Republican primary voters: I need your help. I am currently a Kootenai County Republican Central Committeeman. I have worked diligently over the past two years to steer KCRCC back toward what we were elected to do: Raise money for Republican candidates and protect your rights. Here is where we have gotten off track.

We have one fundraiser a year, the Lincoln Day Dinner. The money raised at this event, prior to the last four years, was always used to help Republican candidates get elected during the general election. What I have personally noticed is that there has never been accountability for the funds we have received. There have been thousands of dollars not accounted for. The KCRCC voted overwhelmingly to not have our books audited, for free I might add. When you are working with donated money for any cause, you'd better account for every penny. As a precinct committeeman I will continue to strive for accountability and to actually use these funds raised to help all Republican candidates get elected.

The KCRCC has also been instrumental in starting the closed Republican primary, and the Republican Presidential Caucus. Only being able to vote for candidates to the party for which you are registered is beginning to show its ugly head and those who attended our first Caucus will attest that it was a lengthy process and does not allow for everyone to vote. No absentee voting allowed, those who don't drive or are in poor health, active duty stationed elsewhere, or if you grow tired and go home, you don't get to vote. This is taking away your right to vote.

The majority of the KCRCC also voted to repeal the 17th amendment. This allows us, the voting public, to vote for our two U.S. senators. They proposed to do away with this by only allowing our state Legislature to pick our senators. This also is taking away your right to vote.

I have been involved in the Republican Party and its processes for the last 12 years, waiting until both of my children were in school and didn't need me at home all day long. I have been the president of Kootenai County Republican Women and held many board positions. I was the parliamentarian for the Idaho State Republican Women and attended the Nation Republican Women Convention during the last presidential election. I have attended numerous Republican club meetings and events to educate myself on current issues. I have watched and observed. This is what I've discovered.

The KCRCC is currently controlled by a select few with Tina Jacobson and Bob Pedersen at the helm. The leadership in control include, John and Angela Cross, Bjorn Handeen, Tony Wisiewski, Melanie Vanderfeer, Wendy Medlock, and the chairman himself, Neil Oliver. All of these "leaders" have been actively involved in other recognized political party groups within the state of Idaho before setting out to hijack the Republican Party here in Kootenai County. Here is the link to the article stating Jacobson and Pedersen's plans - http://issuu.com/theinlander/docs/5-30-2013 pages 20-26

I will always continue to work for you, to make sure you get to keep not only your constitutional rights, but ALL of your rights. To work diligently on getting rid of the Caucus, and help conduct a full audit of the KCRCC going back four years until the last one was done. We need to focus on the Republican Party in its entirety, not speak disparagingly of any fellow Republican, and continue to enjoy the many freedoms we have, in the amazing state of Idaho, that our current leaders have protected for us.

Kellie Palm represents Kootenai County Precinct No. 15.