Candidates air views at Blanchard Grange

BLANCHARD — Kicking off the political season, county candidates were on hand at the Blanchard Grange Friday night to enlighten and inform voters about their platforms before the May 27 primary. A packed house was able to listen to 10 different candidates with many community frustrations coming to the forefront throughout the forum.

In the District 2 county commission race, Republican incumbent Joe Young stated he has worked hard on several important issues over the years such as land use code reform and public safety.

“There has been a steady growth over the last several years. We have held six public hearings and 20 workshops to get input. There’s a lot to consider for the future. Public safety is a priority and we’ve worked hard to get the new EMS building in Priest River and Dickensheet,” Young said.

Patty Palmer, who is running for the Democrat nomination for the District 2 post, stated she was a voice for change and is here for the tough financial times. She added that change is well overdue.

“We need to eliminate waste and bring the budget under control. I have objected to practices here in the county for over 25 years, where special interest is favored. We need to fix problems and use common sense. Public meetings mean public input. Commissioners can’t ignore the will of the people,” Palmer said.

Palmer’s opponent in the primary, former District 2 Commissioner Brian Orr, did not attend the forum, but a representative speaking on his behalf played up Orr’s wealth of experience in the role.

In the District 1 race, incumbent Democrat Commissioner Todd Crossett said he knows how to listen and understands the concerns in the county.

“I put community to the forefront. This is the best of Idaho right here. I think we need to step up and have accountability to the public and know how to lead them through these times. We need to build a consensus and partnership here in Bonner County,” said Crossett, who has no primary challenger.

Two Republicans are running for the District 1 seat — Cornel Rasor and John Reuter. Rasor stated that control needs to be returned to the people and it should be a simple agenda.

“We need some leadership. Adjudication (of northern Idaho’s water rights) is an issue that’s coming to the forefront. We need to return real property rights to the people. We have to spend less money so we have more money to work with,” Rasor said.

Reuter stated he is running to be fiscally responsible, effective and efficient.

“I think we need help looking at the budget. We could get citizens to help the county watch over the spending. Another important issue is land use and protecting rights. We have to have local control and give respect to citizens,” Reuter said.

All five Republican candidates for sheriff were available to speak to their highly visible campaigns. Incumbent Elaine Savage, the only woman running, stated it was a privilege and honor to serve the county.

“I am not running for a patrol position. I am running for sheriff. I take this responsibility very seriously. The budgeting process is serious and I have three budgets I oversee. As for deputies, we’re getting close to a working wage. We can’t compete with $120,000 in Iraq. Currently our patrol is fully staffed,” Savage said.

Chip Roos was sheriff for 12 years and served Bonner County for three terms.

“I understand the needs and handled a federal lawsuit on the jail. We have a very long haul ahead of us. There are a lot of possibilities,” Roos said.

Geoff Rusho is a former sheriff’s deputy and a successful businessman in the area.

“I am not in this race for the money. I am dedicated to Bonner County. I think we need a reallocation of the money with no slick talk. We need equipment and personnel. We have to look at deputy retention,” Rusho said.

Rocky Jordan is currently a deputy for Bonner County and feels there are problems with morale.

“I would be a working sheriff. I have 25 years of law enforcement. My goals are drugs and the K-9 unit. I think we need to get the DARE program back for the children and crack down on sexual predators,” Jordan said.

Daryl Wheeler has lived in the area for 10 years and moved here for a better quality of life.

“I would like to raise the standard of service. I think the sheriff’s department should be responsible Š We need more officers on the road. We need a reorganization and need to be fiscally conservative with the commissioners,” Wheeler said.

Democrat Larry Hanna, who is running unopposed in the primary, was not present at the forum.

An audience member questioned the commissioner candidates on the “ridiculous” public meeting schedule, saying it seemed as though the commissioners were trying to keep the public away by having them during the day on Tuesdays.

“We’ve wrestled with this already. Getting more info from the public is difficult. We have offered night meeting on special issues but it’s expensive having staff there recording. I’d be willing to try it,” Crossett said.

“We put the agenda on our Web site and with planning and zoning in the a.m. it’s hard to accommodate any more. It’s not the venue for the public meeting laws. We’ve been pretty successful and we have had public workshops at night. The regular Tuesday meetings are not the time to interact,” Young said.

“It is very important to have public meetings on the record. I am sympathetic to the public and there should be more night meetings. We pay the commissioners to talk,” Reuter said.

Another resident stated Blanchard residents are lucky to see a patrol officer in the community and asked what the candidates are going to do to help people in that area.

“We need everybody to be responsible to every call. It’s nice to have residential deputies but we would have to increase our staff to cover effectively and with the budget it would be hard to make it work,” Savage said.

“We don’t need resident deputies. Sergeants are currently not doing their jobs. We need to get them off their butts and get the deputies off theirs. There’s good people in the department, they just are not led right,” Jordan said.

“You have probably seen my sign that said a Blanchard area deputy since day one. We need to change and adjust the deputy schedules as warranted. The focus should be on the community. With the cost of fuel and response time crucial we have to be able to make it work for all 700 miles that we have to cover,” Rusho said.

“People deserve to have a deputy at their door when they call. We need more deputies on the road. The sheriff needs to show leadership and vision. The cars Savage put in for are not made for the weather and roads we have here in Bonner County,” Wheeler said.

“I’m with resident deputies. We’ve grown too fast. There are a lot of people in Priest Lake and we need to have someone there and here in Blanchard. I think you could save a lot of money in fuel with a resident deputy,” Roos said.

Each candidate ended the forum with a statement summing up their candidacy.

Palmer — “We need changes.”

Rasor — “Government employees are your servants and your candidate.”

Reuter — “Thanks for listening to make an informed vote.”

Crossett — “I’m looking to be your voice and share your concerns.”

Wheeler — “I’m a visionary. My commitment is to partner with the community.”

Jordan — “I guarantee an increased presence.”

Rusho — The community has a choice. I want to see what I can do for you.”

Chip Roos — “This is an administrative job. I have more track record than anyone.”

Elaine Savage — “Sharing of info is crucial and we are connected to other agencies well.”