The Reader invites public to a town hall on ‘the Couplet’

By Reader Staff

The Reader is hosting an open town hall to discuss “the Couplet” concept for widening and reorienting U.S. Highway 2, which has made the news in recent weeks.

The event is scheduled for Monday, March 20, from 5-7 p.m. at the East Bonner County

Library Meeting Room B, and will be an informal opportunity for city residents to see enlarged maps and discuss details of the plan, offer their opinions, ask questions of former city staff members who were directly involved in the similar “Curve” plan more than a decade ago and share any insights.

Invitations have been ex- tended to members of Sandpoint city staff and elected officials, and all Sandpoint and Bonner County residents are welcome to come hear information about the Couplet and share their insights and opinions.

The meeting will hopefully be shared via Zoom so attendees can participate remotely if unable to be there in person.

Check next week’s Reader for a Zoom link.

The Reader will also distribute surveys at the town hall to poll those in attendance on their support or opposition to the Couplet concept.

After the meeting, the Reader will compile the information gathered from the public and make it available to city leaders.

Bouquets:

•Here’s a big Bouquet for all the volunteers, performers and crew who make The Follies a success every year. Thanks to the Angels Over Sandpoint and all of those who contribute, tens of thousands of dollars are funnelled right back into our community, helping those who need it most. Great job everyone!

Barbs:

• Idaho Republicans are at it again at the Statehouse. This time they passed Senate Bill 1056, which would repeal a state law banning groups of people from parading in public with firearms in any Idaho city or town. The passage of the bill would also remove Idaho’s prohibition on private militias, opponents argue. The fact that this law even existed is curious, since I can think of at least a dozen times I’ve seen people marching with weapons on full display in parades and protests. I’ve never heard of anyone being arrested for this violation in Sandpoint, but that’s nothing new — there are several instances, such as someone pulled over for drunk driving while carrying a weapon, or leaving a gun unattended in a public place — where no action was taken by law enforcement. It’s yet another law that extremists choose not to follow because they believe they’re always on the right side of the law — even when they aren’t. The bill will likely pass both chambers and Gov. Brad Little will surely sign it into law, making Idaho less safe in the process. And just to avoid the usual nonsense emails: yes I own multiple firearms and 100% support the Second Amendment, but I also support regulations like universal background checks and common sense gun control that will keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t own them.