School board elections Tuesday
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May 15, 2013 |
Publishers note: All candidates in this
election were invited to submit their photo and
statement for free publication; only two did.
The offer still stands.
Mike Weland
Voters in school district Zones 1, Mount Hall
Elementary,
and 5, Naples Elementary, are being asked to go to the
polls at each respective school between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21,
to elect two School District 101 trustees.
In Zone 1, incumbent Gil Hagen is being
challenged by Liz Sloot and Mike Weland.
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| Elizabeth
Sloot |
"My name is Elizabeth Sloot and I am a candidate
for the positiion of School Board Trustee for
Zone 1," Liz wrote. "Our family moved to
Boundary County in 1967 and our two children got
their primary and secondary education in the
Boundary County public schools.
"I have always been active in Community affairs
such as Mt. Hall PTA, 4H, Boundary Cancer
Society, Cub Scouts, Fraternal Order of Eagles,
I served on the board of the Panhandle Health
and at present am chairperson for the Boundary
County Tea Party.
"I decided to run for this position because I
was encouraged to do so and also I feel because
of my feeling for this county and the
understanding of this county and it's economic
situation, I will be able to shed some common
sense on the school budget and the school
curriculum."
In Zone 5, it's a three-way race as well, with
incumbent Lisa Dirks facing off against Kim
Petersen and Nichele Whittaker.
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Nichele
Whittaker |
"I believe that a change is needed and that’s
why I am running for the Naples/Zone 5 seat on
the School Board. So, I would like to introduce
myself. I am Nichele Whittaker," she wrote. "Let
me tell you a little about who I am."
"I moved with my husband, Jason, back to his
home town of Bonners Ferry in August,1998, and I
haven’t looked back. Our children are sixth
generation here in Boundary County and it has
been a blessing to provide them a place to call
home. What is even more amazing is it has become
the place that I call home.
"Naples was where we bought our first home. A
home we brought both our girls to from the
hospital when they were born. A home that was
destroyed by fire and we learned to hold close
the things that are truly important. It was the
Naples community that rallied around us first to
make sure we were taking care of immediately and
then others around the county began to help
without question. Even the woman who pulled up
to our still-smoldering home and gave me a 40
pound bag of dog food because 'sometimes the
pets are forgotten.'
"Then, a year later to the exact day, my son was
born to complete our circle here in Naples.
After 15 years, I feel that it is my turn to see
what I can do to help.
"There is one major point I would like to make
and the main reason that I am running, it's the
lack of communication between the school board
and parents of the children attending Naples
School. This lack of communication has bred
mistrust, misunderstanding, a loss of respect
and lots of frustration. It has created an
atmosphere where parents feel like it is us vs.
the school board.
"We need someone on the board who is able to
bridge that gap and bring us together. I believe
that I am that person.
"It has been amazing to watch the staff,
students and parents create something worth
fighting for. They come together over and over
again to prove that they can make anything
happen.
"Can you imagine the possibilities of what can
be done if they were working side by side with
the school board? I want to be that person that
brings them together again.
"My name is Nichele Whittaker and I am asking
for your vote for the Naples/Zone 5 seat on the
School Board on May 21st."
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