Duane Lavely for Boise County Commissioner

COUNTY GOVERNMENT:

Should serve the PEOPLE of Boise County by 1.) Providing necessary services, i.e., roads, law enforcement, courts, etc., 2.) Protecting the rights of the PEOPLE while limiting the scope and size of county govermnent, and 3.) Preserving Boise County and Idaho's "natural wealth", i.e., forests, rivers, wildlife, and "life style".

GROWTH:

Boise County must PLAN and address issues related to growth including but not limited to the following: 1.) Provide for growth without the loss of our present way of life, 2.) Prevent Boise County from becoming another "bedroom community" of the City of Boise and Ada County, 3.) Preserve open space and nature by limiting suburban style, "high density" subdivisions to municipalities so that the problems associated with providing services, utilities, etc. can be flinded by the developer and the users, i.e., "city taxes" (This is neither a "No Growth" nor a "anti-Real Estate Industry" position but a managed growth policy which would increase the value to Boise County property owners.), and 4.) Protect the migratory paths for Idaho game and wildlife. I would support increasing the minimum lot size for NEW development(s) in Boise County while working with our municipalities and existing "small lot" subdivisions with their continuing development.

BUSINESS:

Boise County owes a debt of gratitude and our support for our local businesses and entrepreneurs without which our ability to live in Boise County would be greatly affected. I support ALL of our businesses and Chambers of Commerce in their efforts to spur our local economies. I support the various projects, festivals, and celebrations which are intended to bring additional and outside revenues to our county. Having proposed and directed the first Garden Valley Chamber of Commerce "Charles Dickens Christmas Festival", I can attest to the tremendous amount of work and organization required to produce these events. I will promote and welcome visitors to Boise County so that my neighbors are able to make a good living and provide our residents with goods and services year around. The next time you go out to eat or to the local market, hardware store, lumber yard, video store, gas station, etc. just irnagine life without your neighbor's business especially during the winter.

Boise County must work with and assist, where possible, our existing municipalities in the growth and support of our local businesses to provide adequate availability of goods and services to our residents and provide safe access to these business year around.

WAGE EARNERS:

As County Commissioner, I will support and assist, wherever possible, the residents of Boise County in their quest to make a living in and out of Boise County. I will propose and assist our local contractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc. to form a "construction co-op" (L.L.P.) in order to bid on portions of the proposed WestRock Resort at Cascade. As much money as possible should benefit local residents and the State of Idaho by providing our neighbors with jobs.

ENVIRONMENT/LIFE STYLE:

The wealth of Boise County and the State of Idaho lay in the land itself. The mountains, forests, rivers, ranches, farms, and all forms of wildlife are "natural treasures" of Idaho. Boise County has a wealth of these assets. Historically these assets are lost or endangered prior to realization of their worth. The fact that you appreciate the natural wealth of Boise County does not make you a 'tree hugger". Hunters, ranchers, and fishermen are traditionally environmentalists. Boise County Commissioners must be good stewards of the land for ALL of the people of Boise County and the State of Idaho. The future of Idaho will be its tourism and recreation industries. It will provide demand for outfitters, guides, innkeepers, restaurants, markets, etc. as long as we are able to manage our water, forest, fish and game. In turn, Boise County residents will reap better hunting, fishing, and recreation in our own backyard.

Boise County has an excellent solid waste transfer and disposal program. In conjunction with the existing program, I propose researching the feasibility of an annual "HEAVY" trash removal program to assist Boise County residents and property owners wishing to remove large and/or heavy items from their property. While some peoples' 'junk' is another persons 'treasure", I am addressing those citizens who WANT assistance in removal of items too large, too heavy, too cost prohibitive to remove on fixed or limited incomes, or just don't know who to contact. Having spent over twenty-five years in the automotive restoration, machine shop, and construction businesses, I have had many people question some of my own personal property as well as my sanity. I have also had to hire or ask others to help me move cars, machinery, metal stock, re-bar, lumber, etc. which I did not want or value but could not move without assistance. Many property owners have inherited "headaches" when they purchased their property, had equipment or vehicles break down that were not worth fixing, or simply did not have the ability to move the item from their property. If feasible, this program would enhance the beauty of our community, address possible pollution of our ground water, and assist our residents. This would be a ONE time or possibly annual opportunity for Boise County residents and property owners.

WILL OF THE PEOPLE:

Every resident of Boise County and the State of Idaho who meets the requirements to become a registered voter has the right and obligation to vote and to know that his or her vote means something. Each voter has a right to his or her opinion on any issue before the electorate, as does any political office holder. While we all live under a representative form of government, our representatives should never use their power to invalidate the vote of the PEOPLE. Political office holders have ample opportunity to present and explain their position to the voter. If the office holder's position is rejected by the majority of voters they should never use administrative or temporary powers to implement the rejected policy. EXAMPLE: I voted FOR requiring contractors to pull the appropriate permits, conform to the Uniform Building Codes, and be subject to inspection. My experience has been that this will increase property value, assist in qualilying for financing, and lower insurance costs associated with real estate. Most of the statutes I am familiar with allow private property owners to act as their own contractor and elect NOT to build to Code if they so choose as long as there is not a health or safety violations. This preserves the notion that property owners have a right to do what they want on their own property. The voters of Boise County rejected the U.C.B's, the Boise County Commissioners reinstated the Codes resulting in recall petitions. While I was in favor of the Codes, I signed the recall petition because as an elected office holder you have an obligation to uphold the "will ofthe people". I believe that the Commissioners should have attempted to address the concerns of the electorate where possible, renewed their efforts to persuade the citizens of Boise County, and return the issue to the ballot. If I am a County Commissioner and this issue is returned to the voters, I will try to explain my position, answers any questions, and address any fears of property owners or residents of Boise County prior to the election. Then it will be up to you to go to the polls and vote.

Concerns: