Elections give us a chance to thank public servants with return to office

Our society has entered a time when it is acceptable to disparage long serving public servants with years of experience and dedication when they have served honorably for years creating the neighborhoods and communities we all treasure.  Due to lack of experience and qualifications challengers attempt to get voters excited about campaign slogans like, “the fox guarding the chicken coop” or the ever popular, “drain the swamp”. These campaigns attempt to sow discourse and strive to make voters believe these public servants are somehow dishonest just because they have performed their responsibilities well and need to be shown the door.

Whether these public servants serve on the hospital board, the library board, or the local rural electric board, their years of experience are invaluable to keep these organizations running efficiently. We all benefit from their dedication, experience, and willingness to take on the jobs of keeping the lights on, providing life long learning, or maintaining health clinics for our communities.

Three separate elections this May give us a chance to thank these servants that are willing to step up and continue to represent us well.  Please join me in recognizing the dedication  of the following with your vote:  Jeanine Asche and Amy Flint, library board, Tom Lawrence and Helen Parsons, Pend Oreille Hospital District and for Northern Lights members recognize David Pemberton with your vote.  Let’s not squander their knowledge and experience.

TIM COCHRAN

Sandpoint