Scott, Clemons offer county best chance to move forward

Today the Daily Bee completes its endorsements of the countywide candidates for public office.

Previously we endorsed Republican write-in candidate incumbent Karl Dye over Republican Lewis Rich and independent Wayne Stotts in the District 3 county commission race.

We also endorsed Democrat Todd Crossett over Republican Bud Mueller in the District 1 commission race.

The Bee endorses incumbent Democrat Marie Scott over Republican Kathrynn Feist in the race for county Clerk of the District Court.

Scott has written the book used by all county clerks in Idaho and is a rock in Bonner County government.

During her 16 years, she has seen numerous county commissioners come and go. She also has responsibilities with the numerous taxing districts in the county.

Scott has numerous fans from city clerks to part-time board secretaries who rely on her professionalism and guidance.

Challenger Kathrynn Feist lacks the experience to make up for what Bonner County would lose if Scott was defeated.

The county Assessor's office has been a whirlwind of controversy during the past year.

Whether it was a power struggle between the assessor and a county commissioner, or a power struggle with the state of Idaho, it has been a tumultuous time in this important office.

Why are we endorsing challenger Jerry Clemons over incumbent Judie Conlan?

We should be endorsing Conlan but because of numerous issues in her management of that office, we can't.

The assessor's office fell negligently behind in assessing new construction earlier this year. Conlan knew it, the county commissioners knew it and the state of Idaho knew it.

When it became obvious the assessor's office would not complete the assessments, the state of Idaho sent a note to Conlan telling her to concentrate on new construction and to keep the other assessments on the back burner. She didn't do that. It was politically motivated and it was not doing what was best for the county.

There were other issues that haunted Conlan, such as a failure to embrace technology that has been in that office since 1999, tremendous turnover and majoring in minor things.

Jerry Clemons will bring in a new start for that department. A former county commissioner, Clemons will know when to ask for help, will work with the commissioners and will straighten out a mess he is inheriting.

Independent Carl White doesn't have the experience to do this important job.

We support the retention of Magistrate Debra Heise. She has proven to be a compassionate judge while also following the letter of the law.

Her work with our youth, her passion about Drug Court and the fact her peers give her top marks, all speak well to her professionalism.