Rathdrum: Two hopefuls remain for mayor

RATHDRUM – Rathdrum’s mayoral election contest has become a two-candidate race since Dan Tesulov dropped out of the race a few weeks ago. Just a few days later, he was appointed by outgoing Mayor Brian Steele to fill the remainder of the four-year City Council seat vacated Oct. 2 by Jesse Ojala, who declined to explain his sudden and immediate resignation.

That leaves two City Council incumbents – Ken Hayes and Vic Holmes – vying for the mayor’s post. Campaign signs for the two have sprung up around town, and residents are buzzing over the race.

Meanwhile, eight candidates are vying for two City Council seats. The two top vote-getters will claim seats being vacated by Holmes and Bill Swaghoven, who’s stepping down after eight years on the council.

Read about the council candidates on Page 4. Here’s a closer look at the mayoral candidates:

Hayes

Ken Hayes prides himself on being thrifty. He was the only City Council member to vote “no” on the recently approved 2008 city budget.

He contended the proposal included salary increases and benefits packages for city employees that he thought were higher than Rathdrum should be paying.

I’m “pretty conservative on spending,” he said.

“I’d watch what we spend and how much we spend and what for. We need to keep really on top of it,” Hayes said.

If elected, he said, he also wants to involve residents more in the city’s decision making, he said.

He said he’d encourage public participation in government by establishing regular town hall meetings at which residents could voice their opinions and ideas.

In his nearly two years on the council, Hayes also has drawn the ire of staff in the Public Works Department, who have accused him of stalking them while they’re on the clock and criticizing how they spend their time. Although police investigated the complaints, officers found insufficient evidence to pursue them further.

Hayes said the matter has been blown out of proportion, while acknowledging that news reports were “not very complimentary.”

He added, “All I want is accountability. If I’m elected mayor, I want to sit down one on one and resolve all these issues.”

Hayes said he’d also work to lure companies that pay livable-wage salaries. “We definitely need more jobs, a little-better-paying jobs,” Hayes said.

“And hopefully, the companies would be environmentally safe, clean types of businesses. We’d pursue that really vigorously – rather than the smokestack stuff.”

Hayes believes Rathdrum’s population is destined to grow. But he’s concerned about the impact more residents would have on the city’s infrastructure, he said.

“We need to do a lot of work along with the growth,” Hayes said about maintaining and expanding streets and the water system.

Hayes said he’s “straightforward and honest. And I don’t hold anything back.

“I’ve shown spirit and I’ve shown I will stand up for what’s right. I’m easy to talk to and I’m available all the time.”

Holmes

Vic Holmes is a familiar figure around town. He attends and helps out with many community functions and was tapped as marshal of the Rathdrum Days parade in summer.

He’s lived in Rathdrum for 22 years and is wrapping up his first four-year term on the City Council.

Holmes is running on his “proven leadership” skills, which he said are a testament to his dedication and involvement in the city.

Holmes has served as a member of the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization, former president and vice president of the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Rathdrum Lion’s Club, a member of the Rathdrum revitalization and future land use committee, an elected official on the GEM Community Board, and a participant in Rathdrum Days, December D-lights activities and the Fall Heritage Festival.

He owns and manages Rathdrum-based Eagle Garage Doors. For years, he’s coached and been a referee for youth football, basketball and Little League.

If elected, Holmes said he’d encourage further growth in and around Rathdrum.

“Someday, and hopefully soon, we’ll have all the services that make us self-supporting,” he said. “And I’d like to raise the standing of the city within the Inland Northwest.”

Before that can happen, Rathdrum’s infrastructure needs to be improved and enlarged, he said.

“We need to start planning now, and we’ve got to put some money away for building infrastructure. City Hall is fairly close to capacity and the Police Department (headquarters) is at capacity,” he said.

Still, he said he’d keep an eye on the city budget.

“We need to do a better job clarifying where the money is spent for taxpayers,” Holmes said.

To increase understanding between residents and the city, Holmes said he’d hold a series of workshops where city staff could outline their department’s mission, accomplishments and operational obstacles.

Holmes said his strength lies in his ability to build consensus.

“I think I’m the one candidate who’s proven to have a level head and can (align) different ideas so we can come to common ground,” he said.