Jett will seek re-election as mayor

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Mayor Dave Jett made it official -- and a race -- Thursday when he formally announced his candidacy for re-election.

Jett is being challenged by former city councilman Joe McNeal in this November's city council elections. He and Jett faced each other in the last race for mayor, which Jett won by a razor-thin margin in a runoff campaign.

"Being elected to a second term as Mayor of this great city is a privilege and honor that must be earned," Jett said, "Making promises isn't enough, you must keep them. Talking about problems isn't enough, you must solve them. I hope my record as mayor for the past four years has earned me the right to be re-elected."

Jett, fresh from helping dedicate the underpass, stood on the steps of the museum just before the historical society's First Thursday luncheon last week, and declared his candidacy as members of the city council looked on.

He stressed his leadership, his vision for the community, and his ability to work as a member of a team with the other council members as his key strengths.

He said he couldn't think of a better example of his administration than the dedication of the underpass. "It typifies the direction I and the council have," he said. "Actions speak louder than words."

Jett readily admitted the last four years of his first term "have been a sharp learning curve."

But, he said, "my philosophy, and that of the council, is to build partnerships... and to build relationships."

Improving the quality of life of the people of Mountain Home is his and the council's first priority.

Jett listed the police station, major water and sewer improvements, new parks and park facilities like the skate-park and soon-to-be-completed pool splash area as examples of projects that improved quality of life.

"As elected officials, we have to make tough decisions, which don't always make people happy, but the council has worked hard to get the data and make good decisions. I am proud to stand behind this council."

He said he was "proud of the job we've done as a team," adding that all city employees are part of that team.

"Our theme is working toward the future, but keeping in mind our history and our past."

Other accomplishments, less visible but still important, he said, include a new city-wide accounting and billing system, many computer and technology upgrades like the computerized cemetery management system, which replaced the old card file system, and a new city employee evaluation process and personnel manual.

Those modernizations, he said, were driven by his commitment to his role as the city's chief manager.

"In this city the Mayor's role is much more than a figure-head or spokesperson. It requires strong, focused day-to-day management and follow-through, taking the time to solve the little problems before they turn into big ones."

Jett noted additional initiatives that were personal priorities and points of pride. He established the city's diversity program to encourage better cultural understanding within city government, and through that effort new members were added to city advisory boards.

He assisted the Youth Action Council, a program started with the "Healthy Youth, Healthy Community" campaign and supported the formation of the Elmore County Hispanic Organization (ECHO), a very dynamic group dedicated to foster the growth and development of the Hispanic community.

Jett said he believes that type of collaboration and partnering provides the key to the city's successful future.

"Whether it's the Council facing a difficult task and choosing to work together for success or community groups partnening with local government to solve a problem, the city's vitality can be measured by the extent to which we cooperate and encourage one another. In that arena we've made significant progress.

"Just look at the relationship between the council and the county commissioners. In previous years you could cut the tension with a knife. Now, even though we don't always agree, there is genuine respect and cooperation. Mountain Home's future will be the better for it.

"As elected officials we must govern by four principles: Stewardship -- of our resources and of the public trust; Relationship -- we must form and maintain relationships with all governments and community groups; Hardship -- we must be willing to take on the hard issues and make the difficult decisions facing our city; and finally, Leadership -- the mayor must provide vision, guidance and support for the council, making it possible for good decisions to be made."

"I have learned a lot in the past four years and all the lessons learned are absolutely necessary to deal with the increasingly technical and complex issues facing Mountain Home.

"Congress will be making new decisions regarding Base Realignment and Closures for military installations across the country. I have the experience and the contacts to lobby for expansion of Mountain Home AFB.

"In addition we'll face issues regarding streets and traffic, public safety, and water rights and availability. All of these will require experienced leadership if we are to make this city a place to be proud of -- where we can work, raise a family and still enjoy the small town quality of life we expect and demand in rural Idaho."

Jett has a BA in economics and business administration from the College of Idaho and has completed advanced work in management and executive education.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971, has been a loan officer for a bank, owned his own business, and was the governor's military liason for 11 years, helping secure the new training range for the base.

He is a member of the Lions Club, American Legion Post No. 26, and is a past president of the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee.

He currently serves on a number of boards for state organizations, most involved in government affairs and economic development.

He is married to the former Sandra Nichols and has three children, Kelly, Abbie and Skylar.

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