I'm still here. I've been hanging in the background for months, watching and waiting for the dialogue with the toxic smelter supporters (our local government and a few citizens) and the citizens of Pend Oreille County to improve.
That didn't happen. The same level of dishonesty, malfeasance, deception and downplaying of what is facing the residents of Newport, Oldtown and the surrounding area has remained.
So now it's time to vote - if you haven't voted already. This is your chance to make a difference. To get rid of some of the corruption in Pend Oreille County and Bonner County. Two officials of particular importance are up for re-election. Mike Manus and Dan McDonald. Get rid of both of these clowns. Make your votes count. Both men have demonstrated themselves unfit for the office in which they hold and have deceived, lied and misled their constituents since taking office.
And both support the construction of the toxic silicon smelter above the town of Newport.
Getting rid of these men will be just the beginning of a citizens revolt against corrupt local government. We've got a State fight to consider too. Senator Short is also on the list for dishonesty and a toxic silicon smelter. She's got to go too.
It's now time to make your voices heard, again. So far, they have not been listening to the people which they are supposed to represent. They never will. Oddly, they've all claimed that what they want is what we want, but it's not true. We do not want a toxic silicon smelter to ruin our air, water, soil, forests and livelihoods. We want to keep this region safe from toxic industries, period. We always have. We always will.
