2024 Kootenai County Sheriff Primary Candidate - Bob Norris
Bob Norris, a Republican candidate for Kootenai County Sheriff, brings a rich background in law enforcement to the table, having attended Cal State Long Beach and graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy. With extensive training in middle management, supervisory leadership, and executive management, Norris has been a Kootenai County homeowner since 2013. He assesses the current sheriff’s office as needing expansion in volunteer opportunities and services within the community.
Norris highlights the growing challenge posed by illegal aliens in Kootenai County, noting an increase in foreign national inmates and the frequent need for interpreters for non-English speaking individuals involved in legal processes. He advocates for additional resources to be allocated for handling potential future criminal activities by both illegal and legal residents.
On the topic of constituent communication, Norris emphasizes his commitment to accessibility and responsiveness, stating that both he and his command staff diligently return all citizen correspondence. He distinguishes his role as more focused on policy and direction, leveraging his experience to merge community needs with effective law enforcement strategies.
Norris positions himself as a visible and proactive figure within the community, arguing that his leadership style and experience make him a suitable candidate for the role of sheriff, capable of enhancing service delivery and ensuring community safety.
April 30, 2024
MORE EPISODES
Cheri Zao - 2024 State Senate District 5 Primary Candidate
Cheri Zao, a retired medical professional and Republican candidate for State Senate District 5, presents her views in a recent interview. With an educational background in Chemistry and Biology from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Zao has been a resident of Kootenai County for 35 years. She criticizes Idaho’s current public education funding as confusing and insufficient, advocating for legislative improvements to make the system more understandable and equitable.
On constituent communication, Zao plans to utilize her website (cherizao.com), which she describes as informative and interactive, in addition to regular email correspondence, town halls, and speaking engagements. She emphasizes the importance of being responsive to constituent needs and concerns.
Addressing affordable housing, Zao identifies the issue as a key motivation for her candidacy. She points to the large-scale purchase of residential homes by private equity and hedge funds as detrimental to housing affordability and advocates for legislation to protect local interests and control.
Zao supports the Idaho open primaries ballot initiative, arguing that closed primaries unfairly restrict independent voters. She believes that open primaries offer a fairer choice to all voters, regardless of their party affiliation.
In her concluding remarks, Zao positions herself as a proponent of conservative values, civility, and community strength, urging voters to support her candidacy based on these principles.
May 11, 2024
Carl Bjerke - 2024 State Senate District 5 Primary Candidate
Carl Bjerke, a Republican State Senate District 5 primary candidate, has an extensive background in public safety and legislative roles, which he believes qualifies him for re-election. With an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, along with specialized training in incident command and management from prestigious institutions, Bjerke has built his career on a robust educational foundation. He moved to Kootenai County in 2017, drawn by family ties and retirement plans.
In terms of public education funding, Bjerke recognizes Idaho's constitutional commitment and suggests simplifying the funding formula while exploring creative funding methods to alleviate property tax burdens and enhance school choice options. Communication with constituents, particularly during legislative sessions, is challenging due to the volume of communications; however, Bjerke prioritizes accessibility via text and phone, encouraging engagement outside of session times for policy discussions.
On affordable housing, Bjerke sees a need for local solutions and possible legislative changes to support faster development processes, favoring a task force approach to address the mismatch between job availability and housing. He opposes the Idaho open primary ballot initiative, fearing it could lead to ranked-choice voting, which he views as detrimental.
Bjerke positions himself as a candidate dedicated to public service, touting his legislative achievements and ongoing commitment to improve Idaho through experienced and collaborative governance, making a strong case for his re-election based on a track record of service and a platform focused on practical, localized solutions to state issues.
May 10, 2024
Dave Raglin - 2024 State Representative District 4, Seat B Primary Candidate
In an interview, Dave Raglin, a Republican candidate for State Representative in District 4, discussed his extensive background and his plans for addressing key issues in Kootenai County. Raglin, recently retired, has a diverse professional history spanning 38 years across various sectors, including transportation, logistics, and rail industries. He also operates a local agency aiding developmentally disabled adults with his wife.
Raglin expressed concerns about the current state funding for public education in Idaho, advocating for permanent solutions to improve the educational system rather than temporary fixes. He emphasized the need for community and legislative collaboration to address educational inequities and enhance the quality of education.
On housing, Raglin highlighted the local crisis where wages haven't kept pace with rising home prices, making housing unaffordable for many, including essential workers. He proposed a comprehensive strategy involving community leaders, local builders, and non-profit organizations to address this issue effectively.
Regarding constituent communication, Raglin plans to ensure transparency and responsiveness through regular updates, town hall meetings, and a robust social media presence.
Raglin supports the Idaho Open Primary ballot initiative, arguing that it promotes inclusiveness and reduces polarization by allowing independent and third-party voters to participate in primaries.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for unity and shared community values in addressing local issues, advocating for a collaborative approach to preserve the cultural and foundational roots of Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho.
May 10, 2024
TRANSCRIPT
00:00:00:07 - 00:00:20:14
Tyrel Stevenson
Well, next we're going to meet the incumbent and challenger candidates contending for the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office. And our first candidate is incumbent Sheriff Bob Norris. Welcome, Sheriff. If you wouldn't mind, could you take a minute and, tell the voters of Kootenai county, why it is that you'd like to come back for another term?
00:00:20:16 - 00:00:48:03
Bob Norris
Absolutely. My name is Bob Norris, and I am your current Kootenai County sheriff. And there are several reasons why many of, many of the comments that I get around town that this is the most community engaged sheriff's office that this community ever seen. And I enjoy being your community engaged, sheriff. And we have reduced crime in the county area if you're policed by the sheriff's office.
00:00:48:05 - 00:01:20:16
Bob Norris
Crime is down 16%. We also have reduced our liability claims. We've also stopped the hemorrhaging of personnel to other agencies. We were in a bad place when I took office. We were losing personnel to other agencies, and we were. We've been able to stabilize the organization. and I recently received the endorsement of the Kootenai County Sheriff Employees Association by, a 93% approval rating.
00:01:20:17 - 00:01:24:16
Bob Norris
So that's part of some of the reasons why.
00:01:24:18 - 00:01:45:20
Tyrel Stevenson
All right. Well, we'll jump into a couple questions that we have for you. and the first one is pretty specific. The city of Hayden is considering creating its own police force, rather than continuing to contract with, with the sheriff's office. What would you tell residents who wonder, what you believe Hayden should do?
00:01:45:22 - 00:02:12:21
Bob Norris
The city of Hayden and any incorporated city here in Kootenai County, or even within Idaho, are really not in a position to have their own dispatch center, create their own dispatch center, and create their own police department. They did a study in 2010 that it would have cost them several millions of dollars. And this was 5000 residents ago.
00:02:12:23 - 00:02:47:13
Bob Norris
And in that study, the the company recommended that they have 20 officers at that time. And we know what the cost of 20 officers would be. And it's just not feasible for the city of Hayden to create its own police department. I believe it's, political hyperbole. It's, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office is the best law enforcement agency here in Kootenai County, and we are the the best fit for the city of Hayden.
00:02:47:15 - 00:03:01:13
Tyrel Stevenson
Now, the follow up question here. How do you view the role of the sheriff? We're talking about other jurisdictions. How do you view the role of the sheriff in working with other jurisdictions to promote, public safety within the county?
00:03:01:15 - 00:03:19:23
Bob Norris
Oh, we have a great working relationship with all of our law enforcement partners, 100%. We, I believe that other agency department heads have said publicly that it's a great working partnership, and we will continue that great working partnership.
00:03:20:01 - 00:03:45:13
Tyrel Stevenson
All right. our final question deals with the uniqueness of your office and the leadership and the and the job that the sheriff does in the county. Obviously, the sheriff is elected and, how far into the political realm should a sheriff go when it comes to campaigning and political party functions versus in the office on the streets, management and policing?
00:03:45:15 - 00:04:24:08
Bob Norris
Well, hi. there's there's a fine line. I believe that for the office of sheriff, there should be a degree of credibility and a degree of of a standard when you're running for that office. I believe that false statements and false accusations from another candidate to a to another candidate should be called out. And, I don't believe that's the type of campaigning for sheriff that somebody should do.
00:04:24:10 - 00:04:27:21
Bob Norris
So, yeah.
00:04:27:23 - 00:04:42:22
Tyrel Stevenson
All right. Well, we really appreciate the time and coming down here. And, given voters the opportunity to to have some of their questions answered and get to know you a little bit, if you wouldn't mind, take a minute and offer any final thoughts you might have.
00:04:43:00 - 00:05:10:15
Bob Norris
Well, I've enjoyed being your sheriff the last three plus years. I'm a member of Coeur d'Alene Rotary. I am a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. I'm a member of the Mica Grange Flats Grange. I am a member of the Eagles. You can often see me at Coeur d'Alene high at sporting events during, high school sporting events. I'm involved in this community.
00:05:10:17 - 00:05:21:13
Bob Norris
the probably one of the most community engaged sheriff and accessible sheriff that this county has ever seen. And I look forward to serving you for the next four years.
00:05:21:15 - 00:05:25:18
Tyrel Stevenson
All right. We really appreciate that. Appreciate the time. And, thanks for coming out.
00:05:25:19 - 00:05:27:05
Bob Norris
Absolutely. Thank you. All right.