Letters to the Editor
SMITH: Necessary choice for Shoshone coroner
Rick Smith is highly qualified, committed and necessary as our coroner in Shoshone County. Rick Smith has done an impeccable job as coroner and serves our vast county well. He has decades of experience in law enforcement and death and dying has been a big part of his work. Rick travels far and wide on any given day to support our neighbors when there is a death.
I have personal experience observing Rick’s work. He tended to a death early in the morning. He sat with and consulted with family. Discussed the process and was courteous, considerate and supportive. Rick also consulted well with the funeral home and took his time to answer questions the family had.
Rick’s service is specialized and necessary for Shoshone County. Let’s re-elect Rick Smith on Nov. 3.
ANNA MOODY
Kingston and Kellogg
ICE: Is protection the goal, or money
The Trump administration has pursued a large-scale mass deportation and immigration restriction agenda which includes formal executive policies, court challenges, and operational changes targeting both undocumented and legally protected immigrants. This included immigrants who entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas. They hold jobs, raise families, pay taxes, run churches, grill for their block parties. They are enmeshed in American society. They and their communities pay a price when they vanish.
As part of this effort, ICE has entered into contracts with local authorities to assist in this deportation effort. Relationships between various levels of government are generally beneficial except when they are not. ICE provides money to local police agencies to sign these contracts.
I have to ask how many of us here in North Idaho even know an immigrant never mind an illegal immigrant? The record clearly shows major crimes even minor crimes by immigrants are minimal here. Perhaps some of our various police agencies are not focusing on protection but rather on the money.
When I worked in government, I learned that the federal funds we received allowed us to increase our operations. Unfortunately, after the federal money allowed us to expand our efforts, we soon learned we needed to maintain and continue to operate these efforts. These then required our local tax dollars to be increased to continue these expanded services.
Perhaps some of our local law enforcement agencies need to take a second look at these agreements and the implication for our local taxes.
PHIL WARD
Coeur d’Alene
PRICES: Everything costs more!
Our farmers are having to make decisions on how much fertilizer they can afford. Several farmers have to decide if they can grow their crops and still make a profit. Fertilizer is a petroleum product. Farmers will be paying over $6.50 a gallon for diesel fuel for their farm equipment and delivering product to processing plants.
Independent truck drivers are having to deal with increased costs of diesel fuel. To fill a 300 gallon tank at $6.50 comes to $1,950. This cost is passed to warehouses, stores and factories. Trucks hauling logs make a couple trips a day or more.
Most commercial fishermen have to travel several miles to supply our seafood markets and restaurants. Most boats run constantly 24 hours a day or more.
The average American that drives to work has to decide how much to spend on food, family necessities, school expenses, vehicle maintenance like oil change. Airlines passed on the increased fuel cost to passengers, plus additional fees for non-carry-on baggage. It will affect holiday travel, and family gatherings. Winter is approaching, which means heating oil will be more expensive for elders living in older homes, and you have the retirement complexes.
Before the war, over 250 ships were sailing through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Congress needs to stand up and stop the war on Iran. The war with Iran has cost the U.S. taxpayers over $40 billion and counting. Trump struck a deal with Putin to purchase diesel fuel from Russia. Over 2 million barrels, additional 3 million later. Billions of dollars will help Putin in the war with Ukraine. Russia is our “adversary.” This is un-American!
WALLY ERICKSON
Coeur d’Alene
LAKES: Middle school exceeds expectations
For as long as I've been a mother, I've dreaded the day my children would enter middle school. As my son's fifth-grade year came to an end last spring, we attended a walkthrough at Lakes Middle School and met Principal Aaron Drake (then vice-principal) and his staff. He spoke openly about the challenges middle schoolers face, the different backgrounds and experiences students bring to Lakes, and how the school supports their students through these important years. His warmth, honesty, and commitment to these kids calmed my nerves and touched my heart.
Now, just two months into the school year at Lakes, I couldn't be happier. My son is having a great time while working hard, making new friends, and enjoying the extra freedom that middle school allows. He genuinely loves middle school, as do many other Lakes students I've spoken with.
Communication from the school and teachers has been exceptional. I'm kept informed about school happenings and classroom learning, which helps me support my son's growing independence. Between emails, newsletters, and video updates, parents receive the information we need to help our students thrive and stay connected.
It's clear how much the teachers, administration, and engaged PTSA genuinely care about these kids.
I know Lakes hasn't always had the best reputation. My husband attended in the 1990s and had a different experience, but I want our community to know about ours today.
Lakes has exceeded my expectations in every way. I believe my son is getting a great education while learning important life lessons from people who genuinely care about him and every student. I'm so grateful for Lakes Middle School.
AMANDA MILLER
Coeur d'Alene
VOTE: Stegner for governor
Years ago, Mr. Stegner was my boss, and I worked closely with him. He worked hard every day, to make judicial decisions that were legally correct and just. He maintained the highest standards for himself and his office.
Our current governor has been phoning it in for years. He has exhibited no leadership for a legislature driven by wrong-headed ideologues, to the detriment of Idaho residents. Under his watch, we have seen a significant reduction of Medicaid benefits, the misdirection of public funds to support private religious schools, and the criminalization of some aspects of women’s health care. We are at a crossroads, and it is time to elect a leader who will show up, work hard, and lead our state government in the interests of Idaho citizens. Stegner is very smart, morally upright, and will listen to the will of the people of Idaho.
Your legislators need a dose of clear thinking and compassion for their constituents, and Mr. Stegner can lead them.
Vote for Stegner for governor.
JAY JOHNSON
Moscow
ELECTIONS: Early voting a pleasure
I early voted today at the Kootenai County Elections Office. A very pleasant experience, especially since the KKRCC is now under the leadership of the reasonable Ron Jacobson. Under this new and enlightened leadership there were no KCRCC people loitering around the voting area and glaring at voters as there have been in years past.
BOB ICKES
Kootenai County
IDAHO: Government responsible for rank
Please read the latest polls by WalletHub. Idaho rates in 38th place, based on education, child care and keeping pace with wages and physicians available. We have our current government to thank for this.
STACEY ARMSTRONG
Coeur d'Alene
IRS: Targeted by Trump
I’ve been waiting for my tax refund for eight months and not getting any answers from the IRS. Maybe it’s because I’ve donated to Democrats and progressive causes. Maybe it’s because I've been critical of that bombastic clown on social media. One thing I know for sure is that Trump has weaponized the IRS to intimidate his critics into silence. See: Wyden, Schumer, Warren Sound Alarm Over Trump Weaponization of the IRS Against the Free Speech Rights of Trump Opponents - U.S. Senate Committee On Finance.
Are his pursuits against perceived political enemies legal? Of course not, but when has that ever stopped Trump? How long before he changes the name of our country to Trumpsylvania?
GUY LOTHIAN
Dover
SCHOOLS: Vote for an investment in our community
On Nov. 3 we have an opportunity to vote yes in support of the essential levy that funds a substantial portion of our Coeur d’Alene public school’s budget. Our public schools are a cornerstone element of what makes our community an attractive place to live, work, and invest. Passing this levy to ensure our schools are adequately funded is a sound economic investment in the incredible quality of life we enjoy in Coeur d’Alene.
Public school funding in Idaho purposely places a significant portion of essential operating funding in the hands of local voters. Local control like this ensures that we as a community have a say in the programs and resources available to our students, staff, and administration.
As parents of two children in the district, we value our school resource officers, counselors and nurses in our schools, all positions funded by levy dollars. We value our teachers and educational staff, also levy supported. The levy helps to provide support for competitive wages that the state does not completely fund. In our current tight labor market, competitive wages are crucial for retaining our experienced and talented educators. Enrichment programs like band, theater, athletics, as well as job skill training opportunities like KTEC and our advanced placement classes are also supported by levy funds.
Investing in education is an investment in our community and it makes our area a better place to live for all. Please vote yes on Nov. 3 for our kids and our community!
CHRIS and SARA MEYER
Coeur d’Alene
VOTE: Strong schools, strong community
What stitches our community together? There’s something more than beautiful landscapes that makes Coeur d’Alene special. It’s the way people treat each other, the fact that in this little corner of the universe, strong communities still matter.
If we want to protect what makes our area remarkable, we need to protect our public schools. We need to show up for the teachers who pray each morning for their students and nurture a sense of achievement in young minds.
I want my child to grow up in a community where, years later, they can run into their third grade teacher at the grocery store and say a nostalgic hello. Right now, hundreds of these teachers and staff might lose their jobs if our local levy doesn’t pass. I’ve seen firsthand incredible teachers find different jobs or move out of state for career stability. It’s not just teachers. Sports, extracurriculars, music — it’s all funded by the CDA schools levy.
I want to live in a community where kids will eventually drive by their high school, remember fondly the band practice, or the football games, or that one amazing teacher and think, “wow, my community gave me so much, now I want to give back.”
About 300 jobs, athletics, music, and more will be lost if the CDA schools levy doesn’t pass.
The majority of children in Coeur d’Alene attend public schools. Their sense of stability and security in these formative years will play a significant role in encouraging their future love and commitment to our community.
Vote yes on the CDA School District 271 Levy on the back of your ballot.
SARAH GLENN
Coeur d'Alene
JOY: A necessity, not a bonus
When people think about helping someone with a disability, the conversation often goes straight to medical appointments, transportation and other necessities. Those needs matter. But a human life also needs somewhere to laugh, make friends, try something new and be known beyond a diagnosis.
The Coeur d'Alene Press reported Oct. 17 that local supporters raised more than $18,500 toward Specialized Needs Recreation's Building Belonging Campaign and a permanent facility at Cherry Hill Park. The news deserves attention because recreation is too often treated as an optional extra for people with disabilities.
A welcoming game, class or gathering can be the place where a person discovers a talent, builds confidence or develops a friendship that lasts for years. Nobody should have to prove that a joyful afternoon improves a medical outcome before the community considers it worthwhile.
I write from Fort Collins, Colo. After a stroke paralyzed the left side of my body in March 1992, I had to relearn ordinary movements. That experience taught me how narrow the word “recovery” can become when we think only about tasks and not about the fullness of living.
My Christian faith reminds me that people have worth before they achieve anything. Jesus welcomed individuals others were inclined to define by their limitations. A community can honor that example by making room for play and connection, not only care.
I hope Specialized Needs Recreation's future home will be judged not just by the building completed, but by the friendships that can flourish inside it.
DOUGLAS B. VANDERGRAPH
Fort Collins, Colorado