Fioravanti: A few points of clarity
I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight in regard to your article published in the Bonners Ferry Herald (Aug. 25, 2022).
Emily Bonsant wrote in the story:
“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.’”
Commissioner Bertling and I exchanged pleasantries during the April 14 forum at the high school. The correct description of our verbal exchange was that I complimented him regarding hearing good things about him as a person, meaning I had heard he was of good character.
Never once did I say, “I need the seat.” Either Commissioner Bertling completely misrepresented my comments, or the Herald decided to embellish our exchange to better sensationalize our discourse and cast me in a negative light.
For the record, the reason that I’m running for office is that I believe the status quo in leadership has grown stale and lacks foresight and vision. We need an infusion of creative ideas and energy to tackle the complex issues facing our county and community.
If elected, I will apply the following principles to all issues before me: Does the issue align with our Idaho and U.S. constitutions? Does it limit government? How will it affect the citizens of Boundary County?
Frankly, I don’t need the seat, but I do need my elected representatives to protect our God-given inalienable rights and that is what I will do as your county commissioner.
Why did our elected officials stand down during the pandemic lockdown? Businesses and churches were ordered to close. Unconstitutional acts to force or coerce our citizens to get vaccinated and wear masks were thrust upon us. Why do our commissioners sit behind their COVID Plexiglas shield to this day? What are they afraid of? Government is supposed to protect our independence, not micro-manage our lives. The government of a free people is benevolent and not intrusive.
Here are a couple of my priorities:
Bureaucracy, red tape and endless delays have plagued our county ever since planning and zoning was contracted to a private firm, Ruen-Yeager in Sandpoint. I support hiring our own Planning & Zoning administrator to expedite local permits and streamline this process. We can do a better job for a lower cost.
Property taxes continue to escalate. We need to address the fact that more than 60% of our state lands are controlled by the Feds. Idaho is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. We could better manage our own resources locally, raise significant revenue, and provide our county with excellent services, which would significantly reduce the need for taxes on our citizens.
If you believe the correct strategy of our elected officials is to take all the federal dollars that they can get their hands on, then I’m not your man. I believe Federal government welfare is socialism. It weakens the will of the people and discourages hard work. The Biden administration is implementing their agenda as a prerequisite for taking the money (i.e., ARPA). I personally read more than 1,000 pages of documents pertaining to this “free money” and I fully understand the Biden agenda. Former President Ronald Reagan said it best: “The most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’”
The voters have a clear choice on Nov. 8 — more of the same status quo, or someone who has the business background, leadership and knowledge to prepare us for the great challenges ahead.
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Steve Fioravanti is a Bonners Ferry resident.