Kunzeman seeking District 3 GOP nod

SANDPOINT — Carol Kunzeman, former mayor of Ponderay, is announcing her candidacy for the District 3 seat on the Bonner County Commission.

Kunzeman is seeking the GOP nomination for the seat currently occupied by Commissioner Dan McDonald.

Kunzeman served as mayor from 2008 to 2016, after serving on the city council for five years. Well known for her ability to get things done, she led Ponderay through a time of transition.

“We went from a small town to a city requiring a city planner and engineering contracts, she said. During her tenure the city worked with Idaho Transportation Department on the U.S. Highway 95 Byway, as well as bridge work, highways and water extensions. She also oversaw renovation of Ponderay City Hall.

A major accomplishment for Kunzeman was her involvement in public transportation and the start of the Selkirk-Pend Oreille Transit system. She was instrumental in the raising of funds to start SPOT and the organization went on to win major awards under her leadership. Today, she continues as chairman of the board.

Kunzeman has varied business experience, including working for corporate America at Hughes Aircraft and Volvo of America in her younger years, and later with small businesses which she started and ran such as childcare, wedding design and quilting.

“Of all, I loved my time in public service and I would like to continue serving our county,” said Kunzeman. “Public service requires listening skills, life skills, and leadership skills, and the ability to transform what you hear and see from our citizens into practical solutions for our community.”

Kunzeman is a Republican who believes “county government should be about good solutions, not ideology.” She sees the job of county commissioner as “navigating a field of strong opinions and working with different people, from employees to state and national figures, all in the best interest of our county.

“I think my background has positioned me to deal with these challenges and I look forward to earning the vote of Bonner County citizens,” she said in announcing her candidacy. “In Ponderay,” she said, “I had to get up to speed quickly,” and will do the same in county government.