Needless to say, with public opinion polls singling out the war in Iraq, some voters have understandably taken their eyes off elections at home that truly are vital to the quality of governance and don't involve foreign affairs and military conflicts.
The Mountain Express herewith provides voters with our recommendations and endorsements of candidates and ballot propositions they'll find next Tuesday.
As we reviewed races for national, state and local offices, we looked for candidates with professional competence who are political and economic pragmatists, willing to look at new ways to solve chronic problems, and who acknowledge the importance of protecting Idaho's beautiful outdoor lifestyle.
Governor: Jerry Brady (D), whose longtime statewide business and civic activities give him a special insight into Idaho's needs. Brady says "Idaho is not for sale," a response to a call by the Republican candidate who only changed his mind about selling vast amounts of Idaho's public lands into private hands when he realized it could be a campaign issue—a telling flipflop. Brady strongly opposed the coal-fired power plant in Jerome, which would have polluted the Wood River Valley. He is also a strong supporter of strengthened public education.
Lieutenant Governor: Larry LaRocco (D), a former two-term member of Congress from Idaho and staff member for the late U.S. Sen. Frank Church, LaRocco is a seasoned hand in government policies and management.
State Controller: Jackie Groves Twilegar (D), a highly respected and experienced financial adviser and manager of large portfolios, is fully qualified to handle Idaho's financial activities.
State Treasurer: Ron Crane (R), the incumbent, has done a good job of keeping track of Idaho's cash and has used his office to raise awareness of the need for personal financial management by individuals. He should be returned to office.
Attorney General: Robert A. (Bob) Wallace (D), who has served as environmental lawyer for two Republican attorneys general, a special deputy attorney general and a senior Boise city prosecutor, as well as initiating a volunteer lawyers program for low-income clients. He would be a good hand on the Idaho Land Board, which controls activities on all state land.
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Jana L. Jones (D), currently Idaho's chief deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, who has an impressively deep and wide career background in education.
Blaine County Commissioner, District 1: Larry Schoen (D), a Blaine County farmer with a long career of civic activity, including chairman of the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission. The latter gave him a deep understanding of the problems of growth that have inundated the county and that will be important as growth pressures continue.
Blaine County Commissioner, District 2: Sarah Michael (D), the commission's incumbent chairperson. Michael has been the spark that led the commission away from business-as-usual policies with the help of consultants and experts in public management, planning and zoning, water, and weed control. She has worked hard to create innovative policies that fit a progressive county with some of the highest land values in the state and some of the toughest growth pressures.
Blaine County Recreation District: No endorsement. Both Spence Ellsworth of Carey and Craig Bates of Hailey have similar agendas for recreation, although Ellsworth wants to see more attention in the area around Carey.
U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd District: Mike Simpson (R), whose formidable work on creation of the 319,000-acre Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA) has opened the door for three new wilderness areas in the Boulder and White Clouds Mountains. Simpson was as good as his word and got the compromise bill through the House early this fall.
In an earlier editorial, the Mountain Express recommended:
Proposition 1: Yes, to bolster funding for public education.
Proposition 2: No, to protect community planning and zoning and property values.
Constitutional Amendment on Marriage: No, to protect the state's constitution from special interest meddling.
Constitutional Amendment on Tobacco Funds: Yes, to protect millions of dollars from legislative whimsy.
Advisory Vote: No, to require more thoughtful deliberations on Idaho taxing mechanisms.
Ketchum equipment bonds: Yes, to modernize the city's snow removal equipment.
● Hailey fire station: Yes, to provide protection for the growing Woodside area.
