CDA POLICE RECOMMEND CHARGES FOLLOWING VIOLENCE AT TOWN HALL
The Coeur d’Alene Police recently concluded their investigation and issued their report into the February 22 incident at the KCRCC Town Hall held at Coeur d’Alene High, where several attendees were violently and forcibly removed. See report by Gregory Graf at Political Potatoes.
The focus of the investigation was the interaction between Sheriff Bob Norris and Democratic Activist Teresa Borrenpohl. It was Sheriff Norris who directed men working for LEAR Asset Management to take down MS Borrenpohl and forcefully remove her. These unidentified men also removed Ben Stallings, Greg Johnson, and Sarah Forsgren. The report recommended that the men in the so-called security team be charged with battery, false imprisonment, and municipal code violations. Sherrif Norris was not charged and denied any role in their deployment.
In a separate incident, the report also recommended charging Michael Keller of Post Falls with battery. Keller was carrying a firearm inside a school building which is illegal. However, the charges relate to him being recorded on video pushing Megan Dardis-Kunz.
THE CDAPD REPORT LEAVES OPEN SOME PUZZLING QUESTIONS
The report highlights inconsistencies in the responses provided by various individuals to the investigating officer’s questions. Key issues include: Was the event public or private? Was LEAR contracted to provide security services, or did they volunteer? Why was LEAR involved in the first place? Was a video of the event recorded? Despite these discrepancies, the report does not recommend charges against Sheriff Norris. This is surprising given the fact that he can be heard making threats and seen physically contacting Teresa Borrenpohl, as well as calling in and directing LEAR personnel to forcibly remove her.
Many people have questioned why he was not charged. The best explanation I have received is that Idaho law is vague when it comes to oversight of a county sheriff. Although the Sheriff’s actions might appear criminal to the lay observer, Idaho code does not specify how.
In response to the incident, Teresa Borrenpohl filed a $5 million tort claim against those who perpetrated the attack against her including Sheriff Norris. We support Teresa and her efforts to hold these men accountable.
THE MALFEASANCE STARTS AT THE TOP
During the rise of Trump and his Nationalistic movement, we have seen numerous incidents of wrongdoing or misconduct by public officials serving their GOP master. These instances of malfeasance include the recently reported mishandling of classified information by Trump’s Department of Defense led by Fox Weekend Host Pete Hegseth. Unfortunately, this incident is only one of many examples of irresponsible and careless behavior by the Trump Administration. An infinite number of examples can be drawn from Trump himself. With his daily decrees (AKA Executive Orders) Trump plays out his fantasy of being a King. Among many other things, Trump’s random and capricious application of Executive Power has destabilized the stock market, alienated our closest allies, and hollowed out key aspects of our federal government including the State Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Education to name a few.
THE TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT
Unfortunately, examples of reckless and self-interested behavior are not limited to what is happening in Washington DC. Here in Kootenai County, we can point to Sheriff Bob Norris’s recent behavior at the February 22 Town Hall. We can also recall the years of fumbling and mismanagement by the GOP led majority on the North Idaho College Board of Trustees. There are also multiple accusations against Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs. Kovacs has built a reputation for failing the basic responsibilities of his job and creating a hostile work environment.
Recent news brought to light another example of poor behavior by Coeur d’Alene School Board Trustee Allie Anderton. Anderton was arrested on Easter Sunday for driving under the influence. She was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia that she had recently used to smoke cocaine. Fortunately, she had the sense to resign from the Coeur d’Alene School Board, effective immediately.
All these local examples of poor judgement and self-interest have one thing in common. These individuals all received the KCRCC seal of approval.
THERE IS A SOLUTION
If you are tired of tolerating misconduct by our public officials, it is time to speak up and tell them all to resign. And it is up to us as Democrats, to call out their misbehavior and to do it repeatedly. That is why I am calling on you to get on your phone or computer and start messaging these individuals. For example, tell Sheriff Norris that his partisan participation in the KCRCC Townhall and his role in the targeted violence against Teresa Borrenpohl and others is a reason for him to RESIGN.
Another way to have your voice heard is through public protest. This coming Saturday, the Concerned Citizens of Kootenai County will host a demonstration at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at 5500 N. Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.
You can also attend the Coeur d’Alene School Board meetings. They gather at 5 PM on the second Monday of each month. Their meetings take place at the Midtown Center Meeting Room, located at 1505 N. 5th Street, in Coeur d’Alene.
Whatever you choose to do, the point is to be persistent. To get our message across, we must do it repeatedly and consistently. Remember, we are all in this together.
GRILL AND CHILL
On a happier note, we are cooking up another social event. It will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 22 at Majestic Park in Rathdrum. It will include picnic-style food, old time music by local musicians, and an appearance by Gubernatorial Candidate Terri Pickens. I hope you will plan to join us. You won’t be disappointed.
