Letters To The Editor

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Roos’ attitude makes him unsuitable

I attended a recent candidate forum in Sandpoint, to meet candidates for sheriff and prosecuting attorney. A man in the audience stated he knew of four people who overheard Chip Roos say that his only boss is the president of the United States.

Roos didn’t deny the comment, merely clarified it by saying there are only two major law enforcement officers in the country: the president and the sheriff of each respective county.

Am I correct in taking Roos’ statement to mean he thinks he is answerable to no one less than the president of the United States? If so, his apparent arrogance and self-importance might just explain why there are so many pending lawsuits and accounts of turmoil within the department. It might explain why a deputy was promoted after he admitted eavesdropping on a neighbor’s private telephone conversation; why complaints of nasty attitudes of his front office staff are ignored; why a deputy was promoted after being reported for possible animal abuse; why nothing was done after it was reported that the Hope-Clark Fork deputy failed to respond last winter to six out of six major incidents on the Hope Peninsula. It might also explain why Roos fails to respond to letters and phone calls. I guess he’s just too important.

Mark Jones believes his sole responsibility is to the residents of Bonner County. Let’s get rid of the arrogance and put a sheriff in office who will work with the people: Mark Jones. Connie Koelker Hope

Vote against Bonner jail levy

Bonner County does not need nor can property owners afford a $4 million jail.

The present jail has plenty of maximum-security space but is being crowded with prisoners who have committed the most minor infractions and misdemeanors. These infractions should be addressed with higher fines and community service. People hate community service. Minors should pay fines and be released to their parents for discipline, and the parents should be held responsible.

Jail cells cost thousands of dollars each but the dormitory system is inexpensive. This system consists of rooms with beds, sanitary facilities, small windows and a lock on the door. A vacant building is usually leased or bought and its conversion to a dormitory jail is inexpensive.

If the levy is passed the money they claim they will save will not be used to pay off the bond but will be put into a fund to expand the jail later. We property owners will be taxed well over $100 a year for two years to pay for the levy.

Look at your next property tax statement carefully and you’ll see why this levy must be defeated. Remember, your property will soon be reassessed and your tax will probably increase. Vote no on the jail levy May 28. Bob McFarland Sagle

Clark idea a no brainer

Jim Clark, running in the Republican primary and seeking the seat now held by state Rep. Marvin Vandenberg, D-Coeur d’Alene, says he would look at eliminating so-called tax exemptions for timber and agriculture. That is looking in the wrong place.

More is already being paid in taxes on timber and agricultural lands than is needed to pay for the very limited county services these operations require. If the tax system were to force that land to be sold for development the taxes would not pay for increased services required for the developed land.

The property tax penalizes you for improving your property and ever-increasing valuations can price people off their land and out of their homes. It is about the most unfair tax we have. The gas tax is about as fair as it gets: you pay in proportion to use and the money is supposed to go for roads you use.

The basic problem is that we have way more government at every level than we need. Sonny Poirier Blanchard

Elect Irvine Shoshone sheriff

We support Larry Irvine for Shoshone County sheriff. He would bring many years of law enforcement experience to the sheriff’s department.

Let us assure you he is a Kellogg native who, like a lot of us, has had to leave his home to further his career. He decided long ago that if the former sheriff decided to retire, he would move back to Shoshone County and run for sheriff. His campaign is in no way built on what took place in this county five years ago.

With Irvine’s knowledge of law enforcement and his love for this community, we feel we would be fortunate to have him as sheriff. We believe he would serve with the honesty, loyalty and integrity that we deserve.

Please vote. Don’t let your candidate lose by the one vote you could have cast. The primary election is May 28. If you are not registered, you can register at the polls or you can inquire at the Shoshone County courthouse. They will tell you where you can register. If you will be out of town that day, you may vote by absentee ballot. Tom and Cindie Sawyer Kingston

THE MEDIA

‘Chernobyl’ has special significance

Staff Cartoonist Milt Priggee’s April 28 cartoon on the English translation of “chernobyl” would have had surprising and illuminating impact if he had related to the correct meaning of the word and place.

On the high land area on which this old nuclear reactor was built grew the herb, wormwood. The Russian word for wormwood is “chernobyl.”

Now, turn to Rev. 8:10-11, in which that great star (meaning: strewn over the sky), Wormwood, burns and falls as a raining shower, embittering and killing mankind.

John was given to see that great panorama of events which would occur leading to our day and beyond. Despite a great deal of archaic descriptions in our Christian Bible, it was given to us to know and understand “lest no flesh be saved.” L.E. Nichols Hayden, Idaho

IDAHO SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Coeur d’Alene school levy should fail

On May 21, Coeur d’Alene voters will be asked to pass a levy to build one new middle school to alleviate overcrowding.

Overcrowding is occurring at both the elementary and middle school levels.

I have learned as an active member of my community that the school district has the capacity to build two elementary schools for less than the cost of one middle school. By moving sixth graders back to the elementary level, as many parents prefer, the overcrowding would be alleviated at both levels for many years to come.

If the middle school levy passes, Coeur d’Alene taxpayers will undoubtedly be asked again to approve additional bonds or levies to alleviate overcrowding at the elementary level.

I am appalled at the low quality and continuing deterioration of education in our district. Now, with the mismanagement of tax dollars, it is obvious the Coeur d’Alene School District is betraying the real interest of both taxpayers and students.

Force our schools to be accountable. Vote no on the May 21 levy. N.A. Wilson Coeur d’Alene

Reelect Curtis to school board

As a parent of two elementary school students I closely monitor the actions of my local school board. Board members are often in a delicate situation, balancing the expectations of parents with the objectives of administrators.

Jane Curtis, a school board member, has exhibited the understanding and courage necessary to lead this district in a positive direction. Curtis has instituted communication between the district and planning department to better plan for future growth. She has worked diligently to raise academic standards and was instrumental in implementing a new districtwide discipline policy. Her list of accomplishments is long.

Please vote to reelect Jane Curtis, Coeur d’Alene Trustee Zone 5, on May 21. Teresa Thomas Hayden Lake