Full disclosure: I live just across the Long Bridge, so I’m unable to vote in the elections next month. But everything that body does affects everyone in its surrounding towns.

I’ve attended public council meetings on only a couple of occasions. The first thing I noticed was the board’s disinterest in hearing input from anyone who lives outside the city limits, even though much of what they do affects us all.

Which brings me to my point: Sandpoint residents have an opportunity to change the make-up of the Sandpoint City Council. Three courageous candidates have stepped up to the plate — against vicious slings and arrows — to bring much-needed fresh voices and ideas to a board that’s grown increasingly detached from its constituency, many of whom are concerned, as I am, with its fiscal irresponsibility, its disregard for environmental abuses, and its obvious disdain for local businesses (the fourth or fifth iteration of torn-up roads comes to mind).

Jacque Guinan and Shannon Mitchell are running for city council, and Ken Lawrence for mayor, to reign in fiscal irresponsibility, address sewage disposal, and most importantly, place the priorities of citizens and business owners front and center.

For these reasons, I urge you to cast your vote for the three of them on November 5th. Help make Sandpoint, the town I chose to call home, a place where everyone feels welcome.

JODI GIDDINGS

Sagle