RICHARDS: Accomplished and dedicated

I am writing in response to the My Turn article by Anne Patterson. I have known Joy for over 40 years. She’s accomplished and forthright.

Joy and John, along with Tom and Sheila, were owners of Idaho Forest Industries, a family business dating back to 1920. The Richards’ family did more to shape the city of Hayden than any other entity. Numerous charities, youth sports teams, the Kootenai Hospital, the Museum of North Idaho, the Women’s Center, UGM, Jobs Plus, NIC and the Excel Foundation have all benefited from their financial support and involvement.

I had the pleasure of working for IFI and the Richards for over 30 years. During this time, IFI developed Woodland Meadows and Forest Hills, two fantastic subdivisions totaling over 300 lots. The fees for each of the lots were paid upfront before any development took place, helping the city financially.

During our tenure as developers, we worked with great mayors, Dick Panabaker, Ron McIntire and Steve Griffitts, as well as city councils. All were dedicated to making Hayden a great community. Joy has done her homework on the candidates and works tirelessly to ensure that the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates are shared with voters. Yes, she is a member of North Idaho Republicans, a group of community-minded individuals who have done the volunteer work necessary to make Hayden the jewel that it is.

KATIE BRODIE

Hayden