Smith plans to run again

Boundary County Commission Chair Ron Smith Friday formally announced his intent to continue to serve the citizens of Boundary County.

Smith will be seeking re-election to the District 1 position on the Board of Boundary County Commissioners.

“I choose to run because I look forward to continuing to work with the 105 plus county employees who every day provide outstanding service to the people of Boundary County and because I would like to continue the work of this county in being an effective voice on big issues,” Smith said.

Smith, who moved to Boundary County with his wife Evelyn, in 1979, has served the citizens of Boundary County since being hired as a sheriff’s deputy in 1981 He later was elected sheriff and served in that position from 1983 to 1988.

He served his first stint as a county commissioner from 1989 to 1995 before seeking office and being elected again and serving from 2003 to present. He is proud to have worked with local, state and federal officials to give Boundary County an active and effective voice in decisions often made far away.

“When I first became County Commissioner, there was largely an ‘us against them’ attitude when it came to dealing with state and federal issues and agencies that affected Boundary County,” he said. “You see other counties that still maintain that mindset, and they are nowhere near as effective as Boundary County when it comes to divisive issues. We’ve built an excellent rapport and working relationship with our state representatives; Senator Shawn Keough and Representatives Eric Anderson and George Eskridge, and the U.S. Congressional delegation; Senators Mike Crapo and James Risch and Congressmen Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson, who’ve always been there to assist us reach the right people in the right way. We’ve been able to work with them to get our viewpoint across effectively, and they’ve always been there to further that viewpoint and make sure it’s heard and considered by those who make the decisions, whatever the issue is.”

Smith credited that cooperative approach for a measure of success in getting concessions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding designation of critical habitat in the Selkirk Mountains for the caribou.

“Other counties made noise,” Smith said, “but Boundary County, by putting forward a united front with input from multiple local groups, governments and organizations here in the county, and being fully supported by our legislators, both state and federal, was able to gain an extension of the public comment period on that issue as well as local public meetings and public hearings by which the people of Boundary County can share their points of view and take part in shaping the final decision. By having these public hearings, the commissioners, along with the public, can work to mitigate adverse impacts of such a designation and protect our economy, our recreation, and our way of life. We may not obtain all the concessions we need, but we will be heard and our concerns will become part of the federal record.”

Smith said he looks forward to continuing building on the strides that have been made in recent years, and to continue serving the citizens of Boundary County.

In addition to serving the citizens of Boundary County, both Ron and Evelyn, his wife of 53 years, are active throughout the community, particularly when it comes to their church, their beloved Bonners Ferry Badgers and to education in general, giving of themselves and their time for a community they both love.