Edgington seeks Post Falls City Council seat

POST FALLS - Jim Edgington believes things need to be shaken up on the Post Falls City Council.

Edgington and former council member Joe Bodman will seek to unseat Kerri Thoreson for Seat 1 on Nov. 8.

"I'm just one of the locals who is tired of the way the government is being run," said the retired police officer, who moved to Post Falls from Rapid City, S.D., in 2003. "We need to try to stop the stupid things that are happening."

Edgington said he decided to run to "put some common sense back into the political system."

"I'm not a politician," he said. "I'll say what's on my mind. What you hear is what you get."

If he's elected, Edgington, 65, vowed to represent the people, no matter what he thinks about an issue, and to look into concerns people have with the city.

"If you've got a beef, I'll investigate to find out what the problem is," he said. "I don't owe anybody anything and I'm not tied to any organization. I'm just an old boy who lives on a fixed income.

"If the people are for it and I'm against it, I'll still support it. I want to represent the people and do what's right for them."

Edgington said he was troubled when the local garbage service - the city uses a contractor for the service - went with mechanical arms on its trucks to pick up the garbage bins.

"They charged me more money and gave me less service," he said, adding that, when possible, the city should support saving jobs in all of its endeavors.

Edgington said he doesn't believe some council members listened to the people before they approved a 2 percent tax hike this year to maintain city services and give raises to some employees.

"Some say they increased taxes to save the city down the road, but that doesn't make sense," he said.

Edgington said he would fight to reduce the city's tax rate, which he believes is high compared to other cities.

He said he would also stand up for property rights.

"If you have a home business, the city can't come in unannounced to check," he said. "I'm trying to get away from government control. That's what is going on more now, and I'm totally against it."

Edgington said he would also keep a close eye on the budget.

"My chief once told me that if we don't spend all the money we'll lose it, so the money was spent on stuff we didn't need," he said. "I think the city needs to live within its means. When we're having hard times like we are now, things need to be watched."

When attracting businesses, Edgington said the city needs to be aware of how many of the employees are transferring with the company versus hiring locals who are already seeking jobs.

The city also needs to be careful on how many incentives are given to businesses considering to move here. He said if the company promises certain wages before it comes, it needs to be held accountable after it gets here.