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There’s a rumor that Steve Lockwood is not “strong” because he seems cordial and nice. That’s crazy. Yes, he’s a good guy but nobody should mistake that for weakness. He’s accomplished a lot in both the private sector and public office, from management at AT&T to years on the our local school board and the Sandpoint City Council.

He gets things done through consensus not conflict. Which, let’s face it, would be a welcome change.

I just attended the candidates’ forum at the library and was impressed by Dan McDonald’s comfort at the lectern and his speaking ability. I was less impressed by what he actually said, like defending the proposed smelter by comparing it to the Rock Creek Mine discharge which he said was “clean and harmless.” That’s dead wrong on many levels. First, the Rock Creek Mine is not built — so there’s obviously no discharge at all. Second, if it ever does get built — heaven forbid — there’s every probability that it will discharge massive pollutants into the Clark Fork River, which flows in our Lake Pend Oreille.

Anyway, for me it’s not about style. It’s about issues. Like the BNSF bridge, the proposed smelter, requiring and enforcing septic approvals for all new home construction, and protecting the rural nature that makes Bonner County so special. From King County, Wash., to Kootenai County, Idaho, when planning and zoning gets too lax, urban sprawl moves in.

In short, please vote for Steve Lockwood. Even though he’s a nice person.

BILL BORDERS

Sagle