SAVE OUR GEM: Vote Broschet, Corkill and Zimmerman for NIC

North Idaho College is our GEM.

We the people of the five northern counties have had a vested interest in North Idaho College for 88 years. Our college impacted more than 18,000 students last school year alone. Our college employs more than 1,300 people, therefore a main contributor to the local economies.

It is important for us to retain this GEM as it has functioned in the past. How do we restore North Idaho College to the “exceptional” rating it received in 2020 from the NWCCU (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities)?

North Idaho College is in trouble. Two of our board members, Banducci and McKenzie have created havoc at all levels, which resulted in a potential loss of accreditation and cost the college huge amounts of money. This is unnecessary and avoidable. Their actions have led to a decrease of experienced senior leadership as three vice presidents and one dean have left; the staff and faculty assembly have voted “no confidence” in their leadership; and the financial support from the community has declined.

North Idaho College needs leaders who are nonpartisan, follow the guidelines of the NWCCU, provide leadership for faculty and staff, support input from the community, display professional behavior and provide us with stability. Our college deserves the leadership of all three of these candidates: B, C and Z — Pete Broschet, Brad Corkill and Tarie Zimmerman in this election. These three candidates are conservative, open, honest and have good business sense.

This is such an important election. Remember, this GEM belongs to us.

DONNA HAMLET RUNGE, lifelong resident for 79 years

Coeur d’Alene