Honest George: In much of our area the young are moving away or at least being out-numbered by the old. Many lumber mills have closed, ranging from Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, St. Maries, Coeur d ‘Alene to Lewiston.The demographics of the Silver Valley has changed drastically with the closure of the mines and smelter and the subsequent outflux of the well-paid working union core. Many of these workers have been replaced with people locked into service jobs that provide such low wages that involvement in politics or worker-conditions improvement efforts are probally the last thing on their minds. This entire area was much more vibrant when it was populated by young, growing families. IMHO, the only people that will be involved in politics are those that already ‘has theirs’, those that tag-along and want to be noticed by them that ‘has theirs’ and the conservative retirees that, in Idaho at least, will bet against their own best interests.

Question: Are you fortunate enough to have grown children living nearby? Or growing children intending to stay in the region?