Idaho Statesman Survey Responses

Why are you running?

To bring in a calm and constructive change to daily operations of the board of county commissioners. Building an effective atmosphere in county operations that are transparent and responsive to the citizens. I will challenge the commissioners to set the example of good customer service for all the other county government workers. I will continue to strive to treat everyone as I would like to be treated. I will be straightforward and truthful, no different than I have been over the last decades. I will listen to the citizens’ issues and concerns as a commissioner and bring it to the other two commissioners seeking a solution. My experience is in public information and communication, and this will serve the county well.

What are your top two (or three) priorities?

Educate the public about the true reason for our rising residential property taxes. Currently, new growth is not paying its way. This is a tax shift, transferring their expenses to you the existing residential homeowner. The current path we are on has raised residential property taxes to an unsustainable level. I see we must stop the path we are on. One way I would like to address this is to invite all the major parties involved to a public setting (not behind closed doors like our legislature) and work towards definable, measurable and transparent taxing solutions. 2nd, publicly investigate and then implement clear and measurable impact fees as provided in state law. 3rd, I would work on employee retention.

 What sets you apart from your competitors?

Longevity, married for 44 years, in private business for 45 years. While being a longtime businessman, I have served 27 years as the elected mayor of the City of Greenleaf. Dealing with multiple state and federal agencies. Successful working with our citizens through many public workshop meetings to get out from under a consent decree and build a city-wide water and sewer system. Concurrently serving more than 30 years in the top leading positions of non-profit boards. Dealing with land use applications, cash flow, employee retention, responsive customer service. These positions have provided me a depth of experience unlike my other two opponents. If elected, I would budget and spend your tax dollars as if it were mine own. I will NOT create a COO position between myself and the citizens, at this time for me, that would be malfeasance of office.

 The two Canyon County commissioners signed a letter this year calling for Commissioner Leslie Van Beek to resign. That letter has caused a divide on the board and in the county. What will you do to bring unity back to the county?

What has happened is dis-hearting. Even commenting on any of the specific allegations to this current situation would be for me shallow and short-sighted. The general public does not have all the details. If elected, I will have to work alongside the accusers that signed the document as well as the accused. Part of my skill set is working with contentious groups and coming to an equitable solution. I have confidence that we can restore and or build a productive working environment. I will bring to the office personal integrity and ask for corporate responsibility with all the elected officials. If the voters choose to elect me, I will bring in a positive change to the commission in January of 2023.

Canyon County is facing unprecedented growth. How will you address that as commissioner?

We all are experiencing the effects of rapid growth across Canyon County. As commissioner, I will advocate for the implementation of impact fees (as provided in State Code) on new growth. These impact fees must be calculated transparently and applied fairly to offset the financial impacts to our existing taxpayers. As commissioner, working with my other commissioners, I will strive to collect and spend these impact fees judiciously.

 League of Women Voters of Idaho      participating in Vote411.org

What are the most important challenges facing your county and how do you propose to address them?

New growth is increasing the tax burden of the existing residential taxpayers. The major contributing cause is the escalating selling price of homes. The top commercial and industrial entities paid a lower tax bill in 2021 than they did in 2017. It is the residential property tax owner who is paying the difference, known as a tax shift. This was inadvertently created by the Idaho legislature in 2016 and has not been corrected. This will require the commissioners to craft a solution through public education, hosting working groups and seeking true legislative relief. I have a proven record of bringing groups together and producing a solution to a problem. I look forward to using this skill to benefit the commission and the county.

 What specific qualifications do you have to effectively address these challenges?


I have a background in leadership in three major areas: private business, non-profit governance, and city mayorship. I have owned a private business for 45 years; managing cash flow, paying the bills, and meeting payroll. I have served in non-profits for over 30 years at the highest level of leadership. I am currently serving in my 27th year as the mayor of the City of Greenleaf. With the help of the city council, I led the entire city out of a water and sewer catastrophe. Proven leadership in these three different types of organizations has given me the leadership experience necessary to serve the county well. I will bring this successful background to the position of commissioner and work for the taxpayers of Canyon County.

 How will you continue to be engaged with your constituents?


Getting elected and staying accountable and available to the entire county populous is an absolute requirement of an effective commissioner. I know and have good working relationships with the current mayors of all the cities within Canyon County. I have worked with many business and civic leaders over the years with whom I am on a first-name basis. I strive to treat everyone as I would like to be treated. I will be straightforward and truthful, no different than I have been over the last decades. I will listen to the citizens’ issues and concerns as a commissioner and bring it to the other two commissioners seeking a solution. My experience is in public information and communication, and this will serve the county well.