Idaho Speaks

Brent and Beverly from the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee sits with Idaho Speaks to talk Rating and Vetting.  Brent describes how the process works and Beverly describes how the campaigning process works after suggestion.

Ed & Beverly then spends a little time talking about a few of the suggested candidates running for various seats throughout Kootenai County.

Summery / Comments:

John and Summer discuss Ranked Choice Voting.

Links to learn more about ranked choice voting:

https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)

https://idgop.org/2023/08/18/idahoans-just-say-no-to-reclaim-idaho-and-ranked-choice-voting/

https://idgop.org/2023/08/11/former-alaska-governor-sarah-palin-set-to-speak-against-ranked-choice-voting-in-idaho-falls/

The learn more about Summer and The Bushnell Report, please visit thebushnellreport.com.  You can also find The Bushnell Report on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/thebushnellreport.

Sponsors:

Would you like to bring your podcast to the Idaho Speaks Network?  Do you feel you have a message that voters are not getting to hear? Please call Ed at (208) 209-7170 to start the conversation.

Idaho Speaks is a listener supported production.  Please visit idahospeaks.com/support to learn more about how to help the program.

Randy Westlund sits with Idaho Speaks to share his thoughts on how the city of Post Falls is operating and how he, as an elected representative, would address some of the most important issues facing the city.

To learn more about Randy, visit randyforpostfalls.com.

In today’s episode, Brent Regan, Chair of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, sits with Idaho Speaks to discuss the term Gryoper.  Brent presents how the committee is structured and how the leadership is elected.  Ed & Brent discuss how toxic labels and the efforts by some to force punishment on anyone who does not condemn, hurt the community.

Summary:

Ed Bejarana introduces Tommy LaPonsey, who is running for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Commissioner.

Tommy LaPonsey talks about his background and why he decided to run for office. He says that he moved to Idaho from California because he wanted to raise his family in a better environment. He also has 29 years of experience in the fire servi

Ed Bejarana asks Tommy LaPonsey about his personal and professional qualifications. Tommy LaPonsey says that he is passionate about public service and wants to make a difference in the community. He also has a lot of experience in the fire service, including running a busy fire station and responding to large-scale brush fires.

Ed Bejarana and Tommy LaPonsey discuss some of the specific issues facing the Cooney County Fire and Rescue Department. Tommy LaPonsey says that he is committed to maintaining the department's high standards of training and service. He also wants to make sure that the department is prepared to handle the challenges of growth in the community.

To learn more about Tommy, visit: tommy4kootenaifire.com

Summery / Comments:

Summer and John explain what a groyper is and why you need to be aware of them.

Wikipedia on Groypers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groypers

Expanded episode summary: The discussion involves Summer Bushnell and John Bushnell talking about the phenomenon of "groypers," which refers to a group of white nationalist, far-right activists, and internet trolls attempting to introduce far-right politics into mainstream conservatism in the United States. The hosts discuss their perspectives on this group, potential issues associated with them, and how they view the relationship between these individuals and conservative values. They highlight concerns about dishonesty, deception, anti-Semitism, and disruptions caused by some groypers in their local community. The hosts express the need for prayer and understanding towards individuals involved in this movement, emphasizing the potential for redemption and change.

The learn more about Summer and The Bushnell Report, please visit thebushnellreport.com.  You can also find The Bushnell Report on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/thebushnellreport.

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The past sixty years have been an unusual blessing, thanks to penicillin, Salk's Polio Vaccine, and other Wonder Drugs. Death by disease is a normal part of the human condition. To pretend otherwise is delusional. No government’s power can prevent us from being crippled and killed by nature. Tyranny cannot save us from the realities of human life. Never again must we permit ourselves to be corralled and branded like cattle. If our leaders ever again try to exploit a crisis like COVID for political gain, we must engage in a campaign of total and absolute Civil Disobedience, as did Gandhi and MLK when faced with injustice.

Would you like to share your thoughts with Ralph?  Please email your comments to [email protected] or post your comments on @IdahoSpeaks on Twitter.

Sponsors:

This production of Keep Right was brought to you by Ed Bejarana from Zenith Exhibits.  Zenith Exhibits providing professional audio production, voice overs, and audiobook narration.  Call (208) 209-7170 or visit www.zenithexhibits.com to learn more.

Do you have something so say?  Interested in learning more about publishing on the Idaho Speaks Network?  Our nation was built on ideas and your idea could be the next political advancement for Idaho.  Call Ed at (208) 209-7170 or email [email protected] to start the conversation.

Summary:

In this conversation, Ed Bejarana welcomes Thomas Shafer, who is running for a seat on the Hayden City Council. They discuss various topics related to Shafer's candidacy and his views on issues facing the city. Tom explains his motivation for running, highlighting his concerns about rapid growth and development that could lead to issues similar to those experienced in other areas. He emphasizes his small government libertarian and socially conservative beliefs, including his pro-life stance and opposition to mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tom discusses his professional background in telecom and aerospace engineering, his role as an elected trustee in a soil water conservation district, and his experience in dealing with local public forums. He expresses a desire to encourage citizen engagement and participation in local government decisions.

He addresses issues such as housing affordability, managing growth, and the role of the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency (HURA). Tom critiques the current city operations, citing concerns about transparency, decision-making processes, and the use of consent calendars for voting on multiple items without individual discussion. He emphasizes the need for better communication between council members and constituents, advocating for a two-week review period for city council packages.

Tom envisions a future for Hayden that focuses on rational and responsible growth, emphasizing single-family homeownership and avoiding excessive high-density developments. He aims to provide a voice for citizens and address their concerns as an elected representative. The conversation concludes with Tom's call for more attentive and responsive city leadership, promising to be an advocate for the community's interests if elected.

To learn more about Tom, please visit his campaign website:  Tom4hayden.com

In this moment, most of us are beset by hopelessness about our own future, of liberty in the United States, of our shared Western Civilization, and the future of humanity itself. This despair is by design! If we lack hope, we will be more easily ruled. Be a prisoner of hope and transcend these travails as past generations of Americans have since before Plymouth Rock.

Would you like to share your thoughts with Ralph?  Please email your comments to [email protected] or post your comments on @IdahoSpeaks on Twitter.

Sponsors:

This production of Keep Right was brought to you by Ed Bejarana from Zenith Exhibits.  Zenith Exhibits providing professional audio production, voice overs, and audiobook narration.  Call (208) 209-7170 or visit www.zenithexhibits.com to learn more.

Do you have something so say?  Interested in learning more about publishing on the Idaho Speaks Network?  Our nation was built on ideas and your idea could be the next political advancement for Idaho.  Call Ed at (208) 209-7170 or email [email protected] to start the conversation.

Summary:

In this insightful episode of Idaho Speaks, we sit down with Commissioner Bruce Mattare to discuss the urgency and importance of the Open Space & Park Development Bond in Kootenai County. As one of the most rapidly expanding counties in the Pacific Northwest, Kootenai faces pressing challenges and opportunities regarding land preservation and development.

Key Points:

Historical Perspective: The Rathdrum Prairie's Significance - Commissioner Mattare traces back to 2008 when county officials first recognized the pressures of growth on the Rathdrum Prairie. They saw the looming threats to the drinking water supply and anticipated transportation and infrastructure issues.

The Current Challenge: With a decade of even more intense growth, the stakes have risen. The county's open spaces, which many residents treasure, are under threat from development.

Voters’ Decision: Kootenai County Commissioners believe in a democratic approach, putting the choice in the hands of the citizens. The bond proposes to tackle traffic and congestion issues, create more parks, connect recreational trails, and safeguard the precious drinking water supply by acquiring land above the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

Economic and Social Implications: Beyond the environmental concerns, Commissioner Mattare emphasizes the broader implications of the bond for the county's social fabric and economic well-being.

Call to Action: Every vote counts! The Commissioner stresses the importance of community engagement, urging residents to be informed, proactive, and to exercise their democratic right in this crucial decision for the county's future.

Kootenai County stands at a crossroads. The choices made today will shape its landscapes, communities, and quality of life for generations to come. What are YOUR thoughts on this topic?  You can call the Voters Voice line and share your thoughts, call (208) 352-6433 or email your thoughts to [email protected].

Link to Bond Info in Kootenai County Website:  https://bit.ly/44gfILy

Link to Open Space & Park Development Bond Website:  kcbondinfo.com

Link to Facebook Page for Open Space & Park Development Bond:  facebook.com/kcbondinfo/