VOTERS: Check their records

Most of us are familiar with the quote, “Those who cannot learn from history are bound to repeat it.” My letter is to serve as a reminder there are two recent and former Kootenai County Commissioners once again seeking public office, David Stewart for County Commissioner District 1 and Marc Eberlein for State Senate District 3.

Both of these candidates must be assuming the voting public is either ignorant or have very short memories. These current candidates each served one term only. They were each put out of office at the voters’ first opportunity. My Dad, who was raised in Missouri, may have said, “They were run out of town on a rail.” Why? Neither of them represented the wishes of the thoughtful majority in this county. Instead they bowed only to the wishes of an extreme segment that is both loud and well financed.

Eberlein’s unpopular and unsafe agenda that building permits should become optional was not forgotten, nor was it endorsed by the voters. Additional history was David Stewart’s very public County Code Violation (See CDA Press article of April 29, 2018). For years he had been living in a pole barn structure that was actually his nicely appointed residence.

At that time, he did not bother to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. As a builder, he would have fully known the requirements. There are health and safety reasons for final inspections that result in a C of O. Additionally, once received, the structure will be reassessed for tax purposes. There is a significant difference in taxes for a residence vs a pole barn. Was it you or I who was making up the difference for the years this was taking place?

Codes matter. History matters. Character matters most of all.

Please vote by May 19.

PAMELA BOUILLO

Coeur d’Alene