[Vision2020] can we trust Earl Bennett?

[amy smoucha]

I was thinking about volunteering for Ringo's campaign.  Now I definitely 
will.  Not only did Bennett show a lack of integrity, the newspaper article 
about it (previously posted) shows he was smug and arrogant.  Shame on him.

Amy Smoucha


----Original Message Follows----
From: bill london <london@moscow.com>
To: Tom Trail <RepTrail@infotrail.com>, Vision2020 <vision2020@moscow.com>,  
  shirley ringo <RingoShirl@aol.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] can we trust Earl Bennett?
Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2004 13:56:30 -0800

Tom Trail's recent legislative report contained two interesting topics 
(reprinted below): Integrity in Politics and House Bill 730.

I found the combination of the two fascinating, given the voting decision 
made by Earl Bennett (Earl is the Republican challenger for Shirley Ringo's 
representative seat).  When Trail went to the hospital recently, he asked 
Bennett to replace him for a week, and left instructions to vote in favor of 
House Bill 730.  Instead, Bennett voted against HB 730.

First of all, Trail is right on this bill.  The bill should have passed.  
Limiting the rights of neighbors to speak out about the siting of huge dairy 
operations near their homes is wrong.  The limitations should be lifted, and 
that is what HB 730 did.  Trail was right to support that.

Second, Bennett was wrong to vote no.  He was serving as a placeholder for 
Trail, the elected representative.  Trail gave him instructions to vote yes 
on this bill.  Instead, Bennett voted no.  Not only a mistake (supporting 
mega-dairies at the expense of the people who will have to live near them), 
but an index of poor judgment and lack of integrity.

We need to remember this episode when it comes to voting for our 
representatives in November. BL

>2. Integrity in Politics  --  Several recent articles with headlines like 
>"Evidence mounts that Money buys Idaho Politicians", and "Quest donates 
>large campaign donation to Governor and $8,000 to lawmakers to help pass 
>the Quest Bill" have appeared in the Idaho Statesman.  Band-Aid approaches 
>are being utilized but there does not appear to be a concerted will to 
>enact meaningful ethics reform.  I will be promoting public campaign 
>finance reform again this coming year as well as full disclosure for any 
>political candidate.
>
>
>
>
>5. House Bill 730 - Currently, when a large dairy or feed lot operation is 
>applying for a siting permit from the county, only people living within a 
>one mile radius may attend the hearing.  This bill would have removed the 
>one mile restriction.  I gave my substitute Earl Bennett instructions to 
>support the measure.  He voted against it in committee and the bill was 
>defeated.  I am working with committee members to bring the bill back for 
>consideration.
>
>
>

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