Category: Opinion

Opinion

How real estate shapes a community

By Raphael Barta
Reader Contributor

In a prior existence, I lived in Vancouver,  British Columbia, where I was a vice president for the ski resort development company Intrawest. At the …

Our turn: Together we can do better

By Mark Sauter
Reader Contributor

Last month the Bonner County Fire Chiefs Association (BCFCA) held three public forums. The BCFCA pointed out, in multiple, evidence-based ways, how Emergency Medical Services …

Engage Sandpoint: A missed opportunity

By David Phillips
Reader Contributor

Projects fail for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes the expectations are set too high; sometimes the allocated time or resources are insufficient; sometimes the tools …

City waterfront giveaway

By Kody Van Dyk
Special to the Reader

The city of Sandpoint draft Parks Master Plan identifies disposing of city-owned green space located east of the Edgewater Best Western Hotel. …

The Baloney Detective

By Tim Bearly
Reader Contributor

Images of an Orwellian dystopia are often evoked when we hear the term “big government.” The mere uttering of the phrase can function as a …

Touched by the change

By Robin Lantrip
Reader Contributor

It started with a brisk chill in the morning air. The meadow began dressing in longer birch and fir shadows. The evening scent held a …

Working toward civil discourse

By Brenda Hammond
Reader Contributor

The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force recently sent a questionnaire to all the candidates for city office, asking their positions on a number of …

Letters

  • Coal trains… Dear Editor, A Coal Train Protest Scenario: Having been out to of town for a while I just recently learned that the Sandpoint city council  had passed three resolutions opposing the increased coal shipments thru Sandpoint. I think that was a lovely, risk-free gesture that is unlikely to have any real effect on ...
  • Nay on Scotchman Peaks… Dear Editor, Despite the highly publicized support for the proposed Scotchman Peak Wilderness, including from our Bonner County Commissioners, there are many residents in Bonner County who are not in favor of this designation. It is time for a reality check on this. We are told the area must be protected, yet ...
  • Transportation for elderly… Dear Editor, It is from my personal experience and heartfelt concern that I address a travesty needing attention. Our community lacks an extremely valuable and necessary service: the transportation of homebound seniors to appointments regardless of whether the patient is on Medicaid or Medicare. We have not stepped up to the plate ...
  • Vote yes for Memorial Field… Dear Editor, Memorial Field/Barlow Stadium is truly a Gem, a complex for athletic events and so many other uses such as the Festival, Graduation, etc., probably unique in the Northwest for its setting and natural beauty. Let’s truly look at the total complex that serves us so well and keep this “Diamond ...
  • Experience counts… Dear Editor, I am wondering why some people believe there are advantages to electing a person who has no experience working with city government. How can we know if they have any knowledge how government works and has the good judgment needed to handle the job?  And how can we even ...
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