For the week of March 26 - April 1, 2003

Mayoral candidates
Barton and Plott
outline their visions
for Bellevue

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"I would like to consider economic development and make Bellevue more economically diverse and less reliant on jobs outside the city."

— JOHN BARTON, Incumbent mayor

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"I would like to see emphasis put on maintaining and developing the old town site, instead of looking for new areas to develop."

— LARRY PLOTT, Candidate for mayor

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Bellevue’s incumbent Mayor John Barton and challenger Larry Plott last week both said they think the next mayor should seek to properly manage growth, but offered sharply different opinions on how city government has performed over the last two years.

Barton and Plott are the two candidates vying for the Bellevue mayor’s seat for the next two years. They will face off in the city’s election Monday, April 7, at Bellevue City Hall.

Barton, 41, has lived in the Wood River Valley for 14 years and has lived in Bellevue for the last seven years. He served on the Bellevue Planning and Zoning Commission from 1999 to 2001, when he was voted in as the city’s mayor.

Plott, 65, first moved to Bellevue in 1965 to serve as a resident Idaho State Police patrolman. He later moved to Pocatello, where he worked for the state’s POST law-enforcement training academy for 26 years before retiring to Bellevue in 1995.

Plott in 1997 was appointed to the Bellevue City Council to serve out the term of a councilman who left the post. His own term was interrupted when he left to serve a tour of duty with the Department of Justice in Bosnia, but after his return he was elected in 1998 to a full two-year term on the City Council.

In separate interviews Friday with the Idaho Mountain Express, Barton and Plott discussed several key issues facing Bellevue and described their visions for the city’s future.

Barton said he believes the most important issue facing Bellevue is the proper management of the city’s water and sewer systems, which are both aging and in need of major repairs.

He noted that the city is essentially required to accommodate some growth, and he would like to see the infrastructure improved so new developments don’t put excessive stress on the systems.

Barton said he would also like to see the city update its zoning codes to encourage development in the downtown core and create jobs in the city. "I would like to consider economic development and make Bellevue more economically diverse and less reliant on jobs outside the city," he said.

He noted that he believes the city’s existing zoning codes are "well intended" but "discourage development in downtown."

Plott said he believes the biggest issue facing the city is "managing growth and development."

He said he would also like to ensure the city enforces all city codes and ordinances "uniformly and fairly for all," addresses noise from Friedman Memorial Airport, and "brings in activities that promote local business."

He said he has noticed a decrease in noise from airplanes approaching and taking off from Friedman, but believes "it’s something we need to keep addressing."

In specifically discussing growth in Bellevue, Barton said he acknowledges that the city must accommodate some new development. However, he would like to encourage projects that redevelop the older, central part of the city.

"I would like to see emphasis put on maintaining and developing the old town site, instead of looking for new areas to develop," he said.

He added: "Growth is going to happen … The more active we are in directing it, the better off we are."

Plott said he does not believe Bellevue is growing too fast, but does believe that growth must be actively managed.

"I believe that with managed growth, (Bellevue) can enjoy the progress of new small industry, enlarged services, additional homes, and still maintain its mountain outdoor atmosphere," Plott said.

When asked to describe his long-term vision for the city, Barton said he would like to see Bellevue have "a more vital downtown center" and undergo "gradual redevelopment of the old town site."

Plott emphasized that he "has no personal agenda," but would like to help Bellevue residents maintain their quiet, safe lifestyle. "I envision a mountain-style community, reflected in its friendliness, small businesses, history, and open spaces," he said.

As for whether the city has experienced any noteworthy successes or failures in the last two years, Barton said he believes he has established a strong record of success.

"We just received an A- grade on our financial audit. It was a D- when I came into office," he said.

He said he has run a "smooth administration" that has seen improvements to the city’s library and the adoption of a new comprehensive plan.

He noted that the city has had some difficulty in staffing the Marshal’s Office, and he would like to work to retain quality deputies to work under the marshal.

Plott said he has "generally seen status quo" in the last two years. "Many projects started when I served on the City Council two years ago are still being talked about and are undeveloped," he said. "This is the reason I am running for mayor."

 

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