[Vision2020] who does Kimmell work for?

[Saundra Lund]

Well, at Ted's prodding, I'll jump in  ;-)

I absolutely agree with Bill London:  I don't think Paul Kimmell (or anyone
else) can successfully serve the conflicting best interests of the groups he's
chosen (or been chosen) to publicly represent.  Period.

I didn't understand how a county commissioner could also be the executive
director of the city's chamber of commerce, a confusion that deepened with the
revelation that the Chamber office is stacked with Kirkers.  Having been in on
several local hiring decisions, I don't buy that only Kirkers were the most
qualified for the jobs.

I was absolutely baffled by Commissioner Kimmell's failure to recuse himself
from voting on Christ Church/NSA matters.  At the very least, I'd have thought
he'd have done so to maintain an appearance of equity and fairness.  I think it
was bad judgment for him *not* to recuse himself, and that's not something I
want to see in an elected official, although Commissioner Kimmell certainly
*isn't* the only one guilty of exercising extremely poor judgment while in
office!  However, there's a saying that goes something like, "Fool me once,
shame on you; fool me twice, shame on *me*."  I'll certainly be remembering that
at the next election.

However, awhile back, someone (Wayne Fox, maybe?) posted some of the statutes
concerning Idaho public officials and conflicts, which was a real learning
experience for me.  I'll just say that the statutes I read confirmed that the
good ol' boy network continues to be alive and well in Idaho law.  Maybe we need
legislative reform there -- I don't know enough about the issues to have an
informed opinion.

So, I can't say as I'm surprised by the conclusion reached by the Nez Perce
Deputy Prosecutor.  Disappointed that such blatant shenanigans are apparently
condoned by Idaho law, to be sure, but not surprised.

However, I also have to add that while Commissioner Kimmell was apparently
cleared of conflict with regard to a couple of very specific instances
pertaining to the May 3, 2004 BOE hearing, I'm puzzled that the investigation
wasn't more thorough or didn't look at a couple of other major (at least in my
mind) potential conflicts.  I mean, since there was all the trouble of an
investigation, I don't understand why it wasn't more thorough so that the
results would be something one could really hang one's hat on.

All I know is what was reported in the papers, but I don't understand why *only*
the May 3, 2004 BOE hearing was investigated.  Christ Church and NSA were before
the BOE regarding property tax exemptions -- and received favorable rulings --
in April, 2003.  Does anyone know why the investigation didn't look at that
hearing as well?

Also, I didn't see any mention of the political emails sent by Christ Church via
the church's email list in September-November, 2002 for Paul Kimmell's Latah
County Commissioner campaign.  While consideration of potential conflict for
this year's BOE hearing might seem a bit remote, it was only a scant few months
before the April, 2003 BOE hearing in which Christ Church and NSA also received
favorable rulings.  In my mind, the proximity of the emails and the favorable
BOE rulings is so close as to absolutely *beg* scrutiny.  Does anyone know why
that wasn't investigated for potential conflict?


TIA,
Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
-Edmund Burke

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On
Behalf Of bill london
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 9:03 AM
To: Vision2020
Subject: [Vision2020] who does Kimmell work for?

Paul Kimmell was elected Latah County Commissioner, so he works for the 
best interests of the people of Latah County.
Paul Kimmell became the director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, so 
he works for the best interests of the business community in Moscow.
And now we discover, thanks to the article on the front page of the 
Daily News last night (7/27) and in the Lewiston Tribune today (7/28), 
that Paul Kimmell has been a consultant hired by Christ Church (besides 
being a church member and advisor to the church's New St. Andrews 
college), and therefore working for the best interests of Christ Church.
Does anybody else see that Kimmell can not serve that many masters.  The 
best interests of Christ Church, the local business community, and the 
people of Latah County are just not the same. 
A few examples? 
How about the recent Commissioner decision to allow that gravel pit near 
Viola?  That may have been in the best interest of the business 
community, but what about the people of the county?
How about the Commissioners' decisions to rubberstamp property tax 
exemptions for all of the Christ Church businesses?  That may have 
served the Church, but again -- what about the people of the county?
BL