YOUR OPINION

West Bonner County School District wants more of your money, and yet, the district has 10 years of unreconciled fund balances and the lowest academic scores of all schools in the area. Annual audits have somehow ‘missed’ the unreconciled fund balances. What else could the auditors be missing? And while the district’s financial advisor suggested running a $3.2 M levy, the district is requesting $4.7 M (per the levy on May 20). Throwing more money at a district with this level of mismanagement won’t fix the problems.

If you value accountability you should vote no on the WBCSD Levy.

-Kathryn Barlow Spirit Lake, Idaho

Letter writer taking liberties with truth

Lately I have been heartened to see the many letters to the editor no matter what the opinions are. It is in healthy discourse that our democracy strengthens. However, one perennial letter writer has been taking such liberties with truth and fact that I feel compelled to reply.

First, to the matter of the “mistakenly” deported individual, there have been no verifiable ties to gang membership, nor even a criminal record. There is a no deport order on record, however. So, no matter how you look at it this person was unlawfully deported. The important point being that the rule of law was violated.

Second, as of this writing very few of the injunctions against the policies of he who would be king are being overturned. Many have been stayed and sent back to lower courts for reexamination.

Third, to the matter of biased judges, look to Trump appointed judge Eileen Cannon to refute this argument. And as Thomas Jefferson said, “The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.” I wonder what he would say about the petulant man-child who lies as easily as he breaths.

-Steve Bennett Newport

A ‘yes’ vote is investment in community

Consider this: the levy isn’t about me. Regarding the school levy, it’s easy to fall into the mindset of “What’s in it for me?” But the truth is, the benefits extend far beyond individual households. While it’s natural to want to keep taxes low – especially with personal financial pressures- tax dollars are the lifeblood of a thriving community.

When it comes to WBCSD, the argument of “show me where the money goes” no longer holds weight. Over the past few years, anyone who has attended meetings on district audits and budget discussions or done their homework to understand local and state education funding understands there is no malfeasance in WBCSD spending and why our community needs to invest in this levy.

I urge every voter to educate themselves, as a “no” vote in May will impact not only WBCSD employees and students but also the community as a whole. A “yes” vote is an investment in shared prosperity, ensuring access to opportunities, essential resources, and a future where everyone can flourish. When we focus solely on minimizing personal costs, we lose sight of the bigger picture: the collective good. Life isn’t about “me”; it’s about “us.” Let’s vote with vision, compassion, and a commitment to the greater good.

-Dan Brown Priest River

Disruptive trolls

A “troll” posts deliberately offensive or provocative messages online or behaves similarly in real life. Messages are intended to provoke an emotional response, or manipulate others’ perceptions. In short: trolls act as bullies, either for their amusement or to cause harm to others.

The “concern troll” uses one of the oldest tricks in the psyop playbook. Their disingenuous intent is to plant seeds of doubt disguised as “concern” or “keeping him/ her honest.” They often pose as supporters of a cause, expressing “concerns” that aim to undermine the group’s goals or to sow dissent. Concern trolls can be spotted by the tendency to ask questions they themselves never answer, and by deflecting questions addressed directly to them.

Lately, I have noticed “concern trolling” used in what I diagnose as propaganda pieces by the mainstream media in their ongoing psyop to undermine President Trump and his supporters. Because most of them have learned to become immune to propaganda tactics, polls show his popularity is nevertheless steadily increasing. This baffles the liberal minority, who apparently are deceived into believing mainstream media propaganda as “fact”. Liberals likewise declare that it’s the conservatives who believe lies; hence we effectively live in parallel universes.

-Kamori Cattadoris Newport

No reason to be concerned …

IF you are NOT receiving Social Security. Elon Musk/DOGE, refers to it is a Ponzi scheme and calls for its elimination.

IF you are NOT a veteran. Eighty-three thousand (83,000) VA employees, which is 15% of the workforce, were fired.

IF you are NOT on Medicaid. The House of Representatives approved $880 billion of Trump-endorsed cuts to Medicaid.

IF you or a family member are NOT disabled and NOT receiving SSI benefits. House and Senate Republicans have proposed cuts to the program.

IF your child or grandchild is NOT enrolled in Head Start. The current administration wants Congress to eliminate all funding for the program.

IF your home or business is NOT damaged or destroyed due to a catastrophic event such as a fire, storm or flood. President Trump has called for an end to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This month FEMA denied a request from Washington State for severe storm damages that occurred in 2024.

IF your income is above $745,000. If the proposed reductions to the federal budget are made and the 2017 tax cuts program is continued, you will receive tax cuts of approximately $61,000.

-Andrea Forster Newport

Time to impeach him

The last few months since Trump became President has been a nightmare to all decent American people. We have to worry about Social Security, health care, 401k’s,taking away women’s right to vote (this is all women who took their husband’s last name), now it is being sent to an El Salvador prison for not agreeing with the wannabe dictator.

I am not over reaching here. He does anything he wants, refuses to do even what the Supreme Court says. They created this monster.

I used to worry about insurance paying for my funeral when I pass away, now I worry about being grabbed by ICE because I am a Democrat and speak my mind.

We have laws and Republicans in Congress seem to be disregarding them, such as insider trading.

It is time to impeach, punish the criminals, not the innocent who disagree with Trump.

Wake the Hell up!!

-Jeannie Hutchins Newport

Advocates for public education

Here we are in April and a levy for West Bonner School District will be voted on May 20.

We are a retired couple. We moved here from Chattaroy, Washington, about 30 years ago.

Our children are grown and did not attend school here. My husband was in education for 31 years as a teacher coach and administrator. We are advocates for public education.

Our thoughts are that these are our kids, our community, our responsibility as members of this community. We feel a responsibility to support the administrators, teachers and students. We really have no “skin in the game” as far as family in the school district. We have a strong belief that strong schools are part of a strong community.

We have followed the challenges the district has faced thru the disruption caused by an unqualified superintendent and divided school board. We believe the audits did not find fraud or a misappropriation of funds. Mistakes that were made have been addressed.

We believe the board has thoughtfully put together a levy amount spread over two years. Lack of support for the levy would have a huge impact on the community and students if it doesn’t pass.

Please listen with an open mind to those who are representing the schools and have the best interest of the students as their focus.

-LaVinia and Mike Jordan Priest River Find the truth before voting

I hope that by levy time in May people have done their homework and checked facts from good reputable sources rather than taking the word from persons that seem intent on spreading false rumors. One gentleman asked if our administrators drive staff cars. Not in our district. He also asked if levy money will go to administrators and their assistants. Not in our district.

We are operating on a bare bones budget that will only get worse if we can’t get a levy to help with the shortfall. By now you’ve probably seen some of the negative sign boards around that point out why some patrons are against the levy.

I’ve stopped to read them so as not to misinterpret their point. None of the reasons are valid. All of their points listed are simply not the truth. Again check their points with sources that are truthful. Go to board meetings and listen. Go to the district office and sit down with staff or the superintendent. Ask them the same questions. Find out the truth and then make an informed choice. You’ll feel much better for it.

-Ernie and Helen Schoeffel Priest River

How do you like him now?

How do you like Trump’s Executive Orders that he has issued to Make America Great Again?

Trump banned water restriction devices from showers. This morning I was able to swim while taking a shower. It looks like: Make America Waste Water Again.

Another Trump order made English the official American language. Can’t wait for people to be arrested and jailed for not speaking English in public. Where was Trump when I had to take a foreign language in high school?

Trump changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Do you notice any difference? Bet he changes it back when the next offshore oil drilling platform blows up like the Deepwater Horizon.

Trump ordered that there are only two sexes, male and female. Now people are like pipe threads. I can’t wait for his order that prohibits left handed writing and throwing.

Trump ordered coal fired power plants back and Pend Oreille County needs to build one to power more crypto currency mining. Our Port of Pend Oreille railroad could bring in 300 coal cars every day. Picture a river sunrise over twin 400’ high concrete cooling towers and smokestacks.

We are going to be so tired of MAGA winning.

-Pete Scobby Newport