Jeff Populus

Age: 31

Length of residency: 26 years

Family: Married with five children

Highest level of education completed: Trade school

Degrees held: National and Idaho EMT Certification, HVAC Technical Certification

Profession: HVAC technician at Gonzaga University, volunteer firefighter at Mica Kidd Island Fire Dept., part-time EMT at Shoshone district 2 Fire Dept.

Civic/community service: Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, HOA for Pioneer Ridge development

Volunteerism: Volunteer firefighter at Mica Kidd Island Fire Dept., Raul Labrador for Governor campaign, volunteer hockey coach

Previous political experience: I was the precinct committeeman for precinct 32 in the Kootenai County Republican Committee. I am the precinct committeeman for precinct 24 in the KCRCC. I am on the executive board for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. I am the south State committeeman representing Kootenai County in the Idaho State Republican Party.

What prompted you to seek election to this position?

I thought of seeking this position about two years ago. I attended a few meetings and I thought my skillset could be useful in protecting and ensuring proper use of the citizens of Kootenai County’s investment. I feel like the county and Post Falls is getting ready for a big boom and we need fresh, new, young ideas to help protect and expand our firefighters and department. For these reasons I feel like I can be a help to the pocketbooks of the citizens and the well being of the firefighters.

What are three things you will work to change or improve if elected?

1. I will work to find a good fair compensation for the fire department because if we have a satisfied crew they will have a better work ethic (from what I have seen the work ethic is amazing already).

2. I want to work on getting the fire commissioners out of the day-to-day handling and put that power back into the hands of the fire department. The commissioners are not the ones saving lives, putting out fires, or cutting cars to save our loved ones. The commissioners are elected to help protect the public’s finances that support the department.

3. I would love to see the commissioners hand the department the number of the estimated revenue and have the fire department build the budget and present it to the commissioners for approval rather than the commissioners build it.

What makes you the best candidate?

I am committed to this county and the people here. I played baseball, hockey, and I grew up here as a child and young adult, and I love how this area is accepting change. The Kootenai County Fire Department needs commissioners who can accept change and help the expansion of our county. Though I am young I believe I can help the board understand the qualities of going through the progression of a small area to a booming county that we have to protect. In short, a vote for me is a vote for yourself.