Clarification of Selle Valley boundaries needed

I believe there needs to be some clarification about the Selle Valley boundaries.

The Skinner property, subject of much scrutiny these days, is not even in the Selle Valley. It is most certainly not “the heart” of the Selle Valley as some may claim. The "heart" of the Selle valley could more accurately be located on the South Center Valley Road north of the Selle Road. Make your own judgment by looking at the Selle precinct boundaries on the Bonner County elections web page.

The Skinner property is in the Grouse Creek precinct and borders the Oden precinct on the south.

I lived on the Farm-to-Market Road on a 240-acre dairy farm until I was 20. Some of our farm on the east side of the county road is now owned by the Skinners. We did not live in Selle. Neither did the folks who lived up Lightning Creek, Gold Creek and Grouse Creek.

Recently people have been playing fast and loose using the Selle valley in location descriptions. Why? Because just saying "Selle Valley" conjures up images of a pastoral paradise that tugs at the heartstrings of some and puts dollar signs in the eyes of others.  

“It is on the edge of the Selle Valley.” That I could accept. But “in the heart of the Selle Valley?” Most assuredly not. Because it isn’t. That is a downright misrepresentation!

HELEN NEWTON

Sandpoint