Pinkerton seeks comission seat

Lee Pinkerton, a resident of Bonners Ferry, has announced his Republican bid for the District 1 position on the Boundary County Board of Commissioners.

This position is currently held by Ron Smith.

Pinkerton, 51, was born and raised in Bonners Ferry where he graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1978. 

While working as a logger for nine years, mostly in Boundary County, Pinkerton attended North Idaho College where he earned an associate of arts and science degree in forestry technology. 

“As a Boundary County resident, I am an advocate for the timber industry and believe it to be critical to our economy, the education of our children and the future of our way of life.  If elected commissioner, my goal would be to ensure that our lifestyle in Boundary County can thrive and our children can have a future here,” Pinkerton said in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Pinkerton began his public service career by joining the US Border Patrol in 1987 and proudly served the country during his career spanning over two decades.  As a Border Patrol Agent he served in various locations and positions throughout the United States, mostly in the Southwest.

“As I rose through the various levels of management, I learned to be an effective leader and manager for my agency. In 2001, I transferred to Spokane, Wash., where I became an assistant chief patrol agent,” Pinkerton said.  “As an sssistant chief, I shared oversight responsibilities and the operations of seven stations in three states consisting of more than 300 employees. 

“I conducted business with various groups, organizations and individuals, as well as high level representatives of county, state, federal and foreign agencies. I retired in May 2010.”

Pinkerton is married and has five children, three who attend Valley View Elementary School. His wife Missy is a part-time employee at Valley View.

Pinkerton said that having been raised in Bonners Ferry, he developed a great love and respect for the people, the lifestyle and the area within Boundary County. 

He enjoys an active lifestyle which drives him into the outdoors where he enjoys all kinds of activities. Being an avid hunter and fisherman, he is a passionate user of the national forests and especially enjoys camping and exploring the area on horseback.

Pinkerton regards the recent actions of the federal agencies, the US Fish and Wildlife Service that is involved in the plan to create 375,562 acres of the Selkirk Mountain Range as a Critical Caribou Habitat, as well as the US Forest Service’s proposed Forest Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement  as a direct assault on  Boundary County.

“I will not sit and watch as the land managers continue to close our forests,” he said.  “I will challenge these managers and hold them accountable to the needs of the people of our community. Through Coordination, I intend to ensure that our national forests can once again supply us with the timber production required for our county’s success while restoring the health of the forest and reestablishing a true multiple use forest system. 

“I believe that our county has much to offer. Our commissioners must start to think outside the box and collectively find other productive ways to stimulate economic growth and produce much needed employment opportunities.  We need to expand current infrastructure, search out new industry, and draw prospective markets to our county.”

He serves as a volunteer on the board of trustees for the Boundary County Museum and is also a volunteer non-officer reserve for the Boundary County Sheriff’s Department.