LEGISLATORS: Lack of reply disappoints

As a Rathdrum resident, I am deeply frustrated by the repeated lack of response I have received after reaching out to State Sen. Doug Okuniewicz and State Rep. Vito Barbieri of Legislative District 3.

On more than one occasion, I took time out of my own busy schedule to raise public policy concerns in good faith, hoping for even a basic acknowledgment. Instead, I was ignored. That kind of silence is disappointing from any public officeholder, but especially from elected officials whose responsibility is to represent the people of their district.

I do not expect every message to be answered instantly, and I understand that legislators are busy. But a complete lack of reply sends a clear message: constituent concerns are being treated as an inconvenience rather than a duty. That is not acceptable.

Elected office should not be a title worn for appearances while the people being represented are left in the dark. Leadership requires accessibility, respect and at least the courtesy of a response. When those standards are not met, voters have every right to question whether their voices are being heard at all.

Rathdrum and the broader Kootenai County community deserve representatives who engage with the public, not ones who disappear when constituents reach out. Because of my own experience, I cannot support either of these candidates, and I hope other voters will seriously consider whether silence is the kind of representation they want in elected office.

CLAYTON SAPPINGTON

Rathdrum