I submitted the following letter to the editor of the Idaho Mountain Express and have waited to see if the paper would post the letter. At this point, it seems that the IME is choosing not to post it though there is nothing sensational, incorrect, or offensive about the letter. If the IME wants to pursue honest, reputable, unbiased journalism, not to mention, act as the newspaper of record for our region, it must do better. It must demand transparency from candidates by publishing their records, and it must be transparent itself.
To ensure there is no confusion, a police report contained the allegation that Ballis slapped his 2-year-old child.
~ Leslie Manookian
Idaho Mountain Express
Letter to the Editor Submission:
I applaud the Express for covering this issue, but why did the paper bury the fact that the Idaho State Police (ISP) told the IME that that they have not opened an investigation into Ballis’ allegations of defamation by Aaron Hughston at the very end of the article? Why not report that crucial detail upfront to clarify the article’s title?
And why give any credence to Ballis’ claim of defamation when any candidate for public office should be eager to discuss the public records of their past – hardly grounds for defamation?
To clarify, Ballis did not have just a few interactions with the law, nor did this all occur when he was a teen, it went on for years, but sizeable portions of his record have been concealed so we don’t know the full extent.
Further, Ballis was an adult when he slapped his 2-year-old across the face with “more than reasonable force,” according to the police report – as if slapping a 2-year-old across the face is ever reasonable.
Ballis has not released his un-redacted military discharge, his DD-214, which would reveal any punishments for bad conduct. Any legitimate candidate would release that record and the IME should demand no less.
I wrote a detailed report about Ballis’ track record which is available at this link: https://straightscoopmedia.com/is-morgan-ballis-fit-for-sheriff/
To be clear, I take no joy in exposing this information, but when a person is running for sheriff, the highest office in the county, I feel it is the duty of every citizen to be informed of each candidates’ background so they are assured of electing a trustworthy and honest person who respects and is committed to upholding the law. I hope all Blaine County voters inform themselves and that the IME reports honestly and objectively on this issue.
