Candidates debate issues as election nears
PRIEST RIVER — Between the usual “get to know the candidates” information and their positions on different current topics, was a rare break of laughter at the Tuesday night candidate forum at Priest River Junior High School.
Bud Mueller, R, running for the clerk position, gave a brief explanation of what he would like to accomplish in office and stated he has had problems in the past accessing public documents. To rebut that, current clerk Marie Scott, D, stated simply “You’re full of hooey.”
Mueller came back with “No, you are!”
There were 11 candidates attending the second area forum to answer pre-set questions from the Priest River Chamber of Commerce and the Priest River Happy Agers who sponsored the event. Subjects ranged from education to the county juvenile detention center in Sandpoint.
Several of the questions were met with statements of how they personally felt, but that the position they were running for did not have the capacity to make decisions or influence any great changes.
In attendance were Dave Olson, Independent for U.S. Representative Dist. #1, Shawn Keough, R for Senator, and Eric Anderson and George Eskridge, Republicans for Representative positions. Jon Ruggles, D. for representative for position B, Brian Orr, D, and Mike Nielsen, R for commissioner for second district, and Mel Davis, D., and Lewis Rich, R, for commissioner, third district. Mueller and Scott were there for the clerk position.
Other highlights were Olson stating “I love my country and I have personal integrity. I decided to run to work for the people. I believe in term limits. I say ‘throw the bums out.’ We need to hold them responsible...how many brain cells does it take to do some of these things?”
Keough, Anderson and Eskridge, all incumbents, spoke about the cuts in education that were essential this year and that it is the first time in three years and it was only 7 percent, compared to other larger cuts in other budget items. Keough stated that education still is almost half of their budget and they take it very seriously. Anderson referred to the state endowment lands and utilizing that as a revenue resource. Eskridge stated that charter schools seem to do more with less money and encouraged schools to be more competitive.
Rich commented on working hard to get an adequate juvenile detention center and stated that his door is open for anyone wishing to come check out plans or to ask questions. His opponent, Davis, stated that this area is attractive but it’s just hard to make a living here but, there needs to be a push for development.
Orr reminded the audience that he was instrumental in helping Blanchard with the community center and establishing the DMV in Sandpoint to make it more accessible for local residents. He also said he has always been accessible to the constituents and would remain that open. Nielsen stated the county has not maintained Bonner Park West and cited that as a dysfunction of the county. If elected, he would go to the local granges, chambers, etc. and get feedback from the people.
Ruggles stated he lost everything when he battled cancer and can understand about health issues and was ready to answer the challenge of political office. He also received an approving audience laugh when he stated “I’m running cause I need a job.”
The candidate forum brought to light that a current photo ID would be required to vote this year and it was repeated many times over to come out and vote on Nov. 2 at the polls.
The next candidate forum is Saturday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Clark Fork VFW Hall, followed by Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the Panida Theater at 5:30 p.m. The final three forums are all in a row and all at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Edgemere Grange, Oct. 22 at the Blue Lake Grange and Oct. 23 at the Blanchard Grange.