[Vision2020] Is Hamlett Considering a Legislative Run?

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (December 9, 2005) Moscow-Pullman Daily News with a special
thanks to Vera White.

Hieronymus considers his misrepresented letter of support (supposedly signed
by 55 local businesses) to be nothing more than a misunderstanding.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Is Hamlett considering a legislative run?

Moscow City Councilwoman Peg Hamlett didn't quite glean enough votes to
become mayor, but there is talk going around that she may be considering a
legislative run. 

"There were some crazy people in town who thought I was a Republican," Peg
told the INKster Tuesday. 

Peg, who declared herself a "lifelong Democrat," may find those GOP charges
beneficial if she seeks higher office. 

"If I run for the Legislature, I may find equal support on the other side
thanks to some supporters from the Chaney campaign who spread the word I was
a right-wing Republican," Peg said. 

Peg lost her bid for the mayoral spot to Moscow City Councilwoman Nancy
Chaney. 

While on the subject of higher political ambitions for Moscow City Council
members, the INKster can't help but continue to wonder what the future might
hold in that regard for Jon Kimberling. 

The open letter of support to keep New Saint Andrews College downtown
presented to the Moscow City Council Monday night opened a floodgate of
protest from people who charge the signatures on the petition were not
gleaned in a forthright manner. 

As reported in Tuesday's edition of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, NSA
Executive Vice President for Administration and Advancement Bob Hieronymus
said NSA student Nate Halverson asked several businesses in the downtown
area for support this past week. 

"Several businesses signed his support letter for NSA," Hieronymus said.
"The list included 55 different businesses." 

The petition asked signers to support amending the Central Business Zoning
Code to permit the continued presence of NSA. As detractors are prone to do,
they held the petition under a microscope and found it flawed. 

Moscow crusader Joan Opyr, aka Auntie Establishment, was one of the first to
jump into the fray, noting in a message to council members Nancy Chaney,
John Dickinson and Linda Pall that she was concerned the letter endorsement
presented was both "misleading and disingenuous." 

The INKster was told the NSA petitioner pitched the letter as designed to
"protect education in Moscow, particularly the University of Idaho's
Prichard Gallery, which will have to close if the city doesn't amend the
zoning ordinance." 

Opyr noted to council members that many of the signatures came from business
employees rather than owners or managers, specifically mentioning the Moscow
Food Co-op, Zions and Wells Fargo banks, and Basilio's. 

"Bob Hieronymous' elementary school-aged son signed the letter," noted the
feisty Opyr. "What business, exactly, does he represent? Milk money
collection?" 

Since the INKster has banked at Zions for years, she called her old friend
Dorothy Ongstad to shed some light. She is customer service manager for the
branch at 105 S. Main. 

"When I signed the petition, I did so as an individual and not as a bank
representative," Dorothy told the INKster Thursday. 

Dorothy had some unhappy customers and called Hieronymous in an effort to
set things straight. 

"Bob sent a letter of apology with copies to the customers," she said. "They
(NSA) have been great neighbors and make a nice presence downtown." 

To further atone for the misunderstanding, Hieronymous presented Dorothy
with a "Moscow Zoning Stress Ball" complete with the school's logo. 

While the City Council is no longer accepting comment on this subject, Opyr
expressed hope members would "consider specious elements in the evidence now
before you." 

It would appear the new council has its work cut out for it come the New
Year.

---------------------------------------------------------------

More to come at 3:00 PM, Sunday on the "Auntie Establishment and Brother
Carl (Jr.) Show" at 3:00 PM, Sunday, KRFP 92.5 FM. 

Seeya there, Moscow.

 




The INKster just couldn?t resist! In a recent item on the Christ Church
e-mail mailing list, Shari Hall of Hall Closet Uniforms and Apparel, put out
a plea for someone who knew how to pick a lock. 

?Don?t ask or it might embarrass someone who works here,? Hall noted. 

The INKster?s first thought was to look for the person who walked away with
the safe from Zume? Bakery & Café sometime back. Surely that daring thief
was able to access the contents of the safe he walked away with during broad
daylight. 

The next person who came to mind was Dale Courtney, a retired military guy
who knows just about everything, according to his numerous blogs. 

Whatever, the INKster understands Courtney is on the ballot to become an
elder at Christ Church. She wishes him well. 




The INKster learned this week that Harold C. Gibson Jr., director of alumni
relations at the University of Idaho, submitted his resignation to President
Tim White on Monday. 

In an e-mail circulated to associates, Gibson wrote he would be assuming the
position of director of business services for a large international law firm
in New York City. His first day on the job will be Dec. 30. 

Gibson and wife, Patty, will be moving to Manhattan. 

?It is quite a change, but the opportunity is something I could not pass up,
and we are looking at it as an adventure,? he noted. 


?.the blotter rests.

***********************************
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.

- Author Unknown
***********************************