The letter mailed in early June to Mike LeValley by the Logan County Commission didn't originate from the commissioners.

As it turns out, the letter was written for the commission by Fred Kelly Grant, an Idaho lawyer and former president of the conservative private rights group the American Stewards of Liberty. Logan County commissioners on June 20 agreed to pay Grant $1,350 for writing the letter. Grant charged the commission an hourly rate of $150.

"Was that just to write the letter?" Logan County Commissioner Clint Kvasnicka asked as he and the other commissioners reviewed the list of bills to be paid.

"Yes," said Commissioner Carl Uhrich. "Pretty high priced letter."

"He did a lot of research on it," Commission Chairman Nick Scott added.

Two additional letters -- also written by Grant -- are apparently awaiting signature by commissioners before being sent to LeValley.

-- Mike Corn, HDN