Bad Santa

John Key, alias "Bad Santa wasn't really bad at all. He was loved by many, especially his two best friends, Anne DuPont and Chris Gormsen. None of us ever heard a bad word either from him or about him. Most that knew him well did not automatically assume he was drunk when he and his boat separated company off Cape Horn over last week-end. Many feel at age 67, he may have experienced a heart attack.

Personally I prefer that a huge fish dragged him into the water. What is terribly disappointing is the lack of cooperation from the authorities in Bonner County. According to Chris Gormsen, best friend and side kick, the Bonner County water cops told him first, they would stay out there until John was found.

Then made the excuse that their side view sonar was broke and they withdrew. Last weekend the community responded with over a dozen boaters scouting the shorelines looking for their friend. I called Sheriff Ben Wolfinger with a question. Did Bonner County ask to borrow the needed equipment that could discover where Santa's body is? " Ben replied, not that I recall, and I would have been told if they had."

The attitude sucks. One wonders why citizens that are not Bonner County residents are perhaps second class. Or maybe they treat their own that way too. Just be glad we live in Kootenai County where we have a government that cares, a sheriff's Department that pulls out the stops to support our citizens when in trouble.

We will always miss Bad Santa.  He was the real deal.

 "Please join us as we celebrate the life of John A. Key, A.K.A Bad Santa. The celebration will be held 7-15-17 at the Bayview Community Center located at 20298 E. Perimeter Rd. Bayview, Idaho 83803 from 2-5 pm. This will be a casual event with light snacks provided. Please feel free to share this post so we can celebrate with ALL who loved John."