Letters to the Editor
PROP 1: Too important to refrain
Idaho’s predominantly conservative values make us a target. Wokeness prevalent in blue states is attempting to gain traction here. According to VoteIdaho.gov, Idaho has 1,030,522 voters: 62% Republicans, 24% Unaffiliated and 12% Democrats. If you’re in Idaho because you want to live and thrive in a conservative state, you might believe you’re safe. Think again.
Who’s attempting to influence Idaho’s voters? Large amounts of out-of-state money are being spent to reverse our pro-life laws and pass Prop 1. For a clear summary, go to IDGop.org/News/Who Is Who is Paying to Push Abortion on Idaho?
Idaho’s largest counties are Ada, Canyon and Kootenai, respectively. In Ada County (Boise, Meridian, Eagle), only 52% of their 302,132 voters are registered Republicans. Canyon County (Nampa, Caldwell) has 64% Republicans (of 115,863) and Kootenai County has 68% Republicans among 111,469 total registered. Collectively, that’s a definitive Republican majority.
But our state’s usual voter turnout rate is abysmal. For the November 2025 election, only 28% of Kootenai County’s registered voters actually voted. In Ada, 29%, and Canyon 26%. Shameful. However, in the Nov. 2024 election, Idaho’s turnout was 77.8%! Clearly, for significant issues, we make the effort. Is the sanctity of life on this November’s ballot any less important? As a conservative Republican, I hope we’ll all come out to vote on this critical life-affirming issue.
President Abraham Lincoln stated: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
Let’s not be burned by this horrific Prop 1. For more info, visit StopProp1.org and then vote no.
STEVE COCHRAN
KCRCC PC#302
Rathdrum
TRUMP: Defend America, defend freedom
I write from Chisinau, Moldova, after three days and nights in Kyiv, where and when the Russian frontline came to the city. I visit Kyiv every few months, working with my team to maintain Ukraine's energy independence. This week our president and the world's richest man worked together to slow the speed at which a vehicle (in this case a drone) can travel while communicating with Starlink satellites. The result was that Ukraine's anit-drones could not fly fast enough to intercept Russia's ballistic missiles and drones.
On Tuesday night it was all-out war across the city from early evening until early morning. Also, it appears drones have landed near and on the US Embassy compound and the residence of the US Ambassador, constituting a Russian attack on American soil.
I graduated from CDA High School in 1980 and served as a submarine officer from 1983 to 1991. That was the time of Reagan's peace through strength. A time when we stood proud as a beacon to the world.
Not much the people of Idaho can do about this. But you might want to think what your senior senator is not doing about it. He is chairman of a relevant and powerful Senate Committee. Neither his DC office nor his CDA office responds to my calls with information of life and business on the ground in Ukraine. Is there a candidate who could do better? Vote your conscience and vote for freedom.
DALE PERRY
Sandpoint, Bainbridge Island and Kyiv
HWY 54: When does construction become destruction?
For 40 years, our family has taken pride in maintaining our home on Highway 54. Progress happens, but what Kootenai Electric, ITD, and their contracted arborists have done isn't progress — it’s callous destruction.
On July 20, crews cut down trees including 40-year-old firs planted by my late father. Those trees represented four decades of natural wind, dust, and noise protection that cannot be replaced. They weren’t bothering anything, now I look out there and it breaks my heart.
During the process, workers parked in our driveway, not bothering to ask or give a dam — even when my mom passed and they blocked the coroner. They destroyed my fence, ruined custom lighting, and left logs. I’m 63 what am I supposed to do with them?
I spent endless hours preparing for my mother’s Oct. 4 celebration of life and a home appraisal. The result? My home appraisal came in $25,000 lower than two years ago, despite rising area values. Everyone who came had to drive through the hideous front yard.
All entities were informed repeatedly. An independent contractor even brought up our ruined property in almost every official project meeting, only for leadership to make empty promises they never kept.
It is now October. The fence remains broken, replacement trees and lights are nowhere to be seen, and logs still rot on my driveway. Their promises to fix it prove they know they were wrong. They hoped I’d go away, but I won’t. Clean up your mess, repair my property, and make this right.
LAURIE RIVERA
Spirit Lake
CAMPAIGNS: Risch and Fulcher have an issue
Sen. Risch doesn't have a Facebook page any longer, and even when he did, he didn't allow comments and since he and Rep. Fulcher are both on the ballot this November, here's a pertinent issue: An AI data center is in the works for a huge facility on our public lands south of Boise.
Risch and Fulcher are in lockstep with whatever Trump wants, which is going forward with the construction of data centers without regard to the alarm expressed by citizens across this country. This is such an important issue that one has to ask why the rush for this in spite of public opposition and without any legislation in place to ensure the protection of the communities affected, water usage, electrical consumption and infrastructure required by these massive operations, and without the parameters under which they're allowed operate, without concern that our privacy or our civil rights are protected.
It's a good example of how the Trump administration and the leaders who support him don't care what the people want. They only care about pleasing industry no matter how destructive, disruptive or intrusive they are. It's time for a change of leadership.
GAIL MATTHEWS
Kellogg
SOUZA: Can we keep Idaho safe?
Look around us. Washington, Oregon, California, and Colorado have all struggled with the devastating consequences of drug addiction, homelessness, and communities overwhelmed by substance abuse.
Could the same thing happen in Idaho?
Absolutely. And that is why House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR4), a proposed constitutional amendment, deserves your YES vote on November 3.
Idaho has a responsible process for regulating controlled substances. The Idaho Board of Pharmacy evaluates drugs using scientific and medical information and makes recommendations within our state’s regulatory system. Our elected legislators establish the laws governing these substances.
This system provides accountability, transparency, and an opportunity for careful consideration of decisions that affect public health and safety.
HJR4 would protect legislative authority by ensuring that only the Idaho Legislature can legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances.
Why does that matter?
Because decisions with such far-reaching consequences deserve thorough debate, expert testimony, and the scrutiny of elected representatives who are accountable to the people of Idaho.
We have witnessed the struggles of neighboring states. Idaho should learn from those experiences rather than risk repeating their mistakes.
The question is simple: Who should have the authority to legalize these substances in Idaho?
I believe that responsibility belongs with the legislators we elect, who must answer to us for their decisions.
On Nov. 3, please vote YES on HJR4. Let’s keep Idaho safe.
MARY SOUZA
Retired Idaho State Senator
Coeur d'Alene
PROP 1: Show up
It’s evident that life is on the ballot for the upcoming election. Statistics show that the majority of Idahoans stand for life and oppose abortion, especially abortion up to birth. Pro-abortion proponents are hoping for, and counting on pro-life voters not showing up. Polls are deceptive and weaponized to discourage participation. Do not believe them.
The primary is done and Republican candidates traditionally win their races in the general election. So why should I, as a Republican, show up to the polls? The pro-abortion proponents are anticipating that conservatives won’t make the time to vote early, or go out of their way to vote in person on Election Day.
It is encouraging to see so many churches, organizations and medical professionals coming together to fight for life. Many have volunteered to put NO on Prop 1 signs on their property, however, not showing up to vote means silence. But it’s worse than that: it allows the other side to have its way and a culture of death to prevail. Show up and vote no on Proposition 1. You vote to have and keep your voice.
MARNA BATEMAN
Coeur d'Alene
Socialism in America
A recent letter by Mr. Evan Koch warned us all about the supposed dangers of electing MAGA extremists. His solution? Vote Democrat.
This solution is tantamount to recommending mass suicide. Now that Hakeem Jeffries has announced that the "democrat party has taken socialism into its platform," they have given up any (small) credibility to being protectors of democracy.
The socialist platform includes getting rid of the senate, the presidency, the supreme court, and making the house the supreme ruler. They want to re-open the borders and use our tax money to pay millions more to come here. They even want to defund the police, encouraging crime, and shut down our department of national defense.
There is no such thing as a democratic socialist. Under socialism, the government controls most aspects of our daily lives and owns most of what was private property. The "collective" is all, the individual counts for nothing.. The government decides what we need and can have, and there is no appeal. In fact, socialist/communist governments executed over 100 million of their own citizens in the last century because they protested government actions.
"MAGA extremists" have lowered our taxes, closed the borders, drawn foreign investment. and created many thousands of new jobs.
Elect socialists, and kiss your freedoms goodbye. This will especially include the freedoms of speech and self defense. Gun confiscation is a certainty.
The best thing we can do to preserve our freedoms is to vote against any candidate supported by the Democrat party. The party needs a massive defeat to learn that we want to keep our freedoms.
BARRY McELMURRY
Coeur d'Alene
CANVASSING: American political tradition
It’s as American as apple pie. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, etc., and supporters and opponents of initiatives all rely on canvassing to reach voters. Lincoln himself participated in political canvassing. In his 1859 autobiography, he described being active in Whig politics and taking part in election canvassing.
Abraham Lincoln — Persuasion Over Hostility: “If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.”
Why it Matters: Democracy depends on citizens who participate, ask questions, hold elected officials accountable, and encourage their neighbors to exercise their rights.
Canvassing is Not the Same as Solicitation: Solicitation involves asking someone to buy something, contribute money, or purchase a service. Canvassing, by contrast, involves outreach and communication. Political canvassers listen, share information, discuss issues, encourage voting, and engage residents in the democratic process.
The History of Canvassing, Purpose, and Value: Canvassing is the practice of going door to door to speak with people. Its history stretches back centuries, when political candidates, party representatives, and community organizers relied on personal visits to reach voters.
A canvasser may explain a ballot initiative, introduce a candidate, answer questions about voting, or listen to a neighbor's concerns. Canvassing also gives residents a chance to share their views with community volunteers and candidates. It helps make democracy more personal for citizens who may feel overlooked by politicians or disconnected from government.
Democracy at the doorstep: The bottom line is this: When a neighbor knocks on your door to discuss an election, explain a ballot measure, provide literature, or encourage you to vote, that is civic engagement — a fundamental part of a functioning democracy.
ETHEL STEINMETZ MARMONT
Coeur d’Alene
PROP 1: Saving mothers should not be a crime
Why do politicians, media commentators, and some religious leaders overlook a simple fact? Jesus never mentioned abortion. I cannot find a single passage where He condemned a woman for ending a pregnancy or those who helped her.
Instead, Jesus taught us to love and forgive, care for the poor, welcome strangers, pay our taxes, and put down our swords. We have fewer swords today, but plenty of guns!
Would Jesus demand that a mother die from a dangerous pregnancy, perhaps leaving her other children without her? Would He force a young rape victim to carry her rapist's child? Or imprison doctors for trying to save a woman's life?
And what about responsibility? Women generally ovulate once a month, while men can cause pregnancies any day of the year. Yet women bear nearly all the legal consequences. Shouldn't men share greater responsibility for preventing unwanted pregnancies?
Proposition 1 restores reproductive freedom and privacy, protects abortion access before fetal viability, and permits medically necessary abortions afterward. It allows women and their doctors—not politicians—to make difficult medical decisions.
Idaho needs OB-GYNs who can practice medicine without fearing prosecution. No mother should have to choose between risking death in Idaho and fleeing the state for lifesaving care.
I believe Jesus would choose compassion over punishment, and protecting lives over political ideology.
I'm voting yes on Proposition 1 because saving a baby's life should never require sacrificing its mother's.
PAMELA NORDBY
Coeur d'Alene
CORONER: To Shoshone County voters
I worked for Shoshone Funeral Services for 40-plus years; the last 10 years I served as owner of this business. I have worked with Mr. Rick Smith for many years as deputy coroner.
Serving as coroner is a vital, most important and entrusted position. It is not a position that you enter with no training, no experience and no knowledge in medical forensics and death investigation matters. Rick Smith has served with the Shoshone County Coroner’s Office for 34 years; first as deputy coroner under Lonny Duce and then as a dedicated coroner for 9 years.
Rick has served the citizens of Shoshone County for 40 years in law enforcement, as an EMT, firefighter and chief, a Mullan school board member and serves on the Mullan City Council.
Please vote Nov. 3 for Rick Smith as your Shoshone County coroner, who has the trusted experience, dedication, educated training and knowledge in the medical and death investigation fields. Thank you.
DEBBIE MIKESELL
Osburn