VALUES: These 3 reflect them

I just voted and wish I could put an exclamation mark next to Lindsey Swingrover, and also have voted for Rebecca Smith and Lisa May.

My family moved to Coeur d’Alene nearly a decade ago, and like most families with children, our primary question was “Will my children receive a quality education?” — the answer has been yes.

I’ve spent time in my kids’ classrooms and watched teachers skillfully teach the basics, nurture children’s innate curiosity and creativity, care for kids who show up at school who need more than academics, and manage large classrooms with varying educational and behavioral needs.

It’s discouraging to watch our schools and teachers under relentless assault by extremists. Coeur d’Alene has historically championed public schools, putting partisan politics aside in favor of investing in our kids, a healthy economy and a vibrant community.

Unless North Idaho values have changed since we moved here, fearmongering, lies, and bullying tactics used by the KRCCC candidates do NOT reflect North Idaho values that most of us treasure: independence, honesty, collaboration, integrity, generosity, humility, and hard work.

The “ABC” candidates, recent arrivals from California, are running on the Idaho Freedom Foundation platform to dismantle public education, and they are creating a wake of childish, arrogant, and destructive behavior in their path.

There’s a reason that Swingrover, Smith, and May have received countless endorsements from non-partisan and bi-partisan groups, teachers, and the CDA Press. They are the candidates our schools and community need.

BRINNON MANDEL

Coeur d’Alene