Split Ticket Best For Commissioners

Two years ago, we endorsed Republican Dick Compton’s opponent in a Kootenai County commissioner race.

We worried Compton was too friendly with powerful businessmen and developers, too brusque, too much of a backroom wheeler-dealer.

To some extent we were right.

The Kootenai County board chairman has gotten into trouble on occasion by cutting planning corners and by trying to keep dissent among commissioners under wraps.

But, overall, he has been a pleasant surprise.

Compton and his board generally have sustained most decisions by the county’s capable planning and zoning commission. And the Compton-led board has kept its promise to hold down taxes while streamlining county government.

Compton has earned our endorsement for a second term. He is opposed by Democrat Rollin Putzier.

In the second commissioner race, we urge voters to support Democrat Chuck Sheroke over Republican Ron Rankin.

Sheroke and Rankin, dismissed by some as extreme ideologues, bring one valuable characteristic to the campaign. Each has a long record of standing, sometimes alone, for causes he believes in. Either would be a good watchdog on a heretofore all-Republican board of county commissioners.

But Sheroke has the edge in his race because his strength - land-use planning and the environment - remains an Achilles heel with the two who likely will serve with him, Compton and holdover Dick Panabaker. Most controversies that have snagged those two were a result of questionable planning decisions. Kootenai County’s air quality, waterways and aquifer need an environmental champion.

Rankin, of course, does have his own strength: a hold-the-line attitude toward property taxes. We believe, however, that Compton and Panabaker have that base covered and will continue to do a good job keeping county government costs down.

Besides, we’re bothered that Rankin routinely has opposed important school bond elections and is author of the One Percent Initiative, which could devastate local government.

Sheroke is a strong supporter of schools.

He should be a good watchdog, too.

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