Local districts to fill many board seats

You wouldn’t know it with the dozen or so Democratic candidates for president getting an early start that this is an off-election year for high-profile political races.

 That’s not to say there won’t be some interesting contests at the ballot box this year. There will be lots of local races.

 In Idaho, in odd-number years like 2019, there are numerous political subdivision and taxing district with positions up for election in both May and November.

 They don’t grab the headlines, but those offices are important. Citizens who serve on library and hospital boards are vital to providing the needed oversight on budgets and policies. 

 These districts provide services that taxpayers pay for and we get the opportunity to elect representatives on those boards. It’s a fairer way than just filling boards by appointment. 

 You won’t get rich or famous serving on a library or fire district board, but you will be doing your civic duty. That’s certainly something to be proud of. 

 On May 21, voters will choose board members and trustees for the Cambridge and Midvale library districts.  

 The Weiser Valley Highway District has a couple of seats up for election. So does the Weiser hospital district, which will seat three trustees.

 This Friday is an important date. It’s the deadline to file the paperwork to get on the ballot for the May 21 election. The nice people who work in the county clerk’s office can certainly get you started, but time is definitely running out.

 In November, voters will go to the polls to elect school board trustees and fire district board members in the county. 

 Municipal elections also take place in November for incorporated cities. Voters in Weiser, Midvale and Cambridge will pick the leaders they want running city governments.

 In Weiser, the mayor’s position will be up for election, along with three seats on the city council. The mayor’s position won’t have an incumbent on the ballot. 

 I can tell you right now that the race for Weiser mayor will be contested. There is a second candidate now who plans to run. I’ll have a story in next week’s Signal American.

 • • •

 Usually, the Magistrate Court docket is full of defendants of the two-legged variety facing the stern countenance of the judge.

 While perusing cases, I came across one of note involving a four-legged defendant facing a court hearing on a serious matter.

 The county prosecuting attorney’s office has filed a petition to declare a dog that resides on Glascock Road to be dangerous under Idaho law. 

 The dog, described as a black and white cowdog, attacked “without justified provocation” a Fed-Ex driver on Aug. 13, 2018, and inflicted injuries, according to court documents.  

 It is not the first time the dog has attacked someone, which prompted the legal action.

 The owner of the dog opposes it and so the case is scheduled for a court hearing. The judge issued a temporary order that requires the owner to make sure the dog is secure and has no contact with people while the case proceeds.

 A pretrial conference between the prosecutor, judge and dog owner and his attorney is set for March 27.

 If there is no resolution, the dog goes to trial on April 26.  

 Steve Lyon is the editor of the Weiser Signal American. Contact him at scoop@signalamerican.com.