Candidate Profile-Elmer 'Rick' Currie

Birth date:  Aug. 15, 1947

Profession: County Commissioner

Educational background: Graduate from Coeur d’Alene High School, Business Degree from NIJC

Public service (elected or appointed offices): Basin Commission, Board of Directors Lake City Senior Center, Jobs Plus, Panhandle Area Council and the Legislative Committee for the Idaho Association of Counties.

Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): US Jaycee Senator, Coeur d’ Alene Chamber Commodore, American Legion, VFW, Micah Grange, Elks Club

How many years as a resident of your city: 62-year resident of Kootenai County

Marital status:  wife Vicki

Family: Vicki and I share 5 children, 3 grandchildren and 1 Labrador Retriever

Hobbies:  Hunting, boating, sudoko, playing cards with the guys on Monday nights

 Why are you running for office?

I am a fiscal conservative and I am committed to continue working hard for the citizens of Kootenai County to stretch every tax dollar.  We need strong, honest leadership in these troubling times.

What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?

    1. Completion of the Comp Plan

      2. Completing the zoning rules to implement the Comp Plan

      3. Budget-because so much of what we do is mandated by the state, finding the funding is challenging

 If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?

    1. I am not happy with the current draft, I feel it is too wordy and one-sided. I will continue to strive for a fair document and will not be influenced by special interest groups.

      2. We will need to hire a professional to complete this job as soon as possible, it is too big of a job for staff.

      3. Continue to look at each budget item, cutting unnecessary spending.

What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?

I brought to this job a long history of management and budgeting in the private and business sectors, including property management, finance and customer service.  The relationships I have built with the cities and the legislators who work on our behalf are extremely valuable. 

Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?