No, it's not politics

The law is the law. Unless or until it changes, you'd better know it and abide by it.

That's really the only issue that matters in the discovery and prompt dismissal of three grandsons of Coeur d'Alene City Councilman Ron Edinger who were working for the city.

On Wednesday, Edinger submitted for public consumption a 1,264-word press release that explains what happened, proclaims his innocence through ignorance of the law, vilifies his opponent for attacking Edinger's family, and stoutly snuffs any speculation that he'll resign over this matter. About the only thing Edinger's long, righteously indignant missive does not contain is a call for a public vote on McEuen. No, wait: That's in there, too.

Now, can we talk about the real issue here?

It's the law.

Councilman Edinger says he was unaware of the state statute enacted in 1990 which says, "no member of a council member's family or mayor may be appointed or employed by the city with which the salary or wages are paid from the general fund." Odd that he says he didn't know, because Edinger was a prominent source in a story about possible nepotism involving his daughter in 2000. The story outlined very clearly what was legal and what was illegal in municipal hiring practices.

City Administrator Wendy Gabriel and City Attorney Mike Gridley likewise acknowledged that they were caught unawares by the issue. If you take these three at their word, then ignorance seems little consolation when a state law has been violated. If they didn't know, they sure should have.

But rather than continue the public beatings and air them on Channel 19, we prefer to focus on a positive: This black eye on nepotism should be an eye-opener for others who can learn from Coeur d'Alene's mistake and avoid some lawlessness themselves.

We commend some simple but important reading to current and prospective elected officials and administrators. The Idaho Attorney General's office offers a terrific 39-page Ethics in Government Manual. We're adding a link to the publication - which includes a section on nepotism - so ignorance can't be waved as a weak flag of an excuse.

Download the state's Ethics

in Government Manual here:

• http://www.ag.idaho.gov/publications/legalManuals/EthicsInGovernment.pdf