Steve Lockwood

Questions:

1. What inspired you to run for elected office?

2. What unique qualifications would you bring to office that no one else could match?

3. What are the most important issues facing the community? Why?

4. How do you plan to address these issues?

5. If elected, what legacy would you hope to create? Why?

6. What do you most look forward to after you are elected?

7. What are your views on public education in Idaho and Bonner County? Do you think the state should provide more or less funding for public education?

8. What are your views on the proposed Newport silicon smelter?

9. What are your views on Proposition 1 to authorize betting on historic horse racing?

10. What are your views on Proposition 2 to expand Medicaid in Idaho?

11. Is there anything the county can do to ensure fairness in tax assessments?

12. Do you agree with the county’s handling of damaging boat wakes?

13. Do you agree with the county commission’s ongoing efforts to simplify land use codes and processes?

14. Do you support the county’s road-maintenance approach or would you like to see something different?

15. What’s the harshest criticism you expect to face on the campaign trail and how would you respond to such criticism?

16. If you could only get one thing across to voters during your campaign, what would it be?

Name: Steve Lockwood

Office you are seeking: Bonner County Commissioner, District 3

Education: Lincoln High, Reed College, AT&T Technical and Managerial schools.

Occupation: Retired manager /developer

Family: I’m married. My two adult sons and their wives live in Bonner County, one couple lives off the grid. Four grandkids were born here, played in the woods, played sports and went through the public school system. They all graduated from Sandpoint High School. All the grandchildren left the area for college and jobs.

Address: Sandpoint

Website: lockwood4commissioner.com

1. I am running because I feel Bonner County needs commissioners that deliver services cost-effectively with the vision to keep us rural, despite growth. I’ve demonstrated the skills, experience and successes to do the job well, both in private industry and a variety of volunteer government positions. I’m told that I listen carefully to all people and all points of view.

2. My management accomplishments at AT&T Oregon, delivering highest quality service at cost well below the national average and with low employee turnover. School Board accomplishments: improving district management, building community support, stabilizing funding. City Council: initiated new comprehensive plan with hundreds participating in its development. How? By working collaboratively. Building consensus is way more productive than building conflict.

3. Growth: people are moving here. We are one of the fastest growing areas in a fast growing state. Rural character: this valued hallmark is endangered by unplanned development. Jobs: Increasing the number of jobs that pay well and use local skills and talents. Today, lots of our youth are forced to leave for better paying jobs.

4. Growth and rural character: Planning that makes it easy to do the right thing. Incorporate the rural values that make us special into county planning so we can avoid sprawl like Kootenai County. Jobs: Recruit entrepreneurs and support existing businesses. Increase timber jobs. Bonner County build a jobs coalition with cities, schools, business and civic groups to make us competitive.

5. I want our kids and grandkids to raise their families here and thrive in Bonner County with good jobs, and housing that fits their budgets. I want to move us that direction by having the county work more constructively with cities, schools, concerned citizens, business and civic groups to accomplish more with less.

6. Hitting the ground running. Listening and learning from the community and county staff. County-wide, we have people and groups working together to solve our problems. I look forward to digging in and help them keep what’s special about Bonner County and our rural life. I listen, learn, act and follow up, rather than imposing an agenda on others.

7. Public education is in Idaho’s constitution and a cornerstone of our democracy. Yes, the state should provide more funding to meet its constitutional mandate. Educated young people earn well, pay taxes and raise their own youngsters. The county should do more to connect schools with employers to help match skills to jobs and keep our talent from leaving our community.

8. I’m gravely concerned and focused on the smelter. Bonner County is downwind. Many people live here for their health and our healthy forests, waterways and wildlife. The County should aggressively seek answers, as I do in my scoping questions. Traffic, trains, air and water pollution are concerns. Commissioners should protect Bonner County if analysis demonstrates that is warranted.

9. I am voting no. Several newspapers encourage a ‘no’ vote. It does not appear to benefit schools, which would be the only reason for support, as I see it.

10. What are your views on Proposition 2 to expand Medicaid in Idaho?

I support Medicaid expansion. It will save the county money (up to $500,000) and help an estimated 2,700 working Bonner County residents receive health care. People with jobs should have health coverage. It keeps people on the job, prevents bankruptcies and stabilizes families. We send the dollars to D.C. for Medicaid; let’s get them back, and at work, here.

11. Idaho code requires assessments based on market value. Period. So, electing a capable, experienced assessor is crucial. Also important is the commissioners rendering impartial, consistent decisions when assessments are appealed to them. Truth is, tax assessment is a contentious issue in every county in the country. The goal is to minimize unhappiness by striving for fairness and keeping taxes low.

12. No. Public education should be a primary tool, as recommended by the citizen group appointed by the County Waterways Committee. (Commissioners were involved in appointing this committee). Education can resolve many problems if energetically implemented. Other committee recommendations should be weighed and tested until a balance is achieved that supports both recreation and lake shore improvements

13. Do you agree with the county commission’s ongoing efforts to simplify land use codes and processes?

I agree that it should be quick and easy to do the right thing. But I have serious concerns that property rights are reduced when neighbors don’t get notices or an opportunity to comment on such things as variances. Much greater latitude has been given to staff without notice to nearby property owners. This can erode our rural character.

14. Roads are one of the county’s most important, visible services. Maintenance should not be pay-to-play (wealthy residents buy materials; county paves). Objective criteria, which exist already, should determine which roads receive maintenance and upgrades. Bridges have to be maintained for safety and longevity. Fund this department better so more can be accomplished. It has recently lost about $250,000 in funding.

15. That I listen, cooperate, and collaborate rather than fight. Like that’s a flaw. I was out of town when Dan claims we were to debate. We debated elsewhere, though he claims not. In short, I hope voters don’t read my quiet, intense approach as weakness. Or his bluster and bombast as brilliance. Which style really gets more done?

16. Results through collaboration. Working for AT&T, on LPO School Board, Sandpoint’s P&Z, and other volunteer assignments I’ve pulled together collaborative decisions that respect the views of all and accomplish agreed-upon goals. That’s how lasting results are achieved. I’ll bring that approach to Bonner County Commission. I’m well qualified, hardworking, and listen respectfully to constituents. I’m bold but not a bully.