Jacobson seeks third term as mayor

POST FALLS - Steady as she goes.

Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said Tuesday he's seeking re-election to the post he's held for the past eight years. Change is not on his agenda, he said.

"Growth is a very tough issue," he said of the explosive growth in Post Falls, defending the city's handling of annexations and other growth-related matters. "I know what we can do legally and what we cannot do."

Jacobson said the city's growth is charted through master planning, and that where needed, planning is adjusted.

"We’re accused of irresponsible growth," he said. "That’s inaccurate."

What is accurate, he said, is that he presides over a strong city council and excellent city staff, hence his vision to basically remain on a steady, consistent path.

“I truly think I’m blessed. We have a council who don't always agree, but most decisions are based on well-reasoned positions,” he said. "We’ve got a really good staff, with (City Administrator) Shelly Enderud and the department heads. I’d feel a little differently if city staff was in shambles, but it’s not. It’s a good group of people.”

Jacobson, who was a Post Falls city councilman for 15 years, on the Parks and Recreation board for seven years and served on the city's urban renewal agency board for four years, said there are three projects underway that he'd like to continue to help reach fruition.

One is the $49 million Idaho Division of Veterans Services home for veterans, an 83,400 square-foot facility being built on 7.3 acres in the Riverbend Commerce Park.

"A veterans home will be a reality in Post Falls, thanks to good people like the Jacklin family for donating the land, Len Crosby, and Bob Nonini when he was in office," Jacobson said. "Bob helped spearhead it as a legislator.”

Another is development of commercial property at Cabela's near the state line. After years of no commercial growth there, Jacobson said now things are happening.

"Another thing is the vision for downtown Post Falls: I’d like to see that come to fruition as well," he said.

Jacobson said he's not running for popularity or power, but to provide steady leadership to a community he loves.

"I do it because I think I’ve got the abilities, the experience and the mindset," he said.

City elections are Nov. 2. In addition to mayor, three Post Falls council positions are up this year: Council president Linda Wilhelm's, as well as Alan Wolfe's and Steve Anthony's.