Updating the item below, on the matter of trespassing at the governor’s office during office hours:

Evidently Ada County Magistrate Kevin Swain had a reaction somewhat along the lines of many others’. At the sentencing of Christopher Pentico, he said the man had in fact technically violated the law. But he must not have thought much of the law or its application in this case, because he decided against jailing Pentico, fining him or even barring him from the places where state police had ordered he not go.

Openness in government isn’t always a comfortable thing, for public officials included – or especially. But that’s the way it is.

A side note. We just returned from a city council meeting in our town, and during it a resident stood to complain (courteously but firmly) about the size and structure of his water and sewer bill. He probably didn’t comfort the mayor and council in the process. But, after explaining (along with a couple of council members) the city’s rationale for what it was doing, the mayor told him: Thank you for coming here and talking with us about this. Much better that we have this open conversation about this, aired in public with actual facts discussed on both sides, than the alternative.

A point for public officials high and low, all over.