Smith, Kerby re-elected county commissioners

Republican Boundary County commissioners Ron Smith and Walt Kirby defeated their Democrat challengers by a wide margin during Tuesday’s General Election.

Smith held on for a fifth term after receiving 70 percent of the voters’ approval. Smith, 70, garnered 3,216 votes to challenger Jerry Pavia’s 1,409 for the four-year term.

Kirby, who had two opponents, earned 58 percent of the vote for a third term. Kirby received 2,704 votes while Bonner Books store owner John O’Connor garnered 1,633 and Independent John White, a retired construction and sawmill worker from Moyie Springs, received 290 votes.

Kirby will serve another two-year term.

Commissioners are paid $28,400 a year.

Smith was pleased.

“I’m thrilled and I’m just very thankful the voters had confidence in me and had faith in what I’m saying,” he said Wednesday morning.

Pavia felt he gave it a fair effort.

“I ran a very positive, upbeat campaign, putting out the issues that the county government should be dealing with in the next 10 years,” said the 60-year-old Bonners Ferry professional photographer. “Hopefully, the re-elected commissioners will take a look at those issues.”

In the other race, Kirby said he wasn’t surprised at his margin of victory.

“I’ve done good work for the county and my record shows that,” the 78-year-old said. “All I can say is the voters have complimented me again.”

O’Connor, 51, also commented on his loss.

“Boundary County missed a very good opportunity for greater energy and diversity on their county commission,” he said.