Letters to the Editor
Mary Ikagawa
Colville
July 22, 2026
A vote cast for a Republican or a Democrat is a vote for corruption. The reps in these two parties ignore what voters clearly say they want, and instead represent the billionaire parasite class. Both Democrats and Republicans in D.C. funnel our national wealth to the ruthless, amoral people who destroy our economy, America’s relationships with other nations, and the lives of countless people around the world. And the lies – aren’t you sick of the endless, blatant lies? The primaries are the best opportunity to get rid of candidates who don’t represent your interests. Vote in primaries, vote against corruption, vote independent. And for heaven’s sake, abandon the media outlets that exist to turn Americans against each other instead of against the real threat – the ultra-wealthy
Jeff McElhinney
Colville
July 22, 2026
Fellow Citizens: You recently received your primary election ballot in the mail. The U.S. Postal Service established new policies last Jan. 1 that changed the timeframe for how mail is postmarked. Currently, our mail is transported to Spokane for postmarking, meaning a one day (or more) delay between the time you mail it until it is actually postmarked. This means that mailing your ballot on election day will likely result in your vote not counting. The USPS recommends that you return mail ballots at least five days prior to election day, or you may drop a completed ballot into ballot drop boxes (located throughout the county) up to 8 p.m. on election day; for locations, refer to your Voters’ Pamphlet or call the Stevens County Elections Office at 509-684-7514. You can also present your mail ballot at your post office and request a hand postmark, prior to and including election day. To follow your ballot through the counting process, sign up at votewa.gov to check your registration and “Subscribe to SMS Messages” to receive text notifications when your ballot is received by the county elections office, and when it has been screened for valid signatures and accepted for counting. Our mail voting system is supervised by trained professionals and has a nearly flawless history of security and accuracy. We can all do our parts to assist them by returning our completed ballots in a timely manner.
Lisa Wolfe
Kettle Falls
July 22, 2026
Primary ballots have been mailed; it’s decision time. For Stevens County Auditor, there is no decision to make. An auditor safeguards county citizens’ interests and makes sure laws and regulations are followed by county entities. I want someone in the auditor position who is willing and able to take on that task. I also want someone who knows how to run a safe and secure election; whose professionalism is a hallmark of the office. I want someone who treats everyone with courtesy and dignity, but doesn’t bow to disinformation. I want someone who believes in our system, not someone who would tear it down. Lori Larsen is truly the only choice. Larsen leads with experience and knowledge and has proved her value to the county. She is the only candidate who is up to the task.
Tim Rasmusen
Nine Mile Falls
July 22, 2026
I am writing to support the re-election efforts of Lori Larsen to continue as Stevens County Auditor. She is experienced, capable, and has proven that she has the qualities necessary to be a successful auditor. The function of the auditor is important to the citizens of the county, in that they are a necessary key official in the honest, open functioning of county government. The auditor monitors the financial transactions of the county and makes sure that those who carry out the county business do so in compliance with the law. Lori Larsen has been doing this job for eight years. She has proven herself fit for the job and that she can be trusted to make sure that county officials follow the law. Because she has been doing her job honestly, she has fallen out of favor with some factions; likely because she has said “no” when people have asked her to bend or break the law to suit them. I support Lori Larsen because she is experienced, honest, and because we can trust her not to do special favors for those who want a “team player” in this important position. She has done a good job for years and will continue to do so. Her opponent has no experience as an auditor or financial consultant and openly seeks to be elected because he will be a team player, even though he has no experience or knowledge about the position he seeks.
Sinaikst Member
Colville
July 15, 2026
Dear Editor,
As a direct paternal descendant of Oliver Wolcott (1726-1797), one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, my family and I very much appreciated the festivities at our fairgrounds on the 4th of July. Much applause for the woman who organized the gathering, and thanks to Country Chevrolet for the free hot dogs. Lem Lemx. Sincerely, James Gordon Perkins
Roger Haick
Loon Lake
July 15, 2026
If some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet tell us AI and its associated data centers are so hugely beneficial to mankind, why would they seek to maximize profits when they already control a disproportionate amount of the planet’s wealth? In the late 1800s, the so-called “robber barons” accumulated vast wealth, often by exploiting the citizenry. Then, to buy public tolerance and polish their images, ruthless 19th-century industrialists pivoted to massive, high-profile philanthropy. Their strategies to manufacture public goodwill included Carnegie’s libraries and Rockefeller’s donation of land to the parks system. They and others founded and endowed universities such as the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, and Stanford. They donated to the arts and museums of the time. Carnegie wrote influential essays arguing that the rich were merely trustees of their wealth and were obligated to use it for the betterment of society, painting their fortunes as a societal benefit rather than a result of exploitation. This current crop of robber barons (Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, et al.) just want to bleed the public dry. Musk tweets white supremacy; Bezos buys super yachts. Wouldn’t they be better citizens if they “donated” AI/data centers for the public good? In the early 20th century, it took Republican President Theodore Roosevelt to finally say ”Enough is enough,” paving the way for monopoly-busting and subsequent wealth redistribution from the greedy few to the many. If the country is to survive and thrive, it’s time for that to happen again.
Brenda St. John
Valley
July 15, 2026
Eric Simpson is running for Stevens County Auditor on a platform of transparency, integrity, an open office, and in-person voting. Throughout his life, Eric has earned a reputation as a hardworking, dependable leader who works well with others and follows through on his commitments. I believe he will bring that same work ethic and dedication to serving the people of Stevens County. I encourage voters to learn more about Eric, his background, and his vision for the Auditor’s Office by visiting his Facebook page and his campaign website, EricForAuditor.org. Then, make an informed decision when you cast your ballot.
Hilary Ohm
Colville
July 8, 2026
The coming mid-term elections could turn out to be the most historic in our nation’s history. We have a choice: continue giving incompetent, unethical federal administrators carte blanche? Or should sanity prevail? Our president’s cognitive decline is evident. Yet his ad- visors, agency heads, loyalist members of Congress, and even some Supreme Court judges don’t acknowledge it. Encouragement exists, but it comes with a caveat. We must vote. It’s imperative that we flip Congress this November. The corruption in Washington D.C., is without precedent. Trump, his sons, and uber-rich associates are making billions in crypto schemes, insider trading, no-bid contracts, bribes, and blatant conflicts of interest. We taxpayers foot the bill. Michael Baumgartner is one of the president’s most loyal devotees. His praise for the commander in chief is confounding. His voting record is abysmal, i.e., the Big, Ugly Bill, which goes into effect after the elections. That way, Congress members can avoid voter retribution. His recent amicus brief in favor of a White Nationalists submitted bill, that would end birthright citizenship is telling. The Constitution is expendable. Now, the GOP has a new scare tactic to outrage voters: Communists! Despite no communists running in the upcoming elections, they want you to think otherwise. Don’t fall for the lies. The many, many lies. We can flip Congress if we get out the vote. We can make Baumgartner a one-time congressman. It’s never been more crucial for our democracy. Please vote. It matters more than ever.
Angelica Perazzo
Colville
July 8, 2026
Thirty Years Behind Democracy’s Front Door
On July 10, Shannon Hughes will celebrate 30 years of service in the Elections Department of the Stevens County Auditor’s Office. In an era when public service often goes unnoticed, Shannon’s career reminds us that democracy depends not only on elected officials, but also on the dedicated public servants who work behind the scenes to ensure elections are conducted fairly and accurately. Since beginning her career with Stevens County on July 10, 1996, Shannon has helped administer every election held in Stevens County. Through presidential elections, local races, school levies, special elections, and ballot measures, she has been one of the steady hands ensuring that every eligible vote is counted and every election is conducted with integrity. Over three decades, Shannon has participated in roughly 75 to 100 election events. Each required preparation, attention to detail, long hours, and an unwavering commitment to serving voters. While candidates, issues, and political climates changed, her mission remained the same: providing fair and professional service to the citizens of Stevens County. Most voters never meet the people who process registrations, prepare ballots, verify signatures, answer questions, and work late into election nights. Yet these public servants form the foundation of trust in our electoral system. As July 10 approaches, we should take a moment to recognize Shannon Hughes for her 30 years of dedicated service. Her professionalism, commitment, and quiet stewardship of our elections are a legacy worthy of gratitude and recognition.
Dianna Michaels
Colville
July 1, 2026
Data Centers – What’s the Real Story?
Data centers are often promoted as economic engines, but communities rarely hear the full story of their impact in advance. Taxpayers start paying for these projects long before being built – and sometimes even when it never happens. To attract developers, local governments approve tax breaks, discounted utility rates, and costly infrastructure upgrades years in advance. Roads get widened, substations expanded, and water systems upgraded on the public’s dime while the company can walk away if they want to. The community is left paying off infrastructure debt for a project that never happened. Even when a data center is built, benefits are often overstated. Modern facilities typically employ only a few dozen workers, many of them specialized positions filled from outside the region. And the environmental cost is real. Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water, straining local resources and leaving long-term impacts on the land, rivers, and air. In the end, people pay – and the earth pays too. This is why the newly introduced Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act matters. Supporters say it would pause new AI-driven data centers until stronger safeguards are in place to protect water, power grids, taxpayers, and the environment. Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Baumgartner has supported legislation that would make it easier for datacenter permits to move forward, even when environmental or community concerns are raised. Residents must look closely at what these policies really mean for rural communities like ours.
Julie Everson
Arden
July 1, 2026
Holding Public Office
Serving as a small-town mayor taught me something simple but important; when you hold public office, you follow the rule of law, you avoid conflicts of interest, and you put the community first. Even though I only voted in the event of a tie, I was still required to recuse myself from any decision where I might personally benefit. It was the basic expectation of ethical public service. People deserve to know their leaders are acting for the public good, not themselves. What surprises many is how different the standards are once you move from the local government to Congress. At the local level, officials must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. In Congress, lawmakers can legally own stock in companies directly affected by the legislation they vote on, and they are not required to place their assets in blind trusts. While this may be permitted under federal law, it doesn’t match the level of transparency and accountability the public expects – or deserves. Public service should not become less ethical as the responsibility becomes greater. Whether you represent a town of a few thousand or a nation of millions, the principles should be the same; act with integrity, be transparent in your business dealings, and put public interest above personal gain. Trust in government is built on these foundations, and it erodes quickly when leaders fail to uphold them. If small-town officials can meet this standard, Congress and Baumgartner should be able to as well.
Scott Thompson
Colville
July 1, 2026
In a world of constant bad news, I have something to say that isn’t. The golf course in Colville’s Dominion Meadows is in excellent shape! Some friends invited me to play a round of golf and I was blown away with how pleasant all of the staff was and the fantastic condition the golf course was in. Everything is very manicured and the greens are true and super fast. If you’re the occasional golfer or working on your handicap, I would highly recommend checking it out.
Loading…