Dear Friends,

Anyone who knows me well knows I don't get involved in politics. My opinion for a long time has been that politicians only say what they think the most people want to hear. Or they say different things depending upon who is listening.

Now I'm involved because there is someone I believe in... a person running for office who is not a "Politician." He's a real person...an honest man who wants to help Bonner County thrive... without becoming a miniature version of California or even Seattle. He's a person who will tell you what he honestly believes... without first trying to decide what you might want to hear. My opinion is that we need this man as a part of Bonner County's government. Please help me get Lewis Rich elected as County Commissioner for District 3.

Lewis (Lewie) is a proponent of accessible government. He believes that the Commissioner's Office should be user-friendly and accountable to the taxpayers. Wouldn't THAT be a refreshing change. He also believes that the County should start upholding its own statutes regarding animal control and animal protection. That would be another refreshing change. Anyone who has been involved in animal issues will agree with Lewie's definition of the current practices as the "closed eye policy."

I've known Lewie for about ten years now, and he still says the same thing he said when I first met him: That people who move here should not try to change our way of life, our government, and our regulations to be like the place they moved away from. They should remember why they moved here. If they really think everything was better where they came from, then perhaps they should go back. He's not opposed to change... but the change needs to be appropriate for us and our way of life.

Don't just take my word for it. If you have questions, write to Lewie and ask him where he stands on the issues that are important to you. You can contact him at: biglew1947@yahoo.com

One more thing... Remember to VOTE!!

Marte Cliff
Priest River