One Thing Certain: Lots Of New Faces
The face of city government here is about to undergo a major overhaul.
Four councilmen and current Mayor Ron Chaney all have opted to relinquish their posts, giving voters a chance to pick a pack of new leaders in next month’s election.
Chaney’s $800-a-month job has attracted three candidates, including businessman John Conlan and two councilmen, David Sawyer and Ray Miller.
Miller, 51, is a high school teacher and has held a council seat for 14 years. He’s also made two unsuccessful runs at the mayoral job in the past.
Miller is in an unusual position this year because his council seat is not up for election. That means if he loses his mayoral bid again he still retains his council post.
David Sawyer, 37, doesn’t have that same opportunity and will lose his council seat if not elected mayor.
Sawyer manages a solar electric company. He’s been a maverick on the council, casting dissenting votes and being a vocal critic of Chaney’s governing style.
Conlan has owned Conlan’s tavern downtown for 20 years.
He said he joined the race to bring common sense and unity to a community divided by politics and tired of the status quo.
In the council races, Valle Novak, a former arts and entertainment writer for the Bonner County Daily Bee, is unopposed for a two-year seat.
Five other residents are vying for the three remaining council positions.
They are: Michael Boge, David Crettol, Francis Ogilvie and Sue Haynes, daughter of current councilwoman Josephine Hanson.
Two public forums already have been scheduled for residents to meet the candidates.
The first is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Community Hall and the second will be Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Panida Theater.
Unless some write-in candidates materialize in Bonners Ferry, there won’t be much of a race for city seats there.
Mayor Harold Sims is running unopposed, as is council president Darrell Kerby.
Russell Docherty, who ran for county commissioner several years ago, has filed for the remaining council seat being vacated by LeRoy Kelson.
, DataTimes