Carol Kunzeman

1. I have the time and the commitment. I love working for the public, and public service is the most important aspect of my life. Eight years as mayor of Ponderay makes me uniquely qualified to be a commissioner. I feel good leadership and giving the people a voice is the most important aspect of the job.

2. Balance. I bring my background in the corporate world, of being a small business owner, and being the mayor of Ponderay as well as working along side the public. I have insight and a history of working with diverse groups and accomplishing many projects. I also volunteer my time in the Order of the Eastern Star, PEO, and as a member of CAL and on the Panida board along with many transportation boards representing the SPOT, a public bus system.

3. Good leadership. We have seen a change in our county over the years that has divided the people. The people of Bonrier County need to have a voice in the process. Their voices have been silenced, and many feel bullied and intimidated. A good leader knows how to bring diverse people to the table and hear what they have to say and from their concerns make common sense decisions not be swayed by the few but does the best for all the people.

4. The state of Idaho should have a voice at the table, but it is apparent that this is a Washington state decision. The legal permitting process has not happened as yet, but we still need to be very vigilant. There is a legal process coming out of a group of Gonzaga lawyers who are opposing the smelter, Even though Washington state has “supposed” strict EPA laws that are more stringent than the Federal EPA I am personally opposed to this project.

5. I am in favor of the wilderness designation, but the commissioners put the question on the ballot and it is up to the people to cast their vote for or against. The voices of the people is the most important aspect of this question. I would stand with the people.

6. This is not my first rodeo. I would use my time as a commissioner the same way I used my position as mayor of Ponderay. I closed my business to become mayor, I worked full time, 24/7 because that is what it takes to take on a position of this magnitude. I have the time, the commitment and the wisdom to do the job. It is an honor and a privilege to be an elected official and I take the responsibility very serious.

7. I think the most important topic that will affect us all is the changes in the Planning & Zoning Department and the changes to the Comprehensive Plan. It is reasonable to understand that there will be updates to codes and regulations. But growth and planning for our county is of utmost importance. It must be done by committees and sub committees with public input and an eye on what is best for all the people not a select few. Our committees should be filled with people with varied experience so that the plans will reflect what is important to all of us. Property values, resale values and insurance and financial issues should be taken into the mix because those are the things that will affect us all.

8. I would remind them that I am the only candidate for county commissioner who has 13 years of public service, eight of those as mayor.

I am very well educated on government practices and I do not require on the job training. I have a past history of getting the job done and I have a track record of great relationships with the public and all those I interacted with on a daily basis.

I bring EXPERIENCE from all my past employment in large corporations and owning my own businesses. I love the interaction of people and giving them a voice.

9. I am in favor of a second bridge. BNSF is a great neighbor to our county.

They have every right to build the bridge across the lake. They own the easement under the proposed bridge and they have owned it over 100 years.

The bridge needs to be built for commerce reasons to keep the trains moving and for safety reasons of keeping the railroad crossings open and the delays to a minimum.

BNSF is going through the process of Environmental Assessment with the agencies involved, if the report comes back that an Environmental Impact Study is required BNSF will comply. Demanding an EIS is just a stall tactic which will add millions to a one hundred million dollar project.

10. My question would be How does the public view you? The people I have met over the last few months have told me how they feel and what they think.

After listening to what I have to say they see me as real, being someone who listens and is a problem solver.

They find me “approachable”, and not intimidating and they are happy that they have a choice for commissioner who they feel is respectful of their concerns.