Boise County needs Ardinger in House of Representatives

Dear editor:

Regardless of whom you plan to vote into the White House this year, please keep Boise County in mind when you head to the polls on Nov. 4.

I know it's hard to think of anything other than the national election in times like these, but think of this: Boise County has not had representation in Idaho State government for 20 years. Our representative has come from Elmore County each and every election. It's a battle against sheer population, but it's time for Boise County.

Boise County needs representation from someone who has been committed to education and community service for over 30 years. Boise County needs my third-grade teacher, Rosemary Ardinger.

She has lived in Boise County for as long as I can remember and both my husband and myself were lucky enough to have her as our third-grade teacher before she became the State Title I Director for the Idaho Department of Education.

Mrs. Ardinger (it's hard calling your third-grade teacher anything else even after all these years!) knows what Boise County needs. I urge you to check out her website -- www.ardingerforidaho.com -- to find out what she stands for.

I grew up in Boise County. I went to school in Idaho City from kindergarten all the way through the twelfth grade. Though I no longer live in Boise County and will not be able to cast a vote for Mrs. Ardinger, my parents and many other people I know and love still live in Boise County and they are voting for Mrs. Ardinger.

I live in Washington, D.C., so I have been caught in the thick of this presidential election. But living out here, seeing the United States Capitol nearly every day, and practicing health care law has made me realize how important state government is. The federal government can't do everything. It can only do so much to help an individual person.

But state government is different. All politics are local. You know where your representatives live. You can write them a letter and they'll probably personally read it. You can drive into Boise and walk into the state capitol to meet with your legislators. It's so much more accessible, and for that reason, so much more important.

So this year, don't think about (D) or (R) when you vote. Think about Boise County. Mrs. Ardinger was my third-grade teacher. She was a great teacher. She needs your vote on Nov. 4.

Melissa Starry