Plan needs funding approval

The Kootenai County commissioners would not implement a plan to construct new buildings and a parking facility without public approval for a funding initiative, they emphasized on Wednesday.

After receiving several calls from citizens concerned about the only half-finished Facilities Master Plan, the elected officials spelled out in a press release that nothing proposed so far is set in stone, and won't be decided without input from county residents.

"The implementation is a ways away," said Commissioner Dan Green.

NAC Architecture still has 50 percent of the plan left to complete.

Once the plan is finished, the release stated, the commissioners will present it to the public and explore multiple funding options, which could include existing county fund balances, grants, local options taxes, a facilities bond, and cost sharing with Coeur d'Alene and the Lake City Development Corp.

A bond or local option tax would require a vote of the public.

The draft facilities plan includes building a new justice building and a parking garage, which together are projected to cost more than $27 million.

While the city of Coeur d'Alene and the Lake City Development Corp. have been invited to help the county fund the parking garage, discussions are ongoing and nothing has been decided.

This information was in a Press story on Tuesday.

The goal of the plan is to streamline county operations and consolidate facilities at the campus.

P.E.O. luncheon set for Saturday

A luncheon to honor P.E.O. Sisterhood founders is scheduled 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Post Falls Presbyterian Church.

The Philanthropic Educational Organization celebrates the advancement of women, and offers scholarships, grants, awards and loans.

Local scholarships are awarded to women attending North Idaho College.

Reservations: Ramona, 773-3807

Wells withdraws his candidacy

Another one down.

The Kootenai County clerk announced on Wednesday that Greg Wells has withdrawn his candidacy for the District 1 county commissioner race.

This follows an earlier discovery that another candidate didn't live in the correct district, and was not eligible to run for the seat.

Now only five candidates will appear on the primary ballot for the District 1 race, instead of the initial seven. The names that Republican voters can choose from include: Gerald Arno, Marc Eberlein, Tim Herzog, Bruce Noble and incumbent Todd Tondee.

March 30 is the deadline for withdrawal for any May 15 primary election.

KCRR announce endorsements

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Reagan Republicans officially announced endorsements for 12 candidates in the May 15 Republican primary election.

The conservative organization's board of directors voted to recommend the following for the Republican nomination:

1st Congressional District: Raul Labrador; State Representative, 2nd District, Seat B: Ed Morse; State Senate, 2nd District: Steve Vick; State Representative, 3rd District, Seat A: Jeff Tyler; State Representative, 3rd District, Seat B: Frank Henderson; State Senate, 3rd District: Bob Nonini; State Representative, 4th District, Seat A: Luke Malek; State Representative, 4th District, Seat B: Kathy Sims; State Senate, 4th District: John Goedde; County Prosecuting Attorney: Barry McHugh; County Commissioner, District 3: Dan Green; County Sheriff: Keith Hutcheson.

The group has not yet endorsed the House 2A seat or the County Commissioner, District 1 seat.

In 2011, candidates endorsed by the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans won 12 out of 15 races including 7 out of 7 in the November Municipal Election.

The Kootenai County Reagan Republicans was founded in 2009 as an association of Republican activists in North Idaho.