Breaking down the race for County Commissioner District 1

Arlie Shaw

GOP -- Incumbent

Local revenues may be down next year as a result of the economy and the collapse in the housing market. What programs do you believe should have priority funding, and why? What programs do you believe should face major cuts, and why?

County commissioners are charged by law to provide for the safety and health of the citizens of the county. Therefore, our top priorities will need to be law enforcement, ambulance service and sanitary landfills.

In the event of inadequate funds, all departments and programs will be subject to review.

If elected, what ordinances would you propose, change, or eliminate?

I would not eliminate or change any current ordinances at this time. I would entertain proposals regarding water issues as needs arise.

Water issues have tended to dominate local land use planning. What growth restrictions do you believe may be necessary (if any)?

We are considering (but have not adopted by ordinance) many proposals brought to our attention by citizens and members of the commission to ensure availability and sustainability of water supplies to county residents. Some of the proposals are:

1) that proof of availability and sustainability of water prior to sale of lots,

2) no new allocations of water rights (groundwater) transfers of old allocations still being permitted,

3) community water systems whenever possible or practical,

4) encouragement of water conservation in new construction -- low use plumbing fixtures, low use landscaping and metered water usage,

5) no subdivision, planned communities or planned unit developments in areas designated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources as "critical water areas."

The cities of Elmore County will develop their own plans for use of land under their jurisdiction.

Janet Langfitt

Democrat -- challenger

Local revenues may be down next year as a result of the economy and the collapse in the housing market. What programs do you believe should have priority funding, and why? What programs do you believe should face major cuts, and why?

Priority funding should go to our schools and emergency services. We will always need schools no matter what our economic situation might be. School repairs give our children the best environment that we can.

(Editor's note: The county is not involved in school funding or administration.)

Emergency Services: Police, Sheriff and EMS because of our growth and with the need of safety and security along with the population of our city. To have enough emergency personnel to provide the care.

Energy issues.

Retention of our community with new businesses.

If elected, what ordinances would you propose, change, or eliminate?

Ordinances. According to our ordinance #2007-10.

There are no changes that I might change. We need to prioritize the one's that would affect our economic development.

Would like to see the curfew for the children be more enforced

Animal Ordinance: Using the Animal Shelter for more than just strays. Due to the large amount of animals being let loose or put down in a cruel manner.

Water issues have tended to dominate local land use planning. What growth restrictions do you believe may be necessary (if any)?

Water issues have been apart of dispute from the time that the county was developed: All subdivisions need to have test wells that will provide quality and quantity of water.

Buying water rights doesn't mean that the water is available.

With at least 304 homes on the real estate listing along with foreclosures and subdivisions that are not yet filled up, the commissioners need to look into the output and storage of water for the existing residents. If we have a drought that might last 2 or 3 years do we have the water supply?