HAMMOND: JFAC seat critical to keep

When I decided to retire from the Idaho State Senate four years ago I felt very reassured that the people in District 5 would be well represented in Boise when Jim Hammond agreed to run for the seat I would be vacating. I am delighted with the outstanding contribution Jim has made during his Senate participation over the last four years.

The experiences that Jim took to the Senate made him uniquely qualified to deal with the most complex issues facing the state in many years. Jim was a teacher, school principal, city councilman, Mayor of Post Falls, city manager, member of the Idaho State Board of Education, member of Panhandle Area Council and Jobs Plus, where he worked hard to bring good jobs to northern Idaho.

When Jim arrived in the Senate he was asked by leadership to serve on the prestigious and important JFAC, the committee that approves all budgets for state departments. His background in dealing with budgets and his common sense approach to problem solving has made him a valuable contributor. I have kept some contact with the Senate through the years and I am very pleased to hear the high praise that leadership as well his peers have for Jim.

We are very fortunate to have a man of Jim’s qualifications and integrity representing us in the Idaho State Senate.

SEN. DICK COMPTON, Ret.

Coeur d’Alene