Steve Johnson is up to the tasks ahead

Robust population growth is a serious challenge to Bonner County. If it’s not properly addressed with land use planning, that growth will significantly impact the quality of our lives and those of future residents.

Our southern neighbor, Kootenai County, expects to double their population in 20 years to over 300,000 residents. One development proposal there, on fertile farmland and over a major aquifer, calls for 4,500 new homes. Bonner County is not immune from development proposals like that. It will happen here, too, without proper guidance from our county commissioners. How our commissioners respond, or not, to this challenge has consequences that will be felt for years to come.

I do not believe that Steve Bradshaw is up to this task. Commissioners make $84,500/year. One would expect that an elected official with this compensation and responsibility would have good judgment and a strong work ethic. Just based on his response to COVID-19 public health measures, his support for the frivolous and harmful gun rights lawsuit against Sandpoint, and his disdain for land use planning, I seriously question his ideologically based judgement.

Steve Johnson is the candidate for county commissioner who will put in the effort and work, and understands the challenges facing our county. His family farm goes back for generations. He will make decisions based on what is best for all its residents.

KEN MEYERS

Sagle