Letters and OpinionS
Real R’s are finally standing up to the Faux R’s (KCRCC)
Now might be a good time to mention that the conservatives who care about Kootenai County are represented by the North Idaho Republicans, NOT the Kootenai County GOP (KCRCC). Tens of thousands of Kootenai County residents are watching in horror as three grifters...
Public funds for public schools
Public funds for public education, that was always given. Some legislators want to use those funds for private schools. We shouldn’t be surprised. The move toward vouchers has been promoted for years, most of the time they fail, here’s why. Early education in our...
North Idaho College trustees: Shame on You
An open letter to Todd Banducci, Greg McKenzie, Mike Waggoner and Art Macomber: You have assured the community time and time again that North Idaho College is not at risk of losing accreditation. You have repeatedly stated that you have the college and the students’...
Grassroots or Astroturfing?
In his recent Jan. 13 Coeur d’Alene Press opinion piece titled “Grassroots Politics,” Kootenai County Republican Central Committee chairman, and self-proclaimed “common sense” man, Brent Regan, brazenly trumpets that: “At the 2022 Republican State Convention, the...
The IDAHO Attorney General Courts Danger
As far back as I can remember, transitions in the Idaho Attorney General’s office have been rather seamless and non-political. The manner in which I took over the office from David Leroy after the 1982 election is typical. I informed the entire staff that anyone who...
Circus Act Becomes Sinister
Just when you thought the circus known as the North Idaho College board of trustees couldn’t possibly make its big tent bigger and pack it with even more jaw-dropping acts that defy belief, the three ringleaders pulled off the seemingly impossible. In three meetings...
Trump: ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’
The death knell is sounding. It was heard when the GREAT RED WAVE splashed timidly on our shores. It sounded when Jack Smith was appointed special counsel over all things federally Trumpian. It sounded when the 11th Circuit Court spanked Judge Cannon for being a...
Should Idaho subsidize religious schools?
The president and CEO of Mountain States Policy Center, which styles itself as an “independent, free market think tank,” recently floated a thought piece on how to improve Idaho’s public school system. First, MSPC contends we can restore faith in public schools by...
Honor Vets by Learning about Democracy
OPINION: Americans can honor veterans by doing their democracy homework Every year on Nov. 11, Americans gather at Veterans Day observations to honor and thank America’s veterans for their service to the country. It is certainly right and proper that they do so, but...
IFF misinforms about education initiative
The ill-named Idaho Freedom Foundation, which essentially owns and operates the extremist branch of today’s Republican Party, wants to destroy the Gem State’s public school system. As recent as Aug. 8, IFF President Wayne Hoffman repeated his demand for the state to...
‘And then they came’
First they gerrymandered voting districts to rig elections in their favor. And I did not speak out Because the gerrymander benefited me. • Then they came for voting rights of minorities. And I did not speak out Because I was not a member of a minority and I could...
Beware the insidious manipulators
If someone accused you of being brainwashed, you would: a) Punch them in the nose b) Try to destroy them on social media c) Accuse them of being a bully and then cry your eyes out d) Carefully consider why they might think that The correct answer, of course, is a)....
Love won
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many phenomenal community members, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits, and agencies who stood on the right side of history at Pride in the Park and other CDA4Pride events. Those who refused to waver in the wake of...
FAREWELL: To our ‘more perfect Union’
Welcome to the new Theocratic States of America, where separation of church and state is dead, where women’s rights are stripped away, everyone can carry military grade weaponry without restriction, taxpayers are forced to pay for religious schools, and LGBTQ...
Does History Repeat Itself? An opinion by D. Rose
While they contemplated the descent of ancient governments, our Founding Fathers considered the potential collapse of our own republican form of government. Our founders took to heart the warning of Aristotle, how instability is brought about by inequality. They also...
KCRCC: The machine at work
Political machine. This is the phrase that came to mind when looking at the county primary results. The recommended slate of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) swept the field, electing new folks into new spots and sweeping out some incumbents....
Human Rights Groups Call for Action on Domestic Terrorism Bill
We call for immediate action by the federal government and the states for passage of strong domestic terrorist control acts to combat the epidemic of mass shootings in the United States taking the lives and injuring so many innocent individuals. The recent...
Tribute to Mike and Sholeh Patrick
It is with great gratitude and enthusiasm that the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Board of Directors pens this guest opinion in honor of our dear friends Mike and Sholeh Patrick as they take their next journey in life to the great state of Florida after...
Standing up to the BULL(ies)
On April 30, I was driving home from work about 6:30 p.m. As I was about to leave I-90, exiting at Post Falls, a Navy Blue Ford Explorer came so close to my back bumper I was afraid to use my brakes to slow down my car, so I coasted uphill on the exit ramp. The car...
CDA PRESS Endorsements for Republican Primary Ballot
U.S. SENATE: Mike Crapo STATE GOVERNOR: Brad Little STATE LT. GOVERNOR: Scott Bedke SECRETARY OF STATE: Phil McGrane ATTORNEY GENERAL: Lawrence Wasden SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: Debbie Critchfield KOOTENAI COUNTY COMMISSIONER: Chris Fillios KOOTENAI...
2022 legislative session synopsis by sen stennett and rep rubel
Note: If you would prefer to listen to or watch a recap of this content, watch the End of Session News Conference 2022. Republicans once again failed to prioritize the needs of working Idaho families. Every major tax bill the GOP supermajority has passed for more...
KCRCC’s iron fist hurts GOP
For the last two years, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee has spent tens of thousands of dollars to deliver a list of recommended candidates to the doorsteps, newspapers and social media accounts of Kootenai County’s 103,000+ voters. Here is the...
Here’s what public libraries really are
Public libraries are one of America’s most egalitarian institutions. Libraries guarantee that everyone in our country has access to information and ideas regardless of income, age, language, physical limitations, race or gender. Libraries ensure the freedom to read,...
Editorial: A day to remember
Voters, take note of Jan. 12, 2022. That’s the date of the sinking of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s first Titanic. With political fervor and deep pockets, the KCRCC has done everything in its power to take over virtually every elected office in...
State, keep an eye on NIC
Dear Members of the State Board of Education, Re: North Idaho College Many of you know me from my days as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and an original member of your Accountability Oversight Committee. I applaud you for taking a hard stand in your letter...
CRT ultra-right-wingS weapon of choice
As the 2020 election entered its final stretch, Donald Trump was searching for a means of blunting the Black Lives Matter (BLM) fervor that threatened his electoral chances in some swing states. He’d had some success with claims that Democrats supported lawlessness...
What we learned from the ill-fated special legislative session
As legislators departed the Capitol following their tumultuous and unconstitutional special legislative session, many Idahoans wondered: “What’s up with that?” There was not much to show for the spectacle, other than a substantial bill left behind for the taxpayers to...
Full Time Legislature?
GOP leadership takes a test drive of a full-time Legislature Make no mistake about it, the reconvening of the 2021 legislative session is a test to see whether the Idaho Legislature can get away with meeting throughout the year, without having to amend the Idaho...
Our Gem: Keep your butts out of the water
Cigarette Butts in Storm Run Off November is typically the rainiest month of the year in Coeur d’Alene. That also means our storm drains are put to the test each fall. Storm drains are meant to help remove rainwater from streets and highways to reduce flooding,...
Lies from McGeachin and Giddings
Shouldn’t lies contain at least a little truth? Priscilla Giddings One big election down, another big election looming. It’s true: Election season never ends. Apparently, neither does blatant lying. The B.S. machine is already in high gear for the May Republican...
Real GOP, where have you gone?
Thanks to the Press for its recent editorial outing David Reilly and Brent Regan. Those of us who have lived in North Idaho longer than 20 minutes (in my case 40 years) know exactly who Brent Regan is. Like the newer clone, Ralph Ginorio (who somehow gets to peddle...
Make local politics less exhausting and fearful
Are you exhausted by our local politics? I am. Suddenly it seems every issue, no matter how mundane or untethered from facts, is an existential crisis requiring some people to run to the ramparts. These folks burn masks outside hospitals full of sick COVID patients;...
Former 271 trustees encourage civility
As former school board trustees for Coeur d’Alene School District 271, we are concerned by recent news articles and editorials highlighting local security concerns stemming from safety concerns around school board meetings. We understand collectively how important...
Demonization of schools has to stop
Enough is enough. I can no longer remain silent as certain people in our community demonize our hardworking public education employees, which include bus drivers, classroom aides, teachers, custodians, secretaries, nurses, maintenance workers, cooks, principals,...
Higher density a key part of good growth
Let’s see what we can agree on. Traffic sucks. Yes? When it comes to building community, owner-occupied homes are ideal, right? We can agree on that. These are folks who plant firm roots here and for years fork over property taxes to keep those overburdened roads in...
Lt Gov McGeachin Exposed
Gov. for a day does not mean ‘queen’ for a day Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who served as a state representative from Idaho Falls for a decade (2002-2012), has often said that she needed some time off from state politics to reflect and gain some perspective. So when she...
PRESS CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
These citizens have earned your vote Begin with the end in mind, Stephen Covey and great brains before him strongly suggested. So we will. Many of you reading this have already received your absentee ballot. Many others will over the next few days. Our endorsements...
School board candidates May, Swingrover and Smith are builders, not destroyers.
If you want to know what’s changed around here in the last couple of years, where this insurgence against public education is coming from, we’ve got some clues for you. Largely, it’s from newcomers, people who refer to themselves as political refugees. Burned by...
Christian Leaders offer another perspective on COVID Response
It is time to offer another perspective, from inside the world of Christian faith. Many Christians across this region of North Idaho take this coronavirus pandemic seriously. They share deep concern for people in our communities who have dedicated their lives to our...
Mob Tactics Undermine Public Discourse
Bully tactics have no place here When I look at the yelling, anger and even alleged threats by some people at local government meetings or toward specific government officials, I’m dismayed at what is happening to governance and civility in our community. Our...
Defending Biden’s OSHA Vaccine Mandate
A convergence of three unsettling headlines appeared for my morning reading the day before the nation observed the 20-year commemoration of the tragic deaths of almost 3,000 Americans on Sept. 11, 2001. The very day of the remembrance ceremonies, the seven-day average...
Bad year for legislators gets worse
Next to the top-of-front-page story Wednesday on the crisis bringing Kootenai Health to its knees was a blow to the back of our medical professionals’ heads. Maybe it was a merciful attempt to just go ahead and finish them off, end their suffering. The cudgel spoke,...
Together, we can beat the nonpartisan virus
Our community is in a crisis. The number of cases of COVID-19 that require admission to the hospital has exceeded our capacity to provide the high level of medical care that we depend on. Kootenai Health was designed for 24 ICU beds, but with prudent foresight KH now...
Dem Leaders Rebut GOP Property Tax Editorial
Idaho’s property tax crisis requires real solutions, not scapegoating local government We could not believe our eyes when we read a recent op-ed from Idaho House GOP leadership scapegoating local government for the property tax crisis created by Republican legislators...
Op-Ed: How Idaho should invest $1.4 Billion windfall
What would Idaho’s companies do if they had a $1.4 billion windfall? Many would invest it to make their company more profitable for years to come. Well, Idaho is sitting on a $1.4 billion surplus, and it has a historic opportunity to invest that money to create...
Partisan politics poisoning NIC
What’s taking place at NIC is a blazing wake-up call for voters. Local elections, most especially, have a direct impact on you, your family and our community. The course the KCRCC Three — Todd Banducci, Greg McKenzie and Michael Barnes on the North Idaho College Board...
Op-Ed: The fall of coronavirus in Idaho: Once more unto the breach!
The valiant struggle of today’s healthcare workers against the coronavirus hearkens back to one of the toughest enemies George Washington faced while fighting for American independence: Variola, the smallpox virus. Smallpox was decimating the ranks of the Continentals...
MASKS: Medical unity missing
On Thursday, the CDA Press reported that Kootenai Health is in “a transition to crisis standards of care.” Yet the same day, despite our hospital’s dire situation, I was appalled to visit a large medical clinic in Coeur d’Alene where not a single staff member was...
Let’s hear options before deciding
The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners created an optional form of government review committee (OFGRC) comprised of volunteer citizens. The meetings are available on YouTube. I viewed the June 30 meeting. The purpose of the OFGRC is to study the permitted forms of...
Op-Ed: The Idaho Freedom Foundation is a threat to the future of the Gem State
Senator Chuck Winder had it right when he recently said the so-called Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) was “one of the biggest threats we have to our democracy in our state.” Winder, a Republican and President Pro Tem of the Idaho Senate, had just witnessed the...
So this is what Gov. McGeachin looks like
Thanks goes to Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who is giving Idahoans a sneak peek at what she’d look like as the state’s governor. A pretty picture it is not. The announced Republican candidate recently issued a toothless executive order when the governor was out of town....
Clearing Up Levy Disinformation
I first began to pay close attention to the Post Falls School District in 1995. Overcrowding in the elementary schools led the district to propose moving the kindergarten students to the old Frederick Post building. Half of the building served as the alternative high...
School Safety Starts with Mental Health Counseling Not Guns
I would like to comment on the school shooting that happened in Rigby Idaho on Thursday, May 6th. If there had been armed employees in that school, it could have been so much worse. Thankfully, no one died including the obviously disturbed young girl who was the...
Support Post Falls School Levy
I’m writing today as a parent of three kids who have been/are being educated by the Post Falls School District. My two daughters began their education at Seltice Elementary and both are graduating from the University of Idaho this year with honors. My son is currently...
Social workers’ role
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 713,200 social workers in the USA with hundreds being employed in Idaho. Many of you may have people in your lives who are social workers. Although you may know a social worker, you might wonder, "what does a...
Community schools deserve support
Many Kootenai County residents felt dismay at a recent My Turn by the Chair of the local Republicans and his 70 Committeemen (Any Committeewomen?) They proudly worked to defeat the supplemental levies run by the local boards. Thankfully, the levies all passed but one,...
Unwise and unconstitutional
I hope most Press readers saw the compelling Guest Opinion “Dear Legislators: Either obey the Idaho Constitution or amend it” by Jim Jones and Ben Ysursa (Sunday, March 21). Their column calls out Idaho lawmakers for attempting to circumvent the Idaho constitutional...
Idaho Legislature Banging On Wrong Drums
The 2021 Idaho Legislature is at it again. So far this session a number of bills have been proposed both by the Senate and the House. In its usual fashion, various members have proposed nonessential, voter suppressing fluff to let us know they are working night and...
Medicaid: Hands Off Our Healthcare
Dear supporters of Reclaim Idaho, Last month, Governor Little included in his budget proposal $118 million in "Medicaid cost containment." Let's be clear: These are cuts to Medicaid, and there's no good reason for these cuts--especially not during a pandemic. Here's...
Coronavirus may be big winner in legislative session
Just as the threat of the coronavirus is growing, the Idaho Legislature seems hell-bent on undermining the governor’s ability to deal with it. Republicans in both the Senate and House are peddling measures to hamper Governor Little’s authority to rein in the spread of...
Why should Trump be impeached and convicted?
A Sunday editorial, “Focus on the future, let go of the past,” called for President Biden to stop the impeachment of former President Trump. This demands a response. The editorial appeared on the front page where readers are accustomed to finding objectively reported...
Tell Republicans to Stop Pretending
On New Year’s Day our local Republican officials told the Coeur d’Alene Press how they will pretend to help us during the 2021 Idaho legislative session. First, they will propose legislation making the Public Health District “more transparent” by bringing it under...
Happy 90th Everett
Everett Headrick, a Hayden Lake resident since 1982, is celebrating his 90th birthday today, Dec. 27! Ev was born in Moscow, Idaho. He jokingly recalls his mom saying he was "the darndest Christmas present she ever received!" He became older brother to Don (deceased)...
HYPOCRISY: Thanks for exposure
Thanks to The Press editors for exposing the two-faced hypocrisy of the KCRCC chair and the Idaho Freedom Foundation leadership. It’s not just that these people helped themselves to a federal program that others need more than they do. It’s the narrative about the...
Fact-checking Congressman Russ Fulcher
With reference to Chuck Malloy’s column on November 27, “Fulcher stands by Trump in ‘fraud-gate’’’, Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher states, “Shining a light should not hurt anybody. . . ” He further states, “I also found out that Joe Frazier (the legendary boxing...
Annual Food Drive Generates Overwhelming Response
Last week, the Kootenai County Democrats’ Community Outreach Committee put out a final call for our annual food drive — and the community answered with an overwhelming response! Because of the incredible generosity of KC Dem members and the local community, in just...
Americans Deserve an Orderly Transfer of Power
Kootenai County Democrats respect people who hold values that different from our own, as long they are morally sound. That’s one reason we supported Joe Biden as our candidate. He is a centrist who has said many times that he will be President for all Americans, and...
Support COVID-19 Mask Mandate
Not long ago, Senator Mary Souza wrote a letter to the Panhandle Health District (PHD) that called for the loosening of its COVID-19 mask mandate. The letter was co-signed by Souza’s fellow Republican lawmakers Senators Steve Vick, Don Cheatham, & Carl Crabtree,...
Panhandle Health Should Resist Loosening of its COVID-19 Mask Mandate
According to a recent report in the Coeur d’Alene Press, Senator Mary Souza wrote a letter to the Panhandle Health District that called for the loosening of its COVID-19 mask mandate. The letter was co-signed by Souza’s fellow Republican lawmakers Senators Steve Vick,...
Accreditation at Stake
With regard to the upcoming North Idaho College nonpartisan trustee election, we have witnessed an attempt to inject a partisan ideology into the campaign that if successful could result in a new Board majority with the power to adopt policies that could result in...
Masks and rights: Who trumps whom?
“My body, my choice!” A refrain from the abortion rights movement is now the battle cry of those insisting there’s a right against wearing masks or being vaccinated during a pandemic. When the Board of Panhandle Health District met last week to consider a facemask...
Op-Ed: My Idaho town shows how the Black Lives Matter movement can resonate in deep red communities
Last week, my dad readied his hunting rifle to defend our family against the possibility of chaos in the streets coming to our door. Downtown streets half a mile from our home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, were filling with citizens bearing assault rifles to protect local...
Responding to “Asleep at the Wheel” Editorial
Dear Editorial Board: Do not assume voters are “asleep at the wheel.” In your March 13 Editorial, you stated that 831 voters chose presidential candidates who were no longer in the race. Do not assume these voters were uninformed or misinformed. According to the...
Reentry Center: Look Hard at Merits
Weighing in on the current debate about whether Kootenai County should accept an Idaho Department of Corrections re-entry center, I am on the “pro” side. As a teacher and administrator at Anchor House/Idaho Youth Ranch for twenty years working with troubled,...
KCDCC supports House Bill 55 which incrementally increases the minimum wage
KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee Passes Resolution Supporting HB 50 and HB 55 Concerning Minimum Wage: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – February 26th, 2019 – Recognizing that Kootenai County’s...
Implement Medicaid Expansion as Written
KOOTENAI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – February 11th, 2019 - The Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC) is pleased with the Idaho Supreme Court’s decision to rule that Medicaid Expansion in Idaho is...
2020 Presidential Race
The 2020 presidential election is upon us!!! Kootenai County Dems let’s embrace it!!! Happy New Year to everyone! I am beyond excited about what we can accomplish in 2020. All it requires is some new and old ideas and some new and old habits. And yes, there are some...
Families Belong Together
Written by Zoe O’Brien Photography from CDA Families Belong Together Vigil It’s 2018 and we are one nation under hate, and responsible for the separation of all 2000+ families coming over our border seeking asylum. How is it fair that I can come home every day...
Kootenai Dems Reject Federally Forced Separation
Based on a LTE-Submitted to the CDAPRESS June 6, 2018 We, the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee, protest the fact that, under Attorney General Jeff Sessions's “zero tolerance policy,” officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement forcibly separate...
