Shoshone County Commission Davis, Ruggles, Rupp, Tilton, Vergobbi

Job creation is high on the list of priorities for all four candidates the Shoshone County commission primary races.

Jim Vergobbi and Jack Rupp are facing off for the District 1 seat. In District 2, Jon Ruggles, Ken Tilton and Curtis “Blackie” Davis are on the ballot.

Jim Vergobbi: For Vergobbi, elected in 1996, this is a second stint as county commissioner. The first was 1985-90. From one decade to the next, 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’s planned on the former Bunker Hill smelter site. Vergobbi emphasized that he puts in more than the three days a week expected of commissioners, who are paid $23,476 a year. “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.”

Rupp sees a commissioner’s job as keeping others up-to-date on such matters.

Jon Ruggles: Ruggles is focusing on three major and interrelated 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 manufacture and use of drugs, especially methamphetamine, he said he’d work with law enforcement to fight the problem. Ruggles also said he would work with churches and other organizations to provide afterschool child care, making it less likely that kids will get into trouble.

Ken Tilton: One of Tilton’s fondest wishes for the county is to see the Environmental Protection Agency finish the Bunker Hill 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.

Tilton said he sees the need for a countywide recreational vehicle and camping sewage disposal plan that includes all properties, yet doesn’t penalize those in compliance.

Curtis “Blackie” Davis: Davis, who works at a Pinehurst gas station, could not be reached for comment on the race. He reportedly is not actively seeking office.