REGAN: Attacks on Padula misleading

As a Coeur d’Alene native, married for 43 years to LeeAnn (whose family moved here 125 years ago), my commitment to our community’s future runs deep. 

Reading Brent Regan’s misleading attack of John Padula made it clear that Mr. Regan does not know John. I know John. John has sacrificially invested in our community for nearly two decades. In my view, the KCRCC Chairman’s attempt at character assassination reveals far more about himself than it does about John. 

It appears that the KCRCC’s vetting process is in desperate need of an overhaul. In addition to recommending candidates who have failed to serve us well, consider their current recommendation of Mark Fitzpatrick for governor: Fitzpatrick moved to Idaho eight years ago, wrote about “flat-earth” theories, disparaged the Jewish and LDS faiths, and believes that NASA intentionally destroyed the Challenger. That speaks volumes about Mr. Fitzpatrick AND the KCRCC “rating and vetting” process. It leads me to question all of their recommended candidates.

LeeAnn and I raised our children and built a business here. We value truth, transparency and community service. We need leaders who pursue similar values, not those who use their platform as a bully pulpit. I urge voters to look past the “rating cards” and get to know the candidates. Most of all, if you are reading this, I hope you will make the effort to cast an informed vote in the May 19 Primary. That’s the vote that counts.

CHRIS CHEELEY

Coeur d’Alene