(see photos below)
An estimated 130 people were in attendance. All candidates for local area Idaho legislature positions and for the Boundary County Commission were invited to attend the event. Out of 12 total candidates running for those positions, 11 attended. The following candidates were in attendance:
State Senate District 1
Christian Fioravanti, Constitution Party
Idaho House of Representatives, District 1 Seat A
Heather Scott, Republican
Laura Bry, Democrat
Idaho House of Representatives, District 1 Seat B
Andrew Sorg, Democrat
Sage Dixon, Republican
Boundary County Commission, District 1
LeAlan Pinkerton, Republican
Ron Smith, Independent
Boundary County Commission, District 2
Terry Capurso, Independent
John White, Independent
Tim Tucker, Democrat
Walt Kirby, Republican
The intent of the meeting was to provide an open forum where voters could see and meet with the candidates directly. At the start of the meeting, each candidate was allotted four minutes to introduce themselves and provide information about their philosophy and political positions.
Following
this introductory period, each candidate was
given ten minutes to take questions, as members
of the audience stepped to a microphone set up
on the floor."There were a couple of somewhat contentious moments, as might well be expected in a diverse political setting such as this," said Rick Braun, one of the event's organizers.
What issues are on the minds of many Boundary County voters? Many questions for the candidates dealt with the State of Idaho taking over the ownership and management of what are currently federal lands in the state. The Common Core State Standards Initiative, the sometimes controversial educational initiative adopted across most U.S. states, also led to many questions for the candidates. Taxes, the Community Restorium, and plans for the Evergreen School building also came up in questioning, among other issues.
"The forum was a tremendous success in attaining the goals and objectives that I
hoped to achieve in the development and
promotion of this event," said Mr. Braun.He continued: "I believe that many members of our community learned a great deal of information about the candidates that they did not know before this event
and in many cases confirmed their affirmation to vote for particular candidates, and in many cases the information that was gained, changed their original thoughts about a candidate or may have caused them some second thoughts about that candidate."
Mr. Braun further indicated that the Kootenai River Inn provided a very nice setting for the event, decorated the tables for the candidates, and set up all of the seating for the audience.
