Commissioner candidates answer questions
Boundary County commissioner candidates were given questionnaires to give their last pitch to voters before the Tuesday, Nov. 8, election.
Candidates are placed alphabetically by last name and by county race. Questions include:
1) Give voters your best pitch, why should they vote for you?
2) What are the key issues you plan to address in your term and how will you address those issues?
3) Give us a snapshot of what your first 90 days in office would look like.
County Commissioner Dist. 2
Tim Bertling, write-in candidate
1) Voters want a county commissioner who listens, knows the job, and who makes certain their hard-earned money is spent wisely. Serving on the school board and as county commissioner gives me the experience to carry out the duties and responsibilities defined in Idaho Statutes. I must work within the law. During my time as commissioner, I have shown that I can work with people and institutions to find solutions to problems. I know Boundary County and that is important for this office. I have no hidden agenda. I simply want the best for the community I grew up in.
2) Commissioners are responsible for doing what the law requires and meeting the needs of Boundary County residents. But they must stay within a budget and keep property taxes under control. The top challenges are: funding for Roads and Bridges; working to keep the Restorium maintained for the benefit of our elderly; and making sure our law enforcement and justice systems have the resources to do their jobs. One of my goals is to work with our legislature to address property taxes instead of the pipe dream of acquiring federal lands and logging them for revenue.
3) The first 90 days will be making sure all of Boundary County’s 356 miles of county roads are maintained. Discussions about future Roads and Bridges projects will take place. ARPA money will be spent. Like other one-time monies that are distributed for projects like rural broadband, airports, economic development. It’s our tax dollars coming back to us. It’s money that can be used for things people in Boundary County support without raising property taxes - like a new ambulance, restroom and concession stand at the fairgrounds, and a well to provide water to the fairgrounds.
Steve Fioravanti, GOP nominee
1) First and foremost, does the issue before me align with our Idaho and US Constitutions? Does it limit government? How will it affect the citizens of Boundary County? As your elected representative, I will stand and defend your God-given rights to life, liberty and property. I will stand for medical freedom and oppose all unconstitutional vaccine mandates.
I love the rural character and charm of our county. I will defend against the United Nations Agenda 21/2030 which will forever change our county. My promise is to keep Boundary County locally governed and the beautiful place that it is.
2) We have been hit with escalating property taxes coupled with crippling inflation. Many of our citizens are struggling on fixed incomes. Have we addressed all alternative ways to generate more revenue for our county?
Experience does matter. After a successful career in private industry, rising to a prominent management position, I’ve developed and honed my skills. The difference between success and failure in private industry demands creativity and ingenuity. I will volunteer my knowledge in working with our local businesses to brainstorm ideas to increase entrepreneurship and help our local economy thrive. As our local businesses prosper, generating more tax dollars and revenue for our county, it will decrease the need for property taxes.
3) Establish transparency. All citizens should have a voice in their local government. I will set up a direct email address on our county website and welcome direct communication from everyone.
Hire a local planning & zoning administrator and bring this service back to Boundary County. This will dramatically improve service and eliminate the bureaucracy, red tape and endless delays that have plagued our citizens ever since this function was sub-contracted to a private firm out of Sandpoint. We can be more efficient and do it for a lower cost.
Lastly, I have much to learn. I will turn my focus full time on our county affairs and immerse myself into my new role. I will research SRS & PILT funding to see that Boundary County is receiving its fair share of revenue.
John L. White, independent candidate
1) Except for time away for college, U.S. Navy, trade college, industrial construction, sawmills and working in the forest, I have been a resident of Boundary County since 1956. As a man working at many endeavors including farm equipment and landscaping, I can understand other people's concerns. I maintain gardens and animals and am building a home that will be retained and used by my heirs.
As a non-funded independent candidate I am not controlled by party affiliation or funding. I can listen to and represent anyone as it merits. I will work willingly with the other commissioners.
2) Concern should be made as to what effects laws, rules and procedure have on people and wise use of lands and resources. Personal initiative should not be discouraged. Reworking the comprehensive plan is important. Farm and timber lines should be retained. Still land owners should be able to use non-productive land for home sites and outbuildings.
Persons and corporations who profit from selling farm and timber land should pay use fees and taxed on their profit.
Land use reviews should be done locally not by a corporation in Sandpoint. A landfill site should be made on federally controlled land.
3) I would appear as a farmer and dressed accordingly. Solemn in a suit and tie. Hopefully working hard at getting input and gathering information to make wise decisions. Time would be spent out of the office to access land use issues such as roads, home sites, farm and timber lands. Being present at commissioners' meetings and voting is essential.
Time would be spent to gain greater knowledge on state and federal laws, codes, rules and procedures. Considering which are constitutional and moral and which are destroying our just freedom should be important.
County Commissioner Dist. 1
Ben Robertson, GOP nominee (running unopposed)
1) Times have already changed — we must be willing to adapt. I love this county, unfortunately it is beginning to look unrecognizable. We need to manage the continuing growth with responsible, well thought out ideas. My goal is not to stop growth, but to properly place housing developments to preserve our valuable agriculture and timber ground. We need to support local jobs so that our young people can stay here and not be forced to move away. We need someone who has a vested interest in the future of Boundary County. I love this community, and I hope that I am not the last generation of my family to be able to call this great place home. I will strive to continue the values and traditions of our great county while keeping an eye toward the future.
2) The most critical issue is the lack of exposure to our county residents on the issues that we face as a county. There seems to be a disconnect between our leaders and the residents of Boundary County. I would address this by being very open and accessible to answer any questions that may arise. I would do my best to reach out and tell everyone about the issues we are facing. I believe that if we can all work together, we can come up with great ideas that will benefit Boundary County.
3) My first priority will be to learn as much as I could about the inner workings of the government in Boundary County. I will visit every county department and talk to the employees that work there, not just the department heads. I will find out from them what is going well and what improvements they see are needed to make the county run more efficiently.
