Mailing issues delay cease and desist letter
BONNERS FERRY — After a delay caused by mailing issues, Boundary County Watchman receives cease and desist letter from Boundary County, ordering them to stop using the county seal.
Boundary County Watchman is a blog and social media site run by Boundary County resident Adrienne Norris.
At the Jan. 3 county commission meeting, Boundary County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tevis Hull said he sent the group a cease and desist letter in late December telling them to remove the county seal from their website and publications they have.
On Jan. 4, Norris, told the Herald that she had not receive the document.
“I have not received a letter or any communication in regards to using the county flag. Should I receive this letter or any other communication I will be glad to investigate the claim,” she said. “Should I be at fault, I will be glad to remedy the issue.”
At the Jan. 9 county commissioners meeting, Hull said that he had been in touch with Norris after it was discovered that the letter had bounced back from the mail and email.
Hull said he was able to call Norris and received the correct mailing address. He expects she will respond soon.
“I’ve emailed her before and I’ve never had a problem,” he said.
Hull said it might have been an issue with the word processing document attached to the email.
Hull said prior to sending out the letter he and staff research the Boundary County seal, which was adopted 1989 partially due to the encouragement due to being Idaho’s centennial and then-Gov. Cecil Andrus encouraging counties to adopted seals as part of the celebration.
The county ran a design contest, with Larry Clark being winner of the contest
On May 2, 1989, the seal was adopted by the county commissioners.
Hull said he prepares the cease and desist regarding the use of the county seal to Norris representing the Boundary County Watchman because it gives the impression to viewers that the site is endorsed, supported by the county, or statements on the site would be adopted by the county.
“That’s not what the county seal is to be used for,” he said. “We sent that out and Norris found out about the cease and desist.”
She argued that the state seal can be used for reprint, but why not the county, Hull said.
“The state says you can use the state seal, but can’t use as an impression that the state is adopting or endorsing your product or service,” Hull said.
There is a disclaimer on the Boundary County Watchman YouTube channel and Facebook page that indicates the group is made up of private citizens.
“We're private citizens. We're not endorsed/authorized/sponsored by any entity or government agency. We post county events, meetings, openings for jobs & other positions. Also potential accountability issues and more. — Jeremiah 6:17,” the site reads.
“Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken,” Jeremiah 6:17 (KJV).
However, Hull said that in the context of being a “watchman” for the county, while having a disclaimer on the website, is still an improper use of the county seal. He added people typically don’t read disclaimers.
As of Jan. 11, the website boundarylibrary.org, which now has the header of “Boundary County Watchman” on the home page, does not have any disclaimer of endorsement by Boundary County or any other government agency. The website is not associated with the Boundary County Library.
