BRIEFLY

Priest River to host ‘Capital for a Day’ Aug. 29

BOISE – Governor Brad Little’s next “Capital for a Day” event will be held in Priest River on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Priest River Event Center located at 5399 US-2 in Priest River.

Officials joining Governor Little include: Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield: Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt; Idaho State Board of Education Executive Director Josh Whitworth; Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess Byrne; Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller; Idaho Department of Fish & Game Regional Supervisor Carson Watkins; Department of Health and Welfare Deputy Director Monty Prow; Idaho Transportation Department Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney; Idaho Department of Water Resources Deputy Director Shelley Keen; Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Administrator Jeremy Chase.

“It is an honor to bring ‘Capital for a Day’ to the beautiful community of Priest River,” Little said. “This event will give the good people of Bonner County a chance to discuss what’s on their minds when it comes to good government and how we can best serve them.”

PCO challenge back in front of court

NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County Superior Court Judge Pat Monasmith dismissed a lawsuit brought by William Deilke and William Bisson challenging whether Brian Smiley or Gary Joe Seaney could run as Republican Party Precinct Committee Officers. Citing procedural deficiencies, Monasmith dismissed the case without prejudice Thursday, Aug. 22, meaning it could be brought back.

Deilke and Bisson had filed prematurely, he ruled, without a signed and notarized affidavit about the charges. There was still time to correct it. He said in addition to the sworn affidavit, a show cause order had to be submitted to the court, which was done. The matter will be back in court Thursday, Aug. 29, at 1:30 p.m.

Deilke, the current Pend Oreille County Republican Party chairman alleges Smiley, a sitting Pend Oreille County commissioner, and Seaney are not members of the Pend Oreille County Republican Party, since they haven’t paid dues. County Auditor Marianne Nichols is also brought into the lawsuit. Deilke and Bisson asked the court to direct Nichols to remove Smiley and Seaney’s PCO certification from their respective precincts because their sworn filing declarations were incorrect.

Smiley ran unopposed for PCO and Bisson lost 63-14 in the Primary Election.