Candidates discuss budget, sewer issue

BONNERS FERRY — The candidate forum that took place on Wednesday, Oct. 16 — moderated by Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Van Etten — was informative despite the low turnout by both voters and candidates.

Five candidates attended the evening’s forum, which was held at the University Extension Office.

Dick Staples, running against Mayor David Sims, was not present nor was Douglas Reach and Terry A. Johnson, who have their hat in the Moyie City Council race against incumbent Tim Narvaez and challenger Debra Rauth.

Sims began the forum with an opening statement in which he described the accomplishments regarding the city as he has served his office.

“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as the mayor of Bonners Ferry for the last four years,” Sims said.

Some of the accomplishments Sims mentioned were the reversal of a trend he says whereas the former administration had spent reserve funding to balance the budget.

“We have reversed that trend and have more than doubled the unassigned general fund balance, from $218,000 to $479,000,” Sims said.

In addition to this, Sims talked about the city’s receipt of the Blue Cross High Five Community Transformation Grant and the various projects that have been and are being funded with those funds, such as the new community ice skating rink, school projects and upgrades to the community pool with the addition of a new Splash Pad.

Sims has grand plans for the city as well and stated that the grants that the city has received has been very helpful in leveraging the funds which in turn has been saving local residents money.

“Over the last four years, we have received over $900,000 of grant funding,” Sims said.

A main goal with these projects is aimed at building the community to increase opportunities for children, which Sims said will always be a priority.

“We need to make sure that Bonners Ferry is a great place for families,” said Sims.

Debra Rauth, a resident of Boundary County since 1991, is running for Moyie Springs City Council.

Rauth, who is a newcomer to politics, said, “The things I am really proud of in Moyie is how people let you help in terms of volunteering.”

“I am concerned with the sewer issues in Moyie Springs,” Rauth said, “I would like to ensure that people are protected if grants don’t go through.”

Rauth stated, “Because I am retired, I feel I could be a good balance and can fill in the gap. I am not working, the guys on the council are working and trying to juggle everything. I can fill in and pick up the tray.”

“The only agenda I really have is that I love our community, I want that hometown feel, when you move into the neighborhood, people greet you, and make you feel welcome,” said Rauth.

“My goal is to keep that, in amidst to welcoming people from all states and all nations, we have some awesome new neighbors and I want to encourage that. That’s all,” said Rauth at the end of her statement.

Tim Narvarez, incumbent running for Moyie Springs City Council, stated, “I said I didn’t have an agenda four years ago when I came to the last meeting, I feel that’s changed, with circumstances and hardships so to speak with the council, I have an agenda to take care of people.”

“I’m tired of back door policies being done, I’ve butted heads with many, and I will probably continue to butt heads with many more, and that’s for the people,” Narvarez stated.

“I get a personal satisfaction from this, but that’s it, there’s no money, and there’s very little thank you,” said Narvarez.

Narvarez stated, “I did debate with myself over running again because of the skullduggery for lack of a better word. We have come a long way in that little town.”

“We’ve got a sewer system we can live with, we’ve got water issues that are ongoing, the State’s involved but there are no mandates yet, but it’s coming and we need to think ahead on that,” said Narvarez.

“So I will continue to do my best if I get reelected, if not i’ll try and go fishing,” said Narvarez.

Valerie Thompson, running unopposed for Bonners Ferry City Council said, “Since I joined the council in 2018, I have had quite a learning curve, we have a wonderful staff who are able to step in and answer questions.”

Thompson addressed the attendees saying, “So many of you come to council meetings regularly, I wish that we could get more people to come to council meetings, because it’s exciting to see our various agencies working together to create a better community.”

Thompson described the rubric of how she makes decisions within her position of City Council member.

“I ask myself a few questions prior to making decisions; will this decision make a positive and long term sustainable impact on the community, am I being the best possible steward of our city’s human and fiscal resources, even if sometimes I’m tight with those little dollars, have I considered the best possible practical interpretation of our current laws and ordinances and do those ordinances make sense for our city, am I considering the future of Bonners Ferry and the families who choose to live here and are already live here?” said Thompson.

Running unopposed for City Council, Rick Alonzo said, “Listening to the mayor speak, 95 percent of what he said is what I say, we’re all pretty much on the same page as far as making the city a better place to live, making our infrastructure better, a lot of it is ancient, like the sewer bridge that is 50 years old ... but there are lots of things that need to be done that need work on when we have money.”

All candidates relayed the same wishes for more community with a general consensus that more community members come and attend city council meetings and have a voice in how their city is managed.