Athol mayor cites internal conflicts for stepping down

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

ATHOL — Bob Wachter is no longer serving as Athol’s mayor.

Wachter, whose term wasn’t set to expire until January 2020, said his decision to step down was effective Sept. 4 and was based on conflicts between himself and some city council members.

He declined to specify what the conflicts were about and who they were with.

"I don't want to point fingers or play the blame game," he said. "It just came to the point that I didn't believe I could do my job the way the council wanted me to do it, and I'll leave it at that."

Mary Zichko, who was president of the council, has been appointed the new mayor until next year's election. That move leaves an open seat on the council that will be filled with another appointment.

Wachter was the city's maintenance man for 17 years before he ran for mayor. He has retained his position as the water operator for the city and is training Anthony Brant to become the next person for that position.

"I loved my job as mayor. It was rewarding," Wachter said. "I did the best that I could for two and a half years."

Wachter said he's particularly proud of how the city worked with developer H.J. Grathol to make the Super 1 Foods project a reality.

"It really changed the way the city looks, and it will continue to change it in the future," he said. "It's a great benefit to the citizens and taxpayers here."

Wachter said there were concerns about the growth at first, but those were short-lived.

"Once Super 1 started to be built, everybody seemed to wrap their arms around it," he said.

The city also was awarded a $26,000 grant from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality during his time at the city to help fund a water study that found multiple deficiencies in the system.

The city will float a water bond proposal to voters on Nov. 6 as a result of those deficiencies that include two pumps that have exceeded their life, low pressure zones and outdated water storage tanks.

A traffic study in which the city received a $50,000 grant is also underway.

Wachter said the conflict between himself and council members did not pertain to growth.

"I hated to leave the city and I know that left a burden on Lori's shoulders (City Clerk Lori Yarbrough), but my family is happy and not having the stress is nice," said Wachter, adding that he now has more time for his hobby of restoring vehicles.

Athol's estimated population in 2017 was 757, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.