Public relations committee formed

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee established a new, temporary Public Relations Committee in response to some public discord within the KCRCC during the last election cycle, the committee said in a press release.

The public relations team was formed Tuesday as part of staffing standing committees during the group's monthly meeting.

"This was largely due in response to the public expression of some discord within the KCRCC during the last election cycle, which has been well-documented in the local papers and blogs," the release said.

During the election season, several members publicly denounced Republican Rep. Phil Hart of Athol in his bid for reelection amid his tax and timber controversies at the time.

"The majority of the KRCC believes that there is certainly room for dissenting opinions within the organization; after all, this is an important reason for having an entire committee in the first place," the release said. "What the committee objects to, though, is the perception that one or a few people speak for the entire KCRCC."

The majority of members voted that a Public Relations Committee be formed to be the official voice of the group as a whole, so that in the future, all official communications between the KCRCC and the press will be through one source, the release said.

"The committee cannot, nor should it, prevent any individual members from expressing their personal views in whatever forum they choose. However, the committee wanted to establish an official channel so that the voting public is clear on the positions and activities of the KCRCC as a functioning, unified body," the release said.

The committee hopes it will "minimize misperceptions, confusion, and controversy," and allow it "to more effectively communicate with the people of Kootenai County," the release said.

"And, the committee encourages everyone who is interested in the workings of the KCRCC to attend the meetings and see firsthand what is being accomplished," it said.

The committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Kootenai County Administration Building, Room 1A.