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Pend Oreille County voters have an opportunity to participate in our democratic government. Representative Hunter Abell has planned a “Meet and Greet” at the Camden Grange, 7 Camden Road, Elk, Monday, October 26th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Representative Abell wants to hear how elected officials can regain the trust of their constituents and be held accountable for their voting records.
Consider making this a family activity. It is never too early to encourage our young people to become informed participants in the democratic process. This even is non-partisan. ALL are welcome. Refreshments with be served.
-Sonja Bartsch Elk
Former sheriff support for Bradbury
As a retired law enforcement officer with 32 years in public safety— including serving as your elected Sheriff—and a school Safety and Security Director, I know the value of integrity, accountability, and community leadership. I am proud to formally endorse David Bradbury for PUD Commissioner, District 2.
Our history began over three decades ago when I was teaching the DARE program. In 1992, Newport High School recommended David to serve as a drug-free role model. I was thoroughly impressed by his maturity and high standards.
Over the last thirty years, David has proven that serving Pend Oreille County is his lifelong calling. Whether as a teacher, coach, principal, volunteer firefighter, or through his work on the City Council and local Planning Commissions, David has consistently put our community first.
As PUD Commissioner, David will bring this proven integrity and diverse leadership to our public utilities. He understands that a commissioner’s primary duty is to be a reliable voice for ratepayers, ensuring stable services, fiscal responsibility, and transparent communication.
David Bradbury has the character, work ethic, and community- first mindset required to lead effectively.
-Alan Botzheim Retired Sheriff Ione
“Grand Old Party”
Not so grand these days, more like the “Loyalty and/or Revenge Party”, or the “Biggest Liars Party.”
I thought America was pretty great though far from perfect, before our boy child clown ran for office of the presidency and told us it wasn’t. It seems ludicrous to me that a president who lies so much gained so many followers. Mike Baumgartner for one, does not think for himself. He lets Trump do his thinking so he can stay in favor, just a puppet on a string.
If you support wars having military people being killed for no discernable reason and inflation doesn’t bother you, both of which Baumgartner supports then vote for him.
If you would like some normalcy back in Eastern Washington, vote Carmela Conroy!
-Roger Castle Newport
Another reason why we need to vote
While the federal government collected hundreds of billions in customs duties (over $190 billion to $260+ billion depending on the fiscal year tracking), the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of the administration’s broad tariffs. As a result, the government has been legally forced to pay out over $100 billion in refunds back to businesses that originally paid them, rather than distributing those funds to individual citizens. Do you think Americans can expect costs to decline? I certainly don’t.
Also, trade tariffs go into the general fund and only congress can determine how that money is spent. Have we seen any indication that it will be spent to offset the taxpayers rising cost because of the tariffs? No.
In addition, most recently, in September 2026, President The current administration pitched a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” check for adult citizens if Republicans retain control of Congress in the midterms. He previously floated a $2,000 “tariff dividend” in late 2025. None of this went anywhere, but you have to think; Trying to bribe the American people to further his agenda? Is this the kind of leadership we want?
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
-Budd Colucci Newport
Bradbury has integrity
Integrity. One of the most important qualities an individual can have. People need to know they can trust your words and actions.
With integrity comes loyalty, honesty, reliability and moral courage, earning respect and trust from others. As I have gotten to know David Bradbury, I have seen these qualities every time I listen to him speak, whether that is in organized debates, or in impromptu group discussions as well as in personal conversations with him.
I want my PUD commissioners to have these qualities while representing our PUD, and our county, here and in meetings outside of our area. I want to have trust in our PUD board that they will represent the values of our County, that our board has the same desire to consider responsible economic growth and opportunities for our residents, protect our rate payers from bearing the cost of commercial or industrial loads, and endeavor to keep our rates as low as possible.
David has the qualities that I want to see in our PUD board. I support Gerry David Bradbury for PUD Commissioner, District 2.
-Kelly J. Driver Port of Pend Oreille Executive Director
Working for your future
Pend Oreille County needs a strong economy, healthy environment, good jobs, affordable housing, and reliable funding for essential services such as law enforcement and roads. This election is about how we reach those goals.
Ernie Hood and Robert Rosencrantz offer a responsible path: building our economy and political culture on durable, trustworthy foundations. Their opponents have accepted campaign contributions from data center interests and then dismissed concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest. This is bad politics, worse civics, and how public trust is lost and corruption takes hold. Pend Oreille County deserves leaders whose independence is beyond question.
This election matters, and every vote counts. Trust is the foundation of civic life, and Robert and Ernie have earned it by standing for honest, transparent government, even when doing so has put them at odds with the political insiders who’d like to keep running the county. They are prepared to make decisions that serve Pend Oreille County not just today, but for years to come. Voting for Ernie Hood and Robert Rosencrantz supports public servants who will put residents ahead of special interests. Please join me in voting for Ernie Hood and Robert Rosencrantz.
-Andrew Feldman Newport
Vote Yes on Hospital Proposition 1
We need our hospital. A few weeks ago, both my husband and aunt were in and out of the hospital and the clinic. In five days, my husband went to the ER twice and the clinic twice. Also, if it hadn’t been for the care at the Newport Hospital during this time, we would have lost our aunt. Both my husband and I have surgeries at the Newport Hospital with very good outcomes.
We are seniors now and the thought of having to travel to Spokane or Coeur D’Alene for care would be a real hardship.
Please vote YES. I realize it is coming when everything else keeps rising but it would be even more expensive having to travel away from home.
-Cheryl Graff Usk
Livestreaming it?
The 2009 Fort Hood shooter is going to be legally executed in soon (December). Regardless of your stance on the death penalty, you have to admit a firing squad at least isn’t likely to be botched, like the recent lethal injection attempt was. It’s arguably less “cruel and unusual” than some of the alternatives.
Livestreaming it though? “You don’t have to watch it if you don’t want to” is rich coming from the folks who want to ban drag shows. Little kids or their friends will be able to find the execution on the internet easily. But also, Hegseth is basically making a recruitment video for the Taliban/ISIS. All around a bad idea.
Vote these guys out. They have no idea what they’re doing and as a consequence are messing up the whole country for all of us.
-Meg Lyman Deer Park
Baumgartner blindly follows Trump
You have your ballot. Now you have a few, very few, choices to make. If you read in your voters’ pamphlet who are the voices for and against the initiatives, you will consider voting NO on all three. If you have researched the state supreme court judges up for election, you may have made your mind up about who to support. If you are unsure whether to vote for Baumgartner or Conroy, you may not have been paying attention.
Baumgartner is one of many, many congress people who blindly follow where Trump leads. That leadership has caused us to pay more for food and gas and heating oil. That leadership has embroiled us in another “forever” war in Iran. That leadership has hurt our most vulnerable citizens and made health care unreachable for them. That leadership has imprisoned thousands of hard-working would-be citizens leaving farms and factories without workers. That leadership has broken promises with allies across the globe making our country the laughingstock of the international community.
Conroy will work to bring legitimacy and accountability back to the federal government and break the reign of corruption and graft. Conroy deserves our vote. VOTE CONROY!
-Martha Nichols Newport
Voters already said no
As the saying goes, “which part of NO don’t you understand?” The voters of POC soundly voted down the Hospital Bond back in August, yet here we go again. This bond proposal will cost $1.47 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
The proponents say, well that’s only $49 for a home valued at $400,000, but let’s finish that sentence. What they should be saying is that’s only $49 per month per thousand. Folks, do the math that comes to $588 per year.
Take a look at your current property tax statement. Just above the Assessments section, you’ll find your total levy rate of $7.65 per thousand. Now add the$1.47 and you’ll come up with $9.12 per thousand and that’s if there are no more bonds or levies going forward, I don’t think so. Ask yourselves out of 39 counties in Washington state, why does the 9th poorest county and the #8 county with the highest poverty rate need a world class hospital? While you’re at it, ask yourselves when’s the last time your assessed value went down? Again, I say either find another way to finance this project or tone it down.
-W.L. Mitchell Newport
Midterms
Trump has said, “vote Republican and every adult will get $5,000.” My first thought was you can’t buy votes. Thinking further, congress would have to agree to release that much money, Trump couldn’t do it himself. Maybe what Trump is saying is that the Republicans would release it and the Democrats wouldn’t, probably because it was Trumps idea.
If you look at how much money is going to illegals today, both in keeping them here as well as deporting them, it’s in the billions. Maybe that in part is what he is thinking.
America has made trillions with his tariffs. That is America’s wealth. Maybe what he is saying is vote Red to share in the wealth, vote Blue to keep it with immigration.
Many of the Democrat candidates running for office across our country are really Socialists and some are very close to Communist. Look at New York City. Socialism has been tried before by other countries and has never worked in the long term.
Government has everything and their people live in poverty. That’s what “power” wants.
America seems to be at a tipping point. Choose your future wisely.
-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick
Support for Bradbury
I am writing to express our support for Gerry David Bradbury for Pend Oreille County PUD Commissioner, District 2.
When it comes to choosing someone to represent our community, I believe there is real value in knowing the person behind the name on the ballot.
My husband, Jason, has known Gerry David Bradbury for most of his life.
They grew up in the same community, and David and his wife have been more than familiar faces to our family. They both taught our children, Chase and Kelsi, during their high school years, and today, they are part of our church family.
Over the years, we have seen their commitment to Pend Oreille County and the people who call it home. David and his wife are actively involved in our community, and we believe that matters tremendously when choosing someone to serve as a PUD commissioner.
Serving this community is about more than understanding utility operations, budgets, and infrastructure. It is also about understanding the people those decisions affect. It means knowing our towns, our families, our local businesses, and the challenges that come with living in a rural community. David has deep roots here and a genuine connection to the people he would be serving. David also brings relevant experience, including his previous work with the PUD, along with decades of service as an educator.
Jason and Carly Reese Newport
Our local safeguards are fragile
Democracy is not self-sustaining. It depends on transparency, honesty, accountability, public participation, and above all, trust.
That trust is damaged when public officials face real or perceived conflicts between their official duties and private interests. The growing perception that our local governments serve insiders rather than the public is corrosive.
Protecting public trust requires more than meeting the minimum legal standard. When candidates accept huge campaign money from a data center, we simply can’t trust their vote.
Protecting trust requires more than minimum legal compliance. A candidate who doesn’t realize or won’t admit that taking campaign money from a data center that pays your husband more than $100,000 a year creates at least a potential appearance of a conflict shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a position of authority.
Our current protections for citizens and PUD ratepayers— the actual owners of our government and our PUD—are fragile. It takes only two bad votes to destroy those safeguards.
This year, I’m voting for Robert Rosencrantz and Ernie Hood because I trust them to put the public interest ahead of private influence. If integrity, transparency, and accountable local government matter to you, I urge you to join me.
-Ben Richards Usk
Rosencrantz shows up
Showing up matters, and Robert Rosencrantz always shows up. That is one thing I really appreciate about him. He’s always there.
Building the teams that build our county.
In five years as county commissioner, Robert has maintained a 100% attendance record. But his commitment goes beyond simply being present: he is also the only commissioner who does not charge taxpayers for county-related travel.
Each time Robert has traveled to Olympia to advocate for legislation such as the septic setback rule, he personally paid for his airfare, hotel, rental car, meals, and other expenses.
When he drives he pays for his own gasoline, just as he did for dozens of trips to Spokane and Colville.
In five years he has never taken a penny in mileage reimbursement.
Robert is also the only candidate in this race whose campaign is not funded by data center money. That independence matters. It means his record and priorities belong to the people he serves, not private investors or corporations.
When you vote, choose the candidate who consistently shows up, respects taxpayer dollars, and demonstrates integrity through his actions. I’m voting for Rosencrantz. I hope you will, too.
-Farrah Richards Usk
The Winds of Change
With our midterm elections less than thirty 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
Fiscal responsibility
County government is pretty basic: fix the roads, keep the peace, and respond decisively. Meeting that responsibility means balancing the budget without overtaxing working families and retirees.
That is the essence of good government, and Robert Rosencrantz has demonstrated the persistence and fiscal discipline needed to deliver it.
For five years, Robert has advocated sensible policies across the county’s essential services. Even though his fellow commissioners often reject his proposals he keeps working for practical solutions. His persistence and vision will be increasingly important in an increasingly uncertain financial future.
One proposal highlighted in last week’s Newport Miner candidate interviews demonstrates how Robert’s strengths will be vital as we move forward.
The newspaper reported: “[Rosencrantz] warned against allowing spending to expand simply because revenue is temporarily strong. In 2022 he proposed directing half of sales tax revenue growth toward roads, saying the approach could provide a more dependable funding source while limiting the expansion of other spending. The proposal was rejected.”
Robert recognized that temporary revenue should strengthen long-term priorities, not create permanent spending obligations.
Pend Oreille County needs that kind of foresight.
Please join me in voting for Robert Rosencrantz.
-Robert W. Schutte Newport
We’re becoming community of machines
This community no longer needs humans. It’s becoming a sterile row of electronic machines in buildings and metal boxes. Machines don’t have human needs, just massive amounts of electrical power generated by water flowing through dams.
What else will AI and data centers replace, perhaps religion. The concept of God can be reduced to a data stream of 1’s and 0’s which is the basis for AI technology. AI can explain any Bible passage and can generate the related sermon. No thinking is required of humans who worship God. The machine does it for you. God created us and we are replacing ourselves with a Garden of Eden of machines.
AI can be a tool or our replacement on Earth.
Humans can be replaced by robots that learn beyond their programing. Food won’t be needed as machines only need electricity. We humans will become useless and unnecessary.
Humans need machines but they don’t need us once we create them.
Our community is at the forefront of this impending Armageddon by promoting the means to end our way of life. The power we give away for small political donations and token jobs for our community leaders is the start of our destruction.
-Pete Scobby Newport
We need transparency on property taxes
Property tax assessment was done on our personal residential property in September 2025 and taxed in 2026. The increase is assessment was 46% more than previous amount.
Most everyone had an increase between 40-60% in the county.
So, I decided to go online to the Pend Oreille County website, “Assessor’s Office” to determine how property taxes are determined and billed to the customer. The Assessor’s office states that the County “Property tax system is budget based” I quote “We tax enough to raise the amount in the budget. No more.”
So, I was going to wait to see what my dollar amount of taxes due in April and October 2026 would be. My assessment value went up to 46% and to my surprise my dollar amount to pay went up 37%!
So, I asked the Assessor’s office in person, “so you are telling me your costs to operate went up at least 37%?” I was not given an answer to that question.
We all know costs go up, but how can the cost of their budget increase at least 37%? Transparency has to be seen where the additional funds are going.
If this continues, every elderly retired person on limited income will be forced out of their homes!
-Roger Shawgo Newport
Trump’s statements were an invite
Ah yes the inevitable deniability by the administration of transparency.
Trump “was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threated if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped” stated Stephen Cheong. Trumps statement was “incoherent not malicious” said CNN’s Aaron Blake.
My take was completely opposite. I hear Trumps “Let them take out Sand Diego,” “Let them take out Los Angeles,” as an invite.
The roaring approval that came from his audience confirmed it. I was surprised they didn’t follow up with their USA chart.
We’re kind of back to the Access Hollywood. I like to grab them by the _____, moment all over again.
That time the excuse was “It’s just locker room talk.”
School children are held more accountable for their actions. They generally exhibit a higher rate of maturity as well. I’m also certain they know wind turbines don’t give you cancer, would view a father who talks about dating his daughter with suspicion and absolutely realize you can’t nuke hurricanes.
The cult relishes in that stuff. I fear as the midterms edge ever closer, our president feeling cornered will in desperation become more erratic, and egregious and dangerous. January 6th was just a starting point. Were in for a rough ride.
-Greg Turner Newport
Vote for Conroy
Please use your vote to elect Carmela Conroy as our District 5 United States Representative. I have met her and believe she will listen to us and represent our needs and values at Congress.
Like many of you, I have contacted the office of Michael Baumgartner multiple times during the last 21 months, asking him to bravely oppose some of the Trump administration’s most harmful actions. Instead, he has been a rubber stamp for the Trump administration and scurried home each time Mike Johnson dismissed the House because a critical vote was coming up.
People in our area are independent and thoughtful. We need a Representative who will listen and represent us courageously in Congress.
-Valerie VanDyke Ione
Letter writer has it wrong
The writer of the letter “What seems political often isn’t” apparently lacks the comprehension that various topics that are controversial become inherently political. They omitted that an Idaho federal judge ruled that pregnant individuals may obtain abortions in cases involving significant health risks or substantial self-harm to the pregnant individual.
The court held that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses protect a limited, fundamental right to abortion when pregnancy threatens the pregnant person’s life or health. Also, speaking of misinformation, the record high for gasoline still was in 2022.
Additionally, Ms. Conroy apparently supports the Equality Act, which observers say the language could codify transgender women’s participation in women’s sports. If a fact, then Mr. Baumgartner is correct. Sports associations are obligated to operate in accordance with state laws and regulations, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability. Furthermore, they must prioritize athlete welfare. As for the Boise State women’s volleyball team, the author favors kicking the can down the road rather than addressing the issue directly. Congress intervened by passing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Constitution does not explicitly reference abortion, healthcare, or home ownership either; nevertheless, many believe these are rights.
-Renee Webster Newport
