BOOKS AND MORE: A few thoughts

Just a couple of things I have been thinking about:

1. Our book club, the Cheezy Readers, (seven members) gathered and delivered 676 pounds to the Post Falls Food Bank in November. To the other book clubs in the area, a challenge to beat our numbers in 2026. 

2. I have attended the Lincoln Day dinners in the past and enjoyed some of the speakers. However, this year? Matt Gaetz? I have never met you, Brent Regan, but read your columns on occasion and sometimes agree with your thoughts. I am what you will call a RINO. But if the choice for Lincoln Day speaker is Matt Gaetz or you Mr. Regan, I choose you.

3. I read of the State of Idaho deficit this year. I lobbied against school choice with no success. And that bill is now adding to the deficit. Our public schools, that 94% of our students attend, need help. Can they do better? Of course. However, those that choose to not attend college are some of the people who help us daily in retail, banks, hospitality and other areas of employment. They deserve the best that the public school system has to offer. And our funding of schools should be on an enrollment basis, not attendance. That said, I am no longer following or endorsing the Mountain States Policy Center and will not cast a vote for the legislators who threw the public school system under the bus at a recent town hall sponsored by the KCRCC. Rep. Heather Scott. Rep. Tony Wisniewski. Sen. Ben Toews. Rep. Dale Hawkins. Rep. Elaine Price. You all represent the citizens of Idaho. If the public schools need help, find changes that will benefit the majority of students. Isn't that your job?

CAROL PARR
Coeur d' Alene