KCRCC: Democrats extend an invite

The editorial last Sunday referred to the ever-friendly “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and called for county-wide “meet and greet coffee chats” between our Democratic and Republican Central Committees. The editorial offered hope to readers who long ago grew tired of the disruptions taking place at nearly every public meeting in Kootenai County.

But unfortunately, the good-will that characterized Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood may be unattainable with the KCRCC.

The KCDCC has discussed in-person chats with The Press before. We also suggested point/counterpoint columns in the newspaper. These proposals failed to materialize.

Could this be because the KCRCC is unwilling to speak with an opponent it considers to be a flyspeck?

Perhaps it’s time for conservatives who profess to be embarrassed or disappointed by the KCRCC to speak for themselves. My bet is that we will find a lot we agree on.

Democrats remain ready to state and support our views on matters that truly concern all our fellow citizens, like how to best protect nonpartisan county government from being politicized, how to control the rampant pace of development, how to protect public health and human rights, and to assure free and fair elections. Other issues we might address together include how to make taxation equitable, how to protect our precious and beautiful environment, how to fully fund public education, and how to respect the rights of workers.

Name the time and the place and we will show up. We will respectfully debate the views of those who differ with us. But we will vigorously rebut erroneous assertions about critical race theory, indoctrination of public-school students, defunding the police and such.

The Press has a stage and an audience. Let’s use it to talk together and forge a better understanding in the neighborhood.

EVAN KOCH, Chair

Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee