levy plans

LPOSD should drop

plans for levy

An 2008-'09 recession is now probable, almost a certainty, and predicted to be long and severe, not only in the U.S. but internationally.

The federal government is rushing an economic stimulus package through Congress which is supported by both parties and the president. It includes tax refunds of $800 per taxpayer in hopes of stimulating consumer spending and mitigating the recession. LPOSD however would take some of property owners refunds away with new property taxes for a previously rejected facilities levy and for an unnecessary new high school bond. Anyone see anything contradictory and wrong here?

The Federal Reserve Bank is also very worried about the recession cutting the prime interest rate again by 3-4 percent, the largest single cut in decades in hopes of stimulating investment and the economy. LPOSD however seems to be only worried about its pet projects, selling the levy and bond to voters and sucking more taxes from property owners.

In view of a probable prolonged and severe recession, LPOSD should cancel plans for any and all new taxing options.

All of us will simply have to tighten our belts, manage our current resources most effectively, and get along with what we now have during upcoming difficult economic times. If LPOSD can't arrive at this conclusion also on their own we must do it for them with a solid "no" vote on any new levy and/or bond like we did in 2006. No new property taxes, period!

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla

presidential election

Obama candidacy

offers country hope

In this election season, change is more than a slogan. It is a necessity. War, recession, loss of faith in government threaten to engulf us. Who can turn the tide?

Barack Obama's candidacy offers us hope beyond rhetoric. Obama's message of hope derives from the choices he has made.

? When Barack graduated from college, he chose to work to improve living conditions for Chicagoans devastated by steel mill closings.

? When he graduated from law school, he chose to return to Chicago to practice as a civil rights attorney and teach constitutional law.

? When elected to the Illinois Senate, he spent eight years enacting tax cuts for working families, expanding early childhood education and expanding health care coverage for 20,000 children and their parents.

? When Illinois voters sent Barack back to the U.S. Senate, he chose to combat injustice whatever the source — from restraining terrorists' access to deadly weapons to reforming the ethics of the Senate itself.

If you believe, as I do, that choices reflect the caliber of a person's character, then please choose to join me at the Panida Theater on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m. to caucus for Barack Obama. Let's follow his example and translate hope into action.

GAIL LOCKE

Sandpoint

Garbage stickers

Woman, not transfer

station staff to blame

I am writing in response to the recent letter from Ms. Aulette from Hope regarding her experience at the transfer station between Hope and Clark Fork.

I have always encountered gracious, friendly, helpful staff at the transfer station.

I am assuming that Ms. Aulette received her 2008 tickets in her tax statement in November; the same as the rest of the county residents. If that is correct, then she had her stickers for a month and a half before they were required to be on her vehicle.

Additionally, the county staff gave her a two-week grace period that ended on Jan. 15. That means Ms. Aulette has had her stickers on her kitchen counter for two months.

Let's place the blame and irresponsibility where it belongs. In my opinion, it was not with the staff at the transfer station. Had Ms. Aulette put her stickers on prior to Jan. 1 as required, she would not have had her bad experience.

I say hooray to the county staff for doing their job.

SHARON HAGEMANN

Clark Fork