THE PUBLIC’S OUTRAGE IS REAL

Americans around the country are outraged. As a result, they are asking what the Democrats are doing to combat the depredations of the Trump administration and his kowtowing GOP Legislators. Kootenai County voters have joined this chorus. In addition, local voters want to know what our Central Committee is doing in response to Sheriff Norris’s attack on Teresa Borrenpohl.

OUR RECENT ACTIONS AND UPCOMING PLANS

First, we wrote 125 postcards to Idaho legislators. These submissions ask direct questions we were unable to express to our elected representatives at the recent local town hall. The cards are being delivered right now to the Idaho Capitol. Yet, despite this outreach effort, we are not optimistic that our closed-minded legislators will take what we say seriously.

Second, we are hosting a counter-town hall with Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Richard Stallings and former Democratic Rep. Larry LaRocco. This event is a direct response to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision directing GOP lawmakers to skip town halls in response to the onslaught of protests. U.S. Reps La Rocco and Stallings are traveling the state to conduct these informative and interactive events. They will take the stage at Templin’s Resort in Post Falls at 2 PM on Sunday March 23rd. These elder statesmen will use their knowledge and experience in government to interpret what is going on in Washington. In addition, they will fearlessly answer questions from the audience. That’s how a town hall is supposed to work. This event is free and open to the public.

Third, we intend to hold a First Amendment Symposium later in the Spring. Once again, we will bring Professor David Adler to town to lead this event. You may recall that Professor Adler spoke to us in 2023 at our Hijacking Democracy Symposium.

Fourth, we are responding to the calls from Democrats and others for street demonstrations. We recognize that the current threats to our democracy call for public protests. Consequently, we are working with other like-minded groups to generate a vociferous response. This public message will express that a broad coalition of Kootenai County voters have seen enough. Included in the response will be our opposition to many of the recent actions by our legislators and the recent political violence from local law enforcement.

QUESTIONABLE TIES BETWEEN SHERIFF NORRIS AND THE KCRCC

Speaking of law enforcement, Sheriff Norris’s personal involvement in the KCRCC town hall is part of a pattern of questionable conduct. Moreover, his actions targeting Teresa Borrenpohl seem to have been personal. The reason for his targeted behavior seems linked to Borrenpohl’s efforts to expose his close ties with the KCRCC as improper. Teresa provided evidence that Norris diverted public resources to the Republican Central Committee. Last year Norris donated a full day ride along, including time at the firing range, and on the Sheriff’s water patrol boat, to the Kootenai County Women in Red. That group auctioned off the ride-along reportedly for $3000. Public records show that the women’s auxiliary then donated a larger sum to the KCRCC. We recently released that evidence to the Spokesman Review. Time will tell what becomes of that. Till then take a look at the correspondence (see Addendum) I had with Sherrif Norris regarding his politically favorable gift of a ride-long and other Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office access to the Kootenai County Republican Women Federated.

Thank you for being Democrats.

Addendum

On Nov 15, 2023, at 9:32 PM, chair@kootenaidemocrats.org<mailto:chair@kootenaidemocrats.org> wrote:

Bob Norris, Sheriff
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office

Dear Sheriff Norris:

Thank you for attending the Democrats’ “Meet the Candidates” night at the Art Spirit Gallery. I was pleased to speak with you in person for the first time.

Recently a number of people came to me with concerns stemming from KCSO’s involvement in partisan politics.

They shared the following.

On September 16th, the Kootenai County Republican Women Federated auctioned off “A Day in the Life of a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Deputy” at their “Women In Red” dinner.

This excursion included time at the SWAT Range, a Patrol Ride-Along, and a Marine Ride-Along. All at taxpayers’ expense.

“A Day in the Life of a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Deputy” reportedly raised $3,500 for the KCRWF.

On November 7, the KCRWF donated $7,000 to the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee.

In other words, the KCSO donated taxpayer funded resources, (time, equipment, & personnel) to the KCRWF, and these resources were then monetized and sent to the KCRCC.

Taxpayer dollars funded an experience that was only available to Republican donors.

How does this chain of transactions not create the perception of partisan political influence, and even graft on the part of the KCSO?

Shouldn’t the KCSO avoid such conflicts by limiting its support to organizations that benefit all people despite their political persuasion?

If you do not see any problems with these transactions, or if the facts concerning these events differ from the information provided to me, I’m sure concerned taxpayers would be relieved to hear them.

If you’ve confirmed there was nothing improper in your actions and your intent was not partisan, would you be willing to demonstrate your bipartisanship by offering a similar ride along fundraising opportunity to the Democratic Central Committee?

Your response to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Evan Koch, Chair,
Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee

________________________________
From: chair@kootenaidemocrats.org <chair@kootenaidemocrats.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 9:55 AM
To: kcso <kcso@kcgov.us>
Cc: Carolyn Mattoon <carolynfmattoon@gmail.com>; Sarah Glenn <sarahglenn2010@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: A Day in the Life of a KC Sheriff’s Deputy

Dear Sheriff Norris:

I hope and trust that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving.

I am writing to follow up on my earlier email from the Kootenai Democrats (below).

Do you wish to respond?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards… Evan Koch

________________________________
From: Marcia Heglie <mheglie@kcgov.us>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 10:10 AM
To: Robert Norris <rnorris@kcgov.us>
Cc: Lisa Roberts <lroberts@kcgov.us>
Subject: FW: A Day in the Life of a KC Sheriff’s Deputy

From: Robert Norris <rnorris@kcgov.us>

Subject: Re: A Day in the Life of a KC Sheriff’s Deputy

Date: November 28, 2023 at 10:24:49 AM PST

To: “chair@kootenaidemocrats.org” <chair@kootenaidemocrats.org>

Cc: Lisa Roberts <lroberts@kcgov.us>, Marcia Heglie <mheglie@kcgov.us>

Hi Mr. Koch, thank you for your email. I have been researching this information since I received your email. Thank you for the follow up email. I also enjoyed  the event that was hosted by Kootenai Democrats, it is important that we, as a community, are able to talk about our different views and opinions. I was disappointed in one of the attendees, Teresa Borrenpohl, berating me as she walked out of the event.

Could you please give me a little more time to research this situation? It was brought to my attention that the previous Sheriff also donated to Republican groups, I just want to verify this. Do you know, did the Kootenai Democrats raise the same concern at that time?