Primary Will Decide Prosecutor Deputy Is Running Against Day In All-Republican Ballot Next Week

Attorneys Randall Day and Denise Woodbury are co-workers, friends and Republicans.

They are also the only practicing attorneys left who live in Boundary County.

Day is part-time prosecutor, a job he’s held for 12 years. Woodbury has filled the deputy prosecutor slot for more than eight years.

Now Woodbury wants the top job and will wrestle her boss for the $35,487 post in next week’s primary election. Since both candidates are Republicans, it’s a winner-take-all race.

“Randy didn’t know if he was going to run again when I told him I was interested in the job. But this hasn’t caused any animosity in the office,” Woodbury said.

Day, however, was surprised his deputy wanted to oust him from office. He chalked it up to politics in a small town that’s short of attorneys.

“I think it’s healthy, really. If the voters want to rehire me I’m here and willing to work,” he said. “If they feel it’s time for someone new, there’s another candidate.”

Another Republican battle is brewing in the county for the District 1 commissioner seat. Murleen Skeen, the commissioners’ former executive secretary, will face Robert Vickaryous, a private property rights activist.

The winner meets incumbent Bob Graham, an Independent, in November.

In the prosecutor race, Day said his priority is wrapping up the Ruby Ridge investigation. The case stems from the 1992 shootout between federal agents and Randy Weaver that left a U.S. marshal and Weaver’s wife and son dead.

The case has lingered nearly four years. But new evidence about who killed 14-year-old Sam Weaver may help put the case to rest, Day said.

“The Ruby Ridge investigation is very important to me and I want to be around to make those decisions,” he said.

Woodbury has not been privy to information on the Ruby Ridge case, but agrees it needs to be resolved soon.

“If I were elected it wouldn’t just be dropped,” she said. “It’s something I would like to take a serious look at.”

Woodbury’s main goal is working more closely with law enforcement officers, training them in investigative techniques.

“We have a lot of new officers and run into some problems with inexperience,” she said, noting many officers prodded her into running.

Day said he already offers police training workshops and is pushing for more youth offender programs.

“I want a closer working relationship with the school district. The youth we see are often the same ones they have difficulty with, and we could help one another.”

Day said his experience with major criminal cases and knowledge of civil law make him the better candidate.

“I have been rather controversial at times, but I think those that see the overall picture of my office are supportive of what I have done,” he said.

In the commissioner race, Vickaryous has tied his campaign to one issue - county planning and zoning laws. He wants to repeal a 105-page ordinance, calling it too restrictive on private property owners and a violation of the state constitution.

“I’m running to bring a bit of common sense to county government,” he said.

Vickaryous also plans to create a leaner county budget by contracting out road work and garbage collection.

“I’ve never seen a government operation run more efficiently than private enterprise,” he said.

Skeen said she is a natural for the job, having seen the inner workings of the commissioner’s office for five years.

“I saw ways to do things better and issues that were not being addressed. I know what needs to be done, what the public’s concerns are and will have an open door,” she said.

Preserving the county’s natural resources and timber jobs are a top priority. She wants to solicit help from the state’s congressmen with federal laws that affect Boundary County’s culture, such as the Endangered Species Act.

She also wants programs for juveniles struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

“It’s a vital issue. We have a big problem with our youth and no programs here for them,” she said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CANDIDATES Boundary County Prosecutor Randall Day Resume: Incumbent Republican, age 46…Prosecutor for 12 years…private practice attorney for 21 years…four children. Issues: Complete Ruby Ridge investigation…set up programs for juvenile offenders…provide training for law enforcement.

Denise Woodbury Resume: Republican, age 46…deputy prosecutor for 8 1/2 years… private practice attorney for 11 years…graduate of Gonzaga University Law School…chairman of county Republican Central Committee…married, four grown children. Issues: Offer training and investigative seminars for law enforcement officers…improve working relationship with law enforcement and the public.

Boundary County Commissioner (District 1) Murleen Skeen Resume: Republican, age 48…law office secretary…served five years as executive secretary for county commissioners…nine-year Boundary County resident…five children. Issues: Work with schools to set up drug, alcohol and other support programs for the youth…work with U.S. congressmen on federal laws that affect the county’s natural resource base…open door policy with the public. Robert Vickaryous Resume: Republican, age 49…cattle rancher and part-time logger…former school board member…member of Boundary County Property Owners Association…married. Issues: Repeal planning and zoning laws…protect private property rights.