King to run for commissioner

Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Doug King

King Hill resident Doug King has announced he is throwing his hat into the ring for a seat on the Board of Elmore County Commissioners.

"I want to be able to help form the future of the county … to be a part of it," said King as he announced he will be running on the Republican ticket for District 2. "With my job (Diamond Laundry Inc.) I get to see a lot of the county and to talk to people about what is going on. I deal with a wide variety of people, business owners and workers. I hear what they are saying and learn about their concerns."

A graduate of Glenns Ferry High School, King has lived in the Glenns Ferry and King Hill area all of his life. He has been a small-time rancher since graduation, "with an emphasis on 'small'. I started with 30 cows. That is something that will educate you fast."

He and his wife, Denise are parents of four grown children and have one granddaughter.

King noted the decision to seek the commissioner's seat did not come lightly. "This is something I have been considering for the past few years. It is not something I have just jumped into. I believe that if you want to make a change, you need to get involved, not just sit around and complain. I just felt now is the time."

King currently sits on the county's Planning and Zoning Commission, and said the experience has been an interesting learning experience. P&Z is one of the main hubs of county government, said King. The trick is to help make development and growth possible while still maintaining and protecting the lifestyle that people here want, he said.

Communication is the key component, said King. "That and common sense. We know the county is growing and we need jobs. We want a good mixture -- a variety that will allow us to help each other. You know you can do something, but we want to take the time to do it right and with the right attitude. It will take a lot of work I know, but I want to help make the county better for the majority of its citizens.

"It was a tough decision. One I put a lot of thought into. I think being on the P&Z gave me a lot of insight. We need to look down the road, to see what is going on, to see that we are going in the right direction and to keep the lines of communication open."

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