Nepotism Running High in Bonner County?

Nepotism Running High in Bonner County?

by Shari Dovale

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) in Bonner County is changing rapidly these days.

Or is it?

8/20/24 – Luke Omodt resigned his position after losing the May primary to Ron Korn. As I understand it, Omodt resigned on 8/20/24, and Chairman Scott Herndon of Bonner County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC) took up the discussion at that evening’s meeting.

It was pre-determined by the BCRCC that Ron Korn would take Omodt’s seat on the BoCC as he had been the winner of the May Primary election and was the Republican Nominee.

From Daily Bee, August 23, 2024:

“I think a lot of people are looking forward to Ron getting a head start in the position,” Herndon said. “It will give him an opportunity, even before the November general election and before he would take office in January to hit the ground running.”

9/17/24 – When it was decided that they violated their bylaws, the BCRCC took the issue up again

9/27/24 – Gov. Brad Little appoints Ron Korn to the position. Scott Herndon made the announcement.

9/30/24 – Korn sworn in by Clerk Mike Rosedale.

Now let’s take a look at a few more facts that they do not want discussed.

Knowing since at least August 20^th that Korn would be taking the position, you would think that Korn would begin to follow all rules relating to being a County Commissioner.

However, it was determined that there was at least one thing that could be done before his actual swearing in that seemed to “skate” the line of lawful.

On 9/24/24, his wife Kelly Korn signed a letter of intent with the county Assessor’s office to be an appraiser.

Commissioner Ron Korn’s wife, Kelly Korn, received a “Conditional Offer of Employment” on 9/24. This was not a start date, as she still had to meet certain conditions, such as drug testing, etc.

Ron was appointed 3 days later, and was sworn in 3 days after that.

Kelly Korn began work with the county on 10/15/24, two weeks later.

Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives in a business environment. This is a BIG TABOO with government.

In this case, the nepotism would not only benefit Korn’s wife, but it would also benefit him, which is listed in Idaho Statutes as a crime.

18-1359.  Using public position for personal gain.

Keeping in mind that employees are not given the benefit of having their start date listed as the date they sign their letter of intent, we know that the start date fell after Korn was sworn in as Commissioner, therefore subject to all of these laws.

• Korn is the PAC PAC candidate for this seat.

PAC PAC, aka Politically Active Christians, PAC, ITC, Bonner Votes, Forward Idaho, and other names.

They are a group of Community Organizers, set up to sway the local voters to their ideology.

The PAC produced a video some months ago that came out against many Christians, and spewed Democrat ideology. This video was released just prior to that of a documentary produced by atheist Rob Reiner. The PAC used much of Reiner’s video within their own production.

There are many employees of Bonner County that are part of this PAC PAC, and others that are highly sympathetic to the group.

It should be noted that Commissioner Korn was contacted for comment prior to publication. He has not responded.

There are questions that deserve answers in the seemingly nefarious deal.

Did Scott Herndon, and the BCRCC, sanction this move? Did they know about it in advance and counsel against it?

Will Attorney General Raul Labrador take this issue seriously, or does that PAC PAC reach extend to his office?

Many want to know, as is shown in this meme sent to me: