Standouts In Good Candidates Crowd

The Post Falls municipal elections offer such good candidates, we wish River City had three City Council spots to fill instead of two. The quality field, however, means the city should benefit from whomever gets elected.

Incumbent Joe Doellefeld and senior activist Betty Dougall are our favorites.

During Doellefeld’s tenure, the council has lowered the tax levy rate, bought land for the future, expanded the sewer plant and improved parks and roads. A businessman and former Post Falls Chamber of Commerce president, Doellefeld is known for finding budget fat and serving as a devil’s advocate in council debates.

Dougall, past president of the Post Falls Senior Center, impressed us with her grasp of the issues, vision and desire to serve. She’s a senior citizen who has worked hard to pass school bonds and believes city government should be careful not to hurt schools with poor planning decisions.

The other three candidates have strengths, too.

Diane Duncan, an Idaho Real Estate Commission member, offers invaluable planning experience as chairwoman of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Incumbent Karen Streeter has served her community well for 11 years. However, we question her desire to serve again. She didn’t seek re-election after her last full term ended and, when appointed to the council last year, she said she wouldn’t run in 1997.

Joe Bodman, a Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy, is the candidate for voters looking to shake up city government. He’s blunt as an uppercut. He believes uncontrolled growth is ruining the schools and that the city budget needs closer scrutiny.

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