Around Idaho
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 10:59 AM PDT
Idaho officials rally for Basque newspaper
editor
BOISE (AP) — An Idaho mayor and a former secretary of state are rallying behind a Basque-language newspaper editor who planned to cover the Jaialdi festival in Boise but was denied permission to enter the United States.
Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and former Idaho Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa, who are both of Basque descent, sent a letter earlier this month urging the U.S. ambassador to Spain to accept Martxelo Otamendi’s travel request.
‘‘Mr. Otamendi has traveled to Idaho in the past to cover news of our region of interest to his readers in the Basque Country and throughout Europe,’’ Bieter said in his letter to Ambassador Alan Solomont. ‘‘In our dealings with him, he has always been the consummate professional, adhering to the highest journalistic standards and ethics.’’
Otamendi, who was cleared earlier this year of having illegal ties to a terrorist organization, submitted an application online to travel as a tourist through the U.S. State Department’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization
When his application was denied, Otamendi said he applied for a journalist’s visa two weeks ago. U.S. Embassy officials in Madrid told Otamendi that the request would take a few weeks to process, he said.
The five-day party that is Jaialdi, or ‘‘Big Festival,’’ begins Tuesday and includes traditional sports and cultural events including folk dancing, historical presentations and religious services for the largely Catholic Basque community.
‘‘I can’t believe it,’’ Otamendi told the Idaho Statesman. ‘‘My hope was that I was going to be there around family, covering the story every day. I was going to do a blog.’’
State Department spokesman Noel Clay said he could not comment specifically on Otamendi’s case, but it was not unusual for a journalist visa request to take several weeks to be processed.
Otamendi said he feels his travel to Idaho is being impeded for political reasons.
State board to hear from embattled
charter school
NAMPA (AP) — The state Board of Education will hear next month from an embattled charter school that tangled with Idaho officials over use of Bible in the classroom and is now being closed because of troubled finances.
The board is scheduled to consider the case of Nampa Classical Academy during an Aug. 11 meeting in Pocatello.
The Idaho Public Charter School Commission decided last month to shutter the year-old academy, which had more than 500 students enrolled for this fall. The school is appealing that decision to the state Board of Education.
The board, after hearing from both sides, will have 60 days to make a decision.
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that board members also have the option of calling a special meeting before the 60-day deadline to announce their decision.
