Borders touts infrastructure, experience

POST FALLS — After decades of public service, retired Kootenai Fire Chief Lynn Borders is running for Post Falls City Council.

Borders, 62, who was the first career firefighter in Post Falls, spent 31 years with what is now called Kootenai Fire and Rescue, and served as department chief for 25 of those years.

He decided to jump into local politics when City Councilman Skip Hissong announced his retirement. Hissong has endorsed Borders for the seat.

When asked why he decided to run, Borders said: “Having spent the majority of my professional career in Post Falls, serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and having lived here 41 years, I have a very vested interest in Post Falls.”

He said he is interested in maintaining the city’s growth and strengthening economic development efforts.

“I have energy and time to invest in making sure Post Falls is a safe and great place to live,” he said. “I am willing to listen and serve the citizens to the best of my ability.”

His top issues include promoting business and job growth, balancing the tax burden on all taxpayers and improving the entrances into the city.

“We need to dress up our entrances so that they attract people to our city,” Borders said, adding he also will support public service and keep Post Falls a safe place to live and work.

“The city has been working hard through urban renewal and staff to give our community a facelift and some recognition,” Borders said. “A strategic plan was done and needs to be updated periodically.”

Borders said the city needs to be ready to act when opportunities to improve the city present themselves.

“With some partnerships in place we can make some big improvements at a very minimal cost,” he said.

Borders has a long list of accomplishments in the community. At Kootenai Fire and Rescue, Borders established the first and only K-9 arson team in Idaho.

He achieved the Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy.

“I also helped put together two successful fire department consolidations that improved service and made the best use of all personnel,” he said, adding as fire chief he successfully launched two bond levies to build fire stations in strategic locations in Post Falls to address the growth.

“I also worked with city staff in managing growth and providing needed infrastructure improvements within the city,” he said.

He said that experience plus the time he has spent on the city’s planning and zoning commission qualify him to serve on the council. He lists budgeting, leadership and public relations as his top strengths.

He said that is one of the things that differentiates him from his opponent, Barry Rubin.

“Serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission has kept me abreast of the issues facing Post Falls,” Borders said. “I have a good working relationship with most organizations and agencies to work on the needed projects and issues to better Post Falls.”

As a resident of Post Falls for the past 41 years, Borders said he has been “a real part of the managed growth and infrastructure improvements as the city has grown."

“I will listen and I encourage input from the citizens of Post Falls on any city issue,” he added.