Over the last 14 years I have donated thousands of hours to the Post Falls School District. Being a mom of three students in Post Falls it came naturally to me to help other people's children, the district's teachers, parents, and administration. Anytime someone in the district asked, I volunteered. My time was, and is, given in the pursuit of one theme: "It's all about the children." Over the past five years it has been my absolute honor to serve as a Trustee for the Post Falls School Board.

But what are the thanks? What was the benefit?

Well, in the end it was my personal reputation bearing the brunt of attacks by cowardly politicians with paid henchmen and deceitful campaign tactics. First they brought partisan politics into a non-partisan school board election by claiming that only their Reagan Republicans were Republicans. Well, that was a lie - I have been a registered Republican for more than 30 years. Then there was their YouTube debacle that claimed that Christian students in our school district were being bullied for their faith. As it turned out none of the students shown in the production were identifiable as public school students within our school district and not one complaint had been submitted to our school district administration by any Christian student being "bullied" for their faith. So who were those students? Where did the money come from to produce that deceitful film?

That's all water under the bridge. I lost being re-elected by 11 votes and that's that.

The one that got to me, though ... the one that really ticks me off ... as a mom, as a woman, as a 22-year resident of Post Falls, and a voter, is the letter sent "From the Desk of Senator Bob Nonini" dated May 17, 2013.

May 17, 2013 ... are you kidding me? Four days before the election the letter was sent so that there was no chance for me to refute Senator Nonini's lies! That's cowardly, even for the worst of politicians. I received a copy of Nonini's letter the afternoon of the election after it had been circulated privately for maximum effect.

Senator Bob Nonini, you sir, are a bold-faced liar! You claim in that letter that "...I have had many opportunities to meet with their opponents..." (referring to me as one of the 'opponents'). The truth is (not that you would know it if it slapped you in the face), that you and I have NEVER met. Not once!

Then there is your statement that "...Their only concern is the teachers union and keeping the union members happy without regard for the residents funding Post Falls public education." WHAT? Where were you during the years of budget cuts? I have been a Certified Public Accountant for 20 years and Post Falls School District has one of the lowest tax levy rates in the state! Truth, Nonini, is not a foreign language or difficult to understand, if you try.

And where were you during all the Post Falls PTO meetings I attended? Never saw you there once. And what about year after year of me giving help to students and parents who needed it, or going door-to-door during fundraisers, or leading the campaign in the mid-'90s to replace science books that were so outdated that they claimed that one day man might walk on the moon? We as a school district have passed milestone after milestone while you do next to nothing, other than complain. I hate politics and I believe that if this country's Founding Fathers were to meet you and your kind today, they'd punch you in the nose rather than shake your hand. So be so forewarned and don't go out of your way to meet me.

I would send this response letter directly to you but, in true cowardly fashion, there was no return address given on the letter "From the Desk of Senator Bob Nonini" dated May 17, 2013, so I will respond to it publicly. I am Woman, hear me roar.

On the other side of the coin I do want to thank all those who donated their valuable time and effort to my campaign against political bullies and, from the bottom of my heart, wish the best of luck to all the good patrons, students, administration, and teachers of the Post Falls School District. Thank you, it has been my honor to serve you.

Julie Hunt has proudly lived in Post Falls for 22 years. Her desk lives there too.