Baxter was absent

Education is important and electing officials who are supportive of educational issues is a priority for me. I have been keeping tabs on the two candidates for state Senate in this area and have to admit the score is pretty lopsided.

At a morning meeting of area school superintendents, Mike Padden was in attendance listening, learning and sharing ideas. Although invited, Jeff Baxter was nowhere to be seen. Subsequently, CV students conceived and organized a wonderful “student-led exercise in grass-roots and local politics” called Rally in the Valley 1. It was a hugely successful evening despite the no-show of Baxter. Again, Padden was there taking questions from the students and sharing his ideas. Baxter repeatedly refused invitations to the rally from teachers and students alike. When Padden was previously in the House, he established a local committee of teachers, administrators and parents to advise him on educational issues. He intends to do the same again. I’m voting for someone who continues his own learning by engaging the community. I’m voting Padden.

Valerie Reiland

Spokane Valley