By Mike Weland

I’ve been privileged to have worked as a public servant employed by Boundary County for more than a dozen years as zoning administrator before a stroke cut that rewarding, though often controversial, career short … years before I wanted it to end. I’ve since been privileged to become an elected official, giving my time to serve as a school district trustee.

I’m in the unique position of being a long-time reporter of news, which I consider a form of public service essential to the public weal, and a public servant dedicated to applying law to the benefit of my neighbors.

Sadly, small town reporters, in my opinion the most important reporters there are, most often earn wages and benefits similar to what a beginning worker would earn in a grocery store or restaurant. The only way up is to earn your stripes, build a clip file and move into regional and potentially national or global media.

The best of us one day anchor NBC, FOX, CNN ... we become Barbara Walters.

That was my intention when I first came here, I confess. But as I covered local news, I came to realize that the only media with the strength or means to make a real difference, to actually save lives and sound timely warning, was local, with that ill-paid kid working to get out accurate news in time to matter.

I never left, and I never gave up reporting, though I changed career fields to work for the citizens of Boundary County. It paid much better, though not great, and it offered me the benefits my family needed to allow us to stay here.

It also allowed me to continue providing news, as county commissioners allowed me to develop a county website through which elected officials could get news out first and fast … in time to matter.

It had a secondary effect; it made media more honest. It’s hard to raise a lurid “new” allegation already addressed.

I’m now back to being, in a limited way, a reporter.

I was, though, and still am, a public servant, and a thing I’ve come to notice is that public servants are bound by a different set of rules than are journalists.

 Journalists can take anything they hear and turn it into a story, albeit with certain guidelines, while public officials; elected, hired or appointed, are limited, by law and common sense, in what they can reveal.

In journalism, the source who breaks the story makes the story. An allegation becomes a reason to write or broadcast, and media most often takes a bow of pride when they are able to prove the allegations wrong.

But by then, the damage is done. Readers, listeners or viewers may not have caught the follow up stories, rumor and innuendo takes on a life of its own. People wonder why those they elected to serve them aren’t hearing.

As a school district trustee, I sat in executive session tonight, closed to the public as permitted by Idaho statute. Half of what we dealt with were matters of personnel well hashed out and agreed upon.

I know that what happens in executive session stays in executive session, but, as a reporter, I must tell of one scene that occurred that I am proud of.

My role as a reporter was raised, my obligation and dedication to Idaho statute as a trustee was questioned.

I was forced to pinky swear that I knew the sanctity of executive session. Bev Krichbaum enjoyed the excellent bread and Superintendent Dick Conley and clerk/treasurer Diane Cartwright proved their expertise by providing truthful, honest and unbiased answers to every question and controversy raised.

It was a good meeting.

As a reporter, I may not agree with what one says, but I’ll ever defend their right to say it, and if there’s a hint of merit, I’ll report.

As a trustee elected to serve the students and parents of Boundary County public schools, I’m privileged to gain a hair more information than you, and I can tell you that we agonize over each decision.

That's why you elected us.

People will ever talk, rumors will gain credence and tales will gain a life of their own. I can tell you, we hear, we know.

If you hear something worrisome regarding your child’s school, I’d ask that you do what a reporter does; verify. Talk to the teacher, the principal. If you feel shunted or ignored, go to the superintendent.

Never be afraid to talk to a board member.

Everyone has the right to talk, everyone has a right to listen and form an opinion and tell it. Most who do so owe no obligation; they don't have to reveal fact or tell of motive.

Journalists and trustees have an obligation, to the best of our ability, to be right. It’s a debt we owe to the people we serve, and your trust is the commodity we strive for.