EDITORIAL: PRESS ENDORSEMENTS: Support these candidates, vital issues

The days of nonpartisan local elections actually being nonpartisan are dead and gone.

That’s lamentable, but today’s reality.

So what’s a voter to do when important local races are being financed and marketed to sway the masses ever further in one extreme direction or the other?

Talk to those you trust, people who have lived in Kootenai County a long time and have a track record of praiseworthy involvement in civic engagement; people who routinely give more than they take; people who are respected because of what they do, not just what they say.

They’ll tell you who will work hardest and most fairly for each entity. They know who is a piece of an ideological puzzle; they also know who is actually both qualified and committed.

Here are The Press endorsements for ballot measures and contested races in the May 16 election. These endorsements are based on qualifications, on knowledge of the institutions and the community, and yes, on individuals’ motivation to seek public office.

Keep in mind that your ballot will not contain all of these races.

COEUR d’ALENE SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVY: Put simply, if this $25 million per year, two-year measure is defeated, the region’s largest school district will lose 25% of its operating budget. Larger class sizes will result. Teachers will lose jobs. Extracurricular activities will lose funding. One or more schools will close.

The Press strongly urges Coeur d’Alene School District patrons to vote Yes on the levy request.

The Press also encourages Lakeland Joint School District voters to support its two levies: one for $9.5 million a year for two years, and the other, a school plant facilities reserve levy for $1.146 million a year for two years.

CONSOLIDATED FREE LIBRARY TRUSTEE: The attack on public institutions like schools and libraries isn’t just a local phenomenon; it’s happening across the country. Control of one of Kootenai County’s greatest assets, the Community Library Network, is at stake in the May 16 election.

Judy Meyer and Regina McCrea are experienced, diligent public servants who fully understand the roles and responsibilities of library trustees. Voting for them will help thwart orchestrated censorship efforts. If you think it’s important for the parents, not librarians, to oversee what their children are reading, vote for Meyer and McCrea.

KOOTENAI HOSPITAL DISTRICT: Vote for Dr. Thomas deTar, one of the region’s finest physicians and wisest leaders.

LAKES HIGHWAY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER: Michael Curry

POST FALLS HIGHWAY DISTRICT: Lynn Humphreys

WORLEY HIGHWAY DISTRICT: Phil Cooper

MICA KIDD ISLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT: Yes on increasing base budget

For more on the May 16 election, visit: https://www.kcgov.us/935/Election-Information-May

To receive your absentee ballot: IdahoVotes.gov

To review candidate questionnaires: vote411.org