Wendel Bergman

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: Wendel R. Bergman

Office you are seeking: Bonner County Assessor

Education: Sandpoint High School graduate, 1963; United States Air Force 1963–1972, eight year Vietnam-era veteran.

Occupation: Real estate development and management

Family: Married to my wife Beverly Bergman for 27 years. I have 2 sons, 2 step children, 8 grand children and 1 great granddaughter. I am proudly one of seven siblings, five of which have served their country in the US Army or Air Force for a total of 55 years spanning from the Korean through the Iraq wars.

Address: Hope

1. I have been on the other side of the assessor counter often. I am a staunch advocate of open government. Public records are very important in the assessment process. Eight years past, the existing assessor promised to implement online public access to assessment data. Today, this important information is still not easily accessible nor open to the public. I want to fulfill this eight-year promise.

2. IBM Corporation senior staff engineer, 1973–1989. Performed software engineering, team management, budget planning and project communications. Business history 1989-Present: Founded two successful software development companies in Colorado. Performed extensive real estate development and management activities. Currently involved in management of properties in Hope, development of property within the Seneacquoteen community in Sagle. The Bergmans are especially proud of the funding and successful restoration of the historic Hotel Hope, 1998.

3. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

4. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

5. An environment of teamwork based upon the following assessor guidelines and goals: polite, courteous, professional service. An assessor’s office that: produces accurate, fair assessments according to the law; provides clear, accurate explanations of the procedures, legal mandates and appraisal techniques. Provide accurate, efficient online property records. Have improved and efficient motor vehicle department that operates according to state guidelines. Why? Because the public interest must be first priority.

6. The opportunity to meet all the employees of the assessor’s office, to understand their ideas on how we can begin to build a team that works together to achieve our responsibilities for the citizens of Bonner county.

7. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

8. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

9. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

10. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

11. I’ve been involved with property appraisals and assessments over a period of 45 years. In Idaho, specific laws and State Tax Commission rules apply to this process that must be adhered to in order to arrive at Fair Market Value for taxation purposes. Online data and services directly accessible to the public could go a long way in reducing office workloads and to promote the goal of fair assessments.

12. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

13. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

14. This does not apply to the office I am seeking.

15. So far, I have not experienced any criticism. The assessor office is non-political by the nature of it’s duties, therefore the voters are likely more concerned about qualifications rather than political controversies.

16. The office of Assessor needs to be managed by an experienced manager with multiple talents.

At this point in time, the office of Bonner County Assessor needs an experienced non-political goal driven manager at the helm. My professional management qualifications are uniquely suited to execute the responsibilities of this office.