Candidate forum focuses on affordable housing

SANDPOINT — A significant chunk of bandwidth of Friday night’s candidate forum at the Sandpoint Library was consumed by discussions about affordable housing and transportation.

Fifteen candidates seeking election to city councils in Sandpoint, Dover, Ponderay and school boards on both sides of Bonner County turned out for the forum, which was co-sponsored by the Daily Bee and the Selkirk Association of Realtors.

There appeared to unanimous agreement that the alleviating the dearth of affordable housing was a complex issue, although candidates departed from one another on how to grapple with it.

Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad and Councilwoman Deb Ruehle said the city has already been putting hands on the issue by easing regulations on accessory dwelling units and slashing new sewer hook-up fees.

Hampering matters, though, are the below-average wages on offer in Bonner County.

“I believe it is a systemic problem,” said Sandpoint City Council candidate Kate McAlister in reference to wages.

Both McAlister and Rognstad advocated for land trusts which can be used to hold the line on housing prices and rents.

Incumbent council President Shannon Williamson, who’s running against Rognstad and retired pastor Ken Lawrence, agreed that wages are problematic, although she noted that the city has yet to formally define what affordable housing is.

“I feel we’re getting the cart before the horse,” said Williamson.

Lawrence said he managed rental properties and found that a third of his renters sidestepped paying rent, although he did note that rents in Sandpoint are on the rise.

“I am interested in seeing that improved,” said Lawrence.

Shannon Mitchell, a Bonner County employee running for a seat on the Sandpoint council, advocated for utilizing U.S. Department of Agriculture grants and property tax forgiveness to encourage development, while Jacque Guinan, another Sandpoint City Council candidate, recommended cutting impact feels to stimulate housing development in Sandpoint.

Andy Groat, who’s also in the hunt for a counsel seat, said he would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the public on finding a solution to affordable housing.

“It’s not unsolvable, but it is complex,” said Groat.

Incumbent Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger, who’s being challenged by Tara Tribbett in the Nov. 5 election, believes his city could provide relief because rents are not as steep.

“Hopefully, Ponderay can play a role in this,” Geiger said.

Tribbett, who’s also seeking seat on the Lake Pend Oreille School District, contends the linkage between education and a career is broken, leaving Ponderay residents with low-paying jobs.

“It exploits people in my community with serfdom-level wages,” Tribbett said.

Dover mayoral candidates, meanwhile, said the city’s fiscal condition, growth and responsive government are priorities. Freda King and Mike Davis said they want to use their business backgrounds to stabilize the city’s finances.

“The city of Dover is literally broke,” said Davis.

King agreed the city’s finances are not well, but added that the council has also grown distant from the members of the community it represents.

“Our rights have been eroded, no doubt,” said King.

Mitchell, meanwhile, said she hopes to bridge the widening gulf between Sandpoint and Bonner County by fostering communication.

“That’s lacking right now. It’s caused problems,” Mitchell said in reference to the lawsuit pitting the two political subdivisions against one another over a prohibition on firearms during the Festival at Sandpoint.

Guinan said Sandpoint’s priorities are out of balance.

“I’ve seen a trend in Sandpoint — taxing and spending,” Guinan, who also is touting her business background.

Rognstad emphasized the need for collaboration in addressing issues that vex the city.

“We have some serious challenges facing us right now,” said Rognstad.

Ruehle is campaigning in on continuity.

“I look forward to continuing the projects that we started,” Ruehle said.

Incumbent Zone 1 West Bonner County School District Trustee Margaret Hall, said a crucial piece of multi-modal transportation is often overlooked.

“Mult-modal transportation needs to include internet connectivity,” said Hall who drove 120-miles round trip from Priest Lake to attend the forum.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.