Clark Named To Planning Commission Marketing Firm Partner, Former Navy Officer Fills Rasor’s Chair

A marketing director endorsed by the same business group that backed Dick Compton’s campaign is now a Kootenai County planning commissioner.

Sandy Clark, 47, a four-year county resident, was appointed this week. He replaces longtime commissioner Mike Rasor, who died after suffering a heart attack in December.

Clark was one of a dozen applicants and one of only two candidates interviewed for the volunteer position.

“I have no ax to grind one way or another,” Clark said.

“I plan to keep my eyes open and my mouth shut and do the best job I can for the most residents in this county.”

The career Navy officer who became a partner in Q and A Communications, a marketing and public relations firm, was endorsed by the lobbying group Concerned Businesses of North Idaho.

That group gave $5,000 - the largest single donation in the race - to GOP candidate Compton’s race.

“It really smells bad,” said anti-tax activist Ron Rankin. “They (CBNI) picked the commissioner and now they picked their own planning and zoning commissioner.”

Pat Raffee, executive director for CBNI, said the group supported Clark because his background was diverse. She also pointed out that Compton, alone, can’t make an appointment.

“My understanding is they (commissioners) make those decisions jointly,” she said.

Besides, “Dick Compton made it pretty clear in the campaign that he was his own man.”

Commissioners say the group’s endorsement helped but wasn’t a primary factor in their decision; Clark, himself, was.

“He seems articulate, thoughtful and doesn’t seem to be leaning terribly in one direction or another,” said Commissioner Bob Macdonald.

“He won’t be pushed around. I like him.”

Clark spent 24 years in the Navy and taught at the University of Idaho and Washington State University as a professor of naval science.

During the 1994 campaign, he worked as campaign manager for Lewiston Republican Ron McMurray’s congressional race. McMurray lost to Helen Chenoweth in the GOP primary.

“He has political and legislative experience,” Raffee said. “He likes to listen to all sides and he’s a creative compromiser.”

Rankin has had his own run-in with CBNI.

He lost a battle to force a vote in Post Falls for the use of tax-increment financing to lure new businesses. Concerned Businesses supported the financing tool.

Clark joins Katie Brodie and Vonnie Hutchison as the three newest members of the board. Hutchison was appointed in August; Brodie in December.