Letters to the Editor
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
DEMOCRATS: 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
PROP 1: Erodes society
I have concerns about Proposition 1. The first is its isolation of women. Proponents advocate for rights with few responsibilities, that abortion is health care, and that no man should have a say when a woman exercises her abortion rights. This isolation of women from society is bad. Why would Idaho leave women alone with this responsibility?
Men are warned they have no say in the outcome of mutual sex. When a third person is created, women now claim the sole right to destroy it, because it is only the woman's choice. Prop 1 excludes men from the decision. This is a radical, dystopian, separatist, and anarchic position that must be rejected in Idaho.
Women should control their bodies. But, when a woman becomes pregnant, decisions are no longer the sole “right” of a woman. Prop 1 cuts out the man’s responsibility; and the baby can be literally cut out. This is immoral.
My second concern is the bad incentives created for men by Prop 1. No law should encourage men to seek sex with a woman, confident that she by her sole right can destroy the new life and be solely liable for all consequences. No child, no child support. No child, no emotional ties. No child, no responsibility. No child, no problem. Prop 1 encourages this type of society. No responsible man or woman should vote for Prop 1.
Idaho should not vote for women's rights to trump mutual responsibilities. Idaho should not incentivize exclusion of men from responsibility and liability. Finally, a new life should trigger caretaking, not thoughts of killing. Vote no on Proposition 1. Vote for a healthy Idaho.
ARTHUR B. MACOMBER
Coeur d'Alene
GOP: Like what they've done?
Hey Idaho, don’t you just love high fuel and grocery prices? Give a shout out to your GOP Congressional representatives, Risch, Fulcher and Simpson. Do you like losing your Medicare and SNAP benefits? Your GOP representatives gave us the “Big Beautiful Bill."
Don’t forget Boise. Your GOP led legislature gave us vouchers for private schools, cutting public school funding. Reductions in Medicaid? That’s also the work of your GOP.
Face it Idaho, your "representatives" haven’t listened to you in years! Little, Risch and Fulcher won’t even go face-to-face other candidates in a debate. Why should they? You’ve voted for the GOP like sheep following the Judas goat for years.
There isn’t one single candidate on the ballot with an ‘R’ after their name that deserves the honor of receiving your vote. We can’t let this opportunity sneak past us.
Listen! Think! Learn! And, most importantly, Vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3!
GIL BEYER
Sandpoint
STATE GUN: Consider the spud
My surprise at hearing we have an Idaho state gun on the November ballot quickly turned to disappointment when I learned that none of the guns being offered have any real ties to our beautiful home state. While some have pushed this detail aside, I suggest that we dig a little deeper for the solution. Let us dig deep into the rich soil to uncover Idaho’s claim to fame; the lowly, yet famous potato. What Idaho-born youth hasn’t thrilled to the part science, part delinquent experience of creating their own spud gun? Leave names like Remington, Colt and Winchester to the rest of the country. Here in Idaho, we know what’s important. If it deserves to be on the November ballot, I say it deserves the uniquely home-grown pride of the spud gun. See you at the polls!
K. ANDERSON
Coeur d’Alene
HJR4: A dangerous amendment
We've all seen what happened to Spokane when pot was legalized in Washington, and I don't want my hometown to suffer a similar fate, but voter beware. HJR4 is government overreach and consider this: it will work both ways. Our purple and blue friends to the south might end up getting marijuana legalized in the future and if HJR4 is passed, we won't be able to petition to undo that. Think long and hard before voting "yes" on this and don't let your disdain of drugs cloud your judgement. It's wild to me this is even being considered and frankly, this should make us think about who is representing us in the Legislature if they thought this was a good idea.
DAN SLOCUM
Hayden
LEVY: Spending and education link proven false
One matter consistently ignored in public discussions about public education finances is the actual accomplishment of school districts when measured by standardized student tests.
There never is "enough money," the educators and their unions and lobbies tell us. All over the country the mantra is the same.
That the link between spending and actual delivered education has irrevocably been proven false is avoided, just as the educators always talk excellence but never to objective proof.
College students needing remedial grade-school math classes from districts in New York, California and other bastions of the "best and brightest" are a clear indictment. No wonder school choice and homeschooling are increasing rapidly.
Idaho has the ISAT regime and fairly abysmal specs for goals.
If The Press wants to be a voice of "transparency," why does it ignore the prior five years of ISAT testing for the schools in the areas it serves?
G.H. SCHIRTZINGER
Hayden
PROP 1: A resolute hero
That hero is my Aunt Andi. In 1986, during the early days of her pregnancy, she noticed a breast lump that turned out to be malignant tumors in seven lymph nodes. Her doctor urged her to abort her baby and immediately begin chemotherapy. She refused. Andi did not want to end the life of her unborn child, although she did undergo a radical mastectomy.
Shortly thereafter, her team of doctors, fearing litigation, declined to continue her treatment. So, Andi found new doctors willing to accept liability waivers in order to continue her chemotherapy. Later in her pregnancy, Andi began hemorrhaging severely. It was time to deliver. Miraculously, although my cousin Sam was born prematurely weighing only four pounds, he was a healthy baby boy.
Andi’s chemotherapy took a toll on her long-term health, but thankfully, she still survives. Today, she has a large and grateful family: five children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Sam’s two children are among them.
Multiple local newspapers wrote about Andi’s story at that time. Hopefully, many babies were spared because of Andi’s courage. I was in my early 20s when my aunt’s family went through this ordeal, and for the four decades since, I have fervently admired Andi’s conviction to preserve the life she was carrying — even at her own peril.
Idaho citizens are facing a vote this November regarding the sanctity of life. Most of us will never be confronted with a life-altering crossroads such as Andi faced. Nevertheless, we can declare our commitment to the sanctity of life by voting no on Proposition 1. Find out more about this proposition at StopProp1.org.
MARIANNA COCHRAN
Rathdrum
PAIN: The blessing and the curse
The blessing of pain. Pain tells us when something is wrong. When something needs to change. Without the sense of pain, we would do countless amounts of damage to ourselves. Fire? Is it hot? Knife? Is it sharp? Jump from three stories high? What’s a few broken bones?
Science tells us that from the moment of conception, a new human organism begins to develop, with unique DNA distinct from his or her mother’s. This new individual’s cells divide, metabolize energy, and respond to external stimuli of light and the sound of a mother’s voice, even within the environment of the womb.
The curse of pain. Abortion causes pain, a preborn baby’s heart begins to beat as early as 22 days after conception, and a baby may feel pain as early as 10 weeks. According to Dr. Bridgette Thill in her peer reviewed article from the Linacre Quarterly, there is neuroscientific evidence that a fetus can feel pain as early as the first trimester.
These are truths.
Another truth is the current law in Idaho allows for an abortion if the mother’s life is at risk. The protection for a mother’s life already exists in the state of Idaho.
Get out there and vote no on Proposition 1.
TIM FAKER
Coeur d'Alene
GAZA: Coverage perplexes
I am perplexed by your half page coverage of the men in Gaza. What is the relevance to North Idaho? To be fair, there should be photos of the men of Gaza hoisting their Palestinian flags while rioting and causing destruction in France.
M. DORNQUAST
Post Falls
COMMUNITY: On sanctuary cities
If you live in one of these you live in an unsafe city where people charged with a local crime who have federal warrants outstanding and are in America illegally are released directly into your city where too often they continue their criminal behavior. One ICE officer could pick them up at the local jail and make a safe arrest. Instead they are released directly into the community and now, for safety reasons, four to six ICE officers have to go out into the community and root them out which sometimes gets ugly which not only puts the criminal at risk but the ICE officers.
I want to live in a safe community. Giving criminals sanctuary makes walking the streets of your city unsafe.
JERRY FORELL
Hayden Lake
PROTECTION: Support ICE, police and Republicans
Once again, the usual coalition of parlor pinks and donor-class dilettantes are hard at work virtue signaling. Their latest cause, after browbeating the Coeur d'Alene City Council into adopting standards that censor political speech, is to get local law enforcement to pledge not to work with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
I like ICE! I suspect that, like me, the vast majority of local citizens want our laws enforced fairly, objectively, and firmly. This is precisely what ICE does.
Every person here in violation of our rule of law is a criminal alien. Every single one of them needs to be deported, all 25 million of them by a recent nationwide estimate. Americans should be supporting all efforts to round up and expel illegals, in defense of nothing less than our Republic.
It is a pity that the Democrats and their Fellow Travelers have abandoned fidelity to our Constitution. Instead of appealing to citizens through persuasive reason and compassion, today's Leftists pursue raw power through demographic reconstruction.
No census should count illegal aliens. To do so is an equivalent to another demographic power-grab, where slaves were counted as three-fifths of a man for congressional apportionment. Certainly, no illegal alien ought ever to cast a vote!
Instead, every illegal man, woman, and child needs to be deported back to their point-of-origin. Americans who connive in exploiting illegals should be equated with their closest analog: slave owners.
Support ICE, the police, and those Republican politicians who support them protecting us.
RALPH K. GINORIO
Coeur d'Alene
PROP 1: Almost 100 physicians oppose
Nearly one hundred Idaho physicians, including OB/GYNs, neonatologists (NICU specialists) and many more, are calling out misinformation about the abortion initiative, Proposition 1. Voters should know 3 key things:
Would Prop 1 allow late term abortions? Yes, absolutely. Because Prop 1 re- defines of "fetal viability," elective abortions would be allowed for any reason on any baby that requires extra medical care like a NICU stay and oxygen, which is a common requirement for babies born as late as 8 months. That's an extreme position that will allow painful late term abortions, way beyond what was allowed in Idaho under Roe v Wade. Roe defined viability as being able to survive with medical care, meaning around 21-24 weeks; Prop 1 changes that to survival "without extraordinary medical measures", which means late in pregnancy (Prop 1 Section 5.d). This is a critical point for voters to know.
What happens to parental consent laws? By the words, "notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary" (Section 2) and by establishing an absolute right to privacy and "right to make personal decisions" for "every person" (Sections 2.a and b) regardless of age, Prop 1 overrides all Idaho's parental notification and consent laws for abortions on young girls of any age.
Who can perform abortions under Prop 1? There's no requirement in Prop 1 that a physician perform an abortion; it defines "health care provider" to be any "licensed person or an entity that provides health care" (Section 5.f), which includes dozens of health-related jobs licensed by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses. Removing the requirement that physicians perform abortions exposes women to huge medical risks and is totally unsafe.
For these reasons, nearly 100 Idaho physicians have signed a joint public letter urging a no vote on Prop 1.
SHANE MACAULAY, MD
Worley
FIRE LEVY: District 3 Committeemen say vote yes
Why support the Northern Lakes Fire District Levy? Simple: it saves lives. This is a continuation of the current, temporary override levy for another two years. The voters graciously passed the levy two years ago, now it’s time for renewal.
What has the NLFD done? The answer is clear: it preserved 13 firefighter positions that would have otherwise been lost and kept a vital station open. If the levy fails at the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2027, that station will close and those firefighters will be laid off.
What has the district done to ensure a lean and transparent operation? Again, it’s clear. The new Fire Chief, who took office in the summer of 2025, reviewed the entire budget line by line and item by item to ensure that every single expenditure is necessary and proper including working closely with the firefighters, who unanimously voted to forgo any pay raises this year. None of them believed it was right to ask taxpayers for a levy while simultaneously asking for a salary increase.
Now: statistics show that maintaining an adequate number of firefighters on duty every day directly saves lives. NLFD responded to 6,845 calls in 2025, a 6.2% increase over 2024. NLFD is on track to break that record with more emergency responses this year. Data from 2024 shows, on average, multiple stations were out simultaneously five times a day, every day. If the levy expires, these strains will translate into longer wait times when citizens need emergency help due to reduced staffing and station closures.
The Republican Precinct Committeemen of Legislative District 3 met last week to discuss this urgent matter and voted to recommend the levy. The choice seems clear, vote and support the levy
FRITZ WIEDENHOFF
Captain, Northern Lakes Fire District,
Legislative District 3 Republican Central Committee Chair
ICE: Police should work with them
Idaho for All suggested the CDA Police should not partner with the department of ICE. The reason was a human rights issue. Spokesperson Lauren McCroskey questioned whether they were well trained and the city would be left to clean up their mess.
Having worn a badge for 26 years, I can tell you anyone who wears a gun is well trained.
So, are we a nation of laws or not? Remember those immigrants they arrest are here illegally. They broke down fences, assaulted officers and wherever they were, left mountains of trash. Who do you think cleaned up their mess?
ICE has removed many bad people for all sorts of heinous crimes. Did these illegals violate the human rights of the citizens they attacked?
Recently a large condo complex had their roof replaced. I spoke to one of them and he was the only one of about six workers who spoke English. No question these workers worked very hard and having dealt with many immigrants before, they are some of the hardest workers around.
So, did they cross our borders legally? How many of them have been in our country awhile? If they have been here long enough to obtain work, why are they not trying to speak the language of the country they presume to love?
Just look at France with their open borders. Many of these people have no intention of assimilating into their country.
We are a Christian nation, whose compassion around the world has done so much for all kinds of human rights issues. We welcome most people who want to be part of our great country.
These same laws are some of the laws that help many human rights issues. Which law would you like to ignore?
I fully support all police departments to work with ICE.
GEORGE SILVA
Coeur d'Alene