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My recent LTE expressing frustration with communication from Rep Baumgartner’s office seems to have touched a nerve, and I received a response – of sorts – from him. His weekly newsletter of 11/7 implies that I am unreasonable, brushes off messages to him as spam, and states that I am somehow being unfair to other constituents by messaging frequently. He gives the number of messages I’ve sent, in phrasing that implies I am overwhelming his entire office staff, not mentioning that because of the time frame, it averages to only 2 messages daily. I think we can all agree there are more than 2 things to be concerned about in government right now!
In his own words, he gives evidence of my complaints. He himself states that his office has sent me a reply to only a bit over half of my messages. He fails to note that many (if not most) of those replies are topic- less autoreplies, and that a meaningful response to the actual issue doesn’t follow, certainly not in a timely manner. He says his time is better spent “listening to sincere voices” – implying I’m messaging him insincerely, as perhaps an elaborate prank?
Instead of addressing my concern of incompetence, mismanagement, and apathy toward constituent communication, he has added blatant disrespect and insulting behavior toward constituents generally and myself personally.
Jessica Adams Colville
Leading or pleading
Last week two writers with a congruent mindset were featured with opposing views with the idea of strong leadership for America. I will have to assume this because the party they have hitched their wagon to, has not produced top people with competent skills or or policies in a long time. When their opponents succeed in solving problems i.e. closing the border to illegal entry or reducing crime in major cities, or substantial investment in the U.S. to create manufacturing jobs, or extraordinary trade deals with nations throughout the World producing over $200 billion in revenue to the treasury, “They cry Wolf!”
They Plead for another chance. They Plead we were planning on solving those problems, but our opponents wouldn’t authorize our unvetted spending plan. So, the party of unintended consequences attack the man who brought leadership and respect back to this country.
Some would call that TDS.
K.C. Hunt Newport
The patriot and the coward
My current read is “Patriot,” by Alexei Navalny who courageously tried to save Russia from Vladimir Putin’s dictatorship before being murdered by him.
And who is currently our US Patriot playing the same role as Navalny was in Russia? Clearly it’s former US Representative Liz Cheney and her courageous dedication to saving our democracy from wannabe dictator Donald Trump.
At the other end (bottom) of the courage scale, my recent read was Aug. 18 Time magazine featuring Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. He appeared on the cover with the label, “The Survivor,” having survived as House Speaker by the blessing of his idol Trump, a 34-count convicted felon. In reverence to Trump, Johnson shut down the House for over 7 weeks, preventing any negotiation with Democrats to reverse the government shutdown and also as a flimsy excuse to avoid swearing in recently elected Arizona Democrat Representative Adelita Grijalva whose vote would force Johnson and House Republicans to release the child sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein files that include Trump.
Johnson claims to be a Christian, but his worship of Trump violates the Bible’s Ten Commandments--“Thou shalt have no other gods before me”--and, most non-Biblically, supports Trump’s cruel violations of Jesus’s teachings.
Norm Luther Spokane
Thanks
Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday and this month is National Native American Heritage Month, so I decided to list my thanks for both.
Thank you for: My wife. She keeps me sane, which is especially difficult in our current political environment. Thank you Martha.
Proximity to the Camas Center and Indian Creek Community Forest. I have been frequenting the Camas Center for almost 18 years and believe that has extended both my quality of life and lifespan. Thank you Kalispel Tribe of Indians.
Old friends. One of my former classmates from fourth grade made the effort to track me down this year and renew connections. Thank you John.
New young friends who give me hope for the future. Thank you K and K (you know who you are).
The Miner. Thanks for staying independent.
Newport hospital. Thanks for being there when things go wrong.
This list could be longer but would exceed 200 words.
Sandy Nichols Newport
EDITOR’S NOTE: You’re welcome Sandy.
We need transparency in funding
Pend Oreille County is currently accepting applications for the Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds. These dollars are often misunderstood, so we should be honest about what they really are: a modest but meaningful amount delivered in small installments over many years, not a onetime windfall that will solve everything at once.
That is why transparency matters. In a rural county like ours — where distances are long, services are limited, and many people rely on neighbors, volunteers, and local networks — every dollar must show a visible, measurable impact. The state’s settlement agreement requires public reporting and performance-based outcomes. Those requirements need to be honored plainly and publicly.
Residents deserve to know: Which groups are applying for this money?
What specific outcomes will they deliver?
How will the community be updated as projects unfold?
These funds should not disappear quietly into paperwork. They should become a clear example of how even small, steady resources can strengthen a rural community when used wisely.
Pend Oreille County has the chance to treat this settlement as more than just a check. It can be a signal of accountability — the kind rural communities take seriously — and a reminder that the people here expect openness, clarity, and results that can be seen in everyday life.
Saundra Park Newport
Epstein files
Trump signed the Epstein Transparency Act. The Dems are now going to get what they want (now) and what they sat on for four years under Biden. I hope some won’t be disappointed that Trump is not in the files.
Epstein was a billionaire socialite. He was friends with the elites of our country as well as around the globe. Socializing with Epstein such as dinner, pictures etc. isn’t a crime in itself. It’s the underage kids that could become a problem for some.
Epstein had four main locations, NY, FL, NM and his island. We know from pictures and victims that underage children were present at these locations from time to time. We also know from the same that elites from around the world visited these places. Prince Andrew is pictured with an underage victim. She just wrote a book. Larry Summers, whom Trump just named is dropping out of sight and Harvard is doing their own investigation into Summers and Epstein.
Epstein donated to political candidates, Universities, and many large companies. JP Morgan? Epstein = blackmail? This could get interesting.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
No way to stop Trump from using military on us
Retired veterans currently serving in Congress put out a video correctly saying that our military doesn’t have to follow illegal orders. That includes Trump’s first term request to shoot demonstrators in the leg. Today, there is no one to stop Trump from ordering our military to shoot demonstrators. Will our soldiers do it or not? Refusing to follow that illegal order will likely end a soldier’s career or leave them with PTSD for shooting and killing innocent Americans exercising their First Amendment rights.
Will an Air Force fighter pilot launch a missile at a building in Seattle during a strike ordered by Trump claiming traitors are inside? If the pilot refuses, will Trump find a pilot who will pull the trigger?
Killing your political opposition as the Commander and Chief has never been done by a president. Frankly, there is no guaranteed way to stop Trump from using our military on us. The only way is for military personnel to say no and not follow unlawful orders. That’s why “veteran” lawmakers made the video. Trump’s response was to call for the senators and representatives to be executed for sedition.
We look forward to Pierce and Hunt’s letters justifying Trump’s actions.
Pete Scobby Newport
Don’t turn Metaline Falls into a dark and dangerous town
I’m a Metaline Falls resident who is deeply concerned about the proposal to shut off most of our town’s streetlights to save a few thousand dollars a year.
Metaline Falls has almost no sidewalks. We walk in the roadway with cars and trucks, and at night the streetlights are what make that even remotely safe. If pole-mounted lights are replaced with house lights, we’ll end up with glare in drivers’ eyes, dark gaps between homes, and a town that’s less walkable. The “adopt a streetlight” idea discussed in the last council meeting isn’t realistic.
The mayor and Town Council are considering turning the lights off almost entirely. The savings are small, but the risks are huge. Drivers will struggle to see kids walking to or from school, people heading home after an event at the Cutter Theater, or neighbors out walking their dogs. It only takes one driver not seeing one person on a dark corner for a tragedy that can never be undone.
This isn’t just a safety issue; it’s a financial gamble. One serious crash could cost the town far more than any savings. Please don’t rush this decision. Let the incoming mayor and new council review the options and keep Metaline Falls welcoming and safe.
Steve Whites Metaline Falls
