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The cost of doing nothing is higher
As a taxpayer and someone who considers myself fiscally conservative, I’ll be honest: seeing a levy and bond on the ballot is never easy. Like many of you, I feel the pressure of rising costs, especially with the recent property tax hike signed by Ferguson. But here’s the reality: legislators in Olympia fail to fully fund public schools, and the state continues to pass the responsibility back to local taxpayers. And if we vote no, the cost doesn’t disappear, it grows. Every year we delay renovating our high school, the price increases by roughly $3 million (not a typo). Kicking the can down the road only makes the problem more expensive.
None of us want to pay more.
But if this levy and bond fail, the consequences won’t fall on lawmakers at the capital. They fall on our kids, our teachers, and our community through aging facilities, safety concerns, and fewer opportunities for students. We can be frustrated with Olympia and still face the reality before us. Supporting this levy and bond isn’t about endorsing state mismanagement - it’s about protecting our local schools.
I’ll be voting yes because the cost of doing nothing is far higher.
Cheryl Bradbury Newport
Gotcha!
I’ve noticed that reporters have adopted an effective framing tactic called “How Do You Respond.” At press events, they ask a sincere sounding “gotcha” question to an official like: “How do you respond to critics who complain that (your policy stinks like dead fish) and harms people?” They don’t actually quote any critics. The tactic leaves Trump’s officials fumbling for words trying to be professional, as if the question was legitimate and not a fabricated attack. Viewers are then left with the mistaken impression that the official may be “hiding something.”
Now the administration is pushing back. Whenever a reporter starts with, “how do you respond to critics who say…”, officials interrupt and immediately ask, “What critics?”
Without waiting for an answer, they demand, “Who is saying that?” Humiliated, the reporters often mumble something and hurriedly move on.
Perhaps in defense, the Times recently rounded up a few critics, albeit utterly biased, in an article complaining that federal officials’ mere recognition of the religious basis of Christmas somehow amounted to “establishing a state religion.” Fair enough. It still seems that the underlying motive is to secularize Christmas – not to be “inclusive” but to delegitimize morality in favor of “anything goes.”
Kamori Cattadoris Newport
Did Trump voters vote for
this?
One year into Trump 2.0, so I thought I would ask his voters if they voted for: Paying more for groceries, utilities, housing and other necessities due to tariffs rather than lowering inflation Making healthcare more expensive or even unaffordable Unidentified, masked, jack booted thugs patrolling American streets kidnapping legally residing immigrants and American citizens based on skin color rather than criminal background Using taxpayer money to bail out a foreign country Crafting government policies to enrich East Coast and Silicon Valley elites Protecting pedophiles and sexual predators from prosecution Undercutting American ranchers by importing foreign beef, then proposing welfare payments to farmers and ranchers hurt by tariff policies Eliminating cancer research Allowing private developers to plunder National Parks and public lands for profit Pardoning and releasing hundreds of convicted criminals back into society Abandoning democracies such as Ukraine and NATO Perverting the teachings of Jesus while bombing other religions.
Pardoning convicted drug dealers while at the same time threatening to take the country to war in order to stop “narcoterrorism” Threatening a foreign war to benefit big oil companies I’ll wait. Or maybe you can tell us what you voted for that was promised and then delivered. Roger Haick Loon Lake
What happened to maintance?
The current budget figures for the district indicate a per student cost of $24,000. per year. The request being put before the voters raises the per student cost to $29,000 per year. This is not a replacement in the true sense of the word, a replacement is a one for the same. The school district has enjoyed passage of MAINTENANCE AND Operations levies for the past several decades. Has fiscal responsibility been neglected? Elected officials, school board directors included, are elected to represent the citizens. Administrators are hired to oversee the responsible operations of the district. Why does our school need so much renovation if responsible care has been exercised? Can the board explain on what the maintenance portion of the levy was expended? The citizens only recourse is to refuse unreasonable and irresponsible requests at the ballot box.
There seems to be some confusion in the school district funding request being placed before the voters. Previous levies have been for maintenance and operations, the current levy request is for educational, i.e. staffing costs while the bond is to cover the maintenance costs.
Regardless the name the cost is still an additional $4 million from the taxpayers.
Mike Hanson Newport
When kings were in vogue
The Biden administration faced numerous legal challenges, with federal courts blocking or overturning several high-profile actions that critics argued were implemented without congressional approval.
Just wondering where were all the hypocritical protesters with their “No Kings” signs?
Day one Joe cancelled the Keystone pipeline and suspended oil drilling on Federal lands triggering inflation on fuel, groceries, dining out, and products of all kinds to the highest in 40 years.
Joe tried to cancel $400 billion in student loan debt. He reversed the remain in Mexico policy negotiated in Trump’s first term, allowing for over 10 million non-citizens to enter this country unlawfully which added to American job loss, higher costs and crime. This directly resulted in the need for I.C.E. to enforce federal laws.
He facilitated the release of $6 Billion to Iran which help fund Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and other terrorist organizations. Overall, he implemented policies without congressional approval totaling over 600 actions at an estimated cost of up to $2 trillion dollars. In Vogue, must come and go.
Good news for a few of you letter writers, I heard medical professionals are close to creating a cure for TDS.
K.C. Hunt Newport
As parents’ needs expanded, Newport schools have listened
In Newport, like all communities, civic responsibility is the basis for maintaining the common good. Nowhere is that more obvious than in public education. Public schools are the current and future support system for the community.
As a public educational entity, Newport Schools have responded to the needs of its students in a variety of ways. Foremost is the basic, public education model partially financed by the state. As the needs and wants of parents’ has expanded, Newport now offers alternatives such as The Pend Oreille River School providing wraparound services for students who need additional support, Home Link Parent Partnership Program with Individualized instruction for students who attend part-time, the Highly Capable Program providing enrichment opportunities for all grades, and Career and Technical Education offering 35 classes in nine career pathways.
Newport School District listened to your requests. Will you respond positively to its requests? In February you have an opportunity to vote on a levy and bond. The levy is a continuation, at a lower rate, of the previous school levy. The bond is for much needed repairs of the 45-year-oldhigh school. Please VOTE TVWICE FOR SCHOOLS.
Martha Nichols Newport
Newport school levy, bond an investment in students
As a proud Newport alumnus and retired Newport School District teacher, I know firsthand how school levies and bonds help maintain strong educational and extracurricular programs. Our community has an important opportunity to continue investing in services that directly shape students’ futures.
The school levy provides critical funding not fully covered by the state. Levy dollars support programs that make our schools exceptional, including the Honors program that prepares students for college-level work; school counselors who assist with academic planning, mental health, and career pathways; and school nurses who help keep students healthy and ready to learn. Levies also sustain extracurricular opportunities such as athletics, music, KUBS broadcasting, and leadership activities that build confidence, teamwork, and resilience.
The school bond ensures our facilities remain safe, functional, and equipped for modern learning. With our high school now over 40 years old, essential upgrades are needed, including improved safety features, infrastructure repairs, and updated spaces for today’s technology and hands-on instruction.
Together, the levy and bond support both daily operations and long-term improvements.
I encourage everyone in the Newport School District to vote YES for the school levy and bond. Our students deserve safe schools, strong programs, and every opportunity to succeed.
Pam Nichols Newport Alumni President Newport
Minnesota fraud spreads nationwide
Over the last week investigative journalists have been exposing a massive fraud scheme in Minnesota (MN). It centers on childcare centers with links to the Somali community. They have been going to these centers and finding them ‘empty.’
These are funded by Federal taxpayer dollars. They have exposed about 9B (999M goes to 1B) so far in MN alone.
More journalists following this trend are exposing the same thing in other states. They are finding this in WA State as well. The WA AG has stated that he will go after anyone exposing this fraud. It must run deep. Journalists losing their 1st Amendment rights for asking questions? If they actually go after them that will probably draw in the Feds at the Civil Rights Division.
Trump has paused all Federal funding to childcare centers until they can prove they are legitimate. This will undoubtedly cause some hardship for those that are legit. About 18B has been exposed across the nation so far. Every taxpayer should be enraged at this fraud, waste and abuse.
Will 2026 be the year of accountability? We will probably know soon.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
Don’t see proof of Trump greatness
For Heaven’s sake, can we have some proof to validate praises from Trumpers? They claim trillions of dollars of promised foreign investments coerced by Trump using tariffs.
How about pictures of hundreds of Americans going to work at new foreign manufacturing plants built in 2025? All I saw was ICE raiding the Hyundai car plant and North Korean workers getting on an airplane for home as they didn’t have the correct visa. All, but one of them refused to stay in America after being chained up like animals.
So, what’s in store from Trump’s America in 2026?
Perhaps war with Venezuela, no end to Ukraine or Gaza destruction, a stock market bubble burst, more measles outbreaks, Trump’s name on the Washington Monument, our military at war with blue American cities.
Anything is possible when our country is governed with Trump chaos and his political war on most of our institutions.
Most of all I am going to enjoy the claims of greatness and “like nothing we have ever seen” exaggerations from Trump letter writers. Reminds me of the days of European kings when loyal subjects came and kissed the ring, knelt and praised their sovereign (like our “King” Trump). Pete Scobby Newport
School levy funds what state doesn’t
As a 2025 graduate of Newport High School, I care deeply about the future of our schools and our community. I understand that Newport residents hold a wide range of views on taxes and government spending, and those differences are valid. Still, I believe we can agree that investing wisely in our local schools matters.
The school levy on the February ballot is a replacement levy, not a new one, and it is set at a lower rate than the current levy that expires in 2026. It helps fund programs the state does not fully cover, including extracurricular activities, counselors, school nurses, smaller class sizes, and campus safety.
These are practical services that directly benefit students, families, and the broader community.
The bond measure addresses critical needs at Newport High School, a building more than 45 years old. Major systems like the roof and HVAC need replacement, and safety and classroom upgrades are overdue.
From a fiscally responsible perspective, maintaining existing facilities now helps avoid significantly higher costs later.
I urge voters to support both measures this February, because responsible investments today keep Newport strong tomorrow for students, families, and taxpayers alike.
John Spring Newport
