Candidate Profile-Sharon Margaret Ullman
Birth date: May 31, 1963
Profession: Ada County Commissioner
Educational background: BA from UC Berkeley
Public service (elected or appointed offices):
* Ada County Commissioner
* Chair of Ada County Hazard Mitigation Plan Steering Committee
* Co-Chair of Region IV Mental Health Board
* Member COMPASS Board
* Member Valley Regional Transit Board
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): • Served eighteen years as a public advocate on sewer implementation rates, water rates, garbage collection rates, schools, property taxes and open government. • Chaired the Region IV Early Childhood Committee for children with developmental disabilities. • Chaired the Salvation Army’s Booth Family Care Center Advisory Council for pregnant and parenting teens. • Served on the Idaho Newspaper Foundation Board to advocate for full access to government.
How many years as a resident of your city: I don’t live within an incorporated city. I have lived in unincorporated Ada County since 1990.
Family: Children: Emily 23 – in graduate school, Kevin 22 – in college, Kelly 20 – in college, ten-year-old twins Michael and Melody, and Angelina, age six
Hobbies: Spending time with my children and friends, singing and writing song lyrics
Why are you running for office?
The current administration serves elite special interests and last year tried to raise taxes despite the recession. The people of Idaho deserve to have a credible alternative, an energetic, optimistic leader who is a public servant to all citizens. I take a proactive approach and propose solutions; prioritize open, accountable, limited government; cut wasteful spending; and put the people first.
What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?
* Stimulate economic and job growth through all reasonable means, including eliminating wasteful, unnecessary spending.
* Uphold the values and intent of both the United States and Idaho Constitutions, including with regard to individual liberties and state sovereignty.
* Increase protection of children from abuse and neglect. Never again should a child suffer the same fate as Robert Manwill.
If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
* Economy: 1) Hire Idaho. Through the use of tax credits, encourage employers to hire citizens already in Idaho; 2) Support small business development through tax incentives; and, 3) Stop government waste to reduce taxes when and where possible and don’t over regulate. Get government out of the way! For more, please see the “Issues” page at www.sharonu.com .
* Constitution, Liberty and Sovereignty: Civilized people can resolve issues without resorting to talk of secession from the Union or taking up arms against the federal government. Local, state and federal governments must work in conjunction, to create solutions, for the common good while adhering to both the State and Federal Constitutions. I call it, “solution-based government.” It works.
* Child abuse detection and prevention: Direct available resources toward this important priority. I would use my position as Governor, and as a mother of six children, to raise public awareness of steps that can be taken to detect – or better yet to prevent – child abuse and neglect. Raise awareness of available community resources, such as the Family Advocate Program.
What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
* Currently in my fourth year as an Ada County Commissioner
* Reduced county budget from $193 million to $171 million in one year without cutting services
* Received the first Max Dalton Open Government Award
* Chaired Early Childhood Committee for children with developmental disabilities and Salvation Army’s Booth Family Care Center Advisory Council for pregnant and parenting teens
Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
Last year, the Governor proposed raising taxes; this election year, his story has changed. As an Ada County Commissioner, and public advocate, I have consistently worked for open, accountable, limited government and lower taxes. I collaborate with others to create solutions, such as working with Idaho State University to provide free preventive health care screenings. Please see www.sharonu.com.