My family and I have lived in Idaho since 1971, and 38 of those years have been in Eagle. I love and appreciate our state. I have been involved in local, regional and state organizations dealing with education, children’s well-being, libraries, health care, transportation, environmental and land use, and city planning issues. As a citizen lobbyist I helped save Eagle Island for a state park, and helped pass the state smoke-free indoor act. For almost 20 years I was a court-appointed advocate for children of abuse and neglect.

This is my eighth time as a candidate for District 14. I have been an independent and third-party candidate. I continue to run because I want to use my experience and community involvement to make Idaho the best place for my children and grandchildren to live and work.

For that reason I am opposed to the Luna Laws, Propositions 1, 2, and 3. The $180 million for laptops in schools could be spent to make Idaho teacher salaries competitive, and to reduce the loss of teachers to other states. Although we need technology in the schools, I am opposed to an out-of- state, for-profit corporation teaching our children. Our local teachers are the best resource for our children.

My opponent co-sponsored the ultrasound bill, a state-mandated unfunded medical procedure. I view this as government intrusion of a woman’s privacy and loss of personal freedoms. I support access to affordable contraception, screenings and prevention programs. Idaho also needs to be proactive in responding to changes in health care reform, and implement a health care exchange plan.

As a woman, I will bring more balance to the Idaho Statehouse. It has been almost 100 years since women earned the right to vote. It took women and men 80 years of hard work campaigning, marching and lobbying to get the vote for women. Women still do not have equal representation in Idaho government or equal pay for equal work. My goal is to bring my experience in local and state issues to the Statehouse. I believe I can bring a voice of reason to state government as representative for District 14 and Idaho.

I would be honored to represent District 14 and to bring my grass-roots experience to the statehouse. I would appreciate your vote for Idaho House of Representatives 14B.

For more information, please go to www.vote-id.org and click on candidates and then click Glida Bothwell.

Glida Bothwell, an Eagle Democrat, is a candidate for House Seat B in legislative District 14.