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Copyright © 2003 Express Publishing Inc.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2004

News

Ivie denies suit’s allegations

Councilwoman says newspaper decision was unbiased


By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

The dispute arising between Lee Publishing Inc., the corporation that owns and operates the Wood River Journal in Hailey, and the City of Bellevue has prompted City Councilwoman Vivian Ivie to deny alleged statements attributed to her in the lawsuit.

Vivian Ivie

Lee Publishing Inc. filed a lawsuit in 5th District Court on Thursday, July 8, contesting the council’s decision to change the city’s official newspaper from the Wood River Journal to the Idaho Mountain Express in Ketchum.

In the suit Lee Publishing Inc. alleges the City Council denied the Wood River Journal due process of law and claims an array of allegations from violation of Idaho statutes and the U.S. Constitution to alleged mistreatment by city officials, including Ivie.

Ivie denied the alleged statements attributed to her by the plaintiff.

"I am trying to figure out how this got misconstrued," Ivie said Monday, July 19. "The council made the decision to change newspapers based on the facts presented by the attorneys. There was no personal vendetta."

The lawsuit alleges Ivie acted out of personal bias. It claims that Ivie moved to change newspapers as an act of "prejudice" after her friend, Patty Healey, was released from her job of 25 years with the Journal.

Ivie stated she made no comments in reference to Healey during the meeting and her vote was in no way based on personal feelings.

"I was shocked as anyone to hear Patty was fired, but it had nothing to do with the direction the city was going, and it had nothing to do with my vote," Ivie said.

"I voted with the rest of the council based on circulation. We wanted a change in newspapers," she added.

The lawsuit claims that Ivie said to Wood River Journal editor Kristan Kennedy: "So I hear you fired Patty. She is a friend of mine and that’s going to be very bad for you, Very Bad. Just wait."

Lee Enterprises Inc. claims Ivie was partial and should have been ineligible to vote.

Ivie also pointed out that during the council’s deliberations to change papers, she actually suggested printing in both papers. "I was the only person to bring up if we could use both (newspapers). Our attorney advised us that we couldn’t. I still think it is a viable solution," she said.

The lawsuit asks for an injunction to prevent the City of Bellevue from changing the Journal’s current status as its newspaper of record. It also asks the court to return the matter to consideration by the council without Ivie’s participation.

She called the lawsuit silly, and emphasized "I do want it straightened out."


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The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.





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