BINGHAM: A false conservative

Two years ago we elected a commissioner who ran unopposed and was not vetted. This year a candidate for commissioner in District 3 is misrepresenting himself. When a publication questioned Bob Bingham’s qualifications for office, one of his supporters panicked, writing that journalists should not vet his candidate, but that the public should do so unsupported. So, let’s do so.

Bob claims to be a strong supporter of property rights. His position is that there is too much regulation already, and that what he does on his property is none of his neighbors’ business. I doubt that many of the rural residents would appreciate a neighbor opening a toxic waste dump without permits or regulations. Would you want the stench from a wastewater treatment plant next to your home? While your neighbor may make more money from his property, he may be destroying the value of your property. This is the unintended consequence of Bob Bingham’s position on property rights.

Bob says that he will be a good steward of the County’s finances. He points to his experience as a plant manager for a power plant with a $33 million budget. One of the responsibilities of a manager is to anticipate and prepare for contingencies. He did not succeed since his plant went bankrupt. His excuse, it wasn’t my fault, it was Enron’s fault. Most power companies continued to operate, since customers continued to use electricity. If he was responsible for the budget, he was responsible for the bankruptcy. If he was not responsible for the bankruptcy, he was not responsible for the budget.

Bob Bingham: Misrepresented and wrong for Kootenai County!

DAVE BOTTING

Athol