Survey and Interview Responses

Why are you running for this office?

I’m running for Garden City Council to give back to the community that has given so much to my family. Serving others has been a lifelong passion of mine, and public service is simply the next way I can help.

I want my kids and grandkids – and yours – to enjoy a high quality of life here: safe neighborhoods, thriving local businesses, great parks and river access, and housing options that let families stay close.

I’m at a place in life where I can devote the time, energy, and experience to listen well, bring people together, and solve practical problems. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves.

What are your qualifications?

I am a citizen of the republic and an Idahoan for 3+ decades, involved in business, politics, faith and sports coaching.

My years of volunteer involvement, combined with my semi-retired time of life now allows me the opportunity to help as a city council member. “

If elected, what are your goals?

Less government, less taxes, more input by citizens, balanced growth for the city and a willingness to serve and encourage others to become candidates for office.

What experience do you have serving on boards, commissions, non-profits, etc. where you have been of service to others?

I founded and ran The Idaho Family Forum, a 501c3 for a decade. Was on a church board of elders, was principal of the Vineyard Homeschool Co-op, Vice President of The West Point Society of Idaho, board member of Mission Media (now Mission 17), soccer coach from 1986 to present – most recently coaching the Bowazee Soccer Club.

Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?

Yes I am. As a businessman, I have to be.

Do you consider yourself socially conservative?

Yes. My track record on social issues is well known and spans decades of involvement.

What are the primary challenges and priorities for this office?

First, building on the wonderful legacy of Mayor Evan’s work is important. He has provided a strong foundation on which we can build in this time of incredible growth. A big issue is ensuring affordable housing and the council needs to pursue creative solutions. One example is to build housing for first time buyers that doesn’t allow immediate property flipping.

What are your thoughts on the conflict between proponents of multi-story, high-density housing and residents who wish to preserve green space and the character of existing single-family, low-density neighborhoods?

It is important to pursue creative solutions. We can work with developers and builders to create affordable housing units. As an example, we can target 7-10% of single family homes and duplexes to be affordable for first time buyers with a five year residency requirement. The emphasis here is home ownership versus an overabundance of high density rental apartments.

How will you prioritize city spending, and which areas do you believe require more or less funding?

It is vital to maintain the budget for a strong law enforcement team, supporting competitive salaries for police officers. As we review the budget, it is also important to look for redundancies, and also engage with city employees’ to determine their satisfaction with their jobs and their alignment with the city’s vision. I want to bring creativity to city planning and the decision making process, drawing from my extensive experience in encouraging civic involvement in local government and leadership coaching and consulting.

What specific steps will you take to incorporate citizen concerns into city planning and decision-making?

I love this question! I’m strongly in favor of town hall meetings, conducted with sincerity and clarity. I am committed to deeply listening to ideas rather than appearing to listen, then dismissing them, which dishonors people. This role is non-partisan and I’m committed to listening to all points of view. As a conservative, I will bring the principles of conservatism to the role, yet, with a commitment to deeply seeking to understand and consider all points of view to arrive at the best decision for residents of Garden City.

Do you think that Garden City’s Comprehensive Plan needs to be revised? If so, what are some changes to the plan that would you seek, in terms of goals and objectives?

It is important to thoroughly review the plan before making changes to it. I am currently becoming familiar with the plan, and I’m asking, “What’s the thinking behind each decision?”

In light of the reported high crime rate, how do you plan to address crime and public safety issues?

The high percentage is due in part to the large number of people passing through on the major thoroughfares. If examined apart from this factor, the crime stats for Garden City are relatively low. compared to other cities in Idaho. I am committed to supporting development that reduces crime. An example of this is the renovation of the Arcadia Hotel, previously a haven for crime, but that has now been cleaned up and redeveloped. There are many opportunities for this type of development in Garden City.

In your view, what are the top two to three essential qualities of an effective leader?

The ability to share a vision is essential and it makes a leader worth following. Second, the ability to ask hard questions. As an example, asking focused questions around budgets and how money is spent can be very challenging. A good leader navigates this well through courageously asking and then listening. Thirdly, the ability to self-examine, asking, “What if I’m wrong?” This mindset has helped me lead with compassion, not just passion.