Idaho Falls City Council candidate, Sharon Parry, has put in writing answers to common questions asked of her as a candidate. The following are answers particularly asked by readers of IdahoFallz.com. To contact Sharon about other issues, you may contact her at 709-2904 or at sdparry@cableone.net. She will be participating in all of the forums during the couple of weeks prior to the election on November 6th.
According to Idaho’s Department of Labor 2006 statistics, Ammon is Idaho’s 14th largest city. It has certainly experienced growing pains. Idaho Falls’ and Ammon’s primary boundary street is Hitt Road, and it is in dire need of improvement for both safety and traffic movement reasons. Barring compelling factors to the contrary, I support a proportional cost sharing of boundary street improvements. Ammon needs to pay its portion of the improvements proportional to the amount of land within its city borders. With many businesses being attracted to this major arterial, each city should have new developments contribute into a fund so that monies will accrue for Hitt Road’s ultimate build-out (curb, gutter, sidewalk, ingress lanes, etc.) Also, as large businesses are built on such boundary roads and because these large businesses greatly affect traffic loads, such businesses should contribute a greater burden of the costs of road improvement. Effective and reasonable negotiations between municipalities is critical to the Hitt Road expansion costs.
Political races today, as much as ever, involve every means of communication available. City council candidates have a wide cadre of opportunities to communicate to the public including websites, forum meetings, media, written communications, live forums via the internet and so on. At nearly every turn, these communication mediums also provide a way for candidates to broadcast their phone numbers and email addresses. My campaign has been all about communication to the public and availability for the public to ask questions and share opinions.
When will Idaho Falls and Bonneville County see a beltway? Not for many years, but designation of a beltway for traffic flow will need to be done in the next few years. Currently major arterial roads such as Yellowstone on the west and north parts of Idaho Falls, Hitt Road on the east, and Sunnyside and York Roads on the south are considered major traffic movers now and for the near future. However, population projections into 2030 indicate that city and county leaders will need to coordinate with the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization to designate a beltway.
For many years, the residents of Idaho Falls have enjoyed low power rates. In 2012 our power rates will soar unless our city council members are persistent in hunting for new, sustainable and cheap power. The BPA contract expires in that year; only with fairly aggressive and continued efforts to find more power for our growing city, the citizens of Idaho Falls will continue to enjoy some of the absolutely cheapest power in the nation.
To keep large fluctuations in electricity costs from occurring, the mayor and city council need to stay ahead of the game by thinking creatively and progressively about electricity sources and their associated costs. I supported the IPP3 project, although with its future now uncertain, Idaho Falls city leaders should continue to look at other opportunities for our community, including greener sources of power if they can be economically competitive. We live in the birthplace of nuclear energy, and city leaders, together with the electric division, will need to look at partnering with the INL, the state of Idaho, and energy companies to further next generation power plants. It’s fairly bizarre that, again, given where we live as neighbors of the INL and the vast engineering talent that resides in our area, there is not already a timeline for nuclear power in the works. Although it could be decades before such power is realized in our area, it currently ought to be on the table as an option for a new power source for Idaho Falls.
I do have a vision for the growth of Idaho Falls. We have excellent planning office staff in the city who see that the laws and ordinances pertaining to land issues are carried out. Some of my most personally-rewarding service over the years has been as a planning commissioner. Being a City of Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commissioner for seven years now, I am intimately aware of the issues of growth and annexation. Some of my philosophies include: a high quality infrastructure, a “pay as you go” arrangement with developers, promotion of green spaces and right-aways, foresight of traffic issues and street needs, the importance of maintaining an updated Area of Impact agreement with the county, a Comprehensive Plan that is always based on “good fit” developments, and zoning that is appropriate for long term. Forced annexation is not to be utilized. Growth and annexation, in particular, are responses to the market– a response to developers’ proposals. If our city’s Comprehensive Plan is sound, the growth can be managed and the costs of services to these newly developed areas will be paid for through the additional property taxes gleaned from the new areas.
I was asked about services for seniors, and what the city is doing to prepare for the increase in the number of seniors moving here after retirement. Admittedly, I am not intimately aware of services to seniors (I have just over 20 years before that officially happens). I would like to hear from this sector of our community as to what the issues are. Unfortunately, the four major retirement living homes in Idaho Falls have not allowed candidates to visit with their residents during this election season. The only invitation candidates have received to speak to the seniors in our community is on the 26th of November at the Senior Citizens Community Center for meet-and-greets with the council candidates.
City leaders have been researching the needs of a new law enforcement building. Before the bond vote is held in perhaps February, I would ask city resident to take a tour of the current facility, and in particular, visit the crime lab, the evidence room, the one and only holding room, and, worst of all, the interview rooms. Remember, half of the people brought into the station are victims (not perpetrators), and the current facility simply does not allow for any privacy or comfort to the victims being interviewed, many of whom are women and children. Perpetrators and victims are in the same areas, rooms and hallways while being interviewed.
An important component of my background and experience in the city of Idaho Falls is a great working relationship with each of our local state legislators. Much of the city’s business is tied to statutes, and effective city council members need to be able to work with our legislators to update laws. A couple of years ago State Representative Janice McGeachin and I wrote legislation which made it possible for Idaho citizens overseas to now vote by absentee ballot and actually have their ballot be counted. Prior to 2006, ballots were sent to foreign countries with little to no hope of getting them returned in time to be counted. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate and was immediately signed into law by Governor Kempthorne. I enjoy looking for opportunities to participate in legislation, and that will be an integral part of my service on the council when such legislation is needed to benefit the residents of Idaho Falls.
What about the city attorney arrangement? An attorney retained by the city is much more available to the division directors, department heads and mayor. Any of the city’s chief employees can call the attorney when they have a day-to-day operations question pertinent to their department when the work is considered “under the retainer.” With an attorney on retainer, the city employees do not hesitate to call the attorney to get thorough insight into the present issue.
A contract with a attorney spells out the categories of work that are not under the retainer. With an attorney on retainer, city employees and the attorney do not need to expend time and energy creating bills from the attorney.
With an in-house attorney, it is more difficult to know if the city is getting value for their money. There are questions of whether there is any accountability with an in-house attorney. Regardless of whether there is a retainer or not, I hold all city employees to a high level of expectation, and I have little tolerance of poor decisions or poor work by city employees.
Whether on retainer or not, an attorney who is versed in municipal issues is a valued asset to a city.
City council members need to have a good working relationship with a city attorney. If there are difficulties that arise in the relationship or if there is a question as to the quality of work being done by the attorney, then the mayor and city council should definitely explore another arrangement.
Should city cops have their own cars? The residents of Idaho Falls get a lot of benefit for with the “take a car home” program that has been in existence in Idaho Falls’ police department for many years. Under this program, police take a car home, the car can be used 24/7/265, but the car can only be used within a 10 mile radius. If the car is used during off-duty hours, it can only be used for trips within Idaho Falls.
The program is cost effective. Not nearly as much parking is needed in the downtown area. The police department now only buys seven to 11 cars per year, whereas before the program they were buying 15 to 17 cars per year. Both accident claims and maintenance costs have gone down appreciably under this program.
The program has innumerable tactical advantages for our 90 police on the force. In major emergencies such as power outages, an off-duty officer who is called in does not need to go first to the police station to check out a car. Instead the officer reports directly to a sector of the community in need. Response time of SWAT team members and all officers has been decreased dramatically when they have their own car.
The police cars all over the community are indeed a presence that is visible to city residents– and a reminder to would-be criminals that there is an active and visible police force within our community.
Lastly, should city council members run from designated districts within Idaho Falls and thereafter be assigned their area of the city to ensure all areas of the city are represented? No, I do not think council seats should be assigned to areas of the city, nor should council members only be allowed to run from districts in which they reside. City council seats should not be territorial; an elected city councilperson represents the entire city. A council elected by districts would certainly become segmented as each councilperson jockeys for position of “bringing home projects” to their district, similar to Pork Barrel projects that Congress is often blamed for. Also, electing council members by district is not fair to the voters in the other districts not being able to vote off a seated council member from another district if the councilperson is making poor decisions, such as steep increases in electric rates or in property tax levies. Decisions of council members affect the entire city, and voters should be able to voice their opinion of each candidate in the voting booth.
Popularity: 11%
Related posts:
- Meet Thomas Hally, Idaho Falls 2007 City Council Candidate
- Meet Ida Hardcastle – Candidate for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 4
- Meet Alex Creek – Candidate for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 4
- Meet Barbara Ehardt – Candidate for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 6
- What is important in 2007 Idaho Falls city council elections?
It WAS all he had to say about it!
:@:)
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
I encourage you to feel free to ask your questions and whatnot, but please be respectful and keep in mind that the candidate is making an extra effort to reach out to locals here.
From past experiences, we’ve found it’s better for candidates to email me any responses they might want to make. They are certainly free to comment replies on their own, but it can create the unrealistic expectation that the candidate will sit around all day on IFz and respond to every comment. So don’t get upset if your specific comment does not get addressed.
What do you think?
I was impressed with Sharon Parry years ago when she was one of the lone votes to keep Emerson school open. She listened to the patrons of the District at that time and that was refreshing and welcome (unlike Fuhriman who voted to close Emerson).
I read through the posts above. I agree that energy costs and power sources is a big concern. I am glad that she is addressing this and is interested in keeping IF Power costs reasonable and affordable for businesses and consumers. I thought it was interesting that she mentioned nuclear power as a possible solution and I applaud her efforts in this area.
I would like a little more definition if she supports building a new police station or renovating existing space (like the old Fred Meyer/Albertson’s store area directly by the current jail). I think that faced with expanding bond issues for energy projects that we shouldn’t be bonding out too many projects and place the city in a position of having to borrow more than it can afford for these projects.
After reading her well written ad thoughtful answers to the issues how can one not see that Sharon Parry is a once in a blue moon opportunity to add significant intellectual capacity to our City Council? Like Mike in Post #2 I saw Sharon’s mettle in the Emerson Elementary closure when she was the only one from District 91 to step forward and listen to the parent’s concerns. She has vision and has shown leadership. I have concerns about the potential of exploding growth in Idaho Falls and Bonneville County and to have someone with her experience move from planning and zoning to the city council at this time is invaluable. Trading Larry Lyon for Sharon Parry would be an enormous step forward for a progressive Idaho Falls.
I think Sharon’s responses are very articulate and intelligent.
Since she is basically looking to take over Larry Lyon’s post I’d like to know how she feels about one of his causes – the city employee grievance procedure. Larry stated many times that the grieveance procedure is stacked against the employees and that those who do file one face serious retaliation. The two employees who exposed the corruption in the Library were harassed out of their jobs for what they did.
And how does she feel about the cities failure year after year to look for competitive insurance for its employees. Its gone from being a winked at joke to serious discussion about whether or not Craig Lords or some other person in charge is getting their pockets lined by Blue Shield to keep the contract with them even though the prices are outrageous and other companies are chomping at the bit to give a competing bid to a large group with some 800 members.
Joe – If this offends you I apologize in advance.
Sharon decided to run for office. I didn’t – I don’t have the time. So when you say to
“I encourage you to feel free to ask your questions and whatnot, but please be respectful and keep in mind that the candidate is making an extra effort to reach out to locals here,” I object.
She has made her phone number and e-mail available too. If Sharon said she would answer one time that is one thing and something people need to know.
Does she really mean what she says? Is her ear always ready to listen and her eyes always ready to read?
I, too, was really impressed with her work in the school district. I admire her courage to have the one decending vote and do it with class. The lack of class if something I think Larry L. lacks.
I’d like to know from what sources Sharon gets her information about future Idaho Falls growth? Meaning, what businesses relocating and a shift in population wanting to own homes here. In P and Z she should have superb access.
Additionally, what does she see the City Council’s role as attracting new businesses with high paying jobs to Idaho Falls?
Her answer about annexing was really interesting, IMO.
However, I felt she ducked the question both about seniors moving to the area. More research is an ok answer for now-but I expect more in the near future. Besides those moving to the area, think about your own parents. Who has parents over 65? I do.
While I agree with her that have a city attorney on retainer is cost saving to the city, if used appropriately, it appears to me there could be a major conflict of interest (if I understood her comments correctly).
What I thought she said is basically Dale Storer is available to ALL city employees to clarify whatever. Yet, doesn’t he represent the City Council if there has to be a termination or legal action taken against a City employee? How would that work?
Thanks to Sharon for answering the questions. I appreciate her response and will expect more, if indeed, she is what she says she is – open to the public.
That last post wasn’t totally clear. What I meant to say is I objected to your comment, Joe, unless Sharon told you that point blank.
I’m not trying to slam Sharon with more questions – I’d ask the same of anyone running (except Lyon). I forgot a few and hopefully, if any other candidate answers IFz.Com, some of these questions can be included too.
1. What does Sharon see as the 3 top challenges for Idaho Falls?
2. Given her experience on the school board, how does she herself connecting with state or regional officials to recruit and promote higher education in Idaho Falls?
Councilman Groberg wrote a thesis more than a decade ago why Idaho Falls should have a Jr. College. What does she think and how can she and the City Council at large help?
3. While I read her answer to the beltloop question, I know there are people at the state level, let alone locally, who believe it should be put in place much more quickly given the growth in Bonneville Co. I’ve even seen 4 different plans for how the Belt could link Iona/Ucon to the Airport and down south etc. to be a real assest.
I do realize many different governing boards will have to be involved to make a belt route happen. Funny how big business follows quicker access.
What would it take to speed up the process of the Belt Route? I’ve heard of businesses tired of dealing with the east/west traffic who want quicker access to their businesses for customers.
4. What committees would she like to serve on in the City Council? Her background in P and Z make her a natural for that, but it seems others have that locked up. Is it possible to re-assign chairs of various committees so some in the City Council don’t have to recuse themselves from the discussion?
Does Sharon own, or invested in, major commercial/residential developments?
5. I’m still not clear where she stands on getting competitive bids for the health and other insurance for city employees. Should this be a competitive process, or automatic renewal?
In some cities, law enforcement and fire fighters are automatically covered at no cost with a basic plan, given their higher risk of injury than say some other city employees with desk jobs.
Those employees have the option of insuring their families much more cheaply on this basic plan, or “buying up” to a plan that isn’t even 75% of what the current employees receive.
Finally, many thanks to Sharon (and other candidates, if they respond) for the answers. If she got elected, we could have 3 women and 3 men on the council. Is that right, or did I miscalculate somehow? Wouldn’t that be a first for Idaho Falls?
It could be a great first. IMHO, especially if there was emphasis put on education and other things I feel the City Council doesn’t pursue much.
I am also hopeful about the caliber of the candidate this time around. LL did not serve effectively, whether one agreed with his personal style and politics, or not.
I think there are way too many questions for this forum. Being an infrequent visitor myself, I question how often she might feel the need to visit to provide updates to our questions. However, since she has spoken here she would do well to make sure she revisits, and doesn’t just ‘hit and run’.
Forward thinking is really difficult when you have a lot of urgent fires to put out (metaphorically, it’s not like we’re in CA).
However, I am concerned about the Hitt Road situation and Ammon’s reluctance in assuming some responsibility for the traffic flow. Also, power rates for the future need to be projected and alternative plans developed NOW.
I’ll vote for her if I feel she has some insights into these areas.
Weren’t those Post Register live chats this week? Did anyone participate in those? What did you learn?
A friend told me you can view the past chats. Log onto chat.postregister.com and they are viewable.
I just finished looking at Parry’s and Patterson’s responses. Hands down Parry is more articulate. I also wonder about Patterson’s removal as ethics officer at the INL. Yet, he makes ethics the main point of his campaign. Very interesting. I would vote for Parry over Patterson at this point. Lyon and Hally should be real interesting.
Kathy Stanger and Sheila Olson are running Parry’s campaign?…well thats enough for me to vote for Patterson.
I thought these two ladies were on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Stanger is a lifelong Democrat. Olsen a Republican. That doesn’t sound as damning as you would suggest. Please give more details Lisa.
Both Kathy Stanger and Sheila Olsen are very active in the Republican party. The City races are non partisan, so who helps run the campaign should not matter. Just vote for the Candidate that you feel will do the best job.
I think Stanger’s conservative credentials are well established, despite what the Trish and Halli blog have said about her in regards to the Crow Creek Neighborhood association “neighbor spying” issue.
From what I’ve observed, if it matters to you, I think it’s safe to say that Parry and Lyon have conservative leanings and Patterson and Hally have liberal leanings.
But Scott Cannon has it right that city races are non-partisan. I would be more concerned about a candidate’s own activities and philosophies before worrying about what their campaign manager does.
Joe…I look at it as “Handlers” what THEY say goes. I’ve had enough of the Right Wing Nuts around here, the Good Ol Boys Club is bad enough now we got the Good Ol Gals Bunch. It goes all the way to Boise in the Legistlature.
I see your point but I disagree. I respect your right to your opinion on it though, and I guess candidates should know that many factors can influence voters, such as this one did.
As for “Non-Parisan” politics somebody might want to explain that to the Mayor and City Council.
I agree that most elected city officials are probably non-partisan. But the way our system is set up, they have to pick a party to run. I really don’t think that national politics have much to do with city business. But a lot of people (especially when they don’t know who to vote for) vote for the party.
Lisa, I didn’t understand your last comment. Is there something I am missing about this whole deal? Would you please explain?
I have to agree with Lisa on one thing. If Sheila Olsen is supporting someone then that is a good reason to seriously look at the opponent.
I read the PR transcripts of both Parry and Patterson. I share the concern Mike wrote about the ethics thing. Patterson says it will come out at a later date in Nov. That doesn’t help voters now.
I also agree with Scott Cannon about voting for the best candidate.
Given the questions asked and answered, I thought Sharon Parry was much more thorough and “in touch.”
I remember her being the lone voice in District #91 closing an elementary school. Doesn’t that say anything to anyone else but me?
Just my opinion, but Patterson seemed more defensive to me that Parry.
As for the political machines that like to write LTE, I always skip them. I try to learn the facts about the candidate and vote for the person I believe will do the best job.
And I, too, share a lot of interest in the Hitt Road, 1st Street instersection issue. It is only the first of many as annexing defines boundaries of Idaho Falls and suburbs. That is why I believe that issue must be handled firmly, swiftly and representing the citizens.
I was looking at the City of I.F.’s webpage today. Does anyone know why Councilman Lehto doesn’t have anyone running against him? Is he really that popular or powerful? What did I miss about him that he doesn’t have an opponent?
Idaho Native…I meant our outstanding Mayor Furhiman speaking out that we share Mitt Romney’s values when Mitt came to Idaho Falls for money on Vandersloot’s jet (connect the dots anyone?), or the Mayor with his best smile while standing behind Jim “Little Britches” Risch when Risch flew into Idaho Falls (On Vandersloot’s Jet) to announce his run for Toe Tappin Larry’s senate seat, oh Larry says toe tappin is his constitutional right while trolling for gay sex in airport bathroom stalls. Dot Dot Dot
I like Sharon’s answer to Hitt Road needs, however, the only stretch left to finish is the responsibility of the city of IF buy prior agreement. This indicates to me that she did not do her homework prior to answering the question. The county has already completed that which is covered by the agreement. Do your home work Sharron. This is like Sunnyside Rd., the city IF stalls and stalls in hopes that they can push it off on the County. Is Sharron going to try to follow the same tacts as current counsel members?
You can include me in the list of those who previously supported Ms. Parry but are having second thoughts after learning of Sheila Olsen & Kathy Stanger’s involvement in her campaign. I must have missed that, where was it announced?
Another concern of mine is whether the attorney named Mr. Parry who works for Dale Storer (beneficiary of a long-term no-bid city contract) is related to Sharon Parry. I saw the issue raised but nobody commented on it. I read the PR chat transcripts and Ms. Parry mentioned that her husband is an attorney.
Wow lots of members of the Good Ol Boys and Gal’s Clud…members are apparently married?. And the Plot thickens. A Political Monopoly in Little Ol Idaho Falls? dot, dot, dot
I noted that Dennis Patterson believes he is like Barack Obama (from the PR Chat Page). Does this mean that we trounce him for his affiliation with Obama? It would seem that we should hold this against him as much as Olsen and Stanger being in Parry’s camp?
BTW–Sorry about the Stanger confusion. I was thinking of Edith Stanger who is a lifelong Democrat.
Take all the players in local politics, the major ones and even the old ones that think they’re a major player, connect the dots and see what the common denominators are. dot dot dot
In the PR Chat Mr. Patterson was asked which politician he would compare himself with. He answered Barack Obama. He was answering a question posed by somebody else. I can’t criticize him for speaking what’s on his mind. I personally have nothing against Mr. Obama.
The difference in this case is that Mr. Patterson didn’t say that Barack Obama was involved in running his campaign for him. That’s a big difference.
A quick search engine check on the net would indicate that Sharon’s husband name is Steven as a Steven Parry shares the exact same address as Sharon. I found a separate attorney along with different addresses named Shan Parry. Obviously I’m not going to post them here.
BTW, you should really be scared of the things that are on the net. It took me less than 20 seconds each to have names, addresses, phone numbers (including cells), and some job history for all three going back more than ten years. You just have to know the proper search engines.
Patterson looks like he could be Larry Lyons half brother.
I have heard he has had some problems with his job and his own ethics are pretty rotton.
I’m also bothered by Kathy Stanger, hopefully Sharon just allowed her to help out of pity for a woman who thinks she contributes so much.
I’ll still vote for Sharon Parry
I was not aware that Sharon’s husband was an attorney working with Dale Storer. We’ll have to get some more information on this, surely Sharon will agree to abstain from votes on the city attorney contract renewal?
Joe, I think “guest” was pointing out that Sharon’s husband is named Stephen not Shan. This indicates they are not the same attorney working with Storer.
As for the other post of guest…I agree….Patterson has some issues at his job and was demoted. This causes some serious doubts about the center piece of his campaign: ethics…namely his own.
What a hoot: Patterson being Larry’s half-brother. Maybe it would be good to have Patterson in their to simply frustrate the heck out of the status quo?
I’m an idiot 8^) Misread that.
Read Martindale or even FindLaw, if not the yellow pages. Read the attorney’s bios on their webpages.
Guest, in #28, clearly found the info. So did others.
How about the facts before the fantasy?
I participated in one discussion. I can honestly say that not all questions were answered in that discussion as the candidate did not have enough time to answer before the forum ended.
Better yet, if you have questions, the City of Idaho Falls has the info of how to contact all those running for office. http://www.ci.idaho-falls.id.us/main/NewsDetail.asp?prID=648
I don’t know what Sharon Parry would do with all the various intersections and growth. However, I do believe her background in P and Z benefits her.
I think she is more savvy to the infrastructure (especially building, zoning and planning) issues than may have come through in an interview or forum chat.
I still don’t understand why no one is running against Councilman Lehto. Does anyone have any ideas?
Before my post #23 I looked in the phone books and yellow pages and couldn’t find any answers to my question regarding Ms. Parry’s husband. I didn’t think of doing an internet search, I just thought it would be in the phone book. I was only asking but I’m sorry if some people took it to be the truth. My mind isn’t made up yet regarding my vote. I think Sharon Parry probably has the best credentials.
I asked earlier and haven’t received an answer yet. Where was it reported that Olsen & Stanger are involved with Sharon Parry’s campaign? Is it on her campaign ads or something?
Yes on her campaign ads
I recently had the opportunity to read the answers to a questionaire that some city employees gave Parry concerning issues that affect city employees.
My head is still spinning from all the political doublespeak she did. You have to read everything she wrote several times to try and figure out what her opinion was and then you realize she doesn’t have an opinion. She took few stands on anything and gave few firm answers. And she seemed to flit about from leaning way to leaning another in the same answer. I was very unimpressed as I want someone who understands the issue and knows what they intend to do with it. Not someone who talks for several minutes hoping you realize she isn’t giving an answer.
My speculation is that she is very against many of the issues that the city employees want but was so afraid of upsetting them and losing their vote / endorsement that she tried to baffle them with her non committal answers.
Unfortunately its very apparent that she is going win. I know nothing about Patterson so perhaps he’s worse but there is definitely room for him to be better.
I have heard that Parry is against unions or any organized group in the work force. I have never heard her say that and I don’t know how creditable this rumor is. Does anyone know?
I couldn’t log into the Lyon discussion early enough to ask a question. But I read it. Nothing hidden about him – he want right after Haley’s jugular. Looks like Larry answered for 2 hrs.
I think the previous 2 posts raise some good questions. Can anyone tells us more about Patterson and what his views are? I read he said he had lived in I.F. all his life.
From my POV, that isn’t always a positive. It could be. I just don’t know what he means.
And anything else about his INL situation that he says will be clear at the end of Nov.? That’s part of what makes Patterson hard for me – too much info seems unavailable.
Idaho Native…
You know any Republican that is PRO-Union? I sure don’t. Unions are a threat to the Republican Thumb Screw power they have. Look at Tom “My Bro is a Perv” Luna’s new pay plan for teachers, all it does is kill the teachers union. Look how the Republicans fought the minimum wage increase As for Sharon “Bob n Weave the Question” Parry she’ll have to deal with labor organized departments (Fire & Police) IF she is elected. Connect the dots people dot dot dot.
The answer Parry gave to the police about whether she would support their union or not was a no disguised as a maybe. She went on and on at length about how she has worked with unions in the past and hasn’t found it to be a bad thing. But then she goes on to say that because of the new chief the officers should wait a few years to see if things correct themselves. In other words she hopes that if she stalls the union push will die out.
Thanks Guest. I was looking for something a little more concrete than just speculation or guesses. I don’t put much credence into political parties when it comes to city elections. I’m more interested in what they will do instead of what the national platform is.
Regarding Post 39—Lisa, wake up and smell the coffee about Republicans and Unions….you can and should add Democrats to the list. I recall William Jefferson Clinton, with a Republican Congress, pushed the North American Free Trade Agreement and got it passed. NAFTA has killed alot of unions and harmed the American worker. This might have something to do with why Democrats began receiving more political contributions from “evil” big business interests.
I think it would be interesting to see if Parry or any other city candidates endorsed any pols in the last election cycle. That would also tell us alot about their respective positions.
My friend at the INL who interacted with Patterson told me that he was arrogant and thought he could do no wrong. This was a large part of him getting removed from his position. She described how he treated people as being beneath him. Great, just what we need a politican that thinks he is above the rest of us. No thanks on that one. I don’t know if anyone read the full Larry Lyon PR chat but he did a pretty good job—I still wouldn’t vote for him, but I was impressed by what he wrote. However, like Patterson, his personal conduct is troublesome.
As I said before, candidates are free to comment responses themselves, but I think it’s better for them to email me their responses, so it is clear they are not here every moment to react to every single statement.
As such, Sharon passed this to me for posting:
As previously announced, Mayor Fuhriman swore in Sharon Parry at the first city council meeting following the election (last night). Our council is filled again for the first time since Lyons resigned to run for a different seat.
At least until Joe Groberg resigns in January. Any speculation on who Fuhriman will appoint to replace Groberg? He said he wants to see someone with small business experience and passion for Idaho Falls.