Kootenai Commission, Position One Compton Vs. Putzier: Development Critic Takes On Budget Hawk

Thu., Oct. 31, 1996

By Craig Welch craigw@olywa.net

Dick Compton and Rollin Putzier, candidates for Kootenai County commissioner, are near opposites ideologically.

A Republican, Compton was born and raised in Kootenai County, but spent 30 years as an IBM marketing executive, working as far away as Alaska and Asia before returning home a few years ago.

He has been heralded for his managerial experience, business acumen and leadership ability.

Putzier was raised in South Dakota, but landed in Post Falls 40 years ago.

He earned a living variously in sawmills, construction, mining and horse racing before starting college in his 40s and earning a law degree.

He touts his experience defending the little guy, organizing workers and finding success against the odds.

Putzier has fought tax issues and development in Post Falls.

He once picketed commissioners for reducing taxes at Silverwood Theme Park by 30 percent.

He also opposed efforts to entice businesses - like Boise-based computer giant Micron Inc. - with tax breaks.

He unsuccessfully fought a greyhound racing track and spoke against a 360-acre annexation in Post Falls for a housing project.

The county’s growth in the past decade has led to overcrowded schools and horrible roads, he said.

Compton, who serves as board chairman and its leader, has earned rave reviews for tightening the county’s fiscal belt, streamlining personnel and serving as a catalyst for cooperation with other agencies.

The county held the line on spending two years running - even while starting construction on a $3.7 million courthouse building.

It reorganized several departments and found small ways to make government more efficient, once using landfill workers to tear down an old jail rather than hire outside contractors.

Compton was elected to a two-year term in 1994 after unseating fellow Republican Kent Helmer in the May primary.

His first six months were beset by controversy.

The all-Republican board of commissioners approved a controversial 230-acre gravel pit near Rathdrum.

Commissioners also fought accusations of favoritism when they let a Post Falls city councilman race motorcycles on his land without proper permits.

But Compton since has helped put together a 46-person committee that designed much-praised development rules for the county’s lakeshores.

, DataTimes MEMO: See individual profiles by name of candidate

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