Local RCC meeting could prove contentious

August 6, 2011
by Mike Weland
newsbf.com

For the first time since Idaho Region 1 Republican Central Committee leaders voted to deliver Donna Capurso's vote of "no confidence" to Idaho Senators Shawn Keough and Joyce Broadsword over issues involving redistricting, the Boundary County Republican Central Committee will meet at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 9. Discussion is apt to be lively, and the public is welcome.

Capurso is the elected chair of Boundary County Republicans.

According to comments from members of her own commitee, the news was "blind siding."

"I had no idea," said RCC Precinct Commiteeman Linda Alt. "I didn't know about any of this."

"This motion was made to the Region One Republican Central Committee by Donna Capurso, the chair of the Boundary County Republican Central Committee, due to your actions in regards to Idaho redistricting," wrote John Cross, chair of region 1, in a letter to Senator Shawn Keough in mid-July."

The letter of reprimand, which carries no political weight, accuses the two Idaho Senators, in item #1, of "failure to adhere to Republican principals by attempting to influence the redistriction commission and the general public by releasing a press release dealing strictly with your own redistricting plan, filled with inaccuracies and manipulative rhetoric."

In most cases, such behavior would be seen as complying with Idaho Code public hearing laws and as an exercise of free speech, something the public and the media in most cases favors. The media much favors letting people know.

Item 9e on the agenda for the upcoming Boundary County Republican Central Committee meeing is "Region 1 vote of "No Confidence" for Senators Keough and Broadsword regarding redistricting plan at SCC meeting," to be presented by Donna and Terry Capurso.

It's predicted that fireworks will start about then.