MALEK: Quality representative

Progress, they say, requires tough decisions and paying attention to the needs of the community at large. Politicians with agendas or heavily beholden to special interest such as Idaho Freedom Foundation are potentially disastrous in a fast growing community like ours.

Rather than addressing the dismal state of education, the antiquated tax code or finding solutions for our deteriorating infrastructure, the legislature seems more content wasting time discussing conspiracy. Such as the time a bright young lady brought the legislature the idea about designating Idaho’s giant salamander the state reptile, and Kathy Sims fretted over how it might somehow result in federal overreach.

Unlike Luke Malek, who recognized the need for and the cost savings of mental health crisis centers, politicians who failed to support and delayed it, Souza, Redman and Nonini, did a huge disservice to this community. Those who voted no throughout the process, Sims, Barbieri and Mendive, simply do not deserve your vote. These are just two of many controversial issues these three have been party to, and costing the community money and embarrassing media coverage.

Who can forget Vito Barbieri questioning Dr. Julie Madsen about the possibility of swallowing a camera to perform a gynecological exam? Cynicism or not, his line of questioning wasted precious time in a legislature that can’t seem to tackle much more than social and religious issues.

Don’t let paranoia about the federal government, or misinformation spread about quality representatives like Luke Malek factor into your decisions. More than ever, Idaho and our county need energetic, business savvy representation focused on our quality of life, not conspiracies hinging on the ridiculous.

REID HARLOCKER

Hayden