Introducing our Precinct Chairs: Lee Anne Eareckson - Precinct 30 (Viola)

Introducing our Precinct Chairs: Lee Anne Eareckson - Precinct 30 (Viola)

I have lived in Viola for thirty years, and l agreed to serve as the Latah County Democrats’ precinct captain for Viola because of my concerns about recent actions by the Idaho state legislature and the US Congress regarding several issues that are important to me—particularly gun legislation and climate change policy. In my capacity as a Moscow High School teacher and advisor for the Environmental Club and the International Human Rights Club, I have a wonderful opportunity to work with youth, who are our future leaders. While some of our current political leaders want to arm teachers and “harden” our schools by installing metal detectors and security officers, I want to make our entire communities safe from fear of gun violence.

Kathy Dawes, a retired teacher who also owns property in Viola, offered to assist me in my efforts as precinct chair. Last summer, we contacted Viola Democrats and conducted a fundraising event at the Phillips Farm Park for the successful campaigns of David Nelson (State Senator) and Kathie LaFortune (County Commissioner). Since the 2018 election, we have been very active in the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. This past June, we chaperoned four Moscow High School students at the National CCL Conference in Washington, DC, where 1,500 CCL members (380 of whom were students) were inspired by keynote speakers and attended group trainings. We met with our congressional representatives to discuss climate change and promote the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EIDCA), which would charge a fee for carbon emissions and return the revenues raised directly back to the American people as a dividend.

I look forward to meeting more Viola Democrats and could use their help before the 2020 election!

The Importance of Showing Up

Living in Rural Latah County

Living in Rural Latah County