Letters to the editor: Political ad, initiatives, Soulliere, Niland, Lachiondo

Editor’s note: The deadline to submit letters to the editor related to the elections is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Political ad

In response to his ad in the 10/11/20 Statesman, Michael Howard insults me and every Christian when he refers to our precious faith as “bastardized Christianity” and “politically corrupted religion.” This is fake news, and everyone who writes fake news is a liar. The truth is that all voters, Christian and non-Christian, vote for the party and candidate that holds to the same or nearly the same values as they have. We all realize that no party and no candidate is perfect, and we don’t agree with everything our party or candidate does. We just vote for the party and candidate that holds to the most values and issues that we believe to be most important to us. We all do that. This is democracy, and it has nothing to do with theocracy.

James Richard, Emmett

Initiatives

Voters of all parties need to hold their elected legislators accountable at the ballot box. The most important bills in some years came before the 2019 legislature, SO1159 and corresponding HO249a. These bills were designed to steal the right of Idaho citizens to bring forth legislation through the citizens initiative process.

After the citizens initiative on Medicare expansion was successful in reaching the legislature, Sen. C. Scott Grow led the efforts to pass SO1159 and HO249a through both the House and Senate even though thousands of emails, phone calls opposed it. Testimony was overwhelmingly against these bills.

Gov. Brad Little, after receiving a tremendous amount of comment, vetoed the bill.

We have limited ability to influence legislation, thus banding together of coalitions of citizens and organization to bring forth initiative legislation is vital. If initiative is stolen from us, the people of Idaho, who wins? The lobbyist who had the ear of Sen. Grow?

Here is a list of local legislators who voted to curtail your citizen rights. You might want remember when voting: Thayn, Gestrin, Moon, Lee, Kerby, Boyle, Rice, Wagoner, Chaney, Lodge, Syme, Nichols, Lakey, Youngblood, Crane, Collins, Grow, Moyle, DeMordaunt, Winder, Palmer, Holtzclaw, Harris, Vander Woude, Monks.

Richard D. Cummins, Boise

Soulliere

I was dismayed to learn that Idaho ranks 51st in the nation on state funding for education. As a retired educator and the daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law of Idaho teachers, I know the value of a good education.

That is one of the reasons why I support Pat Soulliere for legislative district 20. He strongly supports adequate funding for education and has a plan to pay for it. He recognizes that a strong educational system gives our children a chance for a better life. It also makes Idaho more attractive to businesses that are looking for a good place to locate.

I believe that Pat will be a representative who listens to his constituents and works to make Idaho a better place for all of us. I urge readers to take a look at his website www.soulliere4idaho.com to find out more about his positions on this and on other issues they care about.

Mary Mosley, Meridian

MC Niland

We are blessed to have the College of Western Idaho, one of the fastest growing Community Colleges in the United States. I am strongly encouraging you to cast your vote for Mary Carol Niland for Trustee Zone 3 this November, Mary’s historical knowledge of the College and advocacy for increased educational opportunities makes her the best choice for the job.

Maureen Stokes, Caldwell

Lachiondo

Diana Lachiondo has deep roots here in our county. (I attended grade school with her father and aunt. My parents would sit with her grandparents in church on Sundays.) But deep roots aren’t a qualifier for office: know-how, relationship building, and a love of public service are. Diana has all those.

She understands the importance of a businesslike professionalism and maintaining a vast network of positive relationships from all parts of the community and across the partisan aisle. A qualified Ada County Commissioner must have the necessary background, people skills, flexibility and vision in an increasingly challenging work environment and growing community.

I enthusiastically support Diana Lachiondo for Ada County Commissioner and know she will continue to serve all Ada County residents in a dedicated and unselfish manner.

Ken Harris, Boise