CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT LETTERS

Editor's note:The deadline for Press subscribers to submit candidate endorsement letters is Tuesday at 5 p.m. Letters must be 275 or fewer words. Email [email protected]

MANTEUFFEL: Earns coroner's vote

I have known Dr. Manteuffel for over 20 years and witnessed his excellent judgment under pressure and his dedication to patients in the emergency room. I fully support him for Kootenai County Coroner.

He is a superb ER doctor who is residency trained and board certified. This elected position has interested Mark for years while working with longtime Coroner, Dr. West, and with myself. His dedication and his vast medical knowledge will continue to serve Kootenai citizens well into the future.

He will maintain a balanced budget and foster a great team effort while investigating unattended deaths in the county.

The extensive list of endorsements shouts about his talents and qualifications. He is endorsed by: firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement troopers, deputies, detectives and officers.

This includes current and former individuals at all levels. Drs. Chun and Luther, medical directors of KCEMSS, endorse him. Western Medical Associates, the ER Physician group at Kootenai Health for over 30 years endorse him.

Other endorsements include: Non-partisan Doctors of Coeur d’Alene, former and current ER nurses and staff, Coeur d’Alene Press, Northern Lakes Fire District, Coeur d’Alene Firefighters IAFF local 710, Timberlake Firefighters IAFF local 4483, Sheriff Ben Wolfinger (retired), Chief Tom Greif (CDA fire), Chief Pat Riley (Northern Lakes Fire), John Hunt, Division Chief (Northern Lakes Fire), retired.

His opponent visited my office for 30 minutes recently to learn everything. He seems like a nice man who knows a lot about supplements.

Mark knows the office, knows the job, knows the community and wants your vote to continue serving the citizens of Kootenai County.

WARREN C. KEENE, M.D.

Kootenai County Coroner

KCRCC: Who not to support

Once again Kootenai County Republican Central Committee‘s favorite minion, Elaine Price, is being run for office. This time it is for Idaho State Legislature, Seat B.

It appears she passes muster with their Guru. This appears to require the desire to destroy the organization their candidates wish to become a part of, be unqualified but oh so willing to follow the orders of Guru Brent Regan and the now exposed and disgraced KCRCC.

It is no surprise a very large bloc of thoughtful, Republican Americans in Kootenai County broke ties with the KCRCC. What took so long?

Mrs. Price is a two-time candidate loser with good reason. Both in 2019 and 2021, she lost her bid for a spot on Coeur d Alene City Council. In both cases, her opponents were clearly more qualified to do the job.

Now up for a state office, Mrs. Price’s qualifications are unchanged. Update is she now serves as Treasurer of Brent’s destructive organization. Checked out his placements and resulting chaos at NIC, Library Board, Hayden City Council lately? County offices are now in their crosshairs.

As you cast your precious votes, please toss Mr. Regan’s frequently published and highly distributed “Candidate Voter Guide” away. (Clearly Marvin George Miller, it is not the Democratic Party that tells us how to vote.) Ask questions, watch candidate forums. Look at all the candidates. Let your choices be thoughtful and your own.

Hold in your heart clear memory the bravery of those who fought and died for you to have that right. Honor their sacrifice. Vote for competence, not control and chaos.

PAMELA BOUILLON

Coeur d Alene

FILLIOS: Honest and experienced

I recommend Republican Commissioner Chris Fillios for re-election to the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners. My recommendation is based on the well-established honesty, character, experience and demonstrated success as the incumbent Commissioner. During his term as Commissioner, he has upheld traditional Republican values and has maintained a budget that funded county operations without tax increases.

I emphasize that Commissioner Fillios is a traditional Republican; he is not a Libertarian, an American Redoubter, a John Bircher, or other extreme group that is locally supported by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC). It’s very important that “big-tent” traditional Republicans get out and vote to off-set the KCRCC’s extreme programs and their candidate, Bruce Mattare.

Please join me in voting for Commissioner Chris Fillios for Commissioner on May 17.

BOB FISH

Hayden

SCOTT: Can stop the exodus

Bela Kovacs has had two years to demonstrate that he had the leadership skills to handle the position. Based on the open letters to the BOCC from Assessor’s staff, he clearly does not.

So far, the silence from the KCRCC is the elephant in the room. If the vetting process they seem to be so proud of obviously weighs leadership ability, accountability, and competency in position, the vote of no confidence from his staff becomes probative.

To the KCRCC, stop the exodus, change course and endorse Bob Scott. The working lives of good people serving the County deserve no less!

DARIN KRIER

32 years Assessor’s Office employee - retired

FILLIOS: Clearly best candidate

On Facebook, Bruce Mattare posted (twice) an item with the following headline: “Chris Fillios Wants You to Sue Our Sheriff’s Office.” Alarming, right?

However, the accompanying video reveals the details: Constituents concerned about the non-enforcement of the wake ordinance on the Spokane River wanted to know if they could sue the Sheriff’s Office, posing the question to Fillios at a town hall. Acting on their behalf, Fillios asked the Attorney General’s office which responded “good luck” (not a viable option — recall would be more appropriate).

Normally an elected official getting answers for constituents would be welcomed. Mattare, however, attempted to discredit Fillios by mischaracterizing his actions.

Using my personal 2010 Facebook profile, on 4/2 I posted “The headline doesn’t even come close to matching the story and thus would appear to be at least disingenuous and quite possibly worse.” Mattare’s reaction? “Is this one of my trolls using a fake profile? Anyhow, if you don’t want a citizen to sue our sheriff, you don’t entertain such a question from a constituent. You leave it up to the constituent to ask his or her attorney…”

Mattare’s attack demonstrates he lacks the temperament and civility which should be expected of someone seeking elected office. Further, while he may have frequent need for an attorney’s services, the average constituent does not—it would be cost-prohibitive for most of us. Kootenai County does not need the NIC-style of leadership Bruce Mattare will deliver as county commissioner. If you want responsive, respectful leadership for Kootenai County, vote for Chris Fillios for county commissioner.

MIKE HENGGELER

Coeur d'Alene

AMADOR: Strong leader for N. Idaho

About a decade ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Amador and his wife, Julie. In my work I have met many people coming and going, but this time I knew there was something very special about this couple.

I mentioned to my wife that evening that our community just got very lucky; here was a bright young couple, both incredibly talented, and who exude positive energy. Over time, as I have gotten to know both Paul and Julie better, I have become more and more impressed by their intelligence and passion for our community.

Paul has done a remarkable job representing Coeur d’Alene in the Idaho Legislature for the past six years. So often we complain about politicians who are out of touch, dishonest, or driven by power. Paul is intelligent, down to earth, and cares deeply about the people in our community.

I wholeheartedly endorse Paul Amador for Idaho House Seat 4B. We do not often get the opportunity to vote for such a strong leader. Make sure to go to the polls and vote for Paul on May 17th.

BILL HEMENWAY

Coeur d'Alene