One of the general criticisms of Commissioner Dan McDonald is that he’s a “bully.. Well, if you consider fighting aggressively on behalf of Bonner County residents “bullying,” than a bully he is.

But here is the truth: that particular characteristic is a necessary one for any elected official. Determination is the reason Bonner County’s budget saw a near $12 million reduction, with no cuts in services, in Dan’s first term. It’s the reason the county moved to self-insured status, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and reducing liability claims exponentially. And it’s the reason fiscal mismanagement created by past officials are being cleaned up, saving what would otherwise have resulted in significant expense to taxpayers.

What we don’t need in a commissioner is a wallflower who won’t fight his hardest on behalf of Bonner County residents. Or who prefers placing bureaucrats between us and our property rights. Or who wants to flood the county with refugees to prove we’re not “racist.” So, to those who say Dan is a “bully,” I say “good.” We need a fighter. And Dan McDonald has proven in his first term that he will never surrender when it comes to protecting, and advocating for, the interests of all Bonner County residents.

Please vote to re-elect Dan McDonald on Nov. 6.

JENN CARTER

Sandpoint