Paul Shepherd

Editor’s note: While the candidate did not complete the Daily Bee’s candidate questionnaire in the sent format, we are publishing his response so voters have all information available.

• Third-generation Idahoan

• Attended Boise High School, Boise Jr. College

• Married to junior high school sweetheart Dawn, July 27, 1960.

• Raised nine children (six sons and three daughters). Our three daughters are teachers and coaches. We have two sons in construction, two sons are partners in Shepherd Sawmill & Log Homes, Inc., one son is a partner in a law firm and one son is a lieutenant in the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. To date we have 41 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and counting.

Raised in the logging/sawmill business

• Started own business (Shepherd & Sons Logging) at 23 years of age

• Lived in Riggins/Pollock area since 1984 during which he owned and operated the Riggins Motel and The Seven Devils Steak House

• Presently self-employed Shepherd Sawmill & Log Homes, INC

Has served as Boise County Republican chairman, eight years; Idaho County state committeeman, eight years; Garden Valley School Board, eight years; city councilman in Crouch, and Riggins; director Salmon River Chamber of Commerce; director Salmon River Cowboys Association; director Riggins Gem Committee; and director Salmon River Jet Boat Races. Currently serving sixth term in Idaho House of Representatives.

Sitting on House committees: Education, 12 years; Resource and Conservation, 12 years; Transportation, four years, (presently serving as vice-chairman).

(Served on the Health & Welfare Committee for eight years before assigned to the Transportation Committee)

Appointed to and presently serving on the Western Forestry Legislative Task Force and the Western States Transportation Alliance.

I support:

• Private property rights(our land and our water)

• Idaho state management of federal public lands for multiple resource use

• Maintaining all accesses to public lands and water

• Opposes the locking up of our public lands

• Second Amendment rights (no gun control)

• Returning to resource- based economy (mining, logging agriculture and recrea- tion)

• Fiscal accountability in Idaho

• Less government intrusion into private affairs and enterprise

• Op- position to wolves

• In- formed citizen participation in government

• Pro-life

• Traditional Christian family values

The communities over District 7 share many of the same concerns on issues such as education, health and welfare, transportation and resources.

“The livelihood of the citizens of District 7 is dependent on a wisely balanced and continued use of our basic resources – Mining, Timber, Agriculture, and Recreation. I believe man can live in balance with nature and utilize those resources so necessary for our way of life. It is as foolhardy to overcompensate toward total non-use of our resources as it is to move toward complete destruction without conservation and renewal. If re-elected to the Idaho Legislature, I shall continue to work towards this balance.”

As never before the federal government is exerting powerful mandates onto state governments further infringing on citizens individual rights and plunging our future generations into a morass of debt. Government bureaucracy and regulations are a great hindrance towards creating jobs in the private sector.

I believe that prosperity and a high standard of living comes from efficient productivity and conservation, that excessive government hampers efficiency, reduces productivity and causes waste. I believe the best chance to affect improvement in the federal government is through a strong states rights movement.

Citizens are demanding government at all levels be effective and efficient. As a state legislator I take those two words and the Constitution as a guide line when contemplating any legislation that is introduced.

I believe people should vote for me as I am one of them. I understand what obstacles that excessive government has put on them in the ways of over-regulation, over taxation, and government hovering over them from birth to grave taking away individual responsibilities and freedoms.