Four Vying For County Clerk Primary Determines Contenders For Remaining Two Years Of Term

Two candidates from each political party want the $40,789-a-year role of compiling Kootenai County’s budget and managing the courts.

The race for county clerk pits Incumbent Democrat Dan English, 44, against political newcomer and fellow Democrat Monica L. Cole, 36.

Legal assistant Anita Banta, 60, will run against bed-and-breakfast owner Lee Knowles, 67 in Tuesday’s Republican primary.

The four-way race determines who will face-off in November for the remaining two years of the term vacated by Tom Taggart when he became county administrator.

English, a former Coeur d’Alene City Councilman and the founder of Anchor House home for troubled youth, said he wants to keep the position because the diversity of tasks fits his personality.

Aside from responsibility for a $33.9 million budget, the clerk oversees elections, recording of documents, 37 deputy court clerks and works with people needing county welfare assistance.

With the passage of state welfare reform and the possibility of a 1 percent cap on property taxes, English said the county needs someone with experience.

“Anybody starting a non-profit like I have knows how to make a dollar stretch,” he said.

Cole, who with her husband owns a hydroseeding company, wants to use her business acumen to save money.

The 10-year county resident researched 184 years of cemetery records in Ogden, Utah, to budget for an expansion. She also managed housing projects in Wallace.

Cole touts her work on federal highway projects, but admits one sparked turmoil.

Her business slipped into bankruptcy in the early 1990s as a result of contract disputes about landscaping for the Interstate 90 reconstruction project near Sherman Avenue. She still is in a court battle with another contractor on that job.

Knowles wants the job because he sees a need for “fresh blood.” He said supervisory experience from years as a technician at British Petroleum Inc. prepared him. The member of Ron Rankin’s Kootenai County Property Owners Association said he has no specific job goals.

“You can’t really know what you can do until you get in there and see what you can do,” he said.

Banta said 30 years of working in courts prepared her for an administrative position. She’s been a bookkeeper and office manager for companies with 60 employees.

The most important job as clerk is preparing people to deal with the public, she said. The most difficult job is maintaining public confidence.

“I would do my best to get the most out of every taxpayer dollar,” she said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 4 Photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: KOOTENAI COUNTY CLERK

Dan English Democrat … 44 … Incumbent … former Coeur d’Alene City Councilman … former Coeur d’Alene School Board member … founder, Youth for Christ and Anchor House … master’s degree, Gonzaga University, counseling psychology … Coeur d’Alene native.

Lee Knowles Republican … 67 … bed and breakfast owner … instrument technician, British Petroleum Inc. … member, Kootenai County Property Owners Association … member, Chosin Few … marine veteran, Korean War … born in Spokane, Kootenai County resident since 1973.

Monica Cole Democrat … 36 … co-owner, Newgrass hydroseeding company … receptionist and experienced “front desk” clerk … attended North Idaho College … Kootenai County resident since 1987.

Anita Banta 60 years old … legal assistant for private family law attorney … bookkeeper, member, National Association of Legal Assistants … some college work in Oregon … former member, Young Republicans … 23-year Kootenai County resident.