Re: Councilman Johnson's Departure

[Ken Medlin <dev-plan@moscow.com>]

>the mayor appoints the 
>replacement with the consent of the City Council, per Idaho Code 
I believe that's fairly standard procedure in most states (except in New 
Mexico where they run a poker game!). But we all know that the mayor 
weilds heavy influence and patronage powers, which most other council 
members respect, or fear. Therefore, the direction he leans in will most 
likely be what council would support. If Mayor Comstock chooses in this 
case, as in the last one, to play a straight power and control game, 
he'll do so hopefully aware that some citizens know what is going on and, 
next time around, perhaps real democracy could have a new breath here. 
Right now the central, power, establishment figures are running the town. 
At Linda Pall's candidacy announcement, why did the Major say publicly 
that  "she's a stubborn politician" --? 'Cuz she speaks her own mind? 
It's up to those who believe in representative government to rally and 
make their voices heard. Hey!, the other 79%, "where are you?" As I've 
stated before in this column, the establishment folks do not want broad 
participation, because they nearly always lose when voters come out in 
droves.What kind of community do THEY want? At the national level, why is 
G.W.Bush being so quiet? Only because he will outspend all the others by 
about 4 to 1 (lots of Houston oil $ behind him) and it's the media raps 
and special interests (so says McCain) which may carry the day, as they 
so often do.  How much different is it here, at this point? Who spent the 
most in our council election? What are the facts?  Why were public forums 
so limited? Have disclosures been made? Take a look.  Of course, some 
will say I'm biased! Yes, towarad fuller community participation.  Ken M.

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William K. Medlin
Dev-plan associates
930 Kenneth Street
Moscow ID 83843
208/892-0148
dev-plan@moscow.com