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Candidates make their case to win votes

by Brian Walker; Staff Writer
| April 6, 2018 1:00 AM

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Brooks

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Wisniewski

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Sims

COEUR d'ALENE — A matter that's typically a routine housekeeping item with government agencies is building up to be a game-changing topic that could determine Kootenai County Commission races in the May 15 Republican primary.

The first question asked to those candidates by an attendee during Thursday's forum presented by Kootenai County Republican Women, attended by 70 or so people at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, was where they stand on the recent decision to approve an opt-out option on building permits. The move was supported by incumbent Commissioners Bob Bingham and Marc Eberlein.

All seven candidates in the two races eagerly asked for their turn with the microphone to let loose. The responses showed clear divisions.

"We're going to have lawsuits and big problems down the road with financing homes," said Bill Brooks, a consumer advocate who is challenging Eberlein for the District 1 seat. "If I'm elected, I'll do everything I can to change it back as soon as possible. We need to start a process where we agree on the definitions and fashion a solution. They have effectively thrown the baby out with the bathwater."

Brooks, a disabled veteran, said he is in favor of freedom of choice, an argument opt-out supporters make, but building permits is not the place to make an ideological move.

However, Eberlein said residents may be surprised just how much support there is for the opt-out alternative. He said he knows an architect who wasn't thrilled at the decision, but was taken aback when he later learned that the majority of his clients like the change.

Bingham, who has four challengers for his District 3 seat, took the lead on the opt-out option that Eberlein supported with a compromise and led to last month's 2-1 decision.

"When you talk about liberty and less regulation, how can you get to less regulation unless you reduce regulation?" Bingham said, adding that he doesn't believe the decision will lead to shoddy construction because property owners will take pride in building their homes to last.

Bingham challengers Leslie Duncan and Luke Sommer support the opt-out move, while Russ McLain and Bob Thornton voiced opposition.

"I'd like to see what this change is going to affect in the next 10 months," Duncan said.

But McLain said the system should've been left untouched because building permits are an insurance policy of sorts for property owners.

Twenty-three total Republican county and state candidates, including some running unopposed in the primary, spoke for 3 minutes at the forum on their background and why they’re seeking office. That portion consumed 1 hour, 15 minutes, leaving about 20 minutes for a few questions and answers.

Kathy Sims and Tony Wisniewski are seeking the District 3B House seat.

The seat is now held by Rep. Don Cheatham, R-Post Falls, who is seeking the District 3 Idaho Senate position now held by Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene. Nonini is chasing the Republican nomination for Idaho lieutenant governor.

Sims, who moved back to Post Falls last year and previously served in the Legislature, said she's closing in on retirement from her Honda business in Coeur d'Alene and will focus on politics full time. She said she was known as one of the most conservative legislators, keeping government small and taxes low.

"As you make your choice for candidates, remember that voting records you support are always your best choice," she said. "I promise not just to make laws, but make sure bad laws don't pass."

Wisniewski said he's a "radical" when it comes to fighting for freedoms that he believes have been eroded over the years.

"The word 'conservative' has been bullied and bantered," he said, adding that doctors and patients — not government bureaucrats — need to get involved in health care reform.

John Green and Doug Okuniewicz will battle for the Republican nomination for the District 2B House seat. Current seat holder Eric Redman decided to not seek re-election.

Okuniewicz touted his background as an inventor, president of the nonprofit Greene Idaho Foundation that has donated more than $1 million of bingo profits to local nonprofits, and president of Coeur d'Alene Racing, LP.

"I'm well-versed in large, complex budgets and management, discussion and analysis," he said.

Green, a lawyer who has 10 years of law enforcement experience, has run for office three times, including most recently for Kootenai County sheriff.

Green said there's a trend in Boise of important bills remaining in the drawers of lawmakers and not being considered.

"We need to fix that problem," he said, adding that he'll fight for personal accountability and less regulation and taxes.

Other Republican candidates who spoke included Jim Brannon and Rich Houser at the county level and Ron Mendive, Paul Amador, Roger Garlock, Fritz Wiedenhoff, Jim Addis, Cheatham, Nonini, Janice McGeachin, Brad Little, Mary Souza and Michael Pereira at the state level.