Letters to the Editor

FOOLISHNESS: Evolutionary historical geology

We were encouraged when 18 students and parents came to see our Bible-Science Museum. Thankful for the “life-or-death rescue” by hundreds of U.S. planes and commandos of the Air Force Colonel whose F-15E went down in Iran. Grateful for the safe “splash down” of the four Artemis II Moon astronauts!

In July 1969 I did geology on the Oregon Coast when the Apollo 11 spacecraft landed on the moon. All of the above were the result of science, technology and human planning and guidance — and God's mercy!

The AP article (Press, April 4), “How we came to be…” is based on evolutionary debunked theories. Paleontologists are trying to explain how early life — called the “Cambrian Explosion” — is so complex. Trilobites have complex eye systems vastly more complex than human invented cameras!

My geology and paleontology professors at both U.C., Berkeley (1965) and San Jose State University (1977) taught students atheistic evolution. At the U.S. Geological Survey, where I worked, geologists continually could not get consistency with radiometric-age dates. So, they threw out ages that did not fit their evolutionary training.

Macro Evolution is like trying to build a house by random chance and dropping the following off of thousand-foot cliffs for billions of years: bricks, concrete, wood, sheetrock, piping, glass, tiles, insulation, Tyvek, gutters…!

Evolutionists get confused with diversity (“microevolution”). Yes, there are hundreds of dog types, but they are still dogs!

But the Bible says, “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3-4).

JIM PEARL
Hayden

REPS: Concerning the supposed 'town hall' meeting 

Concerning the April 12 article, “Kraton, chemtrails, concealed carry," I am disappointed by our misuse of terms and the number of assumptions that are being made.

First, we need to stop applying the term “town hall” to meetings where the town is not invited. Call it a church meeting, or a Republican party gathering, but don’t call it a town hall meeting.

According to the article, an unspecified “they” were asked to raise their hands if they agreed that abortion is murder, and “they all raised their hands." I am pretty sure that not all citizens agree with that statement, thus indicating that the entire town was not represented.

Second, to quote the late Rush Limbaugh, “There’s a whole lot of assumin’ goin’ on.” Our political representatives assume that “Why, sure, everyone in northern Idaho thinks like we do” — the typical bandwagon fallacy.  

I use the term “representatives” lightly because, when Mr. Wisniewski states that chemtrails are a real thing in his “opinion,” and when Mr. Redman states that he doesn’t “believe” marijuana has a place in Idaho, then there’s not a whole lot of representin’ goin’ on.

My request to our representatives is this: Stop assuming and start truly representing.

JOE LYKINS
Coeur d'Alene

ASSESSOR: An endorsement for Allyson Knapp

I am asking for your vote in the upcoming primary election for Allyson Knapp for Kootenai County assessor. I have been involved with the need to replace our current assessor for a long time. I know several past and present employees who respected and loved working for the former assessor, Mike McDowell, who retired six years ago. Rich Hauser was his experienced and well-qualified replacement but unfortunately passed away soon after. 

The staff enjoyed working with Allyson when she was chief deputy assessor, and they were also impressed with her knowledge, energy and competence. I have met with Allyson a number of times and am convinced she would be a much better assessor than the current one. The County Commissioners cannot terminate the current assessor, but we the voters can. 

In addition, I was reassured that my extensive support to help Allyson get elected is the correct objective after I read Mike McDowell's letter to the Cd'A Press on April 10. He, with many years of experience as the assessor, did much better at explaining than anyone could, including me, why you should vote for Allyson Knapp for assessor.

DON MURRELL, Sr.
Coeur d’Alene

LAKELAND: School board mirrors NIC fiasco

The KCRCC rated and vetted candidates are costing taxpayers more money from their leadership. The Lakeland School Board voted to place the current superintendent on administrative leave for the remainder of his contract. Does this action remind you of the similar actions of the former NIC board which fired and hired at will?

The former Lakeland School Superintendent, Dr. Becky Meyers, was not rehired by the Lakeland School Board allowing the Lake Pend Oreille School to hire her as superintendent. She was named 2023 Idaho State Superintendent of the Year.  

History seems to be repeating itself. The board's KCRCC endorsed candidates make it difficult for schools to act in the best interest of students. Paying the salary for two superintendents takes dollars away from the education of our students. We demand that our hard-earned tax dollars are used for student learning.

The current NIC school board is returning the college to its past “Gem of Idaho” status. Maybe it is time for Lakeland School Board members to resign. A competent board could lead Lakeland back to its “GEM” status. 

Voters, please do your research. The KCRCC rating and vetting system is wasting tax dollars.

It’s just “COMMON CENTS!"

DARRYL STIEGEMEIER
Rathdrum

WASTE: One garbage can turns into two bills

I am writing as a Post Falls resident regarding a recent and concerning development in how solid waste services are being billed in our community. 

Like many households, I pay for garbage collection through my monthly city of Post Falls utility bill, including additional fees for an extra trash container due to family size. This arrangement reasonably implies that both collection and disposal are covered under that service. 

However, I recently received notice from Kootenai County indicating that I will now be billed separately for disposal costs if my household exceeds one standard container per week. This determination was reportedly based on information provided by the contracted hauler. 

This raises a straightforward question: Are residents now being charged twice for the same waste stream? 

If disposal costs are already embedded in municipal service fees, then layering additional county charges introduces a lack of transparency that deserves clarification. If they are not, then residents should have been clearly informed that their current payments do not represent the full cost of service. 

Equally concerning is the reliance on third-party reporting to trigger these charges, without clear explanation of how usage is measured or verified. 

This issue is not just about cost — it is about clarity, fairness, and accountability across overlapping jurisdictions. Residents deserve a clear and unified explanation of who is charging for what, and why. 

KURT NEUMAIER
Post Falls

LIBRARIES: Children, quiet please!

Remember those not-too-distant quiet days at your local library? Not anymore. Don’t get me wrong. I like kids as much as the next person, but it seems that of late, our libraries have become de facto taxpayer-subsidized daycare facilities with fully 30% of library space dedicated to child recreation. And the “little angels” spill over into the greater area of said libraries, yelling, screaming, crying, etc. Three out of five days a week. 

Shhhhhh! Quiet please! Just sayin'…

MICHAEL MARTZ
Athol