NORRIS: The job ahead

Boy was I wrong.

As a first-time candidate for office, I thought the campaign contest would be a comparison of candidate qualifications. It was not.

In fact, candidate qualifications seemed quite low on the list of voter concerns. Instead, what I discovered was our county has reached an inflection point — one that if not managed properly could lead to serious quality-of-life implications for all of us.

I spoke to thousands upon thousands of voters and the No. 1 issue they had was irresponsible growth. That was a major issue where I relocated from; unrestrained growth with no real planned outcome. It became a disaster and I do not want to see that happen here. But this wasn’t the only voter issue.

We live in chaotic times where people’s rights are being trampled upon. Whether it’s laws that deny citizens due process or infringements on our rights, government is morphing from a serving institution into a ruling one.

My platform from day one has been about addressing the irresponsible growth (including fighting the prison re-entry center) and protecting your rights, especially our Second Amendment. As your sheriff, I will be able to help manifest my campaign platform into a reality…for all Kootenai County citizens!

I also want to say that every citizen should be proud of our sheriff’s office. We have some of the finest people I’ve ever met working there and it is also because of them that I sought the sheriff’s office.

It has humbled me beyond words to have earned the support of so many to become your sheriff. Now it is my turn to prove that you made the right decision. And to those voters who I could not earn your support, including my most vocal critics, I will work twice as hard.

I sought this job to serve all the citizens of Kootenai County and the fine members of our sheriff’s office.

Thank you for your support,

ROBERT “BOB” NORRIS

Sheriff-elect