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Voters, what would you think about a business that raised prices on some high value goods, raised salaries for top executives and gave employees no significant raises for years? This business also had to cut its operating budget because it had no reserve funds left, even after using employee attrition to help its bottom line.

From my perspective it would be a very poorly run business. Well there is a business like that right here in Sandpoint. That business is Bonner County government. Over the past several years they have given themselves substantial raises, bought new equipment and have dipped regularly into our “rainy day” funds to the point where it is gone.

I say “our” rainy day funds because that’s what they are. Those funds are supposed to be available for unexpected contingencies. Contingencies like having to replace old, hackable voting machines. Or for future flooding or fires.

The shortsightedness of our elected county officials leaves me stunned. They have held themselves so tightly to “limited government” they are nearly becoming “no government.” We need better, fresh ideas in the County Administration Building. We definitely don’t need any more of the same old ideas.

GIL BEYER

Sandpoint