Pubdate: Fri, 11 May 2001
Source: Idaho Statesman, The (ID)
Copyright: 2001 The Idaho Statesman
Contact:  http://www.idahostatesman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/204
Author: Wayne Hoffman

BOISE MAYOR WON'T BE U.S. DRUG CZAR

Coles says he honored to have been considered

President Bush has ended months of speculation that Boise Mayor Brent Coles 
might be tapped as the nation's new drug czar.

On Thursday the president appointed John P. Walters to head the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy.

A presidential adviser called Coles with the news Monday. The call lasted 
only a few minutes, the mayor said.

Coles said he is delighted to have been asked by the Bush administration to 
interview for the post, which he did not seek out.

Bush's appointment of Walters to head the Office of National Drug Control 
Policy is a good one, Coles said.

"I'm greatly honored. There's nothing to be disappointed about," Coles 
said. "We were considered by the president of the United States."

The White House did not give a reason for the decision, Coles said. In his 
Rose Garden press conference, the president did not mention any other 
people who were considered in line for the job.

"They always indicated I was a viable contender for the honor," Coles said.

Walters served as the office's deputy director for supply reduction under 
William Bennett during the administration of former President Bush.

Walters, the president of a national donors group called the Philanthropy 
Roundtable, has stressed the importance of criminal penalties for drug 
users and has opposed using marijuana for medical purposes. He also has 
favored the drug certification program, in which nations are judged by 
their anti-drug efforts.

The U.S. Senate must still confirm the appointment.

National news publications have speculated for months about Bush's nominee. 
Coles was singled out in The Washington Post and Newsweek.

Mayoral spokeswoman Suzanne Burton said Bush's decision and the end of 
Coles' tenure as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors next month 
won't mean Boise's chief executive will fade from the national limelight.

Past presidents of the mayors organization continue to wield influence. 
Coles will remain co-chairman of its drug task force.

The fact that Coles is staying in Boise is expected to affect November's 
political landscape.

Coles is up for re-election and potential opponents have been watching for 
a drug czar decision to come from the president.

Former state Sen. Rod Beck, who leads a group fighting Coles' Foothills 
levy to preserve open spaces, won't say whether he will jump into the 
running now that it is apparent the mayor will stay.

"I am going to be giving that serious consideration," Beck said Thursday. 
"I wouldn't enter the race unless I thought it was winnable."

Coles isn't focused on campaigning either, although he has acknowledged he 
would like to serve a third four-year term.

"My best campaign is to run the city well," Coles said.

"Part of me is relieved for Brent and his family that he will remain in 
Boise," said Councilwoman Paula Forney, who also welcomed an end to the 
uncertainty regarding the appointment.

Councilwoman Sara Baker also said she is glad Coles won't be moving to the 
nation's capital.

"I feel sorry for Brent, but Washington's loss is Boise's gain," Baker said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom