Enough is enough, build bypass now

Liberal rhetoric lacking in facts

Ernie Belwood hit the nail on the head when he said it was time to build the Sand Creek bypass around Sandpoint. My wife and I have been watching this issue being debated every since we first arrived in this area back in the '50s. The greatest number of arguments have always come from the merchants of Sandpoint and we have come to the conclusion that they are more interested in their pocketbooks than they are for the area's welfare.

What they don't seem to understand is that the virtually uncontrolled summer traffic is more of a detriment than a benefit. I have talked with many of our neighbors and find that most of us who live in the immediate area would rather go to the cities of Spokane or Coeur d'Alene to do our shopping than trade in Sandpoint where the summer traffic mess is unbearable. It may come as a surprise that it is not very enjoyable to sit outside Ivano's for dinner while the pig trucks drive by. It is hard to smell the aroma of the pasta when the stink of passing hogs is so overwhelming.

Enough is enough. Let's take control of Sandpoint's traffic by building the bypass. I hope and pray it gets done before another child gets pulled under the wheels of a curb-jumping truck …

JIM HUDSON

Laclede

I sit down in the morning to read the paper, hoping to glean some new kernel of knowledge, or a forthright insight. Most of the time I am not disappointed and my wife and I will have a pleasant conversation resulting from what I read. There are other days, such as this morning, where my dog needs to take cover.

I have read various letters written by Bob Wynhausen and his wife, and have just chalked them up to liberal ravings that are typical of this breed. It wasn't until I read Mr. Wynhausen's comparison of Hitler's book burning compared to the Republican party that I felt a boil beginning in my gut. This is typical liberal banter. Then I read further his futile attempt to discredit Rush Limbaugh, and finally he concludes with a jab to Steve. By this point Cheerios have been launched.

I wonder daily what the appeal of John Kerry actually is. Here is a man who served in Vietnam, but only partially. He received three purple hearts for wounds we would put Band-Aids on, and ultimately recanted his service by demonstrating against the war. Whether he threw ribbons or medals at the White House doesn't matter, he discredited himself and his service, not to mention he lied and was caught doing so by those he served with.

Here is where Rush Limbaugh differs. Rush admitted his drug use, sought therapy and is recovering. John Kerry made excuses for his behavior, and the funny thing is that people accept this, and stand behind this creep. All I really have to say is "how dare you."

This country is sacred and is bought by the blood of real heroes. To compare this country in any way with Hitler's Germany is traitorous at best. Say what you will about Rush, he would destroy you in a debate, but America is holy ground. Here in lies the difference between conservatives and Democrats. Conservatives look to build up their country and stand behind those who made it better. Democrats look to better serve themselves and suck the spirit from our nation. Bob you ruined my breakfast, and I for one wasn't happy; neither was my dog. Oh, by the way, Zell Miller is alive and well and was just recently on Hannity and Combs. Did you catch it? Steve, you're a great American, I appreciated your words.

GRAYSON TILLMAN

Sagle

Support majority and build bypass

You know, this nonsense has gone on long enough. The insulting disenfranchisement of the average year-round resident by the NICAN'ts of the world, but first a horror from the past.

The Battenschlags didn't squeeze enough money out of the taxpayers when they ran the school district; now, boo-hoo, Karen has been wronged terribly. They obviously don't and never did care for children nor their education or she wouldn't be wanting to wring half a million bucks out of the quickly improving administration and the classroom since Steve's welcome departure.

On the bypass front, Liz Sedler wants special treatment for a minority view in front of the Idaho Department of Lands. Well, I and many others in the majority, want special treatment in life too, but don't get it.

A letter on Oct. 5 even dug up some zombie of an issue from the Civil War era of all things that explains why the Sand Creek Byway is bad. Of all the ridiculous things, this and a tunnel take the cake.

In my last letter I stated that I had a de facto boycott going against downtown. Well, I now will make that a conscious decision and encourage all those that favor the Sand Creek byway to boycott the downtown businesses until such time as they give up their shrill loosing point of view or construction actually begins. They're boycotting our position, turnabout is fair play.

I also call upon the City Council and the county commissioners to actively campaign for the byway even if that calls for siding with the Idaho Transportation Department and the IDL in any court action initiated by the NICAN't crybabies.

Shore erosion, Lizzy? About the only movement of water in Sand Creek is the up and down motion in the spring and the fall if you hadn't noticed.

LAWRENCE FURY

Sandpoint

Elgar would help average residents

Steve Elgar, candidate for the Idaho House, knows that property taxes are a big issue.

Steve says we must change tax policy to prevent people from being taxed out of their homes. He believes this problem is going to get worse as North Idaho grows, values increase, and our senior population gets larger.

He wants to do something about it now, not wait until it's a crisis. He told me about several possibilities, and he knew the details.

I was impressed, and I like what I heard, and that's why I'm voting for Steve this year.

ROGER CAMPBELL

Sandpoint