Local GOP squabble continues

COEUR d'ALENE - A group of Republicans, some of whom have been at odds with the Kootenai Country Republican Central Committee for some time, have filed a complaint against the group's chairman.

The complaint, submitted Sept. 11 to the Idaho State Republican Chairman Barry Peterson's office, asks that the state office prohibit local KCRCC chairman Neil Oliver from conducting any more official activity as chairman of the party until the state can assure the "existence of lawfully executed bylaws for KCRR."

"It is with sadness in our hearts that We the undersigned Republicans of Kootenai County have submitted the foregoing complaint," the complaint reads. "The failure of the leaders of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee to maintain a valid and lawful set of bylaws has resulted in much unneeded controversy and confusion Within the local Republican Party. A climate of distrust has been fostered by those Republican leaders who have refused to provide documents to elected precinct committeemen."

The complaint is signed by Brad Corkill, Lois Johnson, Cynthia Jorgenson, Michael Jorgenson, Gary Mitchell, Donna Montgomery, Rich Piazza, Duane Rasmussen, Stan Rasmussen, Mathew Roetter, Dwight Van Horn and Sherlee Wandrocke.

Some of the members, including Rasmussen, Roetter, and Jorgenson have had highly-publicized disagreements with the local Republican party on the direction of the GOP recently.

Included in the complaint is an email correspondence between Roetter and Oliver where Oliver says he does not have a signed and dated copy of the bylaws. Other correspondence shows Roetter getting a copy of the bylaws, but not the "official," signed and dated version.

Oliver did not respond to an email from The Press Tuesday seeking comment.