My Turn
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MY TURN: North Idaho College is proof voting works
There will always be a need to safeguard the gemstone of our community.
Honor our teachers
Four of my children were educated K-12 in School District 271, attending Winton Elementary, Lakes Middle School, and Lake City High. All graduated with honors, and by this time next year, will have attained one mas…
Salute to our comrades in arms
Reminiscent of some World War II movies, I have memories of my friends in battle. Remember at the end of the movies when the faces of the men who died streamed across the screen? Well, not a day goes by that I don'…
Get tough on crime, not on gun owners
I have read all the letters people have sent in making known their opinions about guns in America. Some of those letters have some merit, and some don't make any sense at all. I've listened to a lot of politicians …
Reflections on an empty inaugural address
The following thoughts were prompted by remarks made by the President in his Inaugural address. His statements have given pause both for optimism and concern. My concern is that many people of liberal thought blind…
Bigger trucks? Not for North Idaho
As a mayor, I am often asked what my biggest challenge is. The answer is clear: public safety.
Plummer-Worley schools singled out for wrong reason
If Congress doesn't act by the end of this week, America will be faced with debilitating cuts to nearly every non-defense discretionary program at the federal level. But these cuts are not sequestered to the federa…
The pain of insane postal cuts
The usual grousing and snuffling greeted the Post Office's - excuse me, Postal Service's - announcement late last month that the price of mailing a domestic first-class letter was going up by a penny, from 45 cents…
We support the Cd'A school levy
On March 12, voters in Coeur d'Alene School District 271 will be asked to approve a Maintenance and Operations property tax levy to fund 20 percent of the school district budget. We firmly support passage of the le…
Don't look at them as 'education' bills
When Idaho voters roundly rejected Propositions 1, 2 and 3 - Superintendent Tom Luna's "Students Come First" education reforms - it was a stinging blow to both Luna and Gov. Butch Otter. After having their proverbi…
The five men and 17 points
Over the past several months there have been many letters written regarding religion. It is interesting the varied beliefs and translations of the Bible that has resulted in so many different Christian churches. Wh…
Scouts' honor in peril
I am so angry and frustrated at the people running this country and its PC attitude. We have a verified Arab terrorist who killed 13 and wounded 29 at Fort Hood, Texas, yet we're reprimanded to term it "workplace v…
Idaho's liquor privatization issue promises regional split
I read that liquor privatization won't be an issue in what remains of this year's legislative session in Boise. When the issue does finally come up for serious consideration, however, it's not unlikely northern Ida…
This Democrat says guns aren't the problem
Are guns the problem? No, they are not. I love guns. The thought of an armed police officer coming to my door to collect my guns does not sit well with me. Last night, my wife and I watched an old 1950s movie class…
Game for the ages: GOP vs. EPA
This is a call to unite the various factions of the Republican Party residing in Kootenai County. Nothing brings together a community quicker than a common foe. Not the Democrats. I'm talking about the Environmenta…
Wrong time for 2030 Cd'A Vision survey
I have listened to three presentations by Steven Ames and I have little disagreement with the end result of visioning that he is marketing. However, I am not clear what it was that he was really selling. It was a p…