PUBLIC MONEY: Is this the best way to use it?

On July 23, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office posted a media release titled “Sheriff Norris Offers $10,000 Reward in Frivolous Lawsuit.” The post was made via KCSO resources and by a KCSO employee (Lt. Zachary Sifford).

To start, this opinion piece is not directed toward any political stance related to any individual running for the office of Sheriff (or any other office) in Kootenai County nor is it an opinion piece in favor of any particular result related to pending litigation. This opinion piece is simply two questions that I believe every citizen of this country (and others) should be asking themselves. These questions are rarely asked anymore because it has become too easy for our attention to be placed elsewhere at a moment’s notice.

Are publicly elected officials utilizing their power of office and taxpayer funds in the most appropriate way that represents their constituents’ best interests? Are we as citizens and individual people utilizing our time and energy in the most appropriate way?

I truly hope that “we the people” start to take back control of this game and realize that we have been played all along. For those interested, Idaho Code Title 6 Chapter 9 governs tort claims against governmental entities (the FTCA may or may not apply).

RANDALL HILDEBRAND

Post Falls