Shoshone Races Hotly Contested Democratic Challengers Focus On Commissioners’ Records

Democratic challengers in both Shoshone County Commission primary races are taking aim at the incumbents’ records on a variety of election-year issues.

Taxes are a target for Jack Rupp, who wants the District 1 seat that Jim Vergobbi won four years ago.

“The county budget just keeps going up,” Rupp said. “In his first year, Vergobbi’s budget was up $2.5 million from 1997 over 1996.”

Vergobbi cries foul on that point, noting that the tax levy has gone down slightly during his tenure. The total budget, he said, went up in 1997 because of an infusion of federal flood-related dollars funneled through the county.

“Taxes have not increased, and we’ve been able to give our employees a cost-of-living increase,” Vergobbi said.

In the District 2 race, Jon Ruggles is running against Ken Tilton, who was appointed to fill a commission vacancy last October.

“He hasn’t done anything,” Ruggles said of his opponent’s six-month track record.

Tilton said he has used the time to learn the ground rules, and he listed various actions he is taking. One is working for a fair solution to the buyout of flood-prone properties.

“I’d like to see that through to an end where all the parties win - the landowners get a fair market value and get out of harm’s way, yet we don’t lose the tax base,” he said.

Another man, Curt “Blackie” Davis, submitted his name for the District 2 primary ballot but did not return calls seeking comment. He is reportedly not actively seeking office.

All four other candidates put job creation high on their priority lists. Here’s where they stand as the May 23 primary approaches:

Jim Vergobbi

This is Vergobbi’s second stint as county commissioner. The first was 1985-90. Since then, the county’s mainstay mining industry has fallen on tough and then tougher times.

“I’m very, very supportive of the mines coming back to some degree in this valley - not only creating more jobs, but income that’s more than part time and minimum wage,” said Vergobbi, a Kellogg resident.

He also sees the need to diversify and hopes to attract companies to the business park that is planned on the former Bunker Hill smelter site.

He said he’s not going to “create” campaign issues but is willing to put his record on the line and debate any topics that come up.

Vergobbi emphasized that he puts in more than the three days a week expected of commissioners, who are paid $23,476 a year.

“My philosophy extends a little bit beyond a part-time approach,” he said. “Every citizen should know they can come to my office and talk to me.”

Jack Rupp

As a sign of hard times in the Silver Valley, Rupp points to last year’s real estate sales: “The worst in recent memory. We’re losing value in our biggest investments, our home.”

He thinks his background is ideally suited to helping turn around the Shoshone County economy.

“I’ve carried a union card, so I understand the need to make a living wage,” the Osburn man said. “I’ve also owned two businesses, and understand the needs of private enterprise.”

He also has varied recreational interests. That makes him prone to look for local solutions to federal land issues, he said.

“I’m an avid cross-country skier, a mountain biker, and I also own an ATV,” he said. “I do understand this term, multiple-use national forest.”

Although county commissioners have no direct say in forest management, Rupp sees a commissioner’s job as keeping others up-to-date on such matters. “He’s the guy who puts everything together.”

Jon Ruggles

Ruggles is focusing on three major campaign issues: jobs, drugs and kids.

“As other counties have prospered during the longest economic expansion in history, Shoshone County has been mired in a downward social and economic spiral,” he said.

Ruggles promises he would work to retain existing businesses, create homegrown enterprises and recruit industry.

“The county dumps only about $1,500 a year into economic development,” he said. “We’re doing a miserable job.”

Worried about the increased manufacturing and use of drugs, especially methamphetamine, he said he’d work with law enforcement to fight the problem.

“I’ve had four meth houses raided in the last year and a half around my house,” the Wallace resident said. “The commission can say it’s not going to be tolerated in this valley. It endangers far too many people.”

Ruggles also said he would work with churches and other organizations to provide after-school child care, making it less likely that kids will get into trouble.

Ken Tilton

One of Tilton’s wishes for the county is to see the Environmental Protection Agency finish the Bunker Hill Superfund project.

“I’d like to see the EPA close up shop and go away so we can get on with our lives,” he said. “Once we get that stigma lifted, we can proceed with developing the Smelterville business park and other places.”

Because the county road and school budgets have been hit hard by the drop in logging in the national forest, Tilton said he is working with the congressional delegation to get money to replace the county’s share of timber sale proceeds.

“Last year, we lost $900,000,” he said. “This year we lose more.”

Tilton said he believes in “putting the people first.” As an example, he said, he sees the need for a countywide recreational vehicle and camping sewage disposal plan that includes all properties, yet doesn’t penalize those who are in compliance.

Staff writer Julie Titone can be reached at (208) 765-7126, or by e-mail at juliet@spokesman.com.