witl1 living space and p~de m?re reasons for attracung vacationers.

If any administration. can . , handle such a hot-potato 1Ssue, 1t s apparently Blocm's.

"She can bring people to conser1Sus better than anyone I've seen," Wolfinger says. ~she's not afraid to meet with people one on one or in a group and say 'OK, let's get to business and figure out how to solve this.' The chemistry is good right now. There's great leadership in place." •

North Idaho legislators gaining clout in Boise Area politicians hold three chair and four vice chair positions

By TOM GREENE Staff writer BOISE - North Idaho has come a long way, baby.

Ten years ago, former Rep. Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls, was vice chairwoman of the House Transportation and Defense Committee. .She was the only North Idaho legislator to hold either a chair or vice chair position in a Senate or House committee at the time.

"Chairs are very influential, not just in Idaho, but around the country," said Tony Stewart, a political science instructor with North Idaho College.

Goedde This year, North Idaho has perhaps its strongest influence yet at the Legislature and holds three chair and four vice chair posts.

Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene, chairs the Education Committee. Sen. Dick Compton, R-Coeur d'Alene, chairs the Health and Welfare Committee.

Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, chairs the Ways and Means Committee.

"It's not written anywhere, but when a member of the

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Legislature has an idea, like in education, typically they'll come to me and say 'What do you think of this?' I can then take every precaution to make sure what they're doing is not at the detriment of my district," Goedde said.

"But, probably most important, is leadership calls on you for advice on issues. You Jorgenson have the ability to help shape the course or direction of legislation."

If there's a problem with legislation that conflicts with the desires of his constituKeough ents, Compton said, "Everyone is very cooperative in resolving the issue."

Clark said committee chairs can make sure legislation doesn't ever go anywhere.

In some other states, like Montana, if legislation doesn't rnakeitoutofcornrnitteeitcan still be voted on in either the House or the Senate 'Toe chairman of a committee over here can take an

"Another part of the equation that contributed to the rise of North Idaho is we have more bodies than we had in the past."

SEN. JOHN GOEDDE, Republican idea and put it in a drawer so it never sees the light of day," said Clark who, in his fifth term, has the most years under his belt out of the current group of North Idaho legislators.

The House Speaker and President Pro Tern decide who chairs committees, with seniority playing a large role in their decisions.

'The North kind of has a reputation of turning over legislators quickly," said Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake. "A lot of them (chairs) come from rural areas. There's a fair number of them with very little competition."

Nor th Idaho has its share of vice chairs as well, with Jorgenson as vice chairman of the Education Committee.

Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Cocolalla, is vice chairwoman of the Health and Welfare Committee. Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, is vice chairwoman of the Finance Committee. Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, is vice chair of Environment, Energy and Technology.

"Another part of the equation that contributed to the rise of North Idaho is we have more bodies than we had in the past," Goedde said. "In the 1940s, Nez Perce County had twice the number of representatives we had."

There are currently four senators with districts overlapping Kootenai County. Nez Perce County has one.

"North Idaho picked up a whole legislative seat last reapportionment," Stewart said. He added: "In addition to committee chairs there are also key locations."

There are four North Idaho legislators on the Joint-Finance Appropriations Committee, which controls the purse strings for state agencies. Keough co-chaired the tax interim committee and Jorgenson chairs the Idaho Council on Indian Affairs.

"And George Sayler has moved up (Rep. Sayler, DCoeur d'Alene is currently assistant minority leader).

There's influence in that, too," Stewart said.

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NJC concert honors Popcorn Forum founder COEUR d'ALENE -The North Idaho College Symphonic Band will honor NIC Popcorn Forum founder and longtime NIC political science instructor Tony Stewart with the ''Bring on the Popcorn" tribute concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 in Boswell Hall Schuler Auditorium.

Tony Stewart is a professor, lecturer, author and community activist Stewart earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences with a concentration in government from Western Carolina University and a master's degree in political science from the University ofTennessee.

Additionally, he did work in the doctoral program in political science at Washington State University.

Born in Murphy, N.C., Stewart has been a political scientist and pre-law adviser at NIC since 1970. That same year, Stewart founded and continues to chair the NIC Popcorn· Forum lecture series that has featured 539 lectures, ·panels and workshops over the years. He is also a founding member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

"This participation in the Popcorn concert was Forum in the 1990s, the year the intended to symposiwn featured the arts. honor Tony Ever since that year, the NIC and the great symphonic band has performed work that he's a musical concert during NIC's done inspiring Popcorn Forum, based on that thought at the year's theme. college and "American Civil War Fantasy" throughout the Stewart

by Jerry H. Bilik, highlights region," said Stewart's work as a human NIC band director Terry Jones. rights activist and his struggle "He's an amazing man who's . for civil rights. The piece conled an amazing life, and we're tains familiar tunes such as pleased to have the opportunity "Dixieland," "Battle Cry for to honor him through music."

Freedom," "Yellow Rose of The band will perform Texas" and ending with "Battle "Fanfare for Tomorrow: From Hymn of the Republic," all familthe Threads of Our Past, the iar civil war pieces arranged with Fabric of Our Future," a piece variations on the originals. by written by Robert W. Smith 'These are twists on the origichosen for the concert because nal pieces, which to me signify Jones said he felt it summed issues that we've continued to up Stewart's life, alternating fight over the years, like the between calm reflection on the battle for civil rights," Jones said. past to triumphs of today and ·"Issues that we will continue · to fight as they arise with new, the finale's implication of the future. modern twists."

The band will perform two "Movement for Rosa," written movements of "Pictures at an

by Mark Camphouse in honor Exhibition," a piece written of American civil rights activby Modest Mussorgsky and ist Rosa Parks, reinforces the arranged by AJfred Reed that is struggle for human rights that based on actual paintings. This Stewart, like Parks, has worked piece represents Jones' first toward throughout his lifetime.

"Godzilla Eats Las Vegas" by Eric Whitacre is a funny piece during which you can hear the melodies of Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra and Liberace and hear them subsequently stomped by Godzilla. The piece, which features the band members in Elvis masks, is intended to remind concertgoers that despite Stewart's dedication to very serious i~ues, he also has a great sense of humor, Jones said.

Clips of the NIC-produced television show Public Forum, which Stewart started and has moderated for more than 30 years, and comments from people close to Stewart and his work will be shown during the concert, highlighting the significance of the pieces being performed.

Special guests including Norm Gissel, local human rights activist and fellow member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, and NIC President Michael Burke will speak at the event The performance is free and open to the public. · Information: 769-3276

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BY CARL GIDLUND Correspondent

North Idaho College is going to honor one of its own Wednesday evening with a concert by the school's Symphonic Band. It's to celebrate the life and contnbutions of distinguished faculty member Tony Stewart The program is called "Bring on the Popcorn," an especially appropriate title in honor of the founder and chairman of the popular Popcorn Forum Lecture Series, now in its 37th year.

Coeur d'Alene attorney and civil rights activist Norm Gissel calls Stewart one of the most unselfish men he's ever known.

"He's never said a word about his own needs," according to Gissel "And when he commits himself to a cause, he stays committed until he's not needed anymore."

Stewart is nominally a political scientist and pre-law adviser at NIC, but to those who have worked with him on civil rights issues and public affairs activities for the past 36 years, he's much more: a virtually indispensable part of North Idaho's cultural fabric.

The 64-year-old teacher is one of the founders of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, formed in 1980 to counter the propaganda and activities of the Aryan Nations white supremacists.

A native of North Carolina and graduate of Western Carolina University, he earned his master's degree in political science from the University of Tennessee, and did graduate studies toward a doctorate in political science at Washington State University.

Gissel, who calls Stewart "a treasured and valued friend,'' says those Tennessee years provided him a front-row seat to the nascent civil rights movement led

by Martin Luther King Jr. For decades, Gissel says, members of the Aryan Nations and others tried to get Stewart fired from NIC because of his

civil rights activities. "But he stayed, even after many midnight harassing phone calls, even after the murder attempt on Bill Wassmuth."

The late Wassmuth, a Catholic priest and fellow civil rights activist, was the target of a bombing in 1986.

Coeur d'Alene attorney Janell Burke has been a frequent panelist on the North Idaho College TV-Public Forum founded by Stewart in 1972 and still produced and moderated by

him ''We met when I was a guest on the program back in 1975," she recalls. "Tony invited me to return as a panelist, and the experience has certainly enriched my life."

The 30-minute program has aired nearly 1,700 times on six public broadcast stations and is seen by viewers in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah and Canada. It has featured such luminaries as inventor Buckminster Fuller, U.S. Sens.

Frank Church, Slade Gorton and James McClure, singer and activist Carole King, and civil rights leader Julian Bond.

Stewart also produced and co-directed a 90-minute documentary titled, "Stand up to Hate Groups by Saying Yes to Human Rights: The First Ten Years of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations."

And he's recently produced and aired a 10-week series celebrating a quarter-century of · the task force's efforts.

"Tony is absolutely committed to equality and fairness," according to Burke, "and to excellence too, especially in teaching. He makes sure that anything he's connected with is done just right" Civic activist Mary Lou Reed calls Stewart "a magnificent impresario. He devotes countless hours to reaching people and developing themes, and our community has benefited tremendously by his efforts."

She recounts that he has been

FILE The Spokesman-Review

Popcorn Forum founder Tony Stewart is being honored with a tribute concert given by the NIC Symphonic Band.

INFORMATION

Concert NIC Band Director Terry Jones said the Wednesday program will include "Fanfare for Tomorrow: From the Threads of Our Past, the Fabric of Our Future" (by Robert W. Smith), two movements of "Pictures at an Exhibition" (Modest Mussorgsky), "American Civil War Fantasy" (Jerry H. Bilik), "Movement for Rosa" (Mark Camphouse), "Godzilla Eats Las Vegas" (Eric Whitacre), plus clips of Stewart's Public Forum television shows and appearances by guests Norm Gissel and NIC President Michael Burke.

Call 769-3276 for more information.

a Hospice of North Idaho board member, was an early co-chairman of the Kootenai Environmental Alliance and, in the 1970s, led a petition drive that

thwarted plans to build condominiums on the dike road between NIC and Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Stewart has also chaired NIC's division of social sciences, served as a commissioner of the Education Commission of the States, taught political science at WSU, and has written articles for many publications, including the Ripon Form, National Civic Review, State Government and

the Western Governmental Researcher.

His honors include the Northwest Communication Association's Human Rights Award, the North Idaho College Foundation Faculty Achievement Award, and the Civil Rights Award.from the Spokane County Democr atic Party.

For all that, he remains a gentle man, says his friend Gissel.

"Yve seen him mad only twice," he says. "Once was when somebody falsely accused him of being impolite. I can't even remember the other time."

Wednesday's musical program, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Boswell Hall's Schuler Auditorium on the NIC campus.

The North Idaho College Symphonic Band presents

A tribute to the founder of the Popcorn Forum

TOM~ ITIW4RT a professor, lecturer, author, community activist, and a founding member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

Music Featuring: Fanfare for Tomorrow Pictures at an Exhibition ~ Civil War Fantasy â&#x20AC;˘ Movement for Rosa ~ Godzilla Eats Las Vegas

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 Boswell Hall Schuler Auditorium

~NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE

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;ffiNORTH IDAHO COLLEGE 1000 West Garden Avenue â&#x20AC;¢ Coeur cl' Alene, Idaho 83814-2161

Concert ichedule Conducted by Terry M.L. Jones 7:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 9

Gathering of the Bands "An Overture"

7:30 p.m. Sat. Dec. 10 & 2 p.111. Sun. Dec. 11

Sounds of Christmas

7:30 p.m. Wed. April 12

Bring on the Popcorn A tribute to Tony Stewart

2 p.m. Sun. May 7

Celebrating Motherhood Coeur d'Alene City Park

For more information call 208 .769.7764 FREE to the public Boswell H all Schuler Auditorium

The North Idaho College Symphonic Band presents

A tribute to the founder of the Popcorn Forum

TOM~ ITIWART a professor, lecturer, author, community activist, and a founding member of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 Boswell Hall Schuler Auditorium

~

NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE

Page 1 of 1

Tony Stewart From: To:

Tony Stewart Rhinehart, Erna

Erna, Would you put this thank you in the Weeksworth. Many thanks To The NIC Family: Please accept my deepest appreciation for the April 12 evening's musical concert tribute to me. All of you were extremely generous in your comments and support. I am not only grateful but humbled from the experience. I can not find adequate words to express how much I was touched by Terry Jones and his wonderful NIC Symphonic Band.

I want all of you to know that any efforts or programs coordinated by me over the years would never have occurred without this remarkable team at NIC--You must all accept this tribute for your roles and support.

Warm Regards,, Tony Stewart

LOCAL/REGIONAL REPORTS

NATIONAL • ANALYSIS

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Idaho to lnte r1or ENVIRONMENT Will Idaho's governor stand up for the outdoors, or just be window dressing for the Bush administration? CYNTHIA TAGGART o one disputes that Idaho Gov. D irk Kempthome is a shoo-in for congressional appointment as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. · President Bush nominated Kempthome for the position on March 16. The U.S. Senate likely will take action on the nomination in early May, according to Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo. Kempthome, a Republican finishing his second term as governor, served in Washington, D .C., as one ofldaho's U.S. senators from 1993 to 1998.

"I expect no difficulty," Crapo says. "But you never can predict. It's a highly partisan, bitter climate."

Secretary of the Interior is a prominent cabinet position that's drawing major attention, particularly in Idaho, ever since Bush proposed the sale of public lands to help cover federal support of rural schools and roads. The.proposal includes 25,000 acres of national forest land

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in Idaho. Bush's proposal also includes the sale of 500,000 acres of land under Bureau of Land Management direction to raise money to reduce the federal deficit. Nearly 100,000 acres of that BLM land is in Idaho.

"As a member of the president's cabinet, you have the opportunity, as I know from experience, to voice opinions and politics, to zap a stupid decision like that," says former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, who served as Secretary of the Interior under Presidentjimmy Carter. "We'll see what Dirk does."

The land-sale proposals have generated resounding protests through· out Idaho from people of all political philosophies. The state Legislature was one vote shy of unanimous in its dpposition to the sales. Idaho's congressional delegation has expressed its opposition as well.

A month after Bush proposed the sales, he nominated Kempthome, continues on page 13...

APRIL 13, 2006 • INIANDER• 11

INLAND NORTHWEST

NEWS "IDAHO TO INTERIOR," CONT... . who grew up in Spokane, to become Secretary of the Interior.

Many Idahoans quickly pinned their hopes for the preservation of the state's public lands to that nomination.

"The one issue Idahoans are most united on is preserving public lands," says Tony Stewart, a North Idaho College political science professor. "I hope Gov. Kempthorne can encourage the administration to forget the idea."

So does Susan Drumheller, the Idaho Conservation League's North Idaho staffer. ICL works to protect the quality of the state's environment. As Interior secretary, Kemp· thorne will have a major role in the BLM acreage Idaho has at stake.

That idea fills Drumheller with both concern and hope. · "We're hopeful that Governor Kempthorne will protect Idaho's natural heritage by not allow· ing federal land to be sold off to lower the federal d,eficit," she says.

"We're somewhat heartened he'll be in office, because we think he'll be responsive to the people of Idaho."

I

daho's population is split on just how responsive Kemp· thorne is. As governor, Kempthorne pushed to expand and improve the state park system.

This year's Legislature gave his plan a partial thumbs-up, agreeing to add less than half of his state park improvements to the new budget.

Kempthorne also sued the federal government to stop the reintroduction of 25 grizzly bears into the Bitterroot wilderness and was part of a multi-state effort to help endangered salmon without removing darns. He lobbied for state management of wolves and followed those efforts with a proposal to kill several dozen for the sake of protecting cattle and sheep.

He fought the Clinton administration plan to keep roads out of federal wilderness areas and promoted greater state control over the management of endangered species.

"Dirk is a states' rights, pri·

sy if people look at what we can do together rather than fight," he says.

Mark Sprengel, executive director of the Selkirk Conservation Alliance, isn't as optimistic as Riley. The Alliance works to protect the old-growth forests and wildlife habitats in the Selkirk Mountains in the Idaho Panhandle.

"Kempthome has established his record pretty well. He's worked against the environment every time he's had the opportunity," Sprengel says. "H e had ample opportunity to lead in the state of Idaho and establish a track record as an environmentally progressive

vate-sector-solution-type guy who understands the important role government has in implementing the laws of our nation with regard to the management of our resourc· es," says Crapo.

The man Crapo described is exactly the one the lnterrnountain Forest Association wants as Interior secretary, says IFA President Jim Riley. Based in Coeur d'Alene, IFA is an organization of wood products manufacturers, forestland owners and related businesses. "I think he'll make an excellent Secretary of the Interior," Riley says.

"In his two terms as governor, he was on the forefront of trying to advance locally led, voluntary conservation programs for endangered species. His work in that respect has been quite innovative and pioneering."

Riley believes salmon manageme,nt has a chance at a resolution with Kempthorne heading Interior.

The controversial issue has raged in and out of courtrooms for years.

Kempthorne's ability to build consensus among diverse interest groups will help, Riley says.

"We can do a lot of good for fish as well as settle the controver-

state, and he failed to do so, and I don't know that that will change."

The Alliance didn't like Kempthorne's support of snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park or his proposal for voluntary conservation programs for endangered.species. "He's consistent with the Bush administration, and that's why he was nominated," Sprengel says.

"It's felt he'll be tractable and go along with the administration agenda." · Andrus is encouraged that Bush nominated a W estemer to lead the Department of Interior, but he believes that fact alone isn't enough to ensure Kempthorne can do a good job.

"If he wants to be aggressive and constructive, there are things he can do," Andrus says. "Or he can be a caretaker and take orders from Karl Rove. Bush has never demonstrated any concern for public lands and where we live. Rove calls the shots. Is Di,rk man enough to stand up to him and the West Wing?"

As Secretary of the Interior, Andrus doubled the total acreage

continues on next page...

Cecil Andrus, a former Secretary of the Interior and Governor of Idaho, believes ~empthorne could make a difference, if he stands up for the West's best interests.

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