Michael Strickland
Adventure along with an iconoclast
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Thoughts on city council candidates in Pocatello and Chubbuck
What are your thoughts on the city council candidates in Pocatello and Chubbuck?
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Candidates make pitch
By Adam Chambers
From the Wednesday October 31 Idaho State Journal:
POCATELLO - When asked if he was ready to make his closing statement, Chubbuck City Council candidate John Cotant replied, ''I'm ready to go home.''
His sentiment was probably shared by city council candidates from both Pocatello and Chubbuck, who spent Tuesday at Pocatello City Hall being grilled by questions from a TV audience and those in attendance at a candidates' forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. Pocatello candidates took the stage first to discuss issues ranging from smart growth to water quality, and each candidate recapitulated their platforms in nearly every answer. Chris Peirsol, who is running for Pocatello council seat No. 1, advocated trying to draw technological corporations to the area by working with Idaho State University and Bannock Development Corporation. He believes Pocatello's workforce is underemployed, meaning people with degrees are being paid less in service-based jobs. He spoke in favor of searching for alternate energy sources and protecting Pocatello's open spaces.
Ron Frasure, also running for council seat No. 1, arrived at the forum more than half an hour after the questions had started, therefore he wasn't able to answer many of the questions presented to other candidates. He did, however, express his contentment with the status of the city departments, such as the police department. He said the three most important cogs in Pocatello's development are the university, the airport and the hospital. Eva Nye, who is running for Pocatello council seat No. 3, spoke to the importance of taking care of the university and maintaining a working relationship with ISU. She also advocated environmental programs, such as curbside recycling, a program she said she's been working to see come to pass since she started on the council. Nye said the city has improved overall since she was first elected in 2002.
Paul DesFosses, who is running for Pocatello council seat No. 3 and has continually presented conspiracy theories regarding Councilman Richard Stallings and his ''political machine,'' pushed for a better public transportation system in Pocatello. He also advised that the city should be cautious of ''not locking businesses out of Pocatello.'' He showed discontent with many of the current city programs and spoke out against adopting a curbside recycling program. Candidate Ralph Lillig, who is also running for seat No. 3, was unable to attend the forum.
Chubbuck candidate Josh Ellis said his main concern is to keep a small-town feel in Chubbuck, especially as the city expands rapidly. He said there is a need to draw small businesses to Chubbuck, which would allow ISU graduates to stay in town to work. He also advocated a community recreation center and for freeway entrances to be put at Philbin Road and Siphon Road. Candidate John Cotant, who was Chubbuck's mayor for 36 years, pushed for taking care of residents first. He said it was important to make decisions for Chubbuck based on what the current residents wanted. He said he isn't hoping to be mayor again, he just wants to have a voice on the council that always asks why decisions are made the way they are.
Incumbent Kent Kearns spoke frequently of revisiting the city's comprehensive plan and updating it as needed. He also believed the city needed to continue utilizing tax increment financing districts to improve infrastructure. Kearns said strategic planning is vital to the city and working with developers during projects would be imperative. He also said Chubbuck was in need of a skateboard park. Candidate Kermit Morrison was unable to attend the forum.
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