Paula Laws

Name: Paula Laws

Age: 69

Length of residency: My husband, Rick, and I made our home in Rathdrum 17 years ago.

Family: Married with a blended family of six adult children and 12 grandchildren.

Highest level of education completed: Junior in college

Degrees held: Associate’s degree in business

Profession: I have my own business, Paula Laws Insurance. I am licensed in Idaho and Washington. I work with “Best in Class” companies for Life Insurance, and Medicare Supplements.

Volunteerism: Former Rathdrum Lion’s Club member; former Rathdrum Chamber board member

Previous political experience: I am currently in my second term as a Rathdrum City Councilor. Prior to being elected to the City Council, I served on the Rathdrum Parks and Recreation Committee for six years. I also attended many of the Transportation and Traffic Safety Meetings.

What prompted you to seek election to this position?

I am seeking re-election because I enjoy working with the community, and I want to continue to bring balance and moderation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all of our citizens.

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

The mayor and council recently formed the Urban Renewal District Committee for the purpose of helping existing businesses and bringing in new businesses. The biggest opportunity is the formation of the URD. It’s an exciting time that the mayor and council, the Chamber, the URD Committee, and Jobs Plus work together to help existing businesses, as well as invite new businesses to join our community.

The biggest challenge is always our fiscal responsibility to our community. Providing all the necessary services for safety, streets, water and sewer and keeping the taxes as low as possible.

Again, I refer to the URD. I think that working with the URD they will look at all the areas in our community, and encourage businesses to upgrade, or relocate to the Main Street Core. If we bring new businesses into our community, I am hopeful that our children will want to make their homes here, and have their families grow up in Rathdrum, rather than leaving to seek employment elsewhere.

What makes you the best candidate?

Prior to starting my own business, I worked for a local municipality for 17 years which has helped me in making informed decisions for the Rathdrum community. As a current city councilor, I have knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of where the citizens would like to see the community go. I listen to the citizens and their wishes and concerns, and I don’t have an agenda of my own. We must follow the laws and incorporate useful and reasonable ideas for and from the citizens. I have an “open door” policy. I can be reached by phone, and if I’m unavailable at the time of the call, I will always return calls. Keeping the small town charm is critical to me, in that we don’t want to expand and grow so fast that we forget why we want to live in this city.