Sunshine, it’s a beautiful thing. Sunshine brings things to light. People can see what is actually going on. It’s also a cause of roaches and other insects to run and hide.

According to the records of the Idaho Secretary of State, Strategery is a private company owned by Ron Lahr. According to their website, the principals include Ron Lahr and Jeff Ward. According to the group formerly known as the Reagan Republicans, Ron Lahr and Jeff Ward are co-founders and serve as president and treasurer. Jeff Ward is also involved with Reagan Republican Victory Fund and Reagan Republican Victory Fund — Municipal. Are we starting to see a connection?

And just who does the “independent” group formerly known as the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans really endorse? Are the endorsements really “independent” and “objective?” According to the Sunshine Reports filed by the candidates (see http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/Finance/2012/2012_leg_1_to_13.htm for statewide candidates and http://www.kcgov.us/elections/candidates/sunshine.asp?FolderName=2012_Primary for county candidates) the endorsed candidates are very fond of Strategery (Ron and Jeff’s company). Ed Morse paid $4,051.40 so far this year; Jeff Tyler paid $6,793.35, Todd Tondee paid $2,420.60; Frank Henderson paid 5,206.20; Keith Hutcheson paid $10,442.93; and Barry McHugh paid $7,322. As of the time of this letter, Dan Green hadn’t filed his report. Oh, Mark Fisher also ponied up $6,481.23 and received a special letter of commendation from Ron, Jeff and two others.

So, again we must ask: Is the group formerly known as the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans really just the advertising arm of the privately owned company known as Strategery? Was this really just a fraud to bolster the clients of Ron and Jeff? If the group formerly known as the KCRR is a 501(c)(4) as their Articles state, how are they not in violation of federal tax law (social welfare groups are not allowed to engage in partisan politics)? Are there any election law violations? There is no Sunshine report for that group and they certainly sent out a lot of brochures! And why did the RR Victory Fund pay money to some of those candidates that went back to Strategery — in addition to the funds described above?

Don’t you feel duped? Congratulations to Strategery for its innovative marketing strategy that apparently subverted Idaho and federal law in order to promote its own private clients.

SCOTT GRUNSTED

Hayden Lake