STRANSKY: She'll help state grow

We moved to North Idaho 10 years ago after retiring from successful careers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We chose this area because of the amazing beauty and milder climate. We have found the area to be a friendly, new frontier for retirees. But there are things that bother me about the state of IdaNO.

“No” is the response by our present state District 2A legislator, Vito Barbieri for tackling important issues of a living wage, health care (including mental health) and education. These issues should not be politicized as Republican or Democratic. We all must care about these issues. Do we really want Idaho to rank at or near the bottom of the country in wages and education? How will that attract businesses and manufacturing to Idaho? Don’t we all want excellent schools, affordable health care and a healthy economy? Don’t we want to keep excellent teachers/administrators and help our rural school districts compete with wealthier districts? The states which value those areas are growing, because businesses want to attract and keep educated and highly qualified employees!

It is time to vote for candidates who value the common good for society. Republican or Democrat, we need to elect people who will work for us. We need to continue to restore state funding to education, raise the living wage and better fund mental health. Vote for candidates who will bring respect to North Idaho. I am embarrassed by the lack of leadership from some of the current representatives, especially Vito Barbierri. That is why I will vote for Cheryl Stransky for District 2A Representative. She will work for all of us and help our state become IdaGROW!

I. GETTY

Hayden