Candidates Say They’ll Be Voice For North Idaho Rivals For House District 1 Agree Region Ignored By Southern Idaho Politicians

Rush Balison has taught government for 30 years. For at least that long John Campbell has given folks fishing tips.

But what interests both Bonner County men right now is giving Boise lawmakers a geography lesson.

Balison, a Democrat, and Campbell, a Republican, are vying for the open state representative seat in Legislative District 1. The seat was vacated by one-term Democrat Carol Pietsch.

“If I am elected the southern part of the state is going to rediscover North Idaho,” Campbell said. “I will give them a geography lesson.”

Both candidates say North Idaho’s problems have been brushed aside by Boise politicians. It’s time to fight for better roads and more funding for education and to protect the Panhandle’s timber economy.

“These problems need to be dealt with and I will get the message of North Idaho back to southern Idaho,” Campbell said.

The main issue for Balison, a high school teacher, is reforming the education funding formula. Bonner County suffers under the current system which has taxpayers here subsidizing other districts.

“To me it’s unjust to spend more money on a student in the southern part of the state and less on a student in North Idaho,” he said. “We need a plan where state funding per student is equal and not based on tax dollars and land valuations.”

Property valuations have jumped in Bonner County but those tax dollars are not staying here, agreed Campbell.

“Too many entities are getting a chunk of that money before it gets where it’s supposed to go,” he said. “If we have to pay the taxes I want to see most of the money back here, not just 1 or 2 percent.”

As the mayor of Priest River for six years, Balison also wants to curb the flood of unfunded state mandates dropped on cities and counties.

New rules for water and sewer systems have left some areas scrambling to find money to pay for upgrades. If the state is going to make mandates it also needs to find ways to fund those mandates, Balison said.

“It’s become a major problem. The state is just shifting its responsibility onto counties and cities. The burden is getting a little too heavy on the locals.”

The two candidates differ little on the issues. Both say they will fight to make highway projects in North Idaho a priority. They also agree government regulations have hurt the timber industry, which has been the backbone of the economy here.

“We can’t dismantle the natural resource base here and keep losing jobs,” Campbell said. “We need regulations, but ones that are better thought out and don’t hang up legitimate projects.”

Instead of being controlled completely by the federal government, Balison wants some local management of timber land. It would foster a closer working relationship between the timber industry, government and environmentalists.

“I’m not going to promise residents here anything. I know better than that and know how government works,” Balison added. “But I will be a voice for North Idaho and try and get some help on these issues.”

, DataTimes MEMO: These 2 sidebars appeared with the story:

1. HARVEY ‘RUSH’ BALISON Resume: Democrat, age 56 … Priest River High School government teacher … mayor of Priest River for six years … member of the teacher’s union … BA in education from the University of Montana … 27-year Bonner County resident … married, three grown children. Finances: Balison has raised $569.37 with $189 of that his own money. “I’m running to be a voice for North Idaho. I’m not going to promise anybody anything. I know better.” Issues: More funding for education … improving North Idaho highways … eliminate unfunded state mandates to counties.

2. JOHN CAMPBELL Resume: Republican, age 62 … operates Big Jack Lures, a fishing and tackle manufacturing company … served eight years in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft engine mechanic … earned a high school GED and attended some vocational classes … former vice chairman of the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission … born and raised in Bonner County … widower with four grown kids. Finances: Campbell has reported no contributions at this point and plans to spend his own money to fund his campaign. “I know the issues of the area and I think I can do the people here a good job. I always have worked on behalf of the people, not special interests.” Issues: Retain resource based jobs … revamp the funding formula for education … improve state highways.