Setting the record straight: My Heart and my motive for serving

I want to take a moment to respond to recent comments and clarify my heart, my motive and my commitment to serving the people of Kootenai County.

Public service should be rooted in truth, integrity and a genuine desire to serve others not assumptions or mischaracterizations. I welcome honest disagreement, but I also believe it is important to correct the record when my intentions and work are misrepresented.

My decision to run for public office is not driven by personal gain or outside agendas. It is driven by a deep commitment to this community, shaped by nearly two decades of working alongside families impacted by addiction, and by my role as a husband and father raising four school-aged children here in North Idaho.

I understand firsthand the realities of addiction and its impact on families and communities. That experience has shaped my belief in both compassion and responsibility, caring for those who are struggling while also protecting the safety, stability and quality of life of the community as a whole.

I also want to address the insinuation that my motives are tied to driving “business” for Good Samaritan. The reality is that Good Samaritan is nearly always at capacity, with a significant waiting list. We charge $3,200 per person for a two-month inpatient and six-month outpatient program, which is a fraction of the cost of most treatment programs. We work intentionally to keep care affordable because we believe the healing power of Christ should not be limited to those who can afford it. In fact, 61% of our residents last year were sponsored through our ongoing fundraising efforts.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to serve this community with honesty, balance and practical decision-making that reflects the voices of the people who live here. I am committed to focusing on solutions, not political gamesmanship or personal attacks, and to working toward a safer, stronger future for Kootenai County. 

This includes my clear position that I do not support the creation of a bus route between Kootenai County and downtown Spokane. (In an answer to the KCRCC rating and vetting questions, Padula wrote: "I am opposed to connecting transit to Spokane.)

That commitment also includes serving in a way that best supports our local business community, as well as ensuring that the decisions made today strengthen the future for both your family and mine.

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John Padula is running for Kootenai County Commissioner Seat 1.