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Support for Weathers for Newport council
I am writing in strong support of Nathan Weathers, who is running for Newport City Council position #1. I have known Nathan for several years and greatly appreciated the thoughtful insight and intelligence he brought to our city during his brief service in 2023.
As a longtime tax-paying resident with a deep vested interest in Newport, where he has lived for many years and is now raising his family, Nathan understands our community’s challenges as well as anyone. His commitment to thoughtful, effective leadership makes him the ideal choice to serve us once again.
I have nothing against his opponent personally, but the fact that his mother is also a current member of the City Council raises concerns about potential nepotism, and at just 19 years old and a recent high school graduate, he simply lacks the life experience needed to effectively guide our city’s future.
As you receive your ballots, I would urge you to choose proven dedication over untested ties and vote for Nathan Weathers.
-Keith W. Campbell
Newport Mayor
Don’t know where to turn
I’m not one to beat around the bush. It’s time for Democrats to bite the bullet and go back to the drawing board. It is not rocket science, they just missed the boat.
To make matters worse, their two clown cars have collided, one of the left and the other farther left, both drivers shouting so far so good. Do they have any leadership? Your guess is as good as mine.
Kind of a perfect storm. Their actions speak louder than words and to add insult to injury, they are barking up the wrong tree. Yes, birds of a feather flock together.
They are getting a taste of their own medicine. They are on a wild goose chase with regards to Mr.
Trump. They are on thin ice. They are known as the party of unintended consequences. Although, once in a blue moon they actually have a good idea.
But their skies have been dark for quite a while. There is no method to their madness. Having TDS is no excuse. Name calling and arrogance is why they lost the last election. Democratic officials inciting violence against ICE agents has failed. That ship has sailed.
K.C. Hunt
Newport
Come converse
Conversation is becoming a lost art in our politically divided country and conversation is at the heart of community. When people acknowledge only those who agree with them, look like them, sound like them, we are missing out on enrichment in our lives and theirs. There are some things I can do to promote my beliefs. I can wave a sign. I can write an elected official and, yes, I can submit a letter to the editor in this newspaper.
There are also some things I can do to promote my community. I can attend school board meetings.
I can join civic non-profit organizations. I can read all the letters to the editor, not just mine.
These two approaches are not mutually exclusive but do not always lead to conversation. So here is an opportunity to engage in that meaningful conversation with members of your community. You are welcome at the Democrat’s AppleFest Friend-Raiser on October 25, Usk Community Hall, doors open at 4, dinner served at 5, donations accepted and kids under 12 eat free.
Whether you attend with or without a political label, you will have the opportunity to converse with others in your community.
Martha Nichols
Newport
Newport Homecoming Week was great
I would like to thank the Newport School District for such a terrific Homecoming week. From the school activities, The Great Grizzly Hunt, community decorating contest, all school parade, football game, All-Class Reunion and homecoming dance, every event was filled with school spirit and community pride. What a successful event and such great memories for our community.
Proud to be a Newport Alumni
Pam Ownbey Nichols
Newport Alumni President
After the Senator’s visit
I read with interest the article about Senator Jamie Pedersen’s recent visit to Pend Oreille County. It was encouraging to see state leadership listen to our concerns firsthand. Yet the challenges mentioned – housing, health-care access, and rural funding – have been echoing here for years.
Our county doesn’t lack ideas or determination; we lack consistent follow-through from Olympia.
Each visit, each promise, fades without local partnership or practical resources. Residents and volunteers carry most of the community work on their own time and dime, even while inflation and regulations make that harder.
I hope this meeting truly marks a new chapter of collaboration, not another headline between long silences. Rural voices matter, and they deserve more than polite attention. We need steady, mutual engagement – st ate and local, side by side – so Pend Oreille County can thrive instead of merely endure.
Saundra Park
Newport
Congrats Miner staff
Congratulations to The Miner staff on your recent awards! I consider The Miner a great community paper! The content and coverage is good. Job well done!
Trump negotiates a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. I think this makes eight peace deals that Trump has negotiated. I hope this one holds but I am tentative.
It’s interesting that Trump has won all of his court cases on appeal or at SCOTUS. These rogue judges trying to block everything he is doing are all getting reversed. It appears that Trump is the only one following the Constitution in these cases. Elon put it best; ‘If any judge from anywhere can block any Presidents policy, then you don’t have democracy, you have judicial tyranny.’
The Federalized National Guard will be going into Chicago and Portland. Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization has consequences. Rioters can be arrested by the military and the NGO’s funding them can be investigated. Also, public officials resisting could be arrested for obstruction. Interesting times!
The Turning Point movement is exploding after Charlie was martyred. In OK, they are putting Chapters in every K-12 school.
Nearly 200K inquiries for new chapters across the nation.
Glen Pierce
Spokane/Cusick
Will anyone stand up to the bully?
Three teenagers (two boys and a girl) in Newport are considering vandalizing the city park. The largest boy is the leader. The other boy knows they shouldn’t but is submissive to the stronger boy.
The girl is against vandalism but finds it hard to stand up to the leader. She thinks she might call the police but is undecided.
Will the teens vandalize the park? It depends on whether either the weaker boy or the girl decide to stand up to the leader even though they know they should.
This is an illustration of how the three branches of our federal government are currently operating.
It’s also an example of how the balance of power interacts between the groups of people.
Today, the weaker boy is too intimidated to oppose the stronger boy, so they threaten the girl, and the vandalism isn’t stopped.
Trump is the stronger boy, the congress is the weaker boy, and the girl is the Supreme Court.
One of the two weaker teens needs to step up and prevent the vandalism. My hope is that one of them was raised and taught by example to act in the interest of the people that would be victimized.
-Pete Scobby
Newport
Running to move city forward
As one of Newport’s youngest candidates ever for Newport City Council, I’m running because our city deserves energy, action, and a forward-looking vision. Many neighbors have told me they’re ready for a council that doesn’t just “review city bills and payroll,” but rolls up its sleeves to get things done.
My opponent has said that serving is an opportunity to “listen actively” and “review city bills.” I agree that listening is important – but leadership also means acting on what we hear. Newport needs council members ready to turn ideas into results, not just main- tain what’s already there.
I’m proud to bring a younger perspective shaped by real involvement – serving on the Pend Oreille County Planning Commission, working in the community, and hearing from residents face-to-face. I’m currently enrolled at Spokane Community College, studying U.S. History and Political Science to better understand how decisions shape our future. I’m not running to sit back. I’m running to move Newport forward with accountability, fresh energy, and a genuine focus on solutions.
I’d be honored to earn your vote for Newport City Council Position 1. Together, let’s build the future we all want to see.
John Spring
Newport
Support for Spring on council
I would like to take this opportunity to recommend John Spring for Newport City Council. John is a Newport native who graduated from Newport High School.
John has experience with government as he was appointed to the Pend Oreille Planning Commission and has served on that Commission since 2024. I believe from his valuable experience of local government he has gained as a member of the Planning Commission, John has established goals for the City.
As a former Newport City Council member, I have spoken with John on several occasions regarding these goals. His main goals are to strive to keep our roads and sidewalks repaired and maintained and to revitalize and beautify our downtown.
Over the past 6 months, I have seen John at many community functions as well as talking to people on the street to discuss his ideas regarding Newport.
John has a strong connection to the Youth of the city and feels involving our young people in our local government is a great benefit to Newport. And I totally agree.
With John’s desire to serve the City of Newport and his experience on the Planning Commission, I feel he would make a great Newport city council member.
Thank you for your time,
Nancy Hawks-Thompson
Newport
