County Commissioner Kirby faces challenger on May 27

Two-term Republican Boundary County Commissioner Walt Kirby faces two challengers for the Tuesday, May 27, primary, while GOP county commissioner Ron Smith is unopposed until the fall.

Republicans Chad Farrens and Brian Woomert will run against Kirby for a two-year term in District 2, representing the Moyie Springs area. The winner on the GOP ticket on Nov. 4 can expect to face Democrat John O’Connor, owner of Bonners Books, and Independent John White, a retired sawmill and construction worker.

Smith can expect a race from Democrat Jerry Pavia in November for the four-year, District 1 seat, which pays $28,400 annually. The winner will represent Bonners Ferry.

• Kirby, 77, has served as commissioner for six years. The owner of Kirby Mechanical in Bonners Ferry for nearly 30 years, he was initially elected to a two-year term in 2002 after defeating incumbent Kevin Lederhos. Kirby in 2004 defeated challenger Lederhos for another four-year term.

He hopes to continue working toward solving problems at the county landfill off Hillcrest Road on Bonners Ferry’s North Hill.

Opened in 1971, the landfill is permitted to receive 20 tons of garbage daily. It gets 15 to 18 tons a day. Once the landfill is at capacity, it will be closed, and garbage will be shipped out of county because the cost of opening another landfill would be astronomical. Sending garbage elsewhere also is costly.

County officials are expanding recycling opportunities in hopes of extending the landfill’s life.

• Farrens, 42, owns Mountain View Archery and Northwest Custom Sawing. He has served as a Moyie Springs Councilman for more than 10 years.

“I’ve been thinking about it for quite a few years,” Farrens said about his decision to run. “We need to worry about keeping businesses that are here and getting some employment in the county.”

• Woomert has lived in Boundary County for 20 years. He has worked for Co-op Gas & Supply, Quality Farm and Garden, and Pro X Building Supply.

One of Woomert’s key reasons for running is he believes there’s an erosion in the ability to make private decisions.

“There is a growing push and insistence for more and more restrictions,” he said. “Logging, roadless areas, planning and zoning, restrictions on how much a person can divide his own private property are examples.”

Woomert says he is personable and a good listener.

• Connor said he is running for a seat on the county commission with the goal of introducing more transparency into local government and for a chance to serve the broad electorate, not just the powerful interests.

He has resided in the county for 27 years, working in agriculture, and the service and public sectors before buying Bonners Books 21 years ago.

“I’d like to apply the same thought and dedication to county government that I have in making the bookstore a success over the year,” said O’Connor. “We need more civility and professionalism among our local leaders.”

• White said he is running because he is concerned with various issues, which he believes need addressed on a “more open private party perspective.”

“More to the people than the governmental bureaucratic point of view,” he said.

White, who lives between Moyie Springs and the Montana line, worked at Louisiana Pacific in Moyie Springs and WI in Bonners Ferry. He is also a retired carpenter, who worked in industrial construction, bridges and shopping centers.

• Smith, 69, has served as commissioner for 11 years.

He served two terms from 1989 to 1995. Smith in 2002 was elected to a four-year term and then a two-year term, which expires at the end of 2008. Smith worked for the sheriff’s office for six years, including as the sheriff from 1982 to 1987.

• Pavia, 60, is a professional photographer, who specializes in field plants, gardens, wildlife and nature. He also worked in the timber industry for 11 years, including in Boundary County.

“I have lived here for over 30 years,” Pavia said. “I’ve learned a lot. I feel I have a lot to offer in a growing community.”