HAYDEN: Choose the qualified candidates

In weeks, voters will decide who and how the City of Hayden will be managed. Will the city move forward with good governance or decline with detrimental, costly decisions? Will we choose candidates who prioritize community or candidates who prioritize political party loyalty? The choice is ours.

I strongly supported Sandy White’s candidacy four years ago. I will not vote for her this year. Sandy’s voting record reveals poor judgement, and she constantly prioritized administrative issues and failed to improve our city in any meaningful way. She voted “no” to reduce density. She voted “no” to complete the Ramsey Road extension. She voted “no” to improve the future land use plan. She voted “no” to let the people decide to increase law enforcement funding on the ballot. She voted “no” to placing a donated statute of Ron McIntire, a former mayor and leading citizen of Hayden, in the McIntire Family Park. She consistently failed to work with the other elected members and her lone accomplishment in four years was a statutory meeting procedural change.

Sandy’s partner, Luke Sommer, has made no measurable contributions, despite living in Hayden 10 plus years. He hasn’t volunteered to serve as a commissioner and hasn’t offered any substantive ideas to overcome the challenges facing Hayden. He has, however campaigned negatively about our city, its staff and their processes. He is a “parliamentarian” who focuses on controlling meetings. His resume has no relatable knowledge or skills to effectively participate with Hayden’s leadership team.

But we have a chance to choose the two more-qualified citizens to lead the City of Hayden. Incumbent Ed DePriest is running against Luke. Ed promised four years ago to address residential density and place law enforcement issues on the ballot for the people to decide. He has delivered on both. Promises made. Promises kept.

David Erickson, a Christian family man, is running against Sandy. He has strong business management experience and the tenacity of a Green Beret. David was appointed to Hayden’s Planning and Zoning Commission, where he has used his time to learn about land use decisions and demonstrate his outstanding ability to work with others.

Both Ed DePriest and David Erickson are outstanding candidates who deserve our votes. We all deserve better than White and Sommer.

JOY RICHARDS

Hayden