2024 Kootenai County Sheriff Primary Candidate - Mike Bauer
Mike Bauer, Republican Kootenai County Sheriff candidate has a background in law enforcement and evaluates the current office's performance as a 'C', pointing out critical needs in recruitment, training, discipline, retention, and professional development. He emphasizes that effective leadership and staff satisfaction are more essential than salary adjustments. With degrees in Public Service Management and studies in government and political science, he brings comprehensive academic and field knowledge to his candidacy.
He advocates for enhancing recruitment strategies, instituting fair and competitive promotions, and equipping staff with advanced training and tools, aiming to make Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department a top career choice in the Northwest.
Addressing illegal immigration, he supports humane law enforcement and operational flexibility to handle community safety and disasters without succumbing to political pressures.
He commits to maintaining open communication lines with constituents, prioritizing transparency and ethical conduct, separating his sheriff duties from political activities to ensure focused community service.
Criticizing the current sheriff's campaign tactics, he promotes his candidacy based on higher experience, maturity, and ethical standards, urging voters to recognize his qualifications and moral integrity over his opponent.
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
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:19:18
Helo Hancock
Now let's meet the second candidate for Kootenai County Sheriff, Mike Bauer. Mike, thank you for joining us this evening. Why don't you take one minute and introduce yourself and explain to the audience why you're running for Kootenai County sheriff?
Mike Bauer
Sure. I'd be happy to. my name is Mike Bauer. I live in Harrison. I've been there for 13 years.
00:00:19:20 - 00:00:41:04
Mike Bauer
I'm a previous candidate for sheriff in 2020. I was a candidate for clerk in 2022. I ran successful in 2020. And, I saw that, this particular race had no opponent in the Republican primary. And I thought, well, I don't want Bob to have to take the whole summer off. I'll join it. I'll join in the fray.
00:00:41:06 - 00:01:03:17
Mike Bauer
He knows me, I know him. I've watched his work over the last three years. Three and a half years that he's been the sheriff. I'm not displeased with it. I came up with a, a little saying, that, I stole from somebody else. Was to be a good sheriff. You have to be smart enough to do the job, but dumb enough to ask for it.
00:01:03:19 - 00:01:27:00
Mike Bauer
And Bob would appreciate that. my experience at the LA County Sheriff's Department, 33 years, very similar to his, but in a different generation when I joined the department. Bob was six years old. and so, anyway, I, I felt like it was, appropriate to get back, get in the race and discuss some issues for the public that may not have been discussed.
00:01:27:02 - 00:01:54:10
Helo Hancock
Okay. Well, thank you. So we've got three questions. You'll have two minutes for each of these questions. And the first question we have for you, Mike, is as you probably know, Hayden City of Hayden is considering creating its own police force rather than having a contract, which they do now with the Kootenai County sheriff's office. What would you tell the residents of Hayden, about what you believe Hayden should do in this scenario?
00:01:54:12 - 00:02:22:13
Mike Bauer
You know, I've spoken to a city council member who was concerned about whether or not the city could decide what the staffing level was, or whether the sheriff would impose a staffing level on them that that the sheriff wanted. And, I am not sure that that's resolved. I think it would be best for sheriff, to negotiate with the city council, to avoid the expense of a separate police department.
00:02:22:18 - 00:02:57:13
Mike Bauer
But that's certainly there, right? let me say that some of the national standards for the proportion of population to police officers may not apply here. We may have a little different type of an environment. and, and so, my comments to that individual was that I, if I were elected sheriff, I would not require a staffing level that I would essentially have them assume responsibility for the safety level of their citizens in their city, and that I would honor their staffing level.
00:02:57:15 - 00:03:29:11
Helo Hancock
Okay. So kind of a hybrid. great. So, Mike, the second question we have for our sheriff candidates this evening, is how do you view the role of the sheriff when working with other jurisdictions inside the county to promote public safety?
Mike Bauer
The sheriff should be a leader in the county. The sheriff, should have. If everything is, properly budgeted and staffed, should have, more resources than these other cities.
00:03:29:11 - 00:04:03:06
Mike Bauer
Especially when you talk about natural disasters. You talk about, rescue, and you talk about, the, the, special, say special weapons teams, deployments and that sort of thing. And so it has to be a cooperative venture. I think, I think that, that that this the sheriff should be, have an open door policy for these cities and, and ask them, what can we do to make it make your life easier and what is it that your department needs?
00:04:03:08 - 00:04:28:12
Mike Bauer
It's my theory that the Las Vegas, Metro Police Department, merger of the 70s is something that we may need to look at in this area. And I could see and I would look at if I were elected sheriff, if the budgets didn't hold, if we had financial problems, I would be very open to discussing with the city a merger between the sheriff of the city and a metropolitan Police Department here.
00:04:28:14 - 00:04:53:20
Mike Bauer
That, has had some beneficial, financial outcome for, for the Las Vegas area, but, we may we may not have the political will for that here, but it's something that I would consider. in that case, they they use the sheriff, elected sheriff. They stayed with an elected official in charge of the county operation is Las Vegas.
00:04:53:20 - 00:05:19:08
Mike Bauer
Metro police Department is what it's called. My view is that Lee white certainly welcome to be the sheriff in charge of that. If he if if there were a merger to be done in the next four years.
Helo Hancock
Okay. Thank you. And the third question we have for you is, is really about the uniqueness of of the office and the political nature that it that it holds.
00:05:19:09 - 00:05:57:20
Helo Hancock
Obviously, the sheriff is an elected position. in your opinion, how far into the political realm should the sheriff go when it comes to campaigning and political party functions versus in the office, in uniform, out on the streets, type management and leadership?
Mike Bauer
And let me say that I became aware in 2020 that the county has no employee political activity policy and that, concerned me because of some of the activities, of employees using county equipment to do political activity, something that's usually not acceptable in other areas.
00:05:57:22 - 00:06:22:13
Mike Bauer
My, my comments, it's, effectively to, to Wolfinger at that time where this was probably inappropriate and I don't know whether it's continued or not. so one of my goals would be to establish, an employee political, activity policy. It could be very similar to what the state has the state has a very strict one in the county.
00:06:22:13 - 00:06:44:03
Mike Bauer
Doesn't have any at all, is my understanding. the sheriff was paid very well. The sheriff was, full time job. he should be doing his job. He shouldn't be out politicking. That should be on his off time. That should be weekends or nights or or that sort of thing. But, but it. Sheriff, and the certain levels, the FLSA exempt employee.
00:06:44:03 - 00:07:07:04
Mike Bauer
It's no overtime. it's hard to hold somebody to that, eight hour a day work, but still, I think morally, as a sheriff, I owe the county my full time. And politicking is secondary. And in my opinion, if you're a member of the KCRCC and you're in good standing with them, you don't have to work that hard anyway.
00:07:07:04 - 00:07:41:04
Mike Bauer
And that's one of the reasons that I'm running, is because they have locked this down to the point where the voters can't express their frustration with what they see. In a, in a, in an election. And so they need there's way too many, unopposed candidates in this county, in my opinion. And that was one of the reasons that I got into this race was to try to give some opinion, give them a chance to express themselves about what they wanted for a sheriff.
00:07:41:06 - 00:08:02:04
Helo Hancock
Okay, great. Well, we appreciate the answers, those questions. And now you'll have one minute to to share with the voters of Kootenai County. any final thoughts you have or a closing statement, what you would want them to know about why they should vote for you?
Mike Bauer
Let me say that I didn't come here to say that Bob's not doing a good job.
00:08:02:04 - 00:08:39:02
Mike Bauer
I didn't come here to say that the sheriff's office, is in trouble. that's not my. That's not my intention, but my. But but I, I do know that I have probably three times the administrative experience that that that candidate had in 2020. And in that particular election, he won by 3000 votes in a very tight primary and was swept into office because I filed as an independent and KCRCC postcard of the county, you either vote for this guy or you are a rhino.
00:08:39:04 - 00:09:01:02
Mike Bauer
I. I just want the voters to know that if you're dissatisfied or you want to see a change, or you want somebody else as your sheriff, I'm available. and your other only other option is that you wait till November and you take a look at, Dan Wilson. And that's the only option that the voters have.
00:09:01:04 - 00:09:19:14
Helo Hancock
Well, Mike, we really appreciate you being here this evening and and responding to the questions and telling the voters or about yourself and where you stand on some of these important issues that are that are in the minds of the citizens of Kootenai County. We appreciate you and and enjoy your responses. And thank you very much.
00:09:19:14 - 00:09:22:01
Mike Bauer
Thank you. It's good to meet you. Thank you very much for having me.