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The sentiment from many long-term residents of Pend Oreille County is unmistakable: if you aren’t from here, your voice doesn’t matter.
Whether it is participating in social media discussions, engaging in local politics, or questioning the decisions of local leadership, newcomers are routinely shut out. Every contribution made by transplants—from substantial property and sales taxes to hours of volunteer work and local advocacy— is easily dismissed. Acceptance is apparently a privilege reserved exclusively for those born here or those who have clocked decades of residency.
This deep insularity is counterintuitive for a region that claims to want new industry and economic growth. If new businesses arrive, their workforce will need a place to live. Yet, the community makes its hostility toward newcomers perfectly obvious. Is the expectation for employees to commute from elsewhere just to keep local borders clear of fresh faces?
We relocated here to be close to family and to invest in a peaceful, rural retirement. As newcomers from another part of Eastern Washington, we didn’t expect special treatment—just basic community acceptance.
Choosing a town is much like adopting a child; it is an intentional act of commitment. To have that commitment met with such systemic rejection is a profound disappointment.
The lesson has been learned. Good luck with the future you are building.
Beth Anheier Newport
Republican party supports Hood for PUD
Now the reason we support Ernie Hood is we need a person that has a background in large companies and managing millions of dollars of assets. In his years of working at Hewlett-Packard, doing budgets, analyzing data, working on complex problems and finding solutions, his experience will be an asset to the PUD board.
Mr. Hood has degrees in Business and a Master’s in Business Administration. His inside sales team delivered $150 million in annual revenues for HP. We need a person with business sense that can sit at the Board and looking at risks, evaluating spending and saving money for rate payers?
Additionally, there will be a requirement for traveling for meetings for the business for the PUD. This is not a popularity contest; this is our future and we need wise decisions moving forward. Bottom lines and future growth that can be brought here by Mr. Hood who has dealt in world-wide markets. He can keep strategic asset safe and power affordable to POC customers. Our Republican Party voted for recommending Ernie Hood.
William Bisson Chairman, Pend Oreille County Republicans
Signs, signs everywhere....
Or so the song says. With an election coming up, I have put signs on my property. Why! I am not sure. Personally I don’t think I have ever voted for someone because I saw a sign saying vote for me!
Perhaps we feel an affiliation with that person if we put a sign up in support. When I put a sign up it is for someone I already know I will vote for so I am just saying to friends and neighbors I am going to vote for this person, does that mean if they think I am a good or informed source of information they should vote as I do? I don’t think I have a following like that, nor do I think my neighbors are that easily persuaded.
I realize there is some gain for a candidate to get their name out as much as possible but the opposing candidate is doing the same thing. It seems like an expensive toss up.
Just my thoughts, we need a town hall meeting every week. Candidates need to be seen and heard more.
Roger Castle Newport
Prop 1 needs careful consideration
Idaho voters will face an important decision on November 3 regarding Proposition 1, the Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act. Voters should read the initiative’s actual language and understand what it would change in Idaho law before casting their ballots.
Despite its reassuring title, Proposition 1 would establish a statutory right to abortion before fetal viability and allow abortion after viability in defined medical emergencies. It would also provide legal protections for health care providers participating in reproductive health care covered by the initiative.
This measure represents a significant change to Idaho’s existing abortion laws and deserves careful consideration beyond campaign slogans.
For those of us who believe unborn children deserve legal protection and that Idaho should continue valuing life, family, and parental responsibility, Proposition 1 represents a major change in direction. Jane Sauter promises that she will always be a defender of life.
Please read the measure and official voter pamphlet. Look beyond the title and consider the actual language before voting.
Katrina Cornett Moyie Springs
Looking forward to pigs flying
I am really looking forward to Donald Trump’s promises that immediately after the election every American adult will receive $5,000, the excursion in Iran will end, gas prices will fall back to pre-war prices, and food costs will drastically decline. I am also looking forward to a very large orange- headed balloon floating along with all of the other flying pigs when his promises are fulfilled.
My condolences to the families who have lost loved ones or to the veterans who lost their health and whose futures will be permanently impacted from the excursion. I have many war heroes in my family. I guess we can refer this group of disabled veterans as “Excursion Heros.”
Betty Gardner Priest River
Thinking of America’s future
As midterm elections approach, we hear a lot of noise from the DSA wing of the Democrat party identifying what needs to change in America. The problem is they have given no plan or details other than let’s try socialism, bringing everyone down to the lowest common denominator. Food vouchers and vacations in your back yard. That is not how America grew to become the greatest nation on Earth.
Competition, innovation, and hard work is what made America grow and prosper. Republicans with a small majority and a proactive President fighting against a hostile Democrat opposition have cut taxes, cut regulations, closed the border to illegal aliens, created over a million private sector jobs, reduced crime across the country, brought down the inflation rate from 9% to 3%, increased America’s energy supply, and eliminated a nuclear threat of Iran to name a few. Democrats have fought against all of these things. The traditional democrat (if there are any left) want to use their same plan of raising taxes, increased regulations, open borders, allow non- citizens to vote. Think back to the inflation and gas prices of Biden’s democrat America. The party of blame and appeasement.
-K.C. Hunt Murfreesboro, TN
Nurse’s perspective against Prop 1
Prop 1 has been championed as reproductive freedom for women but the law will put women and minors at much greater risk. It allows non-physicians to perform abortions, strips parents of consent rights for minors and legalizes late term abortions.
Clarification of Misleading TV ads:
• An ectopic pregnancy is an emergency that requires the immediate removal of the fetus to save the life of the mother and has always been protected under Idaho law!
• The Idaho Board of Medicine reported a 20% increase in OB/GYN’s in Idaho since the current prolife bill was passed!
Finally, the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine recommends pain medications for children undergoing surgery in the womb but NOT for those undergoing an abortion.
Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent, please VOTE NO on Prop 1!
Jennie E. Johnson RN, PhD Hope
Warren right choice for Pend Oreille County
Brandy Warren is the right choice for Pend Orielle County Commissioner.
While you may not know Brandy, as her neighbor for 16 years, I have watched Brandy and Steve raise their three boys, manage a family business in Newport, purchase that business and transform it.
Brandy understands marketing and the complexity of being a border county/ town.
Brandy cares for the success of others not just her own. While managing the family business, Brandy chose not to bring in clothing and compete with Ben Franklin. When Brandy began selling fabrics, she contacted a fellow fabric merchant and assured them that while she would sell fabrics, she would not sell the same lines of fabric. When I approached Brandy with a business idea that could benefit both of us, Brandy came back with bigger ideas that benefited my business but not hers. Brandy believes there is room for every business, and she lives it.
Brandy is a long time Newport resident, a good neighbor, and a business owner. Brandy has strong family values and considers the interests of others not just her own. Brandy understands the challenges and possibilities of being a border county/town.
I encourage you to vote for Brandy Warren for Pend Oreille County Commissioner. Keelee McGhee Newport
Border security deserves our attention
One issue I believe deserves attention in this election is border security and immigration enforcement. For Idaho families, this is not a national issue—it can affect our schools, hospitals, law enforcement, housing, and resources in our communities.
Jane Sauter has made border security and illegal immigration a priority in her campaign for Idaho House Seat 1A. She has stated that Idaho needs secure borders and an immigration system that works, while supporting enforcement of immigration laws.
I appreciate that Jane is willing to speak about an issue that can be difficult to discuss. She recognizes that legal immigration has strengthened our country for generations, while illegal immigration undermines a system in which people who follow the legal process wait their turn.
Border security is about more than politics. It is about maintaining the rule of law, protecting our communities, addressing trafficking, and ensuring public resources remain available to the people they are intended to serve.
Jane Sauter has made her position clear: she supports stronger immigration enforcement and secure borders. For voters who value the rule of law and a lawful immigration system, her position is worth considering.
Rich Neel Colburn
Vote yes on hospital bond
In addition to candidates and initiatives on your November 3rd ballot, you’ll have an opportunity to vote on the Hospital bond.
To make this added tax less onerous, the Hospital District will offset the additional amount you pay in taxes by refunding up to $750 in medical expenses if you use our local hospital, Newport Health Center, and/or Seeber’s Pharmacy. Here’s how this could work for you.
If you are a registered voter but do not pay property taxes in Hospital District 1 (Pend Oreille County), voting yes for the bond will not cost you anything. Vote yes!
If you are a registered voter paying property taxes in the district, and you get your health care with NHHS, up to $750 is available annually to reimburse your medical bills to offset your increased taxes due to the bond. Vote yes!
If you are a registered voter paying property taxes in the district, and you go elsewhere for your health care, you will pay the full amount of bond taxes improving local care for your whole community. Vote yes!
Please vote ‘YES’ for the hospital bond for up-todate, local health care. Go to yes4hospitalexpansion. com for more information.
Martha Nichols Newport
Herndon dishonest about campaign finance
Herndon claims that his campaign is not funded by PACs, however, he is receiving money from PACs directly to his bank account. The PACs that pay him are funded by out of state investors and tech companies that are fueling the AI data centers in southern Idaho and are threatening northern Idaho now.
Herndon helped start the Idaho Freedom Caucus PAC. He then started his own corporation called Idaho Freedom Caucus Inc. that funnels money from PACs directly into his pocket. Money Metals Exchange, a company that produces silver that is used in AI data centers, pays the IFC PAC hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The PAC then pays Herndon’s LLC. It’s that simple. This is the definition of dark money that is easily traceable through Idaho’s SOS office. We must vote him out on November 3rd.
Leah Opitz Sandpoint
What is really happening
President Trump Secured Permanent U.S.
Security Control Over Greenland at ZERO Cost.
He also extended the World’s Lowest Drug Prices to All 50 State Medicaid Programs, thus stopping local free-loading.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding hunting opportunities on select federal lands, improving access for hunters with disabilities, encouraging opportunities for young Americans and veterans, and supporting wild game donations to schools and food banks. It will also modernize fisheries management and conservation efforts.
Our President renewed the $100,000 H-1B visa fee which takes steps to reform abuses and protects American workers. It ensures hiring only the best of the best temporary foreign workers.
President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to integrate with a new website, america.gov, that makes it easier to find information and interact with the government.
Consolidating nearly 30,000 federal government websites into one chatbot, it will privately, with no log-in required, allow users to ask questions and receive guidance for accessing services. “This puts control back into the hands of the people, right where it belongs”, Trump said.
For researched facts go to NTD News: www.ntd. com Thank you for God’s blessings on America!
Maureen Paterson Priest River
Port commissioner supports Warren
I am Keith Peterson, District 2 Port Commissioner and I am endorsing Brandy Warren for County Commissioner over the incumbent.
Brandy is hard working and honest and values jobs. Brandy cares about the future of our county.
This community will be better with her rounding out the board of county commissioners.
Keith Peterson Newport
‘Trumps Fault’
Anyone thinking that soaring diesel prices are because of Trump/Iran need to turn the TV off and do a little research.
65% of the diesel ‘crisis’ is from Ukraine bombing Russian oil refineries. Gas prices are up because of Trump/Iran, diesel not so much.
Trump has isolated Iran from the rest of the world economically. Their economy is falling apart and inflation is soaring.
Outside of ‘nukes’ is there another purpose? Iranians are almost at the point where they can overthrow their radical government.
They could go back to being free like they were before 1979. Maybe that is part of Trumps thinking.
Freedom is never easy.
Our memory can be short. In both of Trumps terms, household income/ 401(k) s was/is higher than when Biden was in office. Less so far than his first term but he’s only halfway through. He can’t accomplish much with this congress.
What he is accomplishing is bringing business back to America. He just announced the largest steel plant in history to be built in Iowa. 6,000 construction jobs and 1,700 permanent jobs. There is plant construction going on in several other states as well. Give it some time.
Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
The winds of change
With our midterm elections less than 30 days away, there is still time to change course. Several undisputed facts define our current situation: food prices are up, gas prices are up, housing costs are up, and health insurance is increasingly unaffordable. Inflation is at 3.4%. While wages have increased, they have not kept pace with inflation.
The bottom line is that the cost of living is up and affordability is down.
During the Republican Midterm Convention, Donald Trump said, “I’m asking you to pretend I am on the ballot!” We don’t have to pretend. He is on the ballot, represented by hundreds of Republican congressional candidates.
Our incumbent representative, Michael Baumgartner, overwhelmingly supports Trump’s agenda. He voted for legislation restricting food assistance and Medicaid services for thousands of people, including 54% of the children in his own district. He also supported costly tariffs and military operations. Yet, his constituent communications repeatedly claim he works for everyone.
Doing the same thing expecting a different result is insanity. Let’s do things differently. VOTE for change! VOTE CONROY!
-Julie Rose Deer Park
SEE LETTERS, 8A Vote, vote, vote
I know I sound like a broken record but it’s so important to vote that I can’t help wanting to constantly remind everyone. Remember to try to read letters to the editor in all the local papers to read what people are sending in about the candidates. Pay special attention to what people say about Herdon. We do not want him as our senator.
Vote for Steve Johnson. Go to the Meet and Greets for him. Ask questions, he’ll answer them honestly.
Also vote for Kathryn Larson. She also will listen and represent us for what we believe. We have to be so aware of the IFF infiltrating our system . They are among us and it’s dangerous. Beware. If everyone votes we have a chance to get some good people in.
By not going out to vote we actually are giving the less desirable candidates more of a chance. We need everyone to vote. Please do it.
-Ernie & Helen Schoeffel Priest River
Vote Rosencrantz, Hood for checks and balances
The races for County and PUD commissioners need to consider the relationship with the other two commissioners. Currently, the two commissioners for county and PUD (not running) usually vote the same and the third position can challenge that majority.
Last week’s letters showed a group of politicians in the same bed.
The reason for three commissioners is to prevent a poor decision based on listening only to special interests with campaign money. Also, it’s less likely for outside influences to force a bad decision. I would hate to see the county and PUD approve a data center at the former paper mill site in Usk and repeat the mistake that was made in awarding that site to a foreign company. The Tribe would have been a better steward of the land and energy now being wasted on a product that has no benefit for our community.
The schools and the hospital need over a hundred million to provide better education and healthcare for our community. Will our commissioners continue to give away our hydroelectric power infrastructure without receiving revenue from foreign companies?
Voting for Rosencrantz and Hood will at least ensure that questions are asked before another big give away.
Pete Scobby Newport
Voting for Baumgartner is voting for Trump
If there was ever any doubt about Rep. Michael Baumgartner’s independence from Donald Trump, he removed it last week by seeking Trump’s endorsement.
The endorsement means that a vote for Baumgartner is a vote for a continuation of Trump policies, including the tariff tax on American consumers, inflationary fuel and fertilizer prices resulting from the Iran War, a paramilitary force running roughshod over American civil rights (ICE), wanton violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution and so much more.
Because we have seen Baumgartner in action over the past 20 months, we can predict that he will not object to the Trump family corruptly continuing to accumulate vast wealth at the expense of ordinary citizens. He will watch silently as public land is sold or leased for private profit. He will vote submissively again if told to and make your healthcare less affordable or even impossible to obtain. He will lie to you regarding the impacts of his votes over the past almost two years. Just like Trump plays his supporters for suckers, Baumgartner mimics that sad behavior, leaving his constituents struggling to afford basic necessities.
Baumgartner thus is unequivocally a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump, Inc.
Lisa Wolfe Kettle Falls
Vote Rosencrantz, the down to earth commissioner
I have heard people say to me that it would be nice to have a “woman” as a county commissioner.
Please re-elect the honest down-to-earth present commissioner.
Do your research please! We already have one data center by Safeway and the PUD is working with these people. Please checkout what another data center could do to our community! I have lived here 40 years because it is peaceful and beautiful. It seems like the people want growth and more growth. I prefer my home to be peaceful.
There is already so much traffic on Hwy 2 it is ridiculous. I understand that people need jobs but this is not the way to go about it. Data centers need to be stopped!
Look at the river and see how low it is now. Imagine it turning into a creek. If you depend on a well, you may lose your water.
This is just information I learned by research. If Merkle Standard buys out our farmers, we are not going to survive all the future data centers that they want to build.
Just food for thought! It is all about the all mighty dollar.
Terry Zakar Newport
