Election day this year, for 2009, is Tuesday, November 3rd. For election information or if you would like to know where to vote, please contact the County Elections Office at (208) 529-1363 or click here.
Now, an introduction to Barbara Ehardt…
Barbara Ehardt was born and raised in Idaho Falls and is a graduate of Idaho Falls High School. Barbara then attended North Idaho Junior College and Idaho State University on a basketball scholarship. Her “love of the game” enabled Barbara to embark on a 15-year college-coaching career that provided many rich and unique experiences. Her coaching career included stops at four outstanding Universities, three as an assistant, including: University of California, Santa Barbara; Brigham Young University (Provo); Washington State University; and finally Cal State Fullerton, where she served as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach.
Serving in the capacity of a “college basketball coach” opened doors and created many opportunities to ‘make a difference’ within the community, of which Barbara took advantage. Beginning in Santa Barbara, she created the Gaucho Women’s Basketball ‘Community Outreach’ program designed to use basketball as a tool to teach the youth in the community “life lessons” ranging from the importance of staying in school to ‘saying NO to drugs.’ 21 years later this Community Outreach program is still going strong and has been a model for not only the other schools where Barbara coached, but also for other teams looking to add more meaning and depth to their program and growth opportunities for their student athletes.
Athletics has been but one dimension of Barbara’s interests. She has served has a motivational speaker in many arena’s, primarily with the youth. Many of these forums have included the school classroom or assemblies; pageants; clubs; “YES” Clinics as a featured Coach / Instructor for youth at the NCAA Final Four; church gatherings; firesides; college classrooms; and of course, many professional business engagements.
In the past, Barbara used her “title” and “position” as a basketball coach to lead, teach, empower and encourage through the forum of sports. And why not? Through her career, she has crossed paths and associated with some of the most prominent and recognizable names – not just in the women’s game – but in all of basketball. Many times she has felt the thrill that comes with beating nationally ranked opponents; the thrill of being nationally ranked; the thrill of winning championships and of being an NCAA participant. Since she has returned to Idaho Falls in 2003, she has used her influence on one of the few things that has meant more to her than her basketball career – her love of Country and what it means to be an American! Though she was involved politically before returning to Idaho Falls she has jumped in with two feet since she arrived. Almost immediately upon her return, Barbara was instrumental in helping to defeat the proposed “Rec Center,” as it was written, which would have laid a huge unnecessary tax burden at the feet of the residents of Idaho Falls. Currently, Barbara serves as a Precinct Committee Person for the Bonneville County Republican Party (a position she held while living in Fullerton), as well as serving a second term as the Bonneville County Republican Women’s 1st Vice President. In her capacity with the Republican Women’s Club, Barbara has helped to make it a point to teach and educate on our Constitution and its principles, including conducting a well attended Constitutional forum. Another important matter to Barbara is the many opportunities she has had to present a reverent retiring of the flag of United States of America at many church and civic group functions. These retiring presentations include stories, songs and thoughts from our founding fathers that have moved many to reflections, tears and thoughts of their own sacred duties to preserve and uphold this Constitution to preserve this country.
Born and raised in Idaho Falls, Barbara made the decision to return to her hometown because of her love for the people here, their values, and for this great city and state. Through her experiences, Barbara has successfully managed large budgets, staffs, team members, and much more. When asking those who have served under Barbara to describe her, they use such words as “fair, driven, hard-working, integrity and full of enthusiasm.” She follows through and finishes that which she starts. Serving in the city council would be no different. She will put in the necessary time and will not “rubber stamp” her vote. She will be accessible to the people of this city as well as to the people who work for this city. Problems will be addressed, and you will be heard!
There are bound to be questions and topics covered during this race that anyone brand new to the council and its dealings will be unable to answer without the background that will come from serving in such a capacity. However, if one understands the principles upon which a candidate stands, then they will have insight into the stance that person will take. As a potential voter, you can rest assured that Barbara embraces those precepts and principles upon which our Constitution was based and that is the stance she will take. Given that national leadership continues to allocate more control to the Federal level, ensuring that local control remains in the hands of the people seems all the more imperative. This is the direction Barbara will take.
Barbara is currently employed at Apple Athletic Club as a director / manager. She is presently working on leadership forums for the local youth. She still conducts her own hoops camps and clinics and consults for many of the local players and teams – both boys & girls. Barbara has never married, is single and lives alone, though she always thought she’d be a mom with a typical family – a husband and six kids! Barbara embraces traditional family values and believes in the sanctity of life. She loves children, especially all 14 of her nieces and nephews. In her spare time, Barbara loves to play tennis, bike, Jet Ski and root for her favorite teams (like the Utah Jazz).
Contact info for Barbara Ehardt – Phone: (208) 403-6686; Mobile Updates: Text BARB to 91011; Email: barbara@BarbaraEhardt.com; Web Site: www.BarbaraEhardt.com
Barbara’s opponent for Idaho Falls City Council, seat 6, is incumbent Karen Cornwell.
(This information is meant as an introduction to a selected candidate seeking public office and was obtained through the candidate’s campaign website and/or flyer. Placement of this post does not constitute an endorsement of the candidate by Idaho Falls Today.)
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It WAS all he had to say about it!
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve known Barbara Ehardt for about six years, but I first heard about her when I was playing basketball at BYU from former players who spoke highly of her as a coach, leader, and friend. I have been priveleged to assist with her hoops clinics at Apple Athletic Club and learned a lot from her not only about basketball, but about teaching correct principles that will help the kids in their lives. One thing she frequently tells the kids is, “In order to be a leader, you first must learn to lead yourself.” She encourages the kids to develop self-discipline and accountability so they can be effective examples and reach out to help others.
Barbara loves kids, volunteering to coach her nephews’ and niece’s basketball and baseball teams. My son has played on her Bobbie Sox and tee ball teams for the past three years and along with the other players and parents, we feel very fortunate to have such a committed coach.
I know Barbara has a great work ethic. I know that as an elected represenative, she will stand for fiscal responsibility, business friendly policies, and conservative values. She is an intelligent person with management experience, the ability to work as a team player, and integrity. She also has the courage to do what she believes is right, even if it’s not popular. I appreciate that while Barbara and I don’t always agree, she will listen and respect that which I have to say. I believe she will do her homework and have the interest of the Idaho Falls citizens at heart. I wholeheartedly encourage you to vote for her on November 3rd! Want to learn more? Check out her web site at http://www.BarbaraEhardt.com
Blah blah blah.
Very long on generic BS about the person’s life (who cares) and absolutely nothing on what she wants to accomplish if elected.
I want to vote against Cornwell but I’d like to know that I’m not getting someone just as bad if not worse.
She is better MUCH better! I too would like to just vote them all out, however, knowing who you are getting instead it more important. Ehardt is for the people and the town of IF!
Yes, there is a difference between “The Coach” Barbara Ehardt and “The Community Organizer” Karen Cornwell. Barbara Ehardt believes property taxes are too high; Cornwell does not. In 2005, Cornwell states she was not in favor of reducing property taxes. In 2009 at the Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, Cornwell stated, “I think when you talk about taxes, and I said this last time and it was thrown in my face by my opponent, but you know what? We do pay taxes. And we’re not the highest in the state. What do you think those taxes provide for all of us? Police, fire, roads, quality of life. And I’m sorry, I do not believe that we are overly taxed. We are blessed in this community because we have the INL. We have all the contracters and the sub-contracters, who are keeping us not going us as far in the recession as some of our counterparts have, so I hope you all remember that, because we’re lucky, we’re real lucky.”
Barbara Ehardt is the person to vote for if you want to elect a fiscal conservative to Idaho Falls City Council Seat 6.
Something raised a red flag for me in the initial post and that is that Ehardt is the managing director of Apple Athletic.
For those who don’t recall, four years ago the owner of Apple Athletic, Steve Vucovich, ran for the city council but lost. I had occasion to be at a question the candidate thing where Cornwell, Vucovich, and several others were there. I came away from the meeting with the belief that the only thing Vucovich cared about was lowering his personal tax burden on his business and ultimately thats why I voted against him. Now we have another person with Apple Athletic ties running. Maybe its just an odd coincidence but it is something that needs to be addressed since so far all we know is that Ehardt wants to lower property taxes. Okay, thats great but how are you going to make up the loss in revenue. Its all fine and dandy to claim you want to cut taxes but you need to say what services your going to cut when you do. Vucovich never could answer that. This is one place I actually think Cornwell is correct (ughh I hate agreeing with her) about the current tax burden.
I’m also concerned about how Creek and apparently Erhardt keep touting their “conservative values” as if that has anything to do with a city council seat in Idaho Falls. It doesn’t matter if your pro gay marriage or anti. Pro abortion or anti. For the war or against the war. These aren’t issues that have any relevance to an Idaho Falls city council seat. Issues of relevance are garbage collections, our parks, our police and fire service, our city employees pay and benefits, our roads, our relationship with Ammon, our electrical service, etc. None of them are conserative issues or liberal issues. The repetitive touting of “conservative values” seems like an attempt to bring partisanship in a position that is utterly non partisan.
I sat in City budget meetings for four years with Ida Hardcastle and two yrs with Karen. I cannot recall a single money saving suggestion from either of them. Ida had been on the Council for ten yrs when I was elected and in all that time had not found any waste at all. All Karen could talk about was how she wanted to spend more money.
Ida has no real world business experiance and Karen takes from people and gives to other people for a living.
We need people on the Council who are determined to look for waste, eliminate it, and pass the savings on to the taxpayers.
You don’t cut any services when all you are cutting is waste.
At least Barbara and Alex have the real world business experiance that make it more likely that they would be able to find waste.
Ida and Karen have both proved they just don’t have what it takes in this area.
I wish those budget meeting were recorded and made public. It would be a real eye opener! There were many times when I sat there listening to Karen and Ida and thought, ‘If only the people of Idaho Falls could hear this!’
You can lower taxes without cutting services. How? Eliminate waste. In a City budget of 150 million how much waste is there? 2%, 5%, 10%?
Each of these percentages represents potentially millions of wasted dollars every year.
You have to have people on the Council that are committed to finding it.
Are Barbara and Alex committed to rooting out this waste? With the real world business experiance they both have I think it is likely that they are.
One thing I know for sure. Haveing gone through four years of budget meetings with Ida and two with Karen I know that they are not committed. All they wanted to do was spend more money.
I would like to see these budget meeting recorded and made public so the the people of Idaho Falls could see what really goes on.
Many times I would listen to Ida or Karen and think, ‘If only the people of Idaho Falls could hear this!’
“Barbara has never married, is single and lives alone, though she always thought she’d be a mom with a typical family – a husband and six kids! “
Way to play for the Mormon vote! Not ‘thought she’d be a mom with a couple of kids’, no ‘…and six kids’! Take a guess who she is pandering to? Obviously vote-grubbing in my opinion.
Yet again we hear the mantra of ‘there’s bound to be waste in there somewhere, I just know it!’ without any specifics. Even Lyons Larry couldn’t identify truly significant waste items when pressed, just things he personally disagreed with as a tightwad.
These people equate spending any money with wasting all of our money, and fail to see the difference. There are inevitable costs to running a city, and they are not intelligent enough to know that.
My impression was that most people thought Ehardt’s boss Vucovich was just a plain horse’s behind. What was his vote percentage last election, in the 20% range? If Ehardt is Vucovich’s protege…
And Barb knows what about Municipal Mangement?. She probably knows more about municipal government that Larry “Mad Dog” Lyon does, I hope she not more familiar about animals than Larry is (backyard activities involving animals). Sounds to me that Barb just came out of nowhere. I’m curious if she’s so big in hoops then why isn’t she coaching locally instead of working an hourly job for Vucovich?. Its probably a good bet that Barb has more than enough skeletons in the closet that will ultimately come out then she’ll get tossed under the bus like Larry “Wide Stance” Craig.
As for Larry Lyon and his inside scoop on council meetings, he must of missed the meetings where discussions about him and disturbing acts with animals were discussed, the public still hears the stories about wild backyard antics and say Poor Doggy. Yep the Republicans picked some real winners to run and do endorsements
Wow Lisa! Your post couldn’t be further from the truth. If you are going to throw out unfounded accusations, have the courage to post your full name. You must be reading up on Sal Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.”
It’s good to know that if I ever decide to run for office, I might be accused of having “skeletons in the closet”, because I was once a college basketball player. It’s good to know that if a private citizen like Larry Lyon decides to share his point of view and defend me, that I will be thrown under the bus and marginalized even though he has nothing to do with me or my campaign. That’s the way to encourage good people like Barbara Ehardt to run for office.
Barbara Ehardt IS a winner. You obviously know nothing about NCAA Division I basketball, because you don’t make it 15 years as a coach if you don’t have a good reputation. She chose to return to Idaho Falls for the reasons stated in her biography. She has been approached on several occasions about filling high school varsity coaching vacancies in the area, but has declined so she has time to be a volunteer coach her neice and nephews and pursue other interests. She has coached hundreds and hundreds of kids in the past seven years, and has the most well attended weekly basketball clinics in the area. Just because you don’t know who she is doesn’t mean she is coming out of nowhere. She does have a tremendous amount of management experience. She will do her homework. She will take the time to listen to the good employees we have in the city government. She will also seek the the expertise of the citizens of Idaho Falls in solving the complex issues we face as a city.
Rather than throw out ridiculous anonymous accusations on a comment board, please feel free to give me a call at 757-8872. But I’m sure you won’t call because obviously you are not interested in the TRUTH.
Kaly…has Barb coach with your husband Tye?. According to her own resume’ she coached at Cal State Fulerton but ended up back in Idaho Falls after a year or two?. To Me Barb sounds like another Palin wannabe who can’t bring anything else to the table than a bball school 101. I think theres something in the past that she has to hide behind her “Conservative Values”, sound like a Tea Bagger Nutcase to me, then again look who she works for. She probably has less municipal experience than you have Kali.
And Kali managing a athletic center is way different from managing a City the size of Idaho Falls, now go bake some cookies like a good little wifey.
Kaly
Rather than tell what you think Ehardt will do how about tell us how she will do it. Still all we’ve gotten nothing but generic stuff from her that really tells us nothing. You say she’ll listen well. To that I say “whoopdeedo.” Fuhriman is a good listener too but it doesn’t mean he ever actually does anything.
Tell us specifics about what she’ll do, how she’ll do it, and what services she intends to cut if she really is going to cut taxes.
I’m an easy vote given how much I dislike Cornwell but if Ehardt doesn’t win me over I’ll just not vote at all since it may well be a case of we’re screwed no matter who we vote for.
Did either of the last two commenters bother to read the paper today? You will find specific answers from Barbara. You can’t expect a candidate running against a 4 year incumbent to go into detailed policy proposals. It would be disingenuous to do so. This post on Idaho Falls today isn’t meant to be your go-to source of information on the candidate. I am only one person, not a research organization. Why don’t you go read the paper and then ask some meaningful questions? I would like to post the article to her web site but I am going to seek permission from the Post Register first. As for being a good listener but not doing anything about it, that’s not Barb. She has proven time and again that she will stand up on principle, even when it’s not popular. As for the coaching, I am only defending Barbara’s coaching ability because Lisa brought it into question. Seriously, give me a call and I’ll talk to you. Barbara has coached a lot of Ty’s players, as well as players from Idaho Falls who will be on the varsity basketball team this year. And just a question for Lisa–have you ever in your life seen anybody named Ty that spelled it Tye? Just wondering, I haven’t. I’m also curious, why are you afraid to post your real names? I guess the answer is obvious for Lisa, because she is engaging in slander.
As a candidate for city council seat 6, I do want to share with you how I feel about issues. I call myself a conservative because that gives most people a general view of my political perspective. One’s political perspective transcends all levels of government and it certainly is applicable to local government. I also believe that as families are asked to tighten their budgets during these tough economic times, the city should do no less. And as far as waste? As evident with the major discussions currently occurring, there is a ton of waste, of which I shall address below. But recently the Idaho Transportation Department was audited. Through this process, millions of dollars of waste was found and then eliminated. Sometimes it’s difficult to see the waste when we are directly involved. I will work diligently to fight waste within our Idaho Falls city government. In this manner we can preserve jobs & services while working to be business friendly and not continue to place a higher tax burden on our local businesses and home owners.
The Post Register asked all candidates questions related to city government. Following are my answers. I am posting these for those of you who have not been able to read the answers. Also, this past week I participated in two forums, one sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the other by the Bonneville County Republican Women. The Chamber of Commerce luncheon offered amble opportunity for questions to be asked and answered. My answers were well received and we are working on a transcript which we will be posting on my website. I invite you to check this out. If this isn’t enough and you are sincerely interested to know more, then call me and lets arrange to talk. I can be reached at Apple Athletic Club and I am one of the managers over there. Now for the Post Register questions.
Please answer the following questions in 100 words or less.
1. Should Idaho Falls and Ammon develop an agreement for implementing projects that benefit both cities? Would forming an intercity working group that meets quarterly avoid disagreements like the one that has arisen with the Hitt Road project?
I would like to think that the elected officials of both the cities of Idaho Falls and Ammon should be able to come together to act in the best interests of all involved. As Ammon and our surrounding county continue to grow, this interaction isn’t just a ‘good idea,’ it is completely necessary for our future growth and development. I am absolutely committed to improving the strained relationship we have with Ammon and the other surrounding cities and county. It’s part of my platform.
2. The city decided to trim its levy rate by one-tenth of a percent for this fiscal year, decreasing city property taxes by 65 cents for the owner of a $150,000 home. If the economy continues to struggle, would you deal with declining revenues by increasing the levy rate or by cutting services? If you’d cut services, what would you cut?
The question is limited in its options. While I remain adamantly opposed to increasing the levy, I also do not feel that services need to be cut to deal with declining revenues. I believe in a third option, that of eliminating unnecessary waste such as moving forward on the Hitt road project without Ammon’s help; or purchasing the Farr’s properties without an appraisal. This is our hard earned money that is being tossed about. When dealing with a budget of $159,000,000, maybe $850,000 here or $300,000 there doesn’t matter to my opponent, but it matters to me.
3. In the past year, Idaho Falls has expanded the greenbelt, completed a skate park, pledged support for hockey shelter renovations, pursued the development of Ryder Park and discussed overhauling Memorial Drive. Should the city continue to allocate funding to these types of “quality of life” projects? Why?
How the city council chooses to spend the hard earned dollars of the taxpayers is of paramount concern to me. Unlike my opponent, my definition of “quality of life” is not tied to that which the government can do for me. Rather, my definition of “quality of life” has more to do with the kind of people by whom I am surrounded and the ability I have to provide for my family while choosing to live in this wonderful area. If families must continue to prioritize their budgets, then surely we can expect our city to do the same.
4. Now that the Hitt Road project has been completed, should Idaho Falls undertake another major project, like the 17th Street / Hitt Road intersection, or focus on fixing crumbling residential streets throughout the city?
Prioritizing our spending is another component of my ‘Fiscally Responsible’ platform. We have many crumbling infrastructure needs that should already have been addressed. Among these infrastructure needs are our streets, park roads, rest rooms, bringing city curbs into compliance for those with disabilities and the Pancheri Bridge, to name a few. I would not want to begin any other projects until these more pressing needs are addressed. As I am so often reminded, “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” I, for one, want something else. Join my team and help make it happen.
Kaly… a 12-72 record in 3 years isn’t really something to brag about, I can see why she was canned. About the mispelled names well just shows how much you really mean in the grand scheme of things…Sorry.
Lisa, again an irrelevant point and last time I checked Barbara never bragged about her record at CSF. When rebuilding a program that wasn’t good to start with, in the Big West Conference, with a gym that wasn’t as nice as I.F. High School…she did a great job considering her record improved each year. Keep in mind the first year she was coaching kids that she hadn’t recruited, and only had three returning players from the previous year. She had no returning post player and no returning point guard, and the three returners were all sophomores. (I am not posting this for your sake, but for someone who might happen upon your comment who actually understands the dynamics of college basketball.) It wasn’t a traditional firing either. Her job was taken over by her senior women’s administrator who had previously coached the team and decided she wanted to come back, partly because of the excellent recruiting class Barbara had coming in. The players and parents were happy with the job that Barbara did. I also share this an example of the fact that Barbara will not shy away from challenges. She was aware she was facing an uphill battle from the get-go and that she was an underdog. I kinda like underdogs. –Kaly
Bravo for responding to the candidate! I think one running for office needs to cover as many forums as possible with their message prior to the election.
Yay for Barbara! I have run into her several times at the club. What a great lady! She’s down to earth, sharp, and very hardworking. I can’t say I know much about her politics…but I am going to find out.
I’m loving that Barbara is running and is going to bring to the city council some much needed perspective of the free market and government restraint/transparency. The old gals and guys club of the city council needs a shakeup starting from the top down…good riddance Jared, good riddance Ida, good riddance Karen. Let’s all vote for the breath some the fresh air of transparent responsible government, not bethrothed to donors or departments of the city.
Is Idaho Falls finally waking up to the fact that nice people don’t necesarily make good representatives. The do-gooders can be nice all they want in their respective organizations…church, United Way, Relief Society, etc…, however, when it comes to my tax dollars I want a representative who is stingy and tight. Ida and Karen are nice ladies, but need to be nice in their non governmental organizations, and not with with tax payer money. Cheers to a fiscally lean and mean Barbara Ehardt and Alex Creek.
Just seen Babara on Ch8, eyes still burning. Pandering is Pandering, She got caught. Bright Side: Furhiman cost Idaho Falls Millions with his Management Ineptitude…Barbara just shot herself and her campaign in the A$$.
I disagree on the A$$ shooting; I think candidate Ehardt explained herself well, she said it best, “I think it was my endorsement of them in all honesty my endorsement of the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had.” If that was the message she was trying to get out, it was a brilliant campaign move. Look at it this way, she just got $1000’s in free tv advertising!
Go get ‘em Barbara!
Just came across this site. Silly. I wonder why anyone would care about a worthless town like Idaho Falls anyway. It doesn’t matter who runs it. It’s a town full of people that the world would be better off without.
Barbara’s post register responses seemed to meander away from every single question. No plans. All rhetoric.
Fail.
Yep, this is going to be a disappointing election.
For mayor we have Furhiman who has done everything possible to not earn another term vs a complete nutbag who thinks the mormons are out to kill he and his family.
And for city council we have two incumbents who are clueless vs two challengers who have no platform other than lower taxes without any corresponding plan on how they are going to make up that money.
Idaho Falls loses no matter who wins.
Ever hear of the term C.A.V.E people? Citizens Against Virtually Everything. That is what this site is all about.
She was a terrible coach and would have been a even worse City Council person. She is definitely not a people person either. Booo Barbara…
-@Anon-
Have a little class. She would have made a great city council person. I’m not sure about basketball coach and could care less, but she would have made a great city council person. Kudos to her for running and sticking her neck out on the line, something she did and you didn’t Mr./Mrs./Ms. Anon. Booo Anon.
Now go practice your jumpshot.