Bertling running as write-in for commissioner

BONNERS FERRY —-- Boundary County Commissioner Tim Bertling has decided to throw his hat in the ring and run as a write-in for the general election after losing the GOP nomination to Steve Fioravanti in the May primary.

When asked why he is running in as a write-in instead of taking it as a loss, Bertling told the Bonners Ferry Herald that if he had lost by 500 votes there would be no possible way he would be running.

“I lost by 79 [votes],” he said “Six of my neighbors did not vote and many others people I know did not vote [in the primary]. A lot of people don’t realize the primary is more important than the general election.”

“I didn’t put my best foot forward in campaigning to show [my] strength and record and how well I know this county,” Bertling said.

He said many of the projects he is proud of competing while being commissioner is the flashing light at the intersections of Blume Hill and Roosevelt in 2021 He added that 20 years ago a county resident tried to buy a similar system for the county.

In addition to his general duties to oversee county management and employees, Bertling achieved in 2021, declined a 20-acre subdivision near the county landfill in order to protect the site, and declined a subdivision of a 40-acre property zoned as forestland in order to keep the county rural and to protect resource jobs. He also voted for a dollar raise for county employees, excluding the commissioners for the pay adjustment.

In 2022, he voted again against a rezoning to occur that would allow for future subdivision. He added that he protects the quality of rural life and resources jobs dependent on forests and fields.

He also met with the Road & Bridge Department many times to evaluate the current inventory of trucks and equipment. The county has an aging truck fleet and Bertling is addressing the situation and is involved with maintaining and improving county roads.

Also in 2022, Bertling met with Horizon Landscaping and Restorium staff to discuss outdoor improvements.

He said he “wholeheartedly” supports our senior citizens and their quality of life.

“I’m more hands-on than my predecessor,” he said.

“One commissioner can only do so much. You have to get equipment updated and work with Road & Bridge to get road work done,” he said.

He said the first year is like any other board he’s been one, it is a time to learn the ropes and the following years you learn how things go. He said if a new board member bulldozes their way it doesn't do well, he’s seen it happen.

Since Bertling is a long-time resident, he’s seen the county change across his life span.

“Change is inevitable, but how do you deal with it in Planning and Zoning and in other issues,” he said. “Being a county commissioner you need to know the county roads when someone brings an issue up. You also need to know the microclimates in the county.”

He added that a commissioner needs to be well-rounded by knowing about hunting, the waterways, wildlife, roads, equipment and much more in order to serve the county and communicate with other state and federal departments such as Idaho Fish and Game.

“If you don’t go out and live it, how will you be able to talk about it,” he said. “You must have expertise and knowledge about Boundary County.”

Bertling said he has just that.

He added that it doesn't come down to political parties.

“I look at the individual and county citizens and they all have rights. I can relate on both sides. I might not agree, but I respect their opinion and have intelligent conversations,” he said.

Bertlings views the role of commissioner as a service role rather than a political or ruling role.

“We are here to serve the county, attend to the roads, equipment and people doing their jobs,” he said.

He added that everything in the environment needs to be managed from the fields, to the waterways, mountains and forest. A commissioner needs to have the knowledge and foresight to manage these things.

For the primary, Bertling only fundraised $50. He said that at the time he relied on his reputation instead of selling himself and informing voters. He said it was a really learning curve for him and that he’s alway had a tough time asking for money.

As of Aug. 24, per the Secretary of State’s website for campaign reporting, Bertling has received $5,550 from 11 donors. He has spent $720 on vendors including, banners, printing, signage and buttons.

As of Aug. 24, Steve Fioravanti has received $7,847 from 15 donors. He has spent $7,422 on 13 vendors including Google for digital advertising.

“The outpouring of support has been humbling and impressive to say the least,” he said.

When asked if he wished to respond to claims that he wasn’t conservative enough, Bertling replied that he voted “no” two times against the mask mandate at Panhandle Health District meetings, he believes in the Second Amendment and has more guns and ammunition than the average person.

“I just don’t flaunt it,” he said.

When asked if he would remove the protective screens in the commissioner meeting room, he said that the other two commissioners would have to weigh in on that, but he is in favor of removing it so that it is easier to shake someone’s hand. He said he went to two weeks of commissioner meetings without a mask because everyone else was already vaccinated.

When it comes to his opponent, Steve Fioravanti, Bertling said, “It is really tough when someone approaches you and says ‘I’ve heard you’re doing a good job, it’s nothing personal, but I need the seat.’”

Bertling said he knew it was his job to screw up, but he hasn’t and that he personally would only run against someone if they were doing a bad job instead of wanting a seat at the table. He said when he sat on the Boundary County School Board it was because the 22-year trustee had resigned.

He added that he believes Fioravanti’s campaign is politically motivated. Bertling said that if he loses in the general election that he will get back to his regular life, which is easy, but he will be active in other ways.