Endorsement: Crowded field to represent Bench on Boise City Council. Here’s our pick | Opinion
The editorial board was encouraged by the slate of candidates running for Boise City Council’s District 3, which covers much of Boise’s Bench.
Four candidates are running in District 3: Theresa Vawter, Chris Blanchard, Kathy Corless and Josh Johnston.
We found each of them to be knowledgeable, engaged in the issues and eager to come up with solutions for their district and the city.
Unfortunately, two of the candidates, Blanchard and Corless, were not forthcoming on their answers in the Idaho Statesman’s voters guide questionnaire about whether they had any past bankruptcies.
When asked whether they had any past or present tax liens, bankruptcies or felony convictions, Blanchard answered, “none known,” and Corless answered, “No.”
However, both had past bankruptcies, and Blanchard also had a past tax lien. We have no issue with their past bankruptcies or tax lien; we take issue with their attempts to hide them.
Their answers were at best misleading, at worst outright lies.
For us, it disqualifies them from receiving our endorsement.
That leaves our decision between Johnston and Vawter.
In this race, we give Vawter a slight advantage for her positions on a number of issues.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses Vawter for District 3.
While Vawter was notably less detailed and specific in her answers than the other three candidates, she’s well-versed in the city’s efforts to address housing affordability and wants to continue those efforts. She supports renter protections on the city level, the city housing land trust and the zoning code rewrite as a way to increase different types of housing.
Vawter, the public relations and government affairs coordinator for the Idaho Foodbank, also has government experience, having worked for several years in congressional offices.
As a communications professional, she recognizes the situation with Interfaith Sanctuary could have been handled better, and her expertise in that area could prove useful on the council.
Vawter lists housing affordability as her top priority and also includes increasing transportation options in Boise and supporting arts and cultural amenities, which she bundles under the umbrella of quality of life.
Johnston runs the artificial intelligence and machine learning program at Kount, an Equifax company in Boise.
He said he wants to make sure the Bench has its fair share of services, such as parks, libraries and community centers but recognizes that while council members need to represent their individual districts, they also need to do what’s best for the entire city.
Where we fault Johnston are on some of his positions on mixed-use development and the zoing code rewrite. His position on Interfaith Sanctuary was troubling, as it demonstrated a lack of understanding of the process and the necessity for City Council members to make a decision on a proposal that a private property owner brings before them.
We like that Johnston said he offers an outsider’s perspective to city government, but we’d like to see a better understanding of how the process works.
Blanchard, a data analyst for the Idaho Department of Labor, has a deep and varied background in city government and has a doctorate in urban planning. He’s been on the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission for nearly four years. He comported himself well during public hearings and deliberations last year over Interfaith Sanctuary’s application to relocate to State Street. That kind of experience and demeanor would translate well to the City Council.
Blanchard also likely would provide the best foil on the council to Mayor Lauren McLean and hold her powers in check, rather than serve as a rubber stamp.
He also rightly identifies a Bench urban renewal district, revamping the tank farm and addressing plans for Murgoitio Park as priorities he would focus on as a council member. He’s intimately familiar with the issues and the landscape of the Bench.
But we don’t agree with his opposition to Interfaith Sanctuary’s proposed move to State Street or his criticism of its director for not coming to the city before Interfaith Sanctuary purchased the property and made an application. He voted against Interfaith Sanctuary as a Planning and Zoning Commission member.
Corless was a global supply manager for Micron for 20 years and is now a procurement analyst for Ada County.
That kind of expertise would serve Boise well on the council, particularly when it comes time to look at budgets and city spending.
Like Blanchard, Corless expressed an interest in making decisions based on more data and both criticized the current City Council members for not demanding enough information before making decisions. That will be important when analyzing, for example, the effects of the zoning code rewrite or the impacts on the neighborhoods surrounding Interfaith Sanctuary’s shelter on State Street.
The District 3 race is perhaps the most competitive and offers the deepest slate of candidates. We’re disappointed that two of the candidates weren’t forthcoming on their answers to the Statesman’s voters guide questionnaire, eliminating them from our consideration.
Nonetheless, Vawter would make a fine member of the City Council and would represent her constituents well.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we write endorsements
Who decides the endorsements?
Members of Idaho Statesman editorial board interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The editorial board is composed of journalists and community members. Members of the Statesman editorial board are: Statesman editor Chadd Cripe, opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto.
What does the endorsement process entail?
The Statesman editorial board meets with political candidates and asks them a series of questions about policy issues. The editorial board discusses the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. The editorial board generally will not endorse a candidate who does not agree to an interview with the board members.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well-prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues and their understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats. We make recommendations about who the best-qualified candidates for these jobs are.
Why are endorsements unsigned?
Endorsements reflect the collective views of the Statesman’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.
Do I have to vote for the candidate the Statesman endorses?
Of course not. An endorsement is just our recommendation based on the candidates’ backgrounds and their answers to editorial board questions.
Can I disagree with the Statesman’s endorsement?
Of course you can. We encourage voters to do their own research and choose the candidate who best represents your views.
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