WestViews Opinions from newspapers in Idaho and the West commenting on Western issues

SHOULD TAXPAYERS TRUST BLAKE HALL WITH $27 MILLION?

Lewiston Tribune

A man who harasses and stalks a former girlfriend shouldn't be guiding one of this nation's major political organizations.

After he pleaded guilty and just before he began a 15-day jail sentence, former Idaho State Board of Education President Blake Hall resigned his coveted seat on the Republican National Committee. Hall's offense was too much for the party of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (adultery), Nevada Sen. John Ensign (adultery), Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (prostitutes) or former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig (playing footsie with airport security).

As a convicted offender, especially one who is on probation for the next year, Hall can't be drawing a $59,000 salary as a deputy Bonneville County prosecutor. Prosecutor Dane Watkins Jr., sacked Hall Monday afternoon.

So why hasn't the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, which paid Hall's law office $341,400 last year, cut him loose? Why is Hall still earning $205,000 to administer an estimated $27 million in claims through Idaho's tax-supported Catastrophic Health Care Program?

Among misdemeanors, stalking ranks among the worst. The victim clearly was threatened, intimidated and, at times, coerced - if not outright forcibly detained. There was an implied threat of physical harm.

This is an assault on someone's psyche and sense of self. It's not a random, heat-of-the-moment act. It's planned. Premeditated. Deliberate.

That a man of Hall's supposed maturity and position would engage in such behavior raises concerns about his judgment and his psychological bearing.

Presumably the ICRIMP defense bar can find other attorneys in Idaho to take Hall's place.

The situation at the CAT fund is more problematic. It's in the middle of a transition toward more streamlining and a new organizational structure. Hall's contract runs through Dec. 31, and there are those who believe firing him now will undermine that effort.

But how much worse could Hall's actions be? At what point does the state agency decide it has to move forward? Does it wait until even more damaging details are revealed?

WILL PAM LOWE'S DAY IN COURT GIVE IDAHOANS ANSWERS?

Our take: The messy lawsuit filed by former Idaho Transportation Department Director Pam Lowe is a challenge to Gov. Butch Otter's credibility - on his signature issue.

Post Register, Idaho Falls

Lowe said she was pressured not to reduce a $50 million management contract awarded to two companies that donated generously to Otter when he ran for the office he currently holds.

Otter has not responded.

Neither has the governor's former chief of staff, Jeff Malmen, who Lowe said was the point man in attempting to keep Washington Group International and CH2M Hill awash in taxpayer cash.

Lowe said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Darrell Manning urged her to expand the management contract to include projects being funded by stimulus dollars.

Manning denies this.

Lowe alleges the board cut a deal with Caldwell Republican legislator John McGee to fire Lowe in exchange for dropping a bill that would have given the governor, rather than the ITD board, power to hire and fire the director.

McGee had no comment.

Lowe said ITD board member Gary Blick told her that "No little girl would be able to run this department."

Blick has remained silent.

What's the truth?

We might find out soon.

Lowe filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the state. She is seeking back pay, reinstatement or additional pay, costs and attorney's fees. That's no proof of wrongdoing. Neither is the silence coming from officials. Pending litigation always inspires a round of "no comments."

Unfortunately, as Arthur Leonard, a professor at New York Law School told The Associated Press in August, claims such as Lowe's rarely make it to trial.

The government, Leonard said, usually wants nothing to do with the bad publicity a trial could bring, and so "a settlement is the likely outcome."

Since she put this out there, we'll ask this of Lowe: If an offer comes, refuse it. Take this to trial. Let's learn the truth. The taxpayers, who paid your salary the last 15 years and would foot the bill for any settlement, deserve that much.