John Padula - 2024 Kootenai County Commissioner Seat 1 Primary Candidate
John Padula, a Republican candidate for Kootenai County Commissioner in District 1, brings a background as a pastor and extensive community involvement to his campaign. A longtime resident of the county, Padula has spent the majority of his 45 years living in the area. He holds a High School Equivalency diploma and has completed three years of Bible College. His candidacy is fueled by his concerns over what he sees as unchecked spending and rapid growth within the county, which he aims to manage more effectively.
Padula's preparation for the commissioner role comes from 15 years in ministry, during which he has served as a pastor for 12 years and participated on four boards, with a focus on financial management and organizational budgeting. This experience has given him a deep understanding of administrative duties and personal guidance, handling issues impacting hundreds weekly.
On policy matters, Padula expresses skepticism about accepting federal funds, preferring local solutions. His approach to constituent communication is hands-on, as demonstrated by his openness in ministry, where he freely shares his contact information and remains accessible. He plans to maintain this approach by hosting town halls and being readily available for discussions.
Padula believes his life transformation through faith, characterized by honesty, transparency, and integrity, uniquely positions him to return the commissioner seat to a focus on public service rather than political gain, urging voters to support his candidature for these reasons.
May 8, 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 - 00:00:28:00
Helo Hancock
Good evening, everybody. tonight we're going to hear a unique perspective from the three candidates that are running for Kootenai County Commissioner, seat number one. and our first candidate that we'll be speaking with is John Padua. And John's here with us tonight. And, John, why don't you take a minute and introduce yourself and explain to everybody why you're running for this office and, what you plan to accomplish.
00:00:28:00 - 00:00:46:05
John Padula
So my name's John Padula. I'm running for county commissioner seat one. my desire to run for this office is. Well, first of all, I don't have a desire to be in politics or be in this realm at all. but I've seen the need for it over the last several years. there's, polarization in our community and across this nation.
00:00:46:05 - 00:01:07:06
John Padula
And as a pastor in our community. my heart is to, bring healing and bring unity back in Kootenai County. So my heart is to serve the people and get these officers back to public servants instead of just, politicians. So frustrated with our political atmosphere in the county to be honest with you.
Helo Hancock
Okay. All right. Well, thank you, sir.
00:01:07:08 - 00:01:32:02
Helo Handcock
Your first question tonight, John. and remember, you have two minutes to respond to this, but the first question we have for you is name one thing the county commission could do to improve the quality of life here in Kootenai County and explain how you would work to implement that.
John Padula
Okay. I believe that growth is one of the things that is, making it hard in Kooteani County.
00:01:32:04 - 00:01:48:02
John Padula
And I think that we need to work together, with everybody. there's a lot of people who kind of lean one way or another when it comes to growth. There's people who just want to stop the growth. And then there's others who, kind of have the idea that it's feast or famine. Hey, we can build and sell.
00:01:48:02 - 00:02:07:16
John Padula
Let's do it. And I've been meeting with developers, realtors, and people who don't really like the growth at all in trying to come up with a solution to, manage the growth and make sure that we're not burning up all of our resources. I think we need to look at the aquifer. I mean, we have places like Lakeland School District, that are completely bursting at the seams and there's just more growth.
00:02:07:16 - 00:02:29:22
John Padula
So I think we need to look at all of those things and come up with solutions as a community. So that's kind of my heart.
Helo Hancock
Okay, great. Thank you. the second question we have for you, John, again, you have two minutes for this. is in a contested primary election. members of the same party are squaring off against one another.
00:02:30:00 - 00:02:55:19
Helo Hancock
And oftentimes voters wonder. Well, they're both from the same party. What differences do they really have? and and I think that's a fair question. And so if you were asked that question, what what difference do you have as it relates to the other opponents that you're running against for this seat?
John Padula
Well, we've had a really good, relationship with all the candidates running for the seat.
00:02:56:00 - 00:03:14:05
John Padula
We've all met together. We've encouraged each other. I think we've had a very, fair and honest race so far. as a pastor, I think I see things a little different. And plus, everybody knows my testimony. I was a criminal before I came to Christ 15 years ago. I worked with the criminal justice system for the last 15 years.
00:03:14:05 - 00:03:32:23
John Padula
With the prosecutors, the attorneys, the judges, helping people in the jail system. So I think I have a different perspective when it comes to our criminal justice system. and I'm the only candidate who has, experience on inside and outside of the criminal justice system, which may, may be a bad thing, but, I can use it to help benefit the the community.
00:03:32:23 - 00:03:56:15
John Padula
So I think I have a unique perspective when it comes to those things. I really like the guys that I'm running against. And when I just tell everybody, pray, be informed. You're going to find people whose values line up with your values and some who may not. So, I want to represent the community as a whole or whether they have the same biblical worldview or worldview that I do or not.
00:03:56:17 - 00:04:26:04
John Padula
So that's my.
Helo Hancock
Very good. Well, that's the unique perspective in a relationship and and certainly recommended. So. All right. Well our final question is a bit more specific. and again you'll have two minutes for this one. Just as a reminder John. but you mentioned growth as, you know, something that you're, concerned about. And there's no question that growth is on the the top of mind for many here in Kootenai County.
00:04:26:06 - 00:04:47:07
Helo Handcock
And it's an issue that seems to be gaining more attention. You hear about traffic congestion. You hear about subdivision zoning. If you're elected, you know, how how would you approach the solutions to growth? And again, how would you manage that in the long term for the future of the county?
John Padula
I think I kind of answered that earlier.
00:04:47:09 - 00:05:03:06
John Padula
The way that I would address it is meeting with the community as a whole and looking at everybody's perspectives, taking everybody's ideas and seeing what we can do to make sure that nobody's being left out of the the equation. If you have if you lean this way, you're kind of neglecting this part of the population.
00:05:03:06 - 00:05:22:10
John Padula
And if you side with this part of the population, you're, you know, neglecting the other. So I think we work together as a community and find out the best way to manage that growth and look at ten year or 20 year plans, instead of just trying to catch up to where we currently are. As I said before, my heart is to represent everybody and get everybody's ideas and not just go in there and do what I think is right.
00:05:22:11 - 00:05:51:07
John Padula
So that's it's kind of my solution for everything is to get community feedback and do what's best for everybody.
Helo Hancock
Okay. And just, maybe digging into that a little bit further. you know, one thing that I'm sure that that you've seen through your campaign and certainly may see in your candidacy is is finding a consensus isn't always the easiest thing to do.
00:05:51:09 - 00:06:11:14
Helo Hancock
How how do you approach finding a consensus so that you could, can implement your vision on, the solutions to growth?
John Padula
Well, I have to take my personal view and make sure that we're going with not just the majority, but the majority that's best for everybody. And I know that no matter what decisions are made, every commissioner makes somebody mad.
00:06:11:16 - 00:06:27:03
John Padula
Watch that over the last several years, even if it's best for the community as a whole, somebody gets upset about it. So I think, being able to have good conflict resolution is huge. And I do that every day as a pastor. So I think that I think that we can make this work and we can be a benefit to the community.
00:06:27:05 - 00:06:54:07
Helo Hancock
Very good. Well, just have one final question, for you. And it's really just an opportunity to close. And until the voters here in Kootenai County why they should vote for you. And, we appreciate you joining us and give you that opportunity to, to give us your closing statement.
John Padula
Okay. I think that if you vote for me and I'm elected, I think I'll be able to represent the community as a whole.
00:06:54:08 - 00:07:11:16
John Padula
I will be available for the community. I have for the last 15 years since I've came to Christ, I've given out my phone number to everybody, which is not always the best idea. But, I believe that as a representative of the citizens that I need to be available and that all people in these elected seats should be available for all of the community.
00:07:11:18 - 00:07:32:08
John Padula
Unfortunately, we've seen people get elected, and it's almost like they become a celebrity. They're untouchable. You can't reach them. They don't answer questions. And I will not be that person. So I'll be a good representative of the people.
Helo Hancock
Well, thank you, John. We appreciate your time here. And helping inform, the voters about your candidacy and and what you bring to this race.
00:07:32:10 - 00:07:35:09
John Padula
Thank you sir.
Helo Hancock
Thank you. Yes.
Yeah.