Local candidates discuss everything from economy to land issues

More than 50 people attended the candidate forum at Chic-N-Chop on Oct. 14 and candidates running for both local and state offices attended to answer questions.

All candidates for County Commissioner attended, which included Orrin Everhart, Walt Kirby, John White, Dan Dinning and Michael Richardson. David Ryals and Jeff Stankiewicz, both candidates for Assessor, were in attendance.

Also in attendance were Glenda Poston, running unopposed for Clerk of the District Court and Jennifer Fessler, running unopposed for Treasurer.

At the state level, running unopposed for re-election but all in attendance were Shawn Keough, State Senator District 1; Eric Anderson, State Representative District 1; and George Eskridge, State Representative District 1. Also in attendance were candidate Paul Venable running for Lieutenant Governor and Katie Brodie, North Idaho Field Representative for Governor Butch Otter.

There were numerous questions for both the County Commissioner and Assessor candidates but time did not allow all questions to be answered.

A few of the topics addressed included the Panhandle Collaboration, closing the Health and Welfare office, the Restorium, the landfill, leadership, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Planning and Zoning and appraisal background.

Keough, Eskridge and Anderson all spoke in regards to the closing of the local Health and Welfare Office. Keough said she was not in support of the closure and worked hard to keep it open, but was unsuccessful. Anderson said they are trying not to make this a permanent closure.

“We are trying to mitigate the extra burden,” said Keough.

The Panhandle Collaborative, established by Congressman Walt Minnick, was a topic of interest. The Collaborative is an effort to bring people from both Boundary County and Bonner County together to collaborate on management of federal forests in the two counties.

“We would be foolish not to be involved,” said Dinning, who has attended all but one collaborative meeting in which Commissioner Ron Smith attended in his absence. “I have the responsibility to represent this community. I’m about local control at the local level. Locally is where timber management belongs.”

“I’ve followed it very closely,” said Richardson. “I intend to reinvigorate it.”

“I’m not an expert on this…not effective at all in Boundary County,” said Everhart. “It could result in resolving issues.”

“I support KVRI (Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative)…but I don’t know if I support the other collaborative,” said Kirby.

Each candidate gave an opening and closing statement. A selection of statements from the candidates follows.

“I believe we have the opportunity…to strengthen the power of the people and the power of the state…to stop federal tyranny,” said Lieutenant Governor candidate Paul Venable.

“I believe passionately…that we can create jobs. I think we can get together in this county like they did in Colville,” said Everhart. “You need to be pro-active.”

“I want smart growth,” said Richardson. “I’m going to make my decisions with commonsense.”

“I love it here. I have its best interest at heart,” said Dinning. “We have always been frugal with your money…we are still able to give you the level of service you are use to. I analyze all sides, all consequences…to make sure we go down the right path.”

“You have to listen to the people you are going to lead and make decisions that they can follow,” said White. “I’m opposed to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan but there is merit to having guidelines. Every lawmaking body, not only do they make decisions, but they have to make an effort to clean house.”

“The Restorium…its a jewel…it is fixed. We probably have the nicest senior home in the country,” said Kirby. “What I do, decision after decision, motion after motion…is what is good for the citizens of Boundary County.”

“Nobody likes their property tax bill, I don’t like mine,” said Ryals. “I’ve been doing this for 19 years…trying to keep it fair and equitable.”

“I’m capable, I can do this,” said Stankiewicz. “I would be an assessor who uses all tools available, a true-open door employee.”

Elections are Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places for precincts are as follows: Bonners Ferry, North Bonners Ferry and Kootenai vote at the Main Exhibit Hall at the Boundary County Fairgrounds; Valley View vote at Valley View Elementary; Copeland vote at Mt. Hall School; Naples vote at South Boundary Fire Station 1; and Moyie Springs vote at Moyie Springs City Office.