[Vision2020] Only Christians Need Apply???

[donald huskey]

Dear Debbie, Saundra and Visionaries:

I can't let this thread go by without a few remarks. I have known Debbie and
her husband for several years.  Debbie and I both worked at the University
of Idaho Library, although in different departments.  She is smart, funny,
and exceptionally nice to work with.  I first met her husband when my son,
Ben, was a "guest" of the county. At the time, Phil was a jailor.  He is an
extraordinarily fine law enforcement officer, who combines compassion with
professionalism in a noteworthy manner.  It is a great loss to the county
that Phil is moving from the county to city law enforcement.

Saundra Lund is a woman of impeccable integrity.  In fact, not that Saundra
needs me, or anyone else, to verify her statement, Wayne Rasch denied that
Jason Hamilton had a concealed weapon permit. I watched Idaho Dialogue on
Idaho Public Television the night that Sheriff Rauch make the remark.  I was
especially struck by it because I had seen the concealed weapons permit in
Jason Hamiltons's court file (it is a public record available at the Court
House upon request).  Perhaps, as Debbie, suggests, the stress on the
sheriff was understandably so great at the time that he forgot or maybe he
just didn't know (in which case, it would have been wiser not to make the
comment.) Nonetheless, it was a fairly significant "oversight" when one
considers the gravity of the crimes Hamilton committed.  

Like Saundra, I am very concerned that our sheriff believes that carrying
concealed weapons is an effective way to control crime.  It is hard to
imagine that an untrained, armed civilian on-looker is able to assess and
react appropriately in any crime situation which involves a loaded gun. What
a recipe for disaster!  I hope that knowledgeable folks on this chat group
will do the necessary research to determine if, on a broader scale, it is
the position of law enforcement professionals that civilians with concealed
gun permits are a help or a hindrance to them.  

The unfortunate email sent by Ms. Nieuwsma to her church friends, is indeed
a reflection of her remarkable immaturity.  The more important question is
why such a very young (and I am not referring to her age) woman was hired
for a position that requires tact, seasoned judgment, and strong
communication skills - none of which are currently within her grasp.
Presumably, that hiring decision was made by Sheriff Rauch.  This decision
does not reflect well on his personal management skills.  I frankly don't
give a rat's ass if this is her first or last professional position.  It is
not a good fit.  At the very least, she needs to be informed that discussion
of religious affiliations is never included in a job search on behalf of a
public entity. If, she was not carrying out some official duty in notifying
Christ Church members of job openings, I am even more concerned.  What
assurances, given the chatty tone and adolescent comments in her email, do
citizens have that she doesn't share far more "exciting" and confidential
information with church members?  It wouldn't be unusual for an eighteen
year old to enjoy sharing some pretty juicy gossip with a few close friends.


I have been to the jail many, many times, both as a visitor and as a
literacy teacher.  It is not the most pleasant place, I'll agree.  But it is
not intended to be - it is a jail, not a hotel.  Jail Commander, Jim Lloyd,
runs a tight ship; for which he should be commended.  It is a difficult job.
What I have never seen in all my visits (granted, I have never been there in
the middle of the night) are jail staff idly sitting around and snacking on
jail kitchen food. The implication of Ms. Nieuwsma's email is that this is a
cushy job with lots of perks and lots of free time to squander.  It is
exactly the kind of insight I would expect from a teenager who lacks both
understanding and appreciation of what grownups do for a living. Her words
are (arguably, unintentionally) insulting to the hardworking, underpaid, and
certainly underappreciated professional staff.  I am surprised and shocked,
Debbie, that it appears you are defending her.  You know that working in
jail is challenging and certainly not a suitable job for a slacker.   

I am grateful that the Sheriff's position is an elected one.  The voters of
this county will decide whether or not Wayne Rauch's law enforcement
philosophy - including his position on concealed weapons for civilians -
budgeting skills, and personal management are admired enough to ensure his
re-election. 

Rose Huskey


        

 
-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Debbie Gray
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 11:19 PM
To: Saundra Lund; 'v2020'
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Only Christians Need Apply???

Furthermore, while I don't think Chantelle Nieuwsma's
email was the best way to tell one's acquaintances
about potential job openings, you'd do well to
remember that she is only 18 years old and this is
most likely her first professional experience. And her
first NIGHT of work has got to be the worst 'first day
at my new job' story I've ever heard (the night of the
courthouse shooting). 

Lighten up!

Debbie Gray
 


       
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