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.