Well, that is obvious but not something I had thought about. On a scale of one to a hundred if we break down categories that can be too simple. We kids tried to learn music when I was in the first grade and I never progressed further than beating two sticks together, that’s even beyond my ability today, I have no rhythm.

Therefore, I would put me a percentile point there of barely a one. I would give the same number to Trump and Hegseth for their handling of their war with Iran and their making the military weakened with outlandish use of our armaments until we are running dry. They are two first graders pounding sticks together.

However, using that same scale, they both get a 100 percent mark on their ability to put money above caring for their fellow humans. In this publication I will not make use of the expletives that Trump uses for his perceived or real adversaries, all I can say is “Shuckey Darn!”

Dolly, we will always love you!

-Roger Castle Newport

Who works for whom?

As a former elected official who understands that we work for the public, I was astonished when told by one of our county commissioners, in public meeting regarding public safety, that they do not like public input or hearings. Pend Oreille County residents deserve open government that is accountable and focused on sustainable progress. Transparency is essential for effective government. We deserve to know how our tax dollars are spent, why decisions are made, and who benefits. The article regarding the Wolfred County Park and the news therein is a good example of government excluding the people and it stinks.

County commissioner, Robert Rosencrantz, who is up for re-election, has consistently pushed for greater transparency, asked difficult questions, and worked to ensure residents have an opportunity to be heard before major decisions are made. Robert has shown that he is willing to demand answers, even when doing so creates friction or challenges the status quo. Robert recognizes that elected officials work for the public, not the other way around.

If you think it’s wrong for elected officials to rush through a park plan, just wait until you see what they’ll do to ignore you to get more data centers here.

-Andrew Feldman Newport

Discussion or Litigation?

Is Robert Rosencrantz the only commissioner who prefers discussion over litigation?

I find myself wondering if John Gentle would be quite so eager and willing to “partake in litigation” if all the legal fees were going to be paid out of his personal income instead of the hard-earned money the taxpayers of Pend Oreille County have worked for: the ones he is supposed to represent.

It seems that this may be an attempt on his part to intimidate and silence (bully) anyone who might not favor his “preferred plan” or want to actively join in the people’s constitutionally protected right to participate in our representative government.

Robert Rosencrantz is open to meet with his constituents and encourages active participation in the political process. Robert Rosencrantz has met with our neighborhood community on multiple occasions and has shown himself to be a public servant who is willing to listen to, reason with, and represent the people of Pend Oreille County.

Therefore, I question which of our commissioners truly cares more about the rights, needs, opinions, and what’s best for the citizens of Pend Oreille County? -Gary Gillette Newport

Vote Hood for PUD

Mr. Ernie Hood has presented to the voters of Pend Oreille County an opportunity to elect a candidate who understands representative government. He knows that the responsibility of local public entities board members is to represent the best interest of his constituents by setting regulations and rates that are realistic.

When a public hearing for rate increases by the PUD was held this spring, Ernie presented a set of well understood facts. He stated in the 3 minute allowed time that the management needed to be more cognizant of the rate payers. I believe his business and professional career will enable him to be very knowledgeable in making decisions for us.

Mr. Hood feels his career has given him a broad base of experience. Working in hardware and software, later in strategic planning and emerging markets. He also managed budgets, analyzed data, and solved complex problems as part of his everyday work. I believe his MBA degree will strengthen his leadership skills.

-Mike Hanson Newport

Everything is expensive

When I last filled my tank, regular gas was $5.27 a gallon. Diesel was almost $7. Trump did that. He attacked Iran because his buddy Netanyahu asked him to, and nobody has gained anything. These skyrocketing gas prices were wholly manufactured by Trump, and he could end them at any time! But he doesn’t! And they echo through our entire economy – combines use diesel to harvest our food, and so do the trucks that take it to our stores.

Baumgartner has been silent on the issue. We need a rep that will stand up to ego- and dementia-fueled decisions in DC, not a lackey who bends over for whatever economy-killing whims pop into Trump’s head each week. Please, let’s take action before the US’s strategic oil reserves are depleted and we literally can’t buy gas anymore. We’re at a 44-year low right now. Any new projects won’t come up to speed for several YEARS. Can you afford to not afford gas for another year? Two?

-Meg Lyman Deer Park

Exercise your right to vote

The Pend Oreille County Auditor reported that less than 50% of the eligible voters in our county voted in the August primary election. It is difficult to understand how over half the registered citizens did not submit their ballot. How can we, as a community, do better for the general election?

Not everyone wants to stand by the Big Wheel and wave a sign, any sign, to make their views known. Not everyone feels the need to attend the meetings of their preferred political party. Not everyone is comfortable supporting their candidate with a yard sign or a letter to the editor. I get that.

With this in mind, everyone IS invited to the Democratic AppleFest Friend Raiser. It is a fun event in a relaxed atmosphere where views can be exchanged. Consider attending this luncheon being held on September 26, at the Usk Community Hall, 2442 Black Road, Usk. Doors open at noon and lunch is served at 1 p.m. To ensure that no one is left out, the admission is by donation.

Candidate Carmela Conroy, running for the 5th Congressional seat will be at the AppleFest. Learn about her platform so you can make an informed vote on November 3rd.

-Martha Nichols Newport

Reshaping the world

With Trump’s oil purchase in Venezuela, he is reshaping the world. It’s a 100 year purchase of 65B barrels over several fields. American companies will drill and pump with the US getting a 35% equity stake. Venezuelans will have an interest as well. They will move from the poor socialist country to prosperous again. This doubled US production overnight.

Trump is moving the world into ‘neighborhoods.’ China will be able to police itself. Europe has a decision to make on illegal immigration and then they will have to live with that.

There are seven pipelines in the Middle East getting fast-tracked. By 2028, 80% of the oil moving will be by pipeline rather than the Strait of Hormuz. With Iran’s teeth pulled (nukes), the Middle East can police itself.

That brings us back to Venezuela. With that purchase and partnership, the Western Hemisphere will become self-sufficient. A ‘neighborhood’ if you will.

On a flip note, the Department of Homeland Security just announced and started a nine state ‘blitz’ investigation into election fraud and non-citizens voting. Interestingly, Washington State was first on the list, although that could be by coincidence.

-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Trump free to disrupt election

Thanks to a Supreme Court intervention, Trump’s plan to disrupt the November election can proceed. The Newport Postmaster is in effect the Pend Oreille County election official. The Postmaster works at the pleasure of the US Postal Board of Governors which is appointed by Trump. Our Postmaster must carry out Trump’s executive orders or be fired. Trump now indirectly controls who gets a mail ballot sent or delivered and can manipulate the outcome of the election. Using “standing” as a pretext, the Supreme Court will only consider Trump’s interference after the election when we are in a constitutional crisis. Nothing can stop Trump’s plan which is the opposite of election integrity.

We need to eliminate the Post Office from our election. That means going to the courthouse and picking up your ballot before it can be mailed into Trump’s control and returning the ballot to the courthouse in person after you have completed it. The drop box isn’t an option as Trump is likely to order federal agents to seize drop boxes to further manipulate the election. The “2,000 Mules” are going to be Trump’s personal army of federal employees disrupting the election under Trump’s threat of being fired.

-Pete Scobby Newport

Information kiosk a success

On my walk last Thursday, I stopped by Newport’s new information kiosk, and I have to say, I’m really happy with how it turned out.

It’s a small project, but I think it makes a real difference. Things like this help make Newport feel more welcoming and give people another reason to stop, look around, and learn more about what our community has to offer.

The Newport Creative District has been working hard to revitalize our community and make Newport a more lively and inviting place. That’s something I talked about when I ran for City Council in 2025, so it’s especially rewarding to see some of those ideas actually taking shape.

I’m proud to serve on the Newport Creative District Board and to be part of the work that’s happening here. We still have plenty of work ahead of us, but I’m excited about where Newport is headed.

There’s a lot to be proud of in our community, and I’m glad we’re continuing to find new ways to show it off.

-John Spring Newport

Washington allows voters to register online

In response to the writer of the letter titled, “SAVE Act would be hardship on rural residents.”

How did I make their point? The writer obviously formed a prejudged opinion on a subject in a document they admitted not reading. But I digress. Washington State allows voters to register to vote by mail or online, even if they’re only changing their name. I can’t find anywhere this would change in the Act, as I mentioned before. Based on their logic, are they suggesting that it is a “hardship” for rural residents to register to vote, either online or by mail? The act of walking to their mailbox is a “hardship”?

Then using their logic, rural residents must find voting by mail a real “hardship.” Yikes! So where’s the mythological “hardship”? The writer tells a story, not the story. It is difficult to take the writer seriously when they are unable to spell my first name correctly, even though it is displayed in front of them. I’m curious, did the writer go to the same “skool” as the writer of “AI Slop”? Let that simmer!

-Renee Webster Newport

Call Kristen to RSVP and get directions to the Barn at 971-563-6681.

Housed in the historic Luby Bay Ranger Station log cabin, Priest Lake Museum collects and displays historic items onsite and online. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, call 208-443-2676 (summer only), email priestlakemuseum@gmail.com or go to the “contact us” page at www.priestlakemuseum.org.

We strongly advise those citizens seeking further information to exercise their right of access to public records and public meetings.

From emergency rooms to accident scenes, I have seen firsthand how quickly an ordinary drive can turn into a life-changing event. Here in the Pend Oreille River Valley, our mountains, winding back roads, changing weather and sometimes unpredictable road conditions can create unique challenges for drivers. In 2025, vehicle accidents were the second-highest cause of trauma-related injuries treated at Newport Community Hospital, where I’ve served as an emergency physician since 2019. I’m also the medical program director for EMS in Pend Oreille County.

And I can tell you this: Road safety is a responsibility we all share. The encouraging part is that many of the crashes I see are preventable.

In my experience, three factors come up again and again: driving too fast for conditions, impaired driving, and — most dangerously — a combination of the two.

Know the roads — and respect the conditions

One of the challenges we face in this area is that our roads aren’t always as forgiving as they may appear.

I see people, particularly visitors who aren’t familiar with the area, traveling too fast because they don’t know what is coming around the next corner. In the warmer months, that might mean carrying too much speed on a winding back road. In the winter, it can mean encountering ice or snow on Tiger Pass or Flowery Trail, or unexpectedly slick conditions along the Pend Oreille River and around Priest Lake.

Even a road that looks flat, straight and completely clear can have hazards you can’t see until it’s too late.

My advice is simple: If you have any doubt about the road surface or the conditions ahead, slow down. You don’t have to be driving recklessly to lose control. Sometimes, you’re simply driving faster than the road or weather allows.

Never drive impaired

The other major factor I see is impaired driving. There really isn’t a safe way to operate a vehicle when you’re impaired.

If you’re going to drink, give someone else your keys before you start. Have a plan for how you’re getting home. Designate a driver, call someone, or find another way to get where you’re going.

And remember that “vehicle” means more than just a car or pickup. In our area, people enjoy ATVs, boats and other recreational vehicles. Even something that seems relatively harmless, such as a golf cart, can cause serious injury when operated by someone who is impaired.

Don’t assume that because you’re close to home—or because you’re operating a vehicle at a low speed—that you’re safe.

Three more tips for staying safe

Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts remain one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect yourself in a crash. The majority of the people we see in the ER after a motor vehicle collision were wearing their seatbelts. Occasionally, we see someone who wasn’t. Unfortunately, those who aren’t restrained sometimes don’t make it off the scene.

Use technology wisely. Distracted driving is another danger we can control. If you need to make a phone call, use your vehicle’s hands-free technology. Better yet, set up what you need before you start driving and keep your attention on the road. Never look down at your phone while you’re moving. Technology isn’t always the problem, though. Some of the advances in vehicle safety have made a real difference in the severity of the injuries we see, such as side airbags.

Don’t let your vehicle give you a false sense of security. Finally, I would encourage everyone to be careful about putting too much confidence in what their vehicle can do. Four-wheel drive can help you maintain traction, but it doesn’t make you stop any faster. A large truck may give you a feeling of security, but being in a bigger vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to avoid injury. Your vehicle’s capabilities don’t change the laws of physics.

The safest driver is still the one who recognizes the conditions, leaves enough room to stop, wears a seatbelt and doesn’t drive impaired.

We all share these roads. We share them with our neighbors, our families, our children and the visitors who come here to enjoy the place we call home. A few extra minutes on the road are worth it. Nothing about getting there faster is worth risking a life.

DR. NATHAN LILYA IS AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN AT NEWPORT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AND THE MEDICAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR EMS IN PEND OREILLE COUNTY. HE ALSO VOLUNTEERS AS A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER. HE AND HIS FAMILY LIVE NEAR CUSICK.

His claim, apparently based on the unauthored The 2020 Election, A Beginning Analysis, posits that out of 128 million votes 24,000 (less than .02%) were by non-citizens with 32 million votes yet to be analyzed. My research found critical reviews of this report by Amy O’Hara of the Massive Data Institute and AFP Fact check. The gist of these reviews was that the methodology was suspect and the conclusions could not be supported. Studies show that the number of non-citizens voting is so small as to be statistically insignificant.

Perhaps Mr. Pierce should apply 1/2 an ounce of research ability to look beyond what he wants to be true. Read the report, the rebuttals and other studies on this matter to draw your own conclusions.

-Steve Bennett Newport

‘Impossible’ or inconvenient?

A delightful quote from my favorite good-news blogger, Jeff Childers: “Picture a courtroom where the plaintiff solemnly explains that a grand piano cannot possibly be moved before Friday. At that exact moment, two movers roll the piano past the open courtroom door and are overheard saying that delivery should proceed “flawlessly and smoothly.” Corporate media would report the plaintiff’s severe back strain and omit the piano on the grounds that furniture is outside the scope of the story.”

Yes, North Carolina, a plaintiff in the lawfare suit to block the Trump administration’s rules for submitting a list of qualified voters to the USPS for tracking mail-in ballots, has inadvertently thrown open the courtroom doors. Their Board of Elections issued a statement on August 27 that stated they had complied with the rules before the final ruling because it was a simple procedure. “These are measures that we do all the time and it requires simple basic practices…” Their statement goes on to say the effort to comply will transpire “smoothly and flawlessly.”

Corporate media, of course, collectively ignored it – definitely not in compliance with their “hardship” narrative! The plaintiffs’ claims of “impossibility” of complying are obviously made up.

-Kamori Cattadoris Newport

SAVE Act would be hardship on rural residents

I wanted to respond to criticism of my LTE regarding the SAVE Act. I generally choose not to engage is such back and forth, but I think Rene Webster inadvertently made the exact point I was trying to make, namely that the SAVE Act places extra hardships on rural citizens.

And, no, I did not read the Act, but I am familiar enough with legislation to know that a 26 page bill aimed at fixing a non-existent problem will likely be vague, causing confusion. Mission accomplished!

Webster relies on current Washington State law empowering the Dept of Licensing to issue enhanced drivers licenses, which do indeed prove citizenship. However, to apply for said enhanced drivers license, every citizen with a Pend Oreille County address would need to travel out of the county, perhaps to Colville or Spokane. Or they could register to vote at the County Elections Office in Newport, as I stated.

Regardless of where the citizen chooses to travel, the documentation issues around name changes will pose a barrier. Webster states, “A responsible adult would still have the documents for a name change before the Act’s enactment,” suggesting that only “responsible adults” with such documents would be allowed to vote. Yikes!

-Roger Haick Loon Lake

This is what community

looks like

Someone recently ran over the political sign we posted on our property. It is situated well off the road, down our driveway. The sign survived. Some weeds didn’t. The rain made the deliberate back-and-forth pattern of the tires visible - an intentional aim at our civic expression. Despite this, I’m reminded of why I live here.

First, I want to thank the Sheriff’s Office. The deputy took time to listen and understand what happened. He asked detailed questions and chatted with us. We’ve had positive interactions with deputies, and we continually thank them for their service to our county.

Secondly, I’d like to thank our neighbors. Some of whom are voting differently than us. They talked with us, provided information about the vehicle and time of incident, and checked their cameras. They’ve helped us in many ways over the years and this was no exception.

This is what my community looks like. It doesn’t involve uniformity of opinion, but a unity of character. We don’t agree on every issue. We do, however, agree to stand together when something isn’t right. This is a prime example that respect and decency still run deeper than politics and yard signs.

-Katharine Napier-Janz Newport

Truth crimes?

Pete missed turning the research page, again (8/19). Is Catherine Engelbrecht of ‘2,000 Mules’ a felon? Yes. Now turn the research page. How did she end up a felon? She made a documentary exposing election fraud and the weaponized DOJ went after her. They scoured her past and found something they could turn into a crime.

They did the same thing to Dinesh D’Souza. Dinesh made a documentary that Obama didn’t like so the DOJ went after him. Same playbook. They scoured his past, found something they could turn into a felony and charged him. They found he made a mistake on a tax return about a small political donation. Turned it into a felony. Neither charges had anything to do with their documentaries. Trump pardoned them both.

Tina Peters, election commissioner in Mesa County CO exposed election fraud on voting machines. They made up charges and threw her in prison for 9 years. The CO Governor commuted her sentence last June, cutting her time to almost half.

The lesson here, if you expose corruption, the truth could land you in jail. All three exposed truth and they were all charged. Police State?

-Glen Pierce Spokane Cusick

Letters are becoming AI slop

How can one claim they are unbiased in their research or combatting misinformation? That’s like claiming you are pure of heart in your thoughts or have some magical ability to be totally objective.

Unlike religious faith, political opinions require evidence and proof over beliefs. Political opinions today are more like religious beliefs. Little proof is required and we must believe on a grain of truth or face political shaming.

Consider that today, political polls are often proven wrong by the results of an election. People are betting on predictions based on political conjecture.

Statistics quoted in recent letters are based on extrapolation. Find one illegal vote and extrapolate it into millions. Find one source on the AI internet and quote it as an absolute fact.

Hey, AI copilot, write me an opinion letter for the Miner and make it unbiased. Anyone who is nearly 80 years old has lived a historical life and has made or witnessed history. Now, people with access to AI technology are rewriting our history.

My teen grandkids call it AI Slop and it’s showing up in the opinion page every week. Opinions that are 10% true and 90% made up by random “unbiased” electrons.

-Pete Scobby Newport

An idea to rename Hanford

Inflation and affordability issues. The “no end in sight” unpopular war on Iran. Economic slowdown. Ever increasing deficit. The White House priorities?

Our “Sharpie” President changes the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. An airport is renamed to Trump International Airport. The latest, Lake Ontario to Lake America.

My suggestion is to stay on the course. The Hanford site is noted as the most toxic site in the USA. Rename this site to “Trump Dump.”

Enough said.

-Robert W. Schutte Newport

Gone rogue

We have a president that has gone rogue. Worse yet, our Congressman refuses to hold him accountable. Donald Trump is attacking our democracy. Michael Baumgartner has not upheld his oath of office to protect the Constitution.

Constitutionally, states have the primary authority over election administration. Donald Trump has attacked that with his SAVE Act, which Michael Baumgartner supports. Even though Donald Trump stumps that mail-in voting is filled with fraud, he repeatedly votes by mail.

Donald Trump has gone as far as the Supreme Court to eliminate Birthright Citizenship from the Constitution. Michael Baumgartner has not challenged him.

The Constitution is designed to change through Amendments, not executive orders. Donald Trump is aiming towards an un-Constitutional third term.

Michael Baumgartner remains silent. Our Founding Fathers purposefully developed a system of checks and balances to protect our nation from autocracy.

Michael Baumgartner has relinquished his responsibility by rubber stamping Donald Trump’s agenda. We need to return to those checks and balances.

By voting for Carmela Conroy and breaking this attack on our democracy, we will have the chance to hold this rogue president in check and return to what our Founding Fathers envisioned.

-JR Wyatt Elk

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

Karen Matthee is running for Legislative Seat 1A in North Idaho.

She is by far the most qualified candidate to represent us. Karen has a rich, varied background: non profit work, journalism (old school style with facts), editor of a parenting magazine, volunteer work. She meets challenges with full force.

“I’m running to fight for your freedom, your families, and for a state government that is responsible to all Idahoans,” Karen states.

Read her website, reach out to her, listen to her… Karen is our best bet for Legislative Seat 1A.

She will work successfully across the aisle, has real life practical solutions, ideas to help our families thrive in North Idaho.

Forget the labels: Republican, Democrats, Independents…Look at the person, their mission. I have voted for Republicans (and not as a RINO), Democrats, Independents. I look at the person, read about them, look into their background.

Karen is an outstanding candidate, the best representative we could have for Legislative Seat 1A. Yep, she is a Democrat which may immediately influence a vote. Voters, do your research, read her website.

Thomas Jefferson famously wrote, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.”

Do not go blindly into the polls voting by party only.

Educate yourself! https:// www.kmattheeforidaho. com/ - Ann Giantvalley of Sandpoint

Why Do People Vote Against Themselves?

Why do people vote against their best interests? This age-old question is relevant for many Michael Baumgartner voters.

My father many years ago opined that people so dreamt of joining the rich that they closely related to them and voted with them.

But economic mobility has greatly diminished, including by the billionaire friendly “One Big Beautiful Bill” championed by Baumgartner, so those dreams should be rudely awakened by reality. Hard work now may not ensure economic security.

Vowing to make Democrat Barack Obama a one-term president, long-time Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell opposed everything Obama, and then Democratic ex-President Joe Biden, proposed to help the working class.

Consequently, the working class justifiably has felt forgotten, and many emotionally relate to President Donald Trump’s angry rhetoric, even though he’s never done anything for their welfare — in fact, along with Congressional Republicans like Baumgartner, he has made life harder for them. Unfortunately, many people vote their emotions, rather than rationally in agreement with their best interests.

However, for many voting for the shrewdly deceitful Baumgartner, the answer may be much simpler — they haven’t monitored Baumgartner closely enough to discern the big difference between what he says and what he does (how he votes).

- Norm Luther of Spokane

Happenings

The US Census Bureau is analyzing the 2020 election comparing voters to citizenship. Out of 128 million, they found 24,000 non-citizens that voted illegally. They have about 32 million yet to analyze. My question is how/why were they allowed to vote?

John Solomon just reported that Venezuela has been perfecting stealing elections for years. They set their voting machines up to switch votes without leaving much of a trace.

We have been using those machines for the last several election cycles. Was President Maduro an agreed-upon extradition? Solomon also reports that China has been in our elections.

Recently, election fraud is being exposed in many directions. We need secure elections.

In other news, democrat fundraising platform ActBlue’s co-founder Matt DeBergalis testified in a closed-door hearing and took the Fifth when asked about foreign donations.

I thought political foreign donations were illegal?

David Morens, top Fauci advisor, pleads guilty to concealing COVID records from the public.

He’s looking at five years.

Did he squeal on Fauci?

Emails showed that Fauci knew about the negative miscarriage data from the vax. High percentage.

There’s a lot going on if you stop and look around!

- Glen Pierce of Spokane/ Cusick

We should all be watching wildfire effects

Three years ago, I flew my plane over the Oregon Road fire near Elk and was amazed by one home being a burned foundation and a nearby home untouched by the fire. A fire chief explained that homeowners with equipment who stayed behind saved their home and other homes nearby.

Looking at the Spokane urban interface fires there are entire blocks of destroyed homes and some accounts of people staying behind and fighting fires to save homes. No lives were lost because most people followed evacuation orders, but I must say saving my home would be something to consider.

Fellow letter writers often cover political trivia and amplify statistical insignificance, whereas fires are a danger to all of us.

This summer the World is on fire.

The factors of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and weather patterns are facts unexplained by political thinking.

If you live in the woods in a wooden home on a hillside, your life and home are at increased risk.

All of us are going to pay for wildfire losses with increased insurance premiums or cancellations.

We can’t alter the climate, but we can take dozens of actions to mitigate the increased risk we face.

- Pete Scobby of Newport

Such a caring community

As the wild fires raged around Spokane, the monastic community at Sravasti Abbey wanted to find a way to support the families that had lost everything.

The Interfaith community in Spokane sent a number of helpful links to call that were receiving items of various kinds and it was heartening to see how quickly the support came together a day after the fires started.

The Abbey chose three organizations: Second Harvest accepting nonperishables, Spokanimal accepting food for pets and Project Beauty Share accepting toiletries and personal care products for firefighters.

What was so inspiring when we called them was their sharing on how overwhelming the support from people all over the region and beyond for the families and support teams. They felt blessed to be a part of a community coming together to provide such generosity on so many levels to care and provide for those suffering right now.

It just shows that we have loving kindness at the center of our hearts and despite whatever the media amplifies how much we are divided, times like this remind us that we all want happiness and safety, not just for ourselves but for each other, and we will do what we can to make that happen.

- Thubten Semkye of Newport

Rebuilding a life

With the recent fires in the Spokane area, it’s easy to focus on local fires and forget the devastation there.

Hundreds have lost their homes. These are small communities without the resources of a large urban area.

So many are looking to rebuild their lives, and we want to help.

Imagine living in a room or apartment with few possessions. Food is important, but cooking requires pans, dishes are needed to serve, utensils to eat. Mops, brooms, vacuums are items taken for granted, also bedding and linens. Storage containers help while living in confined spaces.

After the Oregon Road fire, a group of neighbors selected a location to accept donations of tools to distribute to fire victims. Imagine reaching for a hammer or a screwdriver, only to discover you have none. Donations included household items, rakes, shovels, hoses, weed eaters, mowers, as well as chainsaws, table saws, drills, bits, planers, even compressors.

Perhaps your group, church or other organization could collect games, toys, sports equipment; balls, golf clubs, racquets or craft supplies; yarn, beading, fabric, even sewing machines.

Animals are also stressed by disaster, in unfamiliar surroundings without their favorite blankets, toys and beds.

Find donation drop offs online and the type of donations requested.

Please help.

- Bon Wakabayashi of Elk

Consider SAVE

In response to “SAVE Act introduces roadblocks to citizens”.

A significant majority of Americans support voter identification measures, with polls showing 77% to 84% favor voter ID, including 62% of Democrats.

The Act doesn’t require you to register at an Elections Office. It describes “any method” of voter registration per state. Obviously, the writer didn’t read the act. Washington State has requirements and timelines for name changes at the DMV for IDs, where they can register to vote with those same documents at the same time. They also confirm the information is correct before processing.

A responsible adult would still have the necessary documents for a name change before the Act’s enactment.

In response to “How are you helping freedom?”

We were crawling out of the GD in the 1930s with the New Deal programs.

Boeing built over 98,000 aircraft, including troop transports, not just bombers. Ford built the B-24 bomber, while North American Aviation built the B-25 bomber. Dupont assisted in manufacturing enriched uranium and plutonium for the atomic bomb, but they didn’t manufacture the bomb.

I am proud to be an American citizen and aim to combat misinformation by conducting unbiased research that helps people make informed decisions.

- Renee Webster of Newport

People should never be a means to an end

In response to Miss Maureen Paterson (Letters, Aug. 19, 2026 issue of The Miner).

You suggest that the men listed in your letter are great American heroes. I can only assume this is all in support and glorification of the current war in Iran.

Your inclusion of Pier Dupont, of atom bomb fame, suggests that this was a great tool for freedom. Yet no repercussions of the use of said bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945 are ever discussed.

You fail to mention the 80,000 people instantly killed — those whose remains were nothing but a shadow at the center of that bomb.

You do not include the 140,000 people, including children, who died terrible deaths from the aftermath of the bombing. Perhaps, in your mind, such a thing is merely a byproduct for the endless fight for freedom.

Perhaps your letter suggests we should do the same to the people of Gaza. And I ask — what would we gain? Are the lives of innocents, thousands upon thousands, a worthy sacrifice? The people of Iran, of Palestine, of Gaza, are the same as you and me. May you be blessed with freedom of reflection. Perhaps you’ll come to understand that people should never be a means to an end.

- Brianna Williamson of Newport Community comes together

We would like to thank the community for the support of the potato bar for Eric and Mellany Rodgers. We are blessed to see this community come together for a very loving and great couple.

- The Care Team: Carol Becks, Nancy Gunderson, Marjie Miller of Cusick

What’s fractured? If you haven’t noticed – Idaho is essentially a 1-party state (no Democrat has held statewide office for over 30 years, and Republicans have had a supermajority in the Legislature since 2010). Maybe you are Republican and think this is a good thing. But without competition there is no accountability. Decisions are made behind closed doors instead of at the voting booth. It shows up when our government works against what the majority of Idahoans support: Medicaid expansion, funding for public schools, local control over libraries, reproductive rights.

We need to elect good candidates outside the Republican Party. This year we have them in a slate of Independents. Please take time to acquaint yourself with them now. Steve Johnson for state Senate; Kathryn Larson state Representative; Fred Arn Bonner County Commissioner; Todd Achilles US Senate; John Stegner Governor. More info here: https://bit.ly/Nov2026Ballot Your vote counts, use it wisely.

-Jean Gerth Anderson Sagle

The power of propaganda

I’ll keep trying to elucidate to my fellow academic-trained friends, who are still captured by the previous decade of hyperbolic propaganda, that according to my research we are being played by the global cabal. Non-intuitively, the cabal has ascertained that the bigger the lie, the easier it is to get people to swallow it! All it takes is repeating it ad nauseum, with great authority and contempt for all other views; while cleverly suppressing dissenting views to create an illusion of “consensus.” Then our “herd instinct” kicks in and, predictably, we eventually go along.

As reinforcement, the “authorities” mock and shame dissenters; declaring them “the enemy”; and continuously use provocative language to incite easily-triggered rage. Once rage kicks in, logic, curiosity and questioning are shut down. Shut down! That is how even scientists are played upon. Then the “echo chamber” of fellow academics and the compromised media, their bullhorn, reinforce those liesturned- beliefs. I encourage academics to review two of what I have concluded are major psyops of our time in this light: “climate change” and the “Covid pandemic.” Research dissenting views! There are plenty of legitimate resources available, now that free speech is thankfully being restored.

-Kamori Cattadoris Newport

SAVE Act introduces roadblocks to citizens

Michael Baumgartner doesn’t boast about many of his votes, but he actually wrote that he was “proud to vote YES on the SAVE America Act” and “Requiring ID to vote is just common sense.” If only that were easy to achieve.

The SAVE Act would require that proof of citizenship and photo ID be presented when voters register in person at a county elections office. Currently most voters register online, by mail, or at the DMV and only 6% of voters register in person.

Birth certificates, passports and enhanced driver’s licenses would be the only sufficient credentials for registration with rare exceptions. Further, if the names on these documents do not match exactly it creates a name discrepancy. Women who change their legal names through marriage or divorce fall into this trap. Fixing this discrepancy would require obtaining qualifying documents at considerable cost in travel, time and money.

While Baumgartner argues the SAVE Act is necessary to prevent noncitizens from participating in federal elections, it would introduce severe logistical roadblocks for thousands of eligible American citizens who simply happen to live far from their elections office, like right here in his predominately rural district. But Trump wants it, and Mike dutifully bends the knee.

-Roger Haick Loon Lake

Baumgartner places political loyalty above constituents

After Michael Baumgartner won the primary election on Aug 4, he dismissively said his opponent will not pose a difficult campaign since he had previously beaten her by 20%. That was his way of saying he will not campaign before the public this year.

The modern Republican party demands loyalty, and Baumgartner’s near-perfect alignment with Donald Trump’s executive agenda (99%) ignores the unique, localized needs of Washington’s 5th Congressional District and brands him a rubber stamp.

By supporting Trump’s aggressive border tariffs and the Iran War, Baumgartner fails to shield Eastern Washington’s vital agricultural sector from devastating global trade retaliation and increased costs. His compliance places political loyalty above local wheat growers, wine producers, and rural small businesses.

Furthermore, Baumgartner’s zealous backing of the Trump-endorsed SAVE America Act creates unnecessary, suppressive hurdles for rural voters, students, and elderly residents trying to access the ballot box. His environmental votes similarly match Trump’s agenda by rolling back critical clean air reviews and greenlighting aggressive extraction policies that threaten Pacific Northwest natural resources.

When confronted by a frustrated public at a Whitworth University town hall in March 2025, he deflected rather than addressing local concerns. He has not appeared before a general audience since.

-Dianna Michaels Colville

How are you helping freedom?

Here is an instance of the enemy being wholly outside of our country. Unlike today.

Learn what our country, America, did during WWII, to preserve our freedom.

In 1941, the U.S. was crawling out of a depression. America had to build the greatest war machine to fight Germany and Japan and save Freedom. This is what President FDR, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, did with corporate titans to stop the greatest evil the world had ever known. Four industrialists, William Boing, Henry Ford, Henry J. Kaiser and Pier Dupont had to build the arsenal of the free world.

FDR told them that we have to stop imperialist Japan and stop the German Nazis. The only way we can do this is together and learning what is at stake. The company you built and yearn to protect, won’t be here if they win. Your grandchildren won’t have freedom.

What America did next is the stuff of legends.

Henry J. Kaiser was responsible for major naval shipyards and Rosie the Riveter.

Boing built in record time, 98,000 Bombers, including the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress.

Henry Ford was building a B25s every 60 minutes.

Pier Dupont manufactured 50,000,000 hand grenades and The Atomic Bomb. He hired 130,000 people to extract the Plutonium for the Los Alamos test site.

Tell me now, are you proud to be an American? What are you doing to help keep our Freedom?

-Maureen Paterson Priest River

Nickels and dimes

The GOP has always been the party that raged about the deficit. The deficit will bankrupt our nation, crash our economy and ruin our lives.

However, history has shown massive budget deficits under Reagan Bush 1 and 2 and now Trump. The deficit shrank under Clinton, Obama and Biden. In all cases, the deficit was not eliminated.

Trump racked up nearly $7.8 trillion of national debt in his first term, prior to the Covid crisis. During the first 10 months of this fiscal year the debt rose $1.8 trillion and surpassed the same period in 2025.

Instead of working on debt reduction, the Administration and Congress has focused on massive tax breaks and large increases in defense spending. “Eliminating waste, fraud and abuse” by DOGE did not cut trillions as promised.

Trump quoted in 2018 “we’ll start paying off he debt like water.” In 2024 race “we’re going to pay off the $35 trillion in debt.” Now here we are today with the deficit plus inflation and a war not supported by most citizens.

Remember this when voting in November. Also remember, Congressman Baumgartner has supported Trump’s agenda.

-Robert W. Schutte Newport

Opinion page nearly caught on fire

Last week, I had to read The Miner quickly before it spontaneously burst into flames. Here are some thoughts.

The movie “2000 Mules” was sent to my home and I watched it. If you accept the premise of this political propaganda, hope that your cell phone wasn’t near a brothel. The guy who made the movie is a felon that was pardoned by Trump.

Parole boards that release convicts are not liberal and follow the laws governing paroles. Some paroled convicts reoffend or commit other crimes and that is unrelated to liberal policies. Please consider that every conviction doesn’t have prison for life without parole.

The Stock Market has record highs and that’s because we have a war with Iran, tariffs and Trump is president. If the market crashes tomorrow, it will be Biden’s fault.

The PUD mis-information officer Guest Opinion was telling in separating residential rate payers from companies that suck up millions of watts of our precious natural resource of public hydroelectric generated power. What would the PUD say if Merkle sold out to a company that wanted to put a nuclear waste incinerator at the old paper mill site? Would they ask, “how much power do you want”?

-Pete Scobby Newport

Thankful for data center information

I would like to express my thanks to Joe Hathaway, PIO, Pend Oreille PUD, and his article titled “The Facts About Data Centers and Your Electric Rates.” Additionally, I would like to acknowledge Gabrielle Feliciano, reporter for The Miner, and her article titled “What to Know About Data Centers in Pend Oreille County,” published in the August 12th edition of The Miner. Their comprehensive explanations provided clarity and effectively dispelled the prevalent misinformation about data centers. (Located in Pend Oreille County.)

Regrettably, the subject of data centers has become more politicized and used as a talking point, which can distort the data for the readers. In my personal opinion, I do not hold a strong stance on data centers. As a realist, I acknowledge they are here. However, considering the rapid pace of technological advancement, the utilization of electricity from public utilities and water sources may become obsolete in the foreseeable future. One example is the collaboration between Valar Atomics and Nvidia. BTW to those doomers and glumers, we have been in the digital ecosystem since the 1940s, yet here we are!

-Renee Webster Newport

It’s no secret that data centers have become a topic of conversation and controversy across the country. Whether we realize it or not, nearly all of us rely on them every day. They support online banking, streaming services, cloud storage, email, online shopping, social media, and increasingly, artificial intelligence. As demand for these digital services continues to grow, so does the need for facilities that power them.

That naturally raises questions about what this means for Pend Oreille County and, more importantly, whether residential customers will end up paying the bill.

At Pend Oreille PUD, we believe it’s important to separate two very different questions. One is whether a particular business should locate to our community, which is a discussion for residents, business owners, property owners and local governments. The other is how the PUD provides electric service if that business becomes a customer. This second question is the PUD’s responsibility, and it’s governed by long-standing policies designed to protect all ratepayers.

The most important fact to understand is this: large industrial customers like data centers do not increase electric rates for residential and small-business customers.

That’s because they are served differently than homes and small businesses.

Large industrial customers (the customer class that receives more than two average megawatts per hour) receive electric service under separate agreements tailored for high electric loads. Those agreements determine how electricity is supplied, how costs are assigned, and the customer’s financial responsibilities.

If new substations, transmission facilities, or other infrastructure are needed to serve a large customer, those costs are paid by the customer requesting the service, not by existing residential or small-business customers.

The electricity itself is handled differently as well.

Your PUD’s low-cost, long-term power resources are reserved for homes and small businesses under PUD policy. Large industrial customers do not receive that power. Instead, they purchase electricity on the wholesale market and pay the full cost of the energy they use. They also provide assurances for those purchases, such as prepaying for power, providing deposits, or securing a letter of credit. That means the financial risk of those purchases does not fall on other PUD customers.

Another question we’ve heard recently is whether Pend Oreille PUD should decide which types of businesses move into our county.

The answer is simple: that is not the PUD’s role.

Our responsibility is to provide safe, reliable electric service to eligible customers who meet our requirements and pay the costs associated with the service they request. Whether the customer is a family building a new home, a grocery store, a coffee shop, a manufacturer, or a data center, we apply the same policies fairly and consistently.

Every request for new or expanded electric service is carefully reviewed by our engineering staff to ensure the electric system can safely and reliably serve the additional load without negatively affecting other customers. If upgrades are required, the customer requesting the service is wholly responsible for those costs.

Finally, it’s important to understand what actually drives electric rates for residential and small business customers.

Like utilities across the country, Pend Oreille PUD faces rising operating costs, inflation, future power supply expenses, infrastructure investments, and increasing state and federal regulatory requirements. These are the factors that influence residential electric rates. Public utilities work best when customers, who are the true owners of this utility, understand how decisions are made. That’s why we believe in being transparent about our policies and explaining how they protect the people we serve.

The bottom line is straightforward. Large industrial customers pay for their own electricity, pay for the infrastructure required to serve them, and operate under separate agreements designed for their unique energy needs. They do not receive the PUD’s low-cost power reserved for homes and small businesses, and their electric usage does not increase residential electric rates.

Regardless of what anyone thinks about a particular business or industry, your PUD’s responsibility remains the same: to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while treating customers fairly and protecting the interests of all of our ratepayers. If you have questions about how our electric system works or how these policies protect your electric rates, we encourage you to contact us.

This isn’t new to us. I am among the disappointed folks who once believed Idaho was great. Our politicians are aware of the problem, but I look to them to join hands to fix the imbalance. The ‘Idaho Way’ to keep them in office seems to cut taxes for the wealthy, cut basic services for those less fortunate and reap the profits in order to dismantle our vision of what’s civil and fair.

We have lost doctors, our roads suffer, law enforcement needs help. Our kids are leaving for many of these reasons. I want to see Herndon, Rasor, and Jane Sauter, funded by the Freedom Foundation, replaced. They vote against taxes that fund basic principles. It’s time to vote for people who have skills and heart to lead without self interest and out-of-state money. Vote Kathryn Larsen, Karen Mathee, Steve Johnson. Vote! Your community is counting on you!

-Andrea Berliner Sandpoint

Spokane fires caused by liberal

agenda

We are smelling and living with the smoke of the fire, watching Spokane engulfed in flames. Many acres, and homes destroyed, 65,000 evacuated. The result of climate change. NBC reported, “Man accused of arson in biggest of 3 major fires in Spokane Washington. Spokane SWAT arrested Aaron Farinacci. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called the recent fires “worst natural disaster.”

In 2010 Farinacci shot and killed his own father in Mesa, Arizona. Farinacci was charged with premeditated murder. His lawyers got him off with manslaughter. After a 12 year prison sentence he came to the Pacific N/W which one YouTuber called “one of the last regions in North America you can still disappear into the mountains, forest or coastal wilderness and live on your own terms.” Spokane is called a “Sanctuary City”. The state of Washington has robust post-release mental health diversions and support programs. He had no job that was reported. His address was listed in the Sheriff Press Release as the psychiatric facility.

Farinacci is the walking, breathing embodiment of the progressive social experiment: a violently mentally ill convicted killer, released early, subsidized by the state, and left entirely unsupervised to wander the community.

-Karen Hanson Newport

Thank you for your vote

I am deeply grateful to everyone who voted for me in the primary and for the many kind words, encouragement, and expressions of support that have helped carry this campaign forward to the general election in November.

The confidence you have placed in me means more than I can express, and I do not take your trust lightly.

Serving in our community over the past eight years has been a calling for me. Knowing that so many of you share my desire for principled, responsible leadership is both encouraging and humbling.

This campaign has always been about responsible stewardship, reliable service, affordable rates, and remembering that the people of Pend Oreille County are the true owners of our PUD.

As we head toward November, I will continue working hard, attending meetings while listening carefully, answering questions, and doing everything I can to earn the confidence and vote of our entire county.

Thank you for standing with me. I am honored by your support and ready to keep moving forward together.

-Ernie Hood Newport Candidate for Pend Oreille PUD Commissioner, District 2

Democracy won’t work without your vote

My 45-year-old son doesn’t vote. His revelation triggered a deep discussion. Voting is our voice in a democracy. Yet voter apathy is growing in the US. People don’t trust that their vote counts. Can you imagine living in a country where you had no voice?

After our conversation, my son is now registered to vote. Encourage others to vote. Have the conversation. The topics we discussed were: Vote for the person representing your values, not just a party ticket.

One candidate will feel better than the other, even if they are not perfect.

Get to know your local politicians. Some really good people want to work for the good of the community. Go to open houses, local debates, fairs, etc. Talk to them.

Vote the whole ballot: I’m amazed that many voters don’t vote all of the way down the ticket. Read the voter pamphlet that registered voters receive.

Registration is easy. Go to voteidaho. gov. Request an absentee ballot or vote early at the county office.

And consider the INDEPENDENT movement, the candidates have no ties to the machine.

-Jane Hoover Priest River

Opinion versus facts

Viewpoint is just that. Opinions that sometimes coincide with the facts. Case in point, there is absolutely no evidence that asking for proof of citizenship to vote in Federal election with result in less voter turnout. It will result in less illegal voter turnout including illegal married women, so last week’s comments by Pete Scobby were partially correct. I’m sure he would have no objection to that fact.

With regards to “2000 Mules,” I don’t believe Pete actually took time to review the movie or couldn’t understand the concept. You don’t have to be a Trump supporter to want honest elections. While Mr. Scobby keeps trying to impose his negative views of tariffs, gas prices, and the Iran target practice demonstration, the U.S. stock market has a different viewpoint.

-K.C. Hunt Murfreesboro, Tennessee

National Parks

I appreciated the recent article on the National Parks in Washington state in the Spokesman Review. Our parks are priceless jewels in the park system, and their beauty and grandeur are recognized throughout the Northwest and indeed the entire world. More and more people are hiking their trails, climbing their mountains and enjoying their awe inspiring beauty. They attract visitors from other states and countries who inject significant dollars into area economies.

Despite the popularity of our parks, DOGE slashed management budgets by 25% in January of 2025 and ended the controlled entry reservation system designed to ease the overcrowding of roads, parking lots and visitors centers. As predicted then, today there are long lines for restrooms, which can lack toilet paper and other amenities. In addition to the budget cuts, park entrance fees have been redirected to the other Washington (DC that is) to pay for gold plating fountains and other vanity projects.

Our very own Representative Baumgartner voted to cut funding for maintenance, interpretive ranger talks, children’s programs, and public safety. Why? We would ask him, but he refuses to meet with the general public, instead holding invitation-only events. To save our parks, vote Baumgartner out.

-Deidre McAuliffe Loon Lake

Vote for non-Republicans Nov. 3

Are you better off than two years ago? Grocery prices. Gas. Rent. Health insurance. Fertilizer. Have your wages gone up? Is your social security guaranteed? This is what happens when big money rules the government. They take our taxes, and give them to big businesses and the wealthy, and take away our services.

Then there are the dangerous roads. What if you were trying to race to CDA, 90 minutes from Bonners Ferry, and an accident shut down the highway in both directions? It happens all the time.

Jim Woodward and Mark Sauter were working on these issues. Folks didn’t exercise their right to vote, and they lost their primaries. Now we have three Idaho Freedom Foundation funded candidates, Herndon, Rasor, and Jane Sauter (no relation to Mark) in the R column for November. Their platform includes eliminating property taxes, which fund public schools, road maintenance, veteran services, etc. More tax returns for the wealthy, less for public services.

We have excellent non-Republican alternatives: Steve Johnson vs Herndon, Kathryn Larson vs Rasor, and Karen Mathee vs Jane Sauter.

We need representatives who will work on critical issues affecting our quality of life here in North Idaho. Vote November 3!

-Kate Painter Bonners Ferry

Election security

Apparently Pete Scobby didn’t watch the documentary ‘2,000 Mules’ on fraud in the 2020 election. The media told him it was debunked so instead of doing an ounce of research, apparently he just took their word for it. When the truth comes out, people might be shocked. In Maricopa County, they discovered that 633K voter registration files were illegally obtained (hacked) just before the 2020 election. Who obtained them? Why? Domestic?

Noncitizens are showing up on voter rolls in several states. The excuse states use to hold voter rolls back is they don’t release ‘personal information.’ That’s not the only reason. Investigators just discovered deceased people and people who moved out of state still on voter rolls as well. Why? This is what they are finding in states that complied with DOJ. What will they find in the states that didn’t initially comply?

There are a slew of FBI election investigators in GA right now. I suspect we will hear soon on that outcome. They have found voting machines that are internet capable. Weren’t we told that couldn’t happen?

Was there enough fraud that could’ve flipped the 2020 election? Election security should be mandatory.

-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

We must address cause of wildland fires

After the Spokane Area Fire, what will we do to prevent a fire from burning our homes in wooded areas?

We are all going to pay for the Spokane fire with increased fire insurance premiums and the cost of the response and recovery with socialistic government infrastructure.

Wildland fires continue to be the greatest threat to our personal safety and property. Yet, our politics are mired with divisive cultural issues that consume our elections essentially blocking our ability to prevent and combat urban interface fires like the Oregon Road and Spokane Area fires.

No fire department can stop wildfires driven by 45 mph/100-degree winds and the dry fuel conditions we have during our summers. We shouldn’t be faced with a burned-out foundation where our home once stood or cancelled fire insurance.

Fire prevention is an essential function of any political government.

Fire burns any home regardless of the political afflation of its occupant. We all share the cost of fire safety and the risk to our life and property.

We must join with our fellow citizens to address the risk of wildland fires. We need a conference of citizens and government agencies to technically address this vital issue.

-Pete Scobby Newport

Rosencrantz fiddles, homeowners flee

On Tuesday, July 28th, the ashes from the Herbs Drive Fire were still warm when County Commissioner Robert Rosencrantz loudly voted “Nay” on the Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the County’s Wolfred County Park.

The Herbs Drive Fire, adjacent to the Wolfred County Park, sent at least one young mother scrambling for safety with three young children. This mom described her evacuation during Public Comment before the Commissioners – only one day before the vote – on July 27th.

How can any sane person not be aware of the fires in Spokane County, and the devastation and heartbreak they have caused? One need only smell the smoke and look to the red sunsets in the evening skies.

It’s difficult not to draw a parallel between Rome’s Emperor Nero and Commissioner Rosencrantz. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Rosencrantz obstructs while people flee their homes.

Rosencrantz would rather pander to special interest groups in search of votes than take the decisive actions necessary to prevent similar catastrophic fires in our county.

The record is clear. The “Nays” are resounding.

-Norm Smith Diamond Lake

Hopefully hospital offers less costly choice

I am saddened that the Hospital District’s bond measure has failed. I voted for the measure because I value the care I have received and appreciate the hospital’s proximity to my home. Yet I understand why the majority of voters may not have supported the measure. The cost of food, fuel and other necessities has stressed our financial budgets. The current political climate, and insecurity over our futures have stressed our senses of emotional wellbeing, optimism and hope. Adding another major, long-term cost, especially for those of us on fixed incomes, is too hard to consider.

So what do we do? Perhaps the Hospital District can offer a Plan B – one less extensive and less costly, but one that would cover the major needed upgrades. And we could elect lawmakers who would support rural hospitals and health care. Lawmakers who would represent the voters who elected them and not the companies who expect favors that enhance their bottom lines. Lawmakers committed to a government that works for more than just the wealthiest few.

In the meantime, let’s continue to help our neighbors when they need it and be the caring community that is a reason why we choose to live here.

-Mary Upshaw Newport

Obstacle to married women’s vote was coverture

In response to the writer of, “SAVE Act will reduce voter participation among married women” (Aug. 5 issue of The Miner).

It’s commendable that you admitted to including false information in your letter. Which edition was this? I couldn’t find a June 6th edition in 2026. Regardless, you now attempt to deviate from your original subjective belief by pivoting to another misguided cherry-picking fallacy as usual. The main obstacle to married women’s suffrage was not the legal requirements in their Constitution, but the English law of “coverture.” Moreover, those same requirements in their Constitution affected all races and sexes. BTW, I couldn’t locate the term “property” in their Constitution regarding voting rights; obviously, the writer didn’t read the document.

The 1807 revision of their Constitution revoked women and Black people’s voting rights due to various factors. It is intriguing how the writer deliberately omitted these factors, such as the Democratic- Republicans “concern about the voting patterns of women and Black people, who frequently supported the opposing Federalist Party.” I find it interesting that the Democratic- Republicans were the precursor to the Democratic Party (LOL). It’s also amusing to see the writer’s conscious refusal to accept that the US is a constitutional republic incorporating democratic principles. (SMH) -Renee Webster Newport

Sometimes I feel the stereotype associated with classical music still permeates small town culture. That it’s a genre for those in a tax bracket that turns its nose up at the more edgy, earthy kinds of music like rock n’ roll and country. That, like Shakespeare, it’s a language only the intelligentsia can comprehend, and that’s a talent you’re either born into or buy your way into, thank you very much. Since we’re a family-oriented newspaper, I won’t use the word I think best refutes that thought process. Instead, I’ll just say such notions are ridiculous and untrue. I remember the very first time I heard Mozart’s Don Giovanni finale. It was summer and I was still in grade school. My brother William was off somewhere with a friend. Dad turned on a Time Life Great Composers cassette he had gotten in the mail. I don’t recall the first few pieces we listened to, but at some point my parents went outside to do an errand or greet a visitor and I stayed inside. It’s hard to describe the feelings I had next without sounding like a pretentious boob, so I’ll put it bluntly.

I was equal parts frightened and fascinated. We were a long way from the Burl Ives I was used to, bless him. I had never heard music like Don Giovanni before. Deft and dramatic, vast yet detailed. Part of me wanted to run outside into the sunshine for the comfort of my parents’ presence; the other part of me had to hear how this opera played out. I didn’t have the vocabulary for it, and I still don’t speak Italian, but I knew something was going on in this music, something big and outside of my comprehension, but so compelling that I had to sit there in a corner of the dining room and just let it roll through me.

One of the best things you can give yourself, and children, is a love for the arts. You might’ve heard me mention before that I owe my parents for instilling me with that curiosity and passion. We were not rich, far from it. But we were wealthy in music, books, and any free performance art event or educational lecture that my parents had the time and energy to pack my brother and me off to.

Dad, who was partially deaf due to being an artilleryman in Vietnam, liked music with crisp, finite layering in its production and if there was singing, he appreciated enunciation with a clear voice. It’s one of the reasons I think he leaned towards classical music.

Thanks to him and mom, I was introduced to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Handel’s Water Music, Rossini’s William Tell Overture, and yes, Mozart. It’s an affinity that I take with me everywhere, even when I’m not accessing my playlist. Though if there’s anything better than listening to music, it’s listening to it live.

On that note, you may have heard (or read in last week’s newspaper) that the Newport Creative District is asking for financial pledges to help bring the Spokane Symphony to Newport in spring of 2027. The goal is to include a small group, classroom experience to Newport school students followed by an orchestral concert for the community. The concert will be scheduled once the District has reached the pledge goal of $25,000.

Yep, this is a shameless plug, but I hope you’ll find it as worthy a cause as I do. No amount is too small. The arts are intrinsic to our thriving, not just surviving. They can help knit communities together and enrich lives.

But don’t believe me. Come to the symphony next spring and see it for yourself.

For more information and/or to make a pledge, go to www.newportcreativedistrict. com.

SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.

Both Trump and Baumgartner frequently brag about all the bold moves Trump has made to “better” our economy, but when rising costs on every front (rent, groceries, fuel, health care, the list feels endless) are rightfully explained as the result of Trump’s erratic decisions, ever-changing tariffs, military aggression, and destruction of federal standards, suddenly it’s that other guy’s fault? Not the one who’s been bragging about all his power and decisions for the last 14 months, no not this guy, the retired one.

Do they really think that you and I are so ignorant we can’t see this as insultingly blatant deceit and misdirection? You are smarter than that, and you can choose not to support this hypocrisy in the midterms.

-Jessica Adams Colville

A ‘Deadly Accident

Waiting to Happen’

Regarding the major intersection in Oldtown at Hwy 2 and Albeni Falls Building Supply, Ace Hardware, and the Rotary Park, someone is going to get killed there; it’s just a matter of time.

A simple Traffic Circle, similar to the one on Hwy. 2 at Costco, would be a cost-effective solution.

No high-cost lighting, just paint, signs and hump in the middle.

The interchange is a major accident just waiting to happen.

This type of quick government expenditure will be welcomed by us all.

-Joel Jacobsen Newport

Perfect Storm brewing

We are increasingly being forced to adopt artificial intelligence without our explicit consent, as AI begins to manipulate and permeate nearly every device we own. Whether navigating business, banking, entertainment, shopping, or healthcare, we are systematically being pulled into a digital ecosystem we never asked for.

As a direct result of this forced integration, massive, energy & water- thirsty data centers are amassing like locusts across the United States. This national expansion has now reached our doorstep, with Pend Oreille County targeted as a potential data center home. What is brewing here is a local data center storm, one that some are already calling the “perfect storm” for our community.

Because these technological pressures and infrastructural demands are intensifying, local communities must actively determine how to manage these developments and voice their expectations directly to elected officials. Without deliberate civic engagement and proactive local governance, communities risk facing severe environmental, economic, and social consequences driven by an impending digital infrastructure crisis. In other words, a “perfect storm.”

-Phyllis J. Kardos Chair, Responsible Growth * NE Washington Newport

SAVE Act will shrink voter participation for married women

In the June 6 issue of The Miner, I wrote, “When the Constitution was passed, our country was far less democratic. Only propertied or tax paying white males could vote - not women, Blacks, or Indigenous. We are much more democratic now.”

In response to this statement, one person wrote that I needed to check the New Jersey constitution. I did, and it turns out that in 1776 New Jersey was the only colony to give some women the right to vote. “Some women” means single and widowed women who owned property; married women were excluded. But alas, New Jersey legislators rescinded all women’s right to vote in 1807.

Thank you for the correction but my underlying conclusion remains the same – that we are now more democratic than we were at the beginning of our democratic republic.

That could change. The Republican- backed SAVE Act could shrink voter participation for married women by requiring they present documentary proof of citizenship; name changes due to marriage could present a significant hurdle for many. Reminds me of New Jersey in 1776 when married women were excluded, then 1807 when all women were denied. Power to the men! Thanks GOP. (LOL) -Sandy Nichols Newport

Communism comparison useless hyperbole

Comparing PUD Commissioners to Soviet Commissars would be offensive if it weren’t so ridiculous. Claiming that residential ratepayers paid for relicensing Box Canyon Dam has it all wrong. The truth is that one of those “favored contracts” negotiated by the PUD meant Ponderay Newsprint Company paid most of those costs. And suggesting that special purpose districts in Washington State governed by locally elected non-partisan peasants are communist is useless hyperbole and needless provocation at their worst.

-Dan Peterson Diamond Lake

Fauci refused to answer any questions

Dr. Fauci recently testified before a Senate Committee regarding COVID, vaccines and conduct during COVID and years before and after. He read his opening statement saying this was Sen. Rand Paul’s retribution. When questions began, his attorney tried to answer for him. Capitol Police finally removed his attorney from the room under applause. Fauci went on to plead the 5th 111 times. He even pleaded the 5th when asked what color his tie was, the color of the carpet, and what day of the week it was. He didn’t answer one question.

What did we learn? Based on the questions and Fauci’s diary that he emailed himself on a government computer, he knew about the lableak, Gain-of-Function research and was in a deep cover-up on vax safety. He appeared to be up to his neck in corruption along with others.

Remember, Biden pardoned Fauci by auto-pen. The rule was to answer questions truthfully as he had immunity from prosecution. He took the 5th under his attorney’s advice. That tells me that anything signed by auto-pen might not stand up to scrutiny. Hunter’s pardon was the only one signed by Biden’s hand. The rest were by auto-pen.

-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Voter fraud claims don’t make sense

Glen Pierce used “half an ounce” of research ability to use the debunked “2,000 Mules” documentary as evidence of voter fraud. He needs to rent the fictional documentary “2,000 Elephants” to find 2,000 Republicans with mental illness simply because their cell phone was tracked multiple times near a mental health clinic.

Glen, why don’t you object to all the Republicans who have been elected in our community with help from what you call voter fraud? We have mail-in voting and ballot drop boxes, which is the foundation for most Republican voter fraud claims.

Do you believe that Trump lost the 2020 election from Democratic voter fraud and the down ballot Republican candidates won in spite of that alleged fraud?

I believe that if Trump said the Earth was flat, Glen would write a letter supporting it. Just look at any farm field in the Midwest and see that the Earth is flat as far as you can see.

Glen suggests that Trump is going to declare a national emergency and seize ballot boxes as a pretext to halting or changing the November election results. The election will be a referendum about Trump’s failing Iran War, gasoline prices and tariff policies.

-Pete Scobby Newport

There was a lot of talk about Biden’s age during the last presidential race, and rightly so. He was 81 years old, and showing his age in several ways – lack of stamina, memory lapses, etc. He was our oldest sitting president ever. And yet our other choice was only 3 years younger, and currently at age 80, will soon be our even more oldest sitting president. Since Trump’s first term, his health has deteriorated some, as you would expect a senior citizen’s health to do. But since he took office in 2024, his mental health has plummeted. He has fallen asleep during a LOT of meetings, has problems with memory, makes slack faces, has strange bruising, can’t keep all his facts straight – multiple signs of dementia there. He surely doesn’t seem fit, from his actions and words.

I love my elderly parents and neighbors. But their aging brains and bodies shouldn’t be in charge of one of the world’s most powerful countries. We (and the world) deserve better.- Meg Lyman Deer Park

Election fraud

Wow! It didn’t take WA’s Secretary of State (SoS) long to respond to Trump’s speech about fraud in our elections. The fact that several SoS’s put out OP Eds tells me that they may have been pre-written and ready to go. Trump told us ahead of time what his speech would be about. They are in full panic mode, trying to get ahead of the narrative.

Anybody with half an ounce of research ability knows there has been fraud in our elections for years. It was even said that JFK was elected by fraud. This is nothing new. Anybody that doesn’t think there is fraud, go rent the documentary ‘2,000 Mules.’ You can watch it happen on security camera footage. Several days after Trump’s speech, they found thousands of non-citizens on New Jersey’s voter rolls. That’s why they don’t want DOJ looking at voter rolls. When was the last Republican Governor elected in WA State? Right before we went to mail-in voting.

I think one of a couple of things may happen prior to the mid-terms. Congress passes the ‘Save America Act’ or Trump calls a National Security Threat from foreign interference. I could be wrong.

-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Enough is enough

I have serious concerns about Proposition 1 and the proposed $51 million bond for Newport Community Hospital.

I understand the need for a good local hospital, and I appreciate the care provided by the people who work there. But we need to ask a simple question: Can our community afford another major tax increase?

The proposal is described as costing approximately $37 per month—or $444 per year—for a home valued at $300,000. That is a significant new expense, particularly in a county where many residents are seniors living on fixed incomes.

And the timing could hardly be worse. Property owners are already facing substantial increases in assessed valuations and, consequently, higher property tax bills. In our case, our assessed value increased 26.5%. Now we’re being asked to approve another long-term tax obligation on top of those increases.

The hospital may be dated, but it is currently serving our community.

Before committing taxpayers to $51 million in new debt for up to 30 years, shouldn’t we be looking carefully at less expensive alternatives, phasing improvements over time, seeking other funding sources, or determining what is truly essential?

There is only so much money to go around. Every new tax, bond, and fee comes out of the same family budget— and many of us are already paying more than enough.

-Scott Roberts Newport

Look at hospital, PUD for communism

Letter writer Kamori Cattadoris has it all wrong about Democrats being a communist threat. She needs to look at our PUD for her concern about communism. The PUD owns the dam, substations, and powerlines for monopolistic electrical distribution. It has three commissioners, much like they had commissars in the former Soviet Union. These ‘commissars’ raised our electrical rates and awarded contracts to favored crypto miners, data center and Clark County. We peasants paid for the infrastructure that the favored customers now enjoy for free.

Who does Kamori think paid for the federal dam relicensing which included replacing the expensive dam turbines? The residential rate payers paid because the crypto, data mining and Clark County customers didn’t exist so the burden fell on the peasant ratepayers.

There isn’t a single elected Democrat to blame for our current electrical rate which is now raised annually. The favored contract customers don’t pay the rate increases as they have locked-in low contract rates.

Also, look at our communist public hospital for another example of local communist rule. Who is going to pay for the hospital upgrade? Perhaps Kamori would like our public hospital sold to a multi-national capitalist corporation who would sell off the assists and close it.

-Pete Scobby Newport

Housing bill shows Trump’s priorities

A notable action has recently happened in Congress and it should be getting more attention. In early 2025, Sen. Tim Scott, a conservative Republican from S. Carolina and Elizabeth Warren, the liberal Democrat from Mass., both leaders on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, got together and forged a comprehensive housing bill. Both parties are well aware that there is a major housing crisis and both want to be able to brag about a solution before the election in Nov.

The bill had to be haggled over for most of a year and the two houses had to make compromises, but by late June 2026, they had agreed and the final vote was 358-32 in the House and 85-5 in the Senate.

But Pres. Trump would not approve the bill, even though by approving it by more than a 2/3 majority, the Congress could override a presidential veto and the bill would, and did, become law on July 11. So Trump did not veto the bill but he refused to sign it.

Mysteries abound. He could have been on the winning side in this but he chose not to help out low and middle-income folks while insisting that his unconstitutional SAVE (bogus election intrusions) act should have been approved before the housing bill. Priorities?

-John Stuart Newport

OLYMPIA — As expected, the information presented yesterday does not change the fact that claims of widespread election fraud have been repeatedly disproven. What we heard last night sounds like concern about election security, when in fact this administration has dismantled the critical federal cybersecurity programs that support our elections. We have been aware of and responding to foreign nation-state attempts on our election systems since before the 2016 general election. In the past year, cuts to federal programs supporting state election security have created gaps in federal and state election security coordination. In the worst-case scenario, sustaining cybersecurity support for our office and all 39 Washington counties will require $3 million annually.

The federal administration has also attempted to condition elections funding on states meeting new and unfounded election requirements. Conditioning funding is an unwarranted delay to receive federal support for preventing, protecting against, or responding to known and documented acts of terrorism and other threats.

At the same time, the administration is pushing states to participate in the SAVE system, which is demonstrably unreliable and inaccurate. A U.S. District Court ruled June 25 that it is no longer authorized for use.

Protecting the integrity of our elections includes protecting voters’ private info. Under Washington state law, the last four digits of an individual’s Social Security number, driver’s license number, and full date of birth are protected. Any state or local election officer who discloses this private voter information may be charged with a class C felony. We do not release voters’ protected information – despite receiving unlawful demands from the DOJ.

Election officials take voter eligibility and fraud seriously and investigate every allegation. While questions may arise following tonight’s address, Washington has well-established processes for maintaining accurate voter rolls and protecting the integrity of our elections.

The facts in Washington remain unchanged. Election officials implement security and transparency at every step of the election process. Ballots are tracked, voter signatures are verified, election systems are tested before and after elections. Results are subject to multiple audits and review to ensure every eligible voter’s ballot is counted accurately.

Members of the public can watch this process firsthand at their county elections office.

Washington state has a proven track record of running secure, accurate, and transparent elections. Telling the same lies over and over again does not make them true.

Raising the salary and benefits package seven months after hiring Chris Jones completely contradicts that logic. This backward timeline creates the distinct impression that the board hired Jones, realized a higher salary could have secured better talent, and is now retroactively adjusting the budget.

How does that make sense? Our community deserves transparency from the PUD board on why this search was poorly planned from the start, and why stakeholders are adjusting the financial goalposts after the fact.

Beth Anheier Newport

Take back our country!

In my observation, the DSA (“Democratic” Socialists of America) are beginning to show their true colors. Even readers of the NYT and the Washington Post can catch a glimpse. Suddenly DSA candidates are taking the Democrat Party by storm, proudly declaring their loyalty to that platform. They promote nothing short of tearing up our constitution and installing a new system of governance where the most powerful positions are appointed, rather than elected. In short: communism.

Historians have understood that socialism is an inch-by-inch stepping stone to communism. They use information warfare and unconventional warfare to infiltrate and gradually set the stage for a total upheaval – a revolution from within. We can already see their methods employed in our country: 1) Overwhelm the native population by mass immigration. 2) Compromise the media, then provoke polarized divisiveness and paint the current administration black. 3) DSA political candidates exploit the disadvantaged by promising “free” everything. 4) When sufficient infiltration is accomplished through elections, hiring and appointing cronies, and enough of the population have been propagandized, they instigate an insurrection.

Thankfully, enough independent journalists are able to publish on free-speech media that people worldwide are waking up to this crisis.

-Kamori Cattadoris Newport

Under the Radar

While we point and laugh at the reflecting pool and ballroom, the Trump administration continues to wreak havoc with societal norms in the background. These policies won’t make steak or gas cheaper! They will, however, lower the quality of life for the average American.

First up: new rules allowing guns to be sold by mail over the internet, bypassing screening designed to limit sales to children and criminals. Another rule change would allow people with a history of mental illness to possess firearms.

Next, rule changes putting political appointees in charge of all government grants. So research working for a cure for herpes or cancer, wildfire mitigation or even childcare will now be controlled by political appointees who’s only job qualification is how much they bribed Trump.

Then there’s a rule change specifying that only the federal government can sue polluters for violations of clean air and water standards. Under the proposed rule change it might be up to a former Fox News reporter to decide whether such polluting would be worthy of objection.

While Trump fearmongers about communists, he sponsors price controlled discount gas and his government buys stock in private companies. Truly the twilight zone!

-Gloria Coppock Chewelah

Supporting hospital bond is investment in community

I strongly support the hospital bond because it is an investment in the health, safety, and future of our community. Our hospital has served us well, but its facilities are no longer adequate.

This bond will fund needed improvements that will benefit every patient. A top priority is expanding the Emergency Department, including dedicated behavioral health space. This will create a safer, more appropriate environment for patients in crisis and improve safety for patients, visitors, and staff.

The bond will also add new operating rooms, improving surgical care and helping obstetrical patients who need emergency C-sections stay close to home. Other important upgrades include new laboratory and physical therapy spaces, a permanent MRI in radiology, and relocating the on-site pharmacy.

These improvements will expand access to care and create the potential to add chemotherapy services in the future, sparing patients and families long trips for treatment. I am voting yes on the hospital bond. Together, we can build a healthier future for our community.

Lynnette Elswick Board Chair Newport Hospital & Health Services

Mail ballot back early

You recently received your primary election ballot in the mail. It is time to remind everyone that the US Postal Service established new policies effective last Jan. 1 that changed the timeframe for how mail is postmarked. Currently our mail is transported to Spokane for postmarking meaning at least a one-day delay (or more) between the time you mail it until it actually is postmarked. This means that mailing your ballot on election day will likely result in your vote NOT counting.

To account for this, the USPS recommends returning mail ballots at least 5 days prior to election day. Alternatively, you can drop a completed ballot into ballot drop boxes located throughout the county up to 8 p.m. on election day. For locations, you can reference the mailed voter’s guide or call the Pend Oreille County elections office at 509-447-6472. Lastly, you can present your ballot on election day at your local post office and request a hand postmark.

Our mail voting system is supervised by trained professionals and has a nearly flawless history of security and accuracy. We can all do our parts to assist them by getting our completed ballots returned in a timely manner.

-Roger Haick Loon Lake

Writer misses his pal

I am now 2,100 miles from Newport but still receiving the Miner. I already miss bantering with local people with opposite points of view. Watching President Trump’s speech on last Thursday I wondered if Citizen Scobby would be accepting of any of his comments or rhetoric.

Well, not really. Regarding the economy, I know his response would be it’s not that good. Regarding Iran, we are killing civilians and should never have attacked in the first place. Regarding the Save America Act he would say there is no need for proof of citizenship to vote in Federal elections.

A bold argument with 80% of Americans saying we need to have honest elections. BTW he did say there was no problem with illegal aliens crossing our southern border. How has that worked out? Murderers, rapists, assaults, thefts, all across America. He would ask, would I feel better if those crimes were committed by American citizens? Point is they would never have happened if the illegals were not here. Yes, I will miss the interaction and my pal Pete.

-K.C. Hunt Murfreesboro, TN

Save America, vote for Democrats

I just filled out my ballot. Our country really needs Democratic leadership. What we have is not leadership. What we have right now is someone trying to keep his worthless, crooked ass out of prison. They would let our country burn to the ground instead of being honest about one single thing.

Vote blue! Save America!

-Jeannie Hutchins Newport

Do the math on hospital bond

Yesterday we received a mailer regarding the Newport Hospital’s proposed expansion and improvement. I found it to be truthful but a bit deceptive.

Under the heading “What will this cost?” it states that a property assessed at $300,000 will have an increase of an estimated $37 in monthly property taxes. If my math is correct, and it is, that means an increase of $444 per year for 30 years, and that’s if your assessment never increases. Believe me, proper- ty owners in this county have been experiencing huge gains in assessed values for a few years now, and it isn’t likely to start going down anytime soon. Do the math for yourself, multiply $1.47 times each $1,000 of your assessed value, you just might be surprised. I say make some improvements but scale it way back.

-WL Mitchell Newport

Vote with confidence

Last week’s letters to the editor provided a segue to discussing election fraud.

Trump blames his loss in 2020 on fraud, claims that lack legal evidence.

Trump is just plain a sore loser but uses the 2020 “stolen” election claims as a test of loyalty amongst his fans – a modern version of the story “The Emperor Has No Clothes.” A couple of months ago Marianne Nichols (Pend Oreille County Auditor) appeared at an informational public town hall in Newport and discussed her department’s procedures to ensure that voters’ ballots are counted correctly. To those of you that fear for election integrity I would strongly recommend you express your concerns to the County Auditor’s office; I think you will be amazed, as I was, at how thorough and carefully our ballots are handled.

The issue is not that voting fraud exists – it does, but rather how prevalent is it and how much do the “solutions” to preventing voting fraud instead restrict legitimate voters.

Last night, July 16, 2026, Trump again attacked our elections. I have little doubt he will declare a national emergency this Fall, post ICE agents at polling stations, and seize ballots.

Please vote with confidence in our election.

-Sandy Nichols Newport

Our time to shine

The Washington State primary elections are coming August 4, and ballots are in the mail.

Elections are important because all eligible citizens can choose their representatives in local, state, and federal offices.

We also vote on initiatives and other ballot measures.

Citizens are stakeholders! Elections are our opportunity to make our voices heard to determine the path forward for our country- politically, economically, and socially.

Such is the power of our vote! First time voters may still register. All voters may find sos.wa.gov/ elections a valuable resource.

Engaging with, and supporting, our community through protests and marches is visible, uplifting, and influential. However, voting is the key to affecting change; voting is our fundamental right and responsibility.

If you support high gas and grocery prices, shrinking health care and housing availability and affordability, then you will vote to maintain the status quo. If you support an administration that is focused on retribution and self-enrichment while stealing from its citizens, then you will vote for the status quo.

However, if you envision a different government – one being of the people, by the people, and most importantly for the people, then you must vote for immediate, transformational change.

-Julie Rose Deer Park

Repeating falsehoods makes us all dumber

The Trump MAGA propaganda of “free and fair elections” brainwashed two letter writers last week. This is abuse of language intended to make voters believe in political fantasy. Trump uses words like a mass shooter uses bullets. The words go into our brains, and we become programmed mostly like that jingle saying, “1-800 cars for kids.” Hear it enough and you can’t get it out of your brain.

We find ourselves believing in things that never happened or don’t exist. I often engage with strangers and after a few minutes, I can identify such programming. Voter ID is a farce and has zero to do with free and fair elections. If you need ID to confirm who you are to yourself, family and friends, then you don’t know who you are. At some point Trump will want a fingerprint card and DNA sample to vote.

How else can we prevent people with fake ID from voting in our place?

I implore fellow letter writers to stop abusing language by repeating political programming.

Please stop believing that an election isn’t fair unless your candidate wins.

Every time that Trump claims a stolen election, we all lose thousands of brain cells.

-Pete Scobby Newport

They have many resources and connections to programs designed to help.

For example, there are many options for the elderly or disabled to remain in their home, if they wish. Meals, transportation, in-home care and caregiver support, as well as physical modifications to the home, such as bathroom equipment, or wheelchair ramps can significantly improve the quality of life for them and their families. Programs are available to help with caregiving, information, referrals and answers to questions about Medicare and Medicaid.

Anyone in need of medical equipment, hearing aids, assistance with prescriptions, eyeglasses, help with medical insurance or legal aid can be connected to resources.

If you are caring for relatives’ children, there are many ways to gain assistance and receive support.

Signing up for Washington state workers’ tax credit can add money to families who qualify.

Another important service is connecting those who may be eligible for veteran benefits. Some may think they do not qualify, when, in fact, they do. Some have wrongfully been denied benefits, and can actually qualify, including reimbursements for benefits denied from the time they originally applied.

Many problems people encounter can be reduced or eliminated through connections with the appropriate social service agencies or organizations. There is no charge for this service.

If you would like to be a part of this team, stop by, call 509 292 9483, or email at CamdenGrangeResource-Team@outlook.com and leave a message.

As President of the Board for Pend Oreille PUD, I take seriously my responsibility to communicate with the public about the Board’s decisions. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to questions and concerns about the recent adjustment to the General Manager’s compensation. Public questions are not only welcome, but they’re also very important. That said, several claims circulating in our community are simply inaccurate, and I believe it’s important to provide some context and clarify the facts.

First, the idea that the Board “ignored” or “disregarded” the General Manager’s contract is simply not true. The employment agreement sets an initial salary and outlines an annual performance review process. It also gives the Board the authority to evaluate compensation over the course of the agreement when appropriate. The General Manager is evaluated annually, just like every employee at the PUD. That’s been standard practice for decades. Washington law allows performance evaluations in executive session, and we followed that long-established, lawful process.

I also want to say something about the broader conversation taking place. I encourage people to ask questions and get the facts before sharing accusations or rumors on social media, in local newspapers, or around the county. We see too much misinformation in today’s society, and it doesn’t serve anyone well. Our community deserves thoughtful conversations based on facts, not assumptions. The PUD has always been committed to being transparent about its decisions, and that won’t change.

The Board’s decision was based on the belief that the General Manager’s compensation should better reflect today’s utility industry and the responsibilities of leading an organization as complex as Pend Oreille PUD. The truth is that the General Manager’s salary had gradually fallen out of alignment with similarly sized public utilities in Washington and around the region. When compensation falls too far behind comparable organizations, it becomes much harder to remain competitive for experienced utility leaders. Replacing a General Manager is neither a quick nor inexpensive process, and periods of leadership transition can slow important projects, disrupt long-term planning, and create unnecessary costs. Addressing the issue now was the more responsible long-term approach. This decision was made with the interests of the PUD and the people we serve in mind, not the convenience of any one individual.

We understand that many families in Pend Oreille County are feeling financial pressure. We don’t take that lightly. This adjustment represents a very small fraction of the PUD’s overall budget and has no impact on customer rates. During my nearly 25 years on the Board, we’ve remained committed to responsible financial management, and today our customers continue to enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in our region. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of careful planning, sound financial decisions, and a commitment to doing what’s best for our customers.

Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that steady leadership helps avoid costly disruptions, complete major projects and keep the PUD on the right track. Those benefits ultimately serve our customers well.

It’s also important to understand how executive compensation affects the rest of the organization.

When the top of the pay scale falls too far behind the market, it creates compression throughout the entire non-union pay structure. Maintaining competitive compensation is essential to attracting and retaining the skilled employees who operate, maintain and support our utility every day. A strong workforce helps keep the PUD safely staffed, protects institutional knowledge, and positions us to provide reliable service to our customers.

The Board has already acknowledged that there are opportunities to strengthen our evaluation process, and we’re committed to doing that. But suggestions that the Board failed in its duty or acted without integrity simply don’t reflect what happened. We followed the same lawful evaluation process we’ve used for years, considered market information and organizational needs, and made a decision consistent with our responsibility to act as responsible stewards of the utility and its ratepayers.

At the end of the day, I believe we all want the same thing: a PUD that is financially responsible, well-managed, dependable, and focused on serving this community for the long term. That’s the responsibility the Board takes seriously with every decision we make, and it will continue to guide us.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to stay engaged, ask questions, and seek accurate information. Our community deserves nothing less.

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

I am still in shock after reading in our local paper about The 7B Pregnancy Services! I am giving a huge shout out to our local hospital, the doctor who refused to sign, Kim Manus, Jenny Smith and everyone who knew this was a violation to all women.

I guess, I was not registering the severity of Roe vs Wade, the overturn of it? Living in Washington State we can’t even understand. This is why we can’t back down to right wing religious whack jobs!

Why and how do our sisters believe they are of lesser value than their male counterparts? We all need to rise, protect, love our sisters, celebrate all women, help them, save them, healthcare for all situations, protect contraceptives.

Let them know pregnancy can only happen when sperm is introduced to their bodies! It is not God’s wish for you to be raped or be a mother against your wish! It is science, cells, sperm & an egg!

Protect, Fight, and know we are all equals!

The shear shock of this article!

Thank you to The Miner Newspaper & Sophia Aldous for bringing this story to us!

Cindy Boober Newport

Miscommunication

Dear Sandy Nichols: I’m so sorry, but judging by your July 8 letter, you misunderstood the intent of my letter explaining “why Republicans insist that the USA is a Republic and not a Democracy.” First: I’m not a “Republican.” I voted “Democrat” all my life until the party left me behind with its extremism. In my opinion, the polarized divisiveness between us is stoked by propaganda passed off as “news.” The tone in your letter seems to address me as an adversary; that makes me sad.

Second: conservatives and independents like myself are not trying to “destroy confidence in our elections” by correctly stating that we are a Constitutional Republic form of government (that, yes, employs democratic methods). I was genuinely curious why conservatives kept saying that, so I did the research and reported it. I’m a nerd; I question everything and love doing research.

Third: I began research into documentation of election irregularities when conservatives first reported it; I wanted to verify for myself. I have found lots of evidence, including security videos, statistics, and improper ballots. We want those problems corrected so that yes, we can have free and fair elections. We are on the same team!

Kamori Cattadoris Newport

Proud of our president’s support of children

I have been a long time advocate for the pro-life movement. Today the news of the trumpaccounts.gov for every child born is great news.

For those born in low-income zip codes there is even more.

Our nation has been in a non-sustainable birth survival rate ever since the championing of death to the unborn by the Democratic Party and Roe vs Wade. The Trump Accounts will encourage parents to birth their children and revive our population. We may even thank our local legislators for a county wide land use plan that insures our local zip code of remaining in the low economic rate.

Our President, Donald J Trump, initiated a plan for our children to be able to have an economic future without government interference.

The private accompanying by investors like Dell (6.25 billion dollars) and SpaceX (2 million stocks) are encouraging many others to come along side for the children.

There are no overpaid “professionals,” (government employees) extracting funds from the accounts. I am proud of our President. He has accomplished so much more than any president in the past century.

Trad media refuses to report it.

Karen Hanson Newport

Fire Congress

My last two letters to The Miner addressed my concerns about the US democracy deniers and the connection to attacking the integrity of our election system. Today I see that Trump fired two members of the Election Assistance Commission, making this commission useless. He is seeking to delegitimate our election system to protect the almost inevitable midterm election Republican losses – due in reality to high consumer prices and an unpopular war of choice with Iran.

However, on the other side of election integrity are those officials we elect to protect our elections.

Notables are Raffensperger of Georgia and our own Marianne Nichols (no relation) of Pend Oreille County. Marianne Nichols was recently recognized by our State Governor for her outstanding and long-term public service. I have come to regard most election officials as the true guardians of democracy.

I think we should fire all members of Congress and replace them with people selected from the pool of election officials.

Sandy Nichols Newport

Democrats held to higher standards

How is it that the Democratic senate candidate from Maine is unacceptable over his sexual conduct while Trump got elected twice despite his sexual misconduct?

Democrats must have candidates and elected officials that are free of any misconduct while Republicans don’t follow any self-imposed standard.

Democrats forced the Maine senate candidate to withdraw and will likely lose the election and not regain the senate majority. Frankly, I don’t see a difference when the moral bar has been set so low by Trump. Elections are about political power and not sexual morality.

Democrats shoot themselves in the political foot by eliminating candidates that have sexual misbehavior.

Our incumbent congressman could have a sexual abuse issue and would still win the election over a high-minded Democrat. They say we go high when Republicans go low, but the Republican still wins.

Democrats get the seats in the back of the room, and the majority Republicans sit at the head table.

I would rather see a flawed Democrat at the head table representing the interests of ordinary citizens than a Republican that votes for his ultra rich sponsors. The three richest men in America were in the front row at Trump’s inauguration.

Pete Scobby Newport

More cognitive bias-driven opinions

Let’s examine the letter titled “We are a Democratic Republic.” The writer previously stated, “We are a representative democracy.” Now, they claim we are a “democratic republic.” What form of government is it this week? Additionally, I would like to know who “we” are? They opine, “they seek to destroy our confidence in the election system.”

The writer neglected to provide evidence from previous letters related to this subject to support that claim. That’s a departure from the original definition of a government. Consequently, I am compelled to conclude that this appears to be yet another instance of cognitive bias-driven opinions. The writer also mentions the assertion that “at the time of Thomas Jefferson, only property-owning or tax-paying white males could vote.” This statement is a blatant half-truth intended to convey a specific implication. The writer should consult New Jersey’s 1776 State Constitution and other state constitutions from the same era. “The foundation of this democracy is confidence in free and fair elections.” Actually, democracy’s bedrock principles are that political power belongs to the people, allowing citizens to exercise authority directly or through elections. This ensures government decisions reflect the collective will while safeguarding individual rights.

Renee Webster Newport

Toxic waste

We’ve known about the Hanford Nuclear Reservation being at the top of the list for Super Fund sites in the hemisphere. The work has been ongoing for years with efforts to contain the radioactive material and prevent its migration toward the Columbia River. In their infinite wisdom, House Republicans proposed an additional $55 million reduction from the Cleanup Fund on top of the $300 million reduction requested by the Trump administration.

This is most likely a knee-jerk reaction to pay for the costs incurred by Donald Trump’s war of choice against Iran.

When asked to oppose this, Michael Baumgartner replied with little more than platitudes. His commitment was to closely monitor any developments that might affect progress and to keep my concerns in mind. Given his voting record of toeing the Republican line, I doubt he will do little more than monitor this environmental disaster as it happens and then vote according to party mandate to cut funding.

It seems as though Michael Baumgartner’s “concerns” are primarily supporting the current administration and continuing his political career rather than the health of his constituents. Please keep this in mind when casting your vote in November.

JR Wyatt Elk

In the late 1800s, the socalled Robber Barons accumulated vast wealth, often by exploiting the citizenry. Then, to buy public tolerance and polish their images, ruthless 19th-century industrialists pivoted to massive, high-profile philanthropy. Their strategies to manufacture public goodwill included Carnegie’s libraries and Rockefeller’s donation of land to the parks system. They and others founded and endowed universities such as The University of Chicago, Vanderbilt and Stanford. They donated to the arts and museums of the time.

Carnegie wrote influential essays arguing that the rich were merely trustees of their wealth and were obligated to use it for the betterment of society, painting their fortunes as a societal benefit rather than a result of exploitation. This current crop of Robber Barons (Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos et al) just want to bleed the public dry. Musk tweets white supremacy, Bezos buys super yachts. Wouldn’t they be better citizens if they “donated” AI/data centers for the public good?

-Roger Haick Loon Lake

PUD manager salary increase a concern

As a ratepayer and candidate for PUD Commissioner for District 2, I find the PUD Board’s recent decision to raise the General Manager’s salary just seven months into a three-year contract deeply concerning.

The employment agreement was clear: a $220,000 salary with performance reviews to follow. Yet, two members of the Board chose to bypass the formal evaluation process entirely and approve the raise. During the meeting, even the board president admitted, “…we need to do a better job…and have a better process…”.

In a county where the median household income is less than $65,000, our public utility must be a model of fiscal discipline and transparency. When the general manager disregards a binding contract, and the board capitulates, they aren’t just ignoring their own governance process; they are failing their fiduciary duty to the ratepayers.

We need commissioners who will insist on structured, measurable performance standards before a single extra dollar of ratepayer money is committed.

As your next Commissioner, I will end this practice of “winging it” and require that employment contracts be followed, restoring the accountability our community deserves. We need leadership that prioritizes the interests of the people who pay the bills, not executive convenience. -Ernie Hood Newport

Hospital bond means more access to health care

After listening to a presentation by the Newport Hospital administrators about the upcoming bond to remodel the hospital, I came away with three important pieces of information new to me.

First, many of us have tried to make an appointment with a specialist in Spokane and been told it will be several months before you can see the doctor.

How will the remodel of Newport Hospital impact this? With increased facilities Newport can contract with doctors to come here and provide services. We may not employ additional physicians but will have room for contracted physicians to work.

Second, the increase in the number of operating rooms means that surgeons who want to be able to work in Newport can do so on an increased basis. I learned that one operating cannot be booked with backto- back procedures because of the time it takes to thoroughly clean between patients. Operating rooms must also be kept available for emergencies.

Third, the remodeled facility will include an oncology department. Summit Cancer Care is ready to partner with Newport Hospital but they need dedicated space for, among other things, chemotherapy. That means no more long drives to Spokane for cancer care.

-Martha Nichols Newport

We are a Democratic

Republic

A couple months ago I wrote a letter to The Miner asking why some right-wingers are insisting that the US is not a democracy (my answer – they seek to destroy our confidence in the election system). Two conservative respondents argued that the United States is not a democracy because it is a republic. They overlook that we are a democratic republic.

One respondent even stated that because Thomas Jefferson did not believe in the rule of the majority, therefore we are not a democracy. She failed to mention that at the time of Thomas Jefferson only property-owning or tax-paying white males could vote. That means that at the time of our founding she would not have been able to vote. But since then, we expanded our elections to include women, Blacks, and Native Americans. The governed choose those who govern them.

The foundation of this democracy is confidence in free and fair elections. We should guard against any attempts to undermine our election system – like the actions that are being promoted by the Trump administration. Ignore this nonsense about the US not being a democracy.

Protect free and fair elections – even if your side loses.

Sandy Nichols Newport

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently rendered several opinions.

I question their opinion on Birthright Citizenship. The 14th Amendment was created for the newly freed slaves. Generations had no country to call home.

The 14th was their path to citizenship.

The SCOTUS opinion on this goes further. It says any child born on the magic soil of the US is automatically a US citizen.

The bar for citizenship was just lowered to the ground. Let me get this straight, two people here illegally can now create a legal citizen? What about expectant mothers flying in from around the world, on temporary visas, to have an ‘American’ child? I’m not sure that’s what our Founders intended.

I recently read a Chinese Ambassador saying that Chinese women fly into the US to have babies (birth tourism) to the tune of 100K per year over the last decade. As soon as they get the baby’s passport, they fly back home to China.

If that’s true, that’s a million babies. What if they are raised communists and come back as adults to work and maybe run for government? This should require legislation.

-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Mixing faith and logic produces nonsense

The Supreme Court has ruled on birthright citizenship, and my first thought is that any foreign women who produces a positive pregnancy test should be given an American citizenship certificate for their unborn child before returning to their home country.

The unborn child was conceived in America and should be given citizenship even if it isn’t born in America. That’s because life begins at the moment of conception, so being born is just a follow-on event for a person who is already alive. The unborn child was alive in the USA and should be considered a citizen at the moment the egg is fertilized.

Welcome to the American nightmare of twisted political logic. Mixing faith with logic produces nonsense. Making laws based on religious dogma has a similar designation. Early in America’s history the color of skin and having female sexual organs justified slavery, and discrimination.

Today religion is being co-opted to return to the days of political persecution. An example of this was reported in The Miner last week with our public hospital withdrawing from a contract with a religious Idaho pregnancy center. Doctors would have signed a sexual purity pledge and withheld birth control for single women.

-Pete Scobby Newport

250th Celebration a success

I extend my sincere gratitude to all individuals who participated in the Pend Oreille County Government-hosted America250 Celebration, which took place at the Old County Courthouse on last Tuesday.

From the elected officials and guests who read the Declaration of Independence to all the singers, including all the people behind the scenes, especially all the volunteers. It is unfortunate that more younger people were not present to experience the event.

The sole concern I had was that Washington Avenue was not decorated. Considering the celebration of 250 years and the street’s name, it appears to be a missed opportunity to have decorated the street. This could have been done actually for Memorial Day, maintained throughout the Rodeo, and would have been completed in time for the 250th birthday of our nation. O’well, despite that and the inclement weather, the event was a huge success! In my opinion.

-Renee Webster Newport

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.