Mayor Dick Staples admits in the Bonners Ferry Herald that he only stepped down temporarily while his son is being considered to be hired so he can avoid Idaho nepotism laws. He continues explaining he plans on resuming his elected seat in January.

Update 9/28/23

Legal advice was given from the city & state level. It is not in Mayor Dick Staples favor.

Watchman’s thoughts:

Mayor Dick Staples just admitted his plot to play the gray areas of the law to benefit himself and his son. Seems like an attempt to fool the voters and taxpayers of Boundary County. His actions are unethical and potentially criminal if he takes his seat again in January.

Cambridge dictionary defines CRONYISM as: • An economic system in which family members and friends of government officials and business leaders are given unfair advantages in the form of jobs, loans, etc.

Per City of Bonners Ferry Attorney Andrakay Pluid:

“It is my opinion that, Mayor Staples’ son (or any other family member within the second degree), may not hold the golf course contract while their relative within the second degree (father, in the situation at hand), serves as mayor or a councilmember. At this point, the Council has not been presented with recommendations from the Golf Selection Committee, but if the ultimate direction provided to staff is to enter contract negotiations with Ben Staples, my advice is/will be that the contract would have to include a termination provision that would void the contract immediately if any member of his family within the second degree were to be sworn in as mayor or council during the term of his contract.

””The Council will discuss the mayoral vacancy at next Tuesday’s regular meeting, October 3rd.” (6pm @ City Hall)

For the full Bonners Ferry Herald article please find the link in the comments below.