| County
Democrats meet in Cottonwood
Monday, July 14, over twenty Idaho County Democrats met at the Wolf Track Tasting Room in Cottonwood. Certificates of Election were awarded to precinct committeemen. Memories of Ernie Jennings, of Cottonwood, who passed away just days earlier were shared and a sympathy card passed around and signed. Lively discussions of everything from land exchange to participation in local events ensued. Candidates for Idaho County commission, Jerry Zumalt and George Lee Perry spoke. Zumalt stressed the need for “leadership that is solution oriented,” that benefits the tax payers of Idaho County. Also, the need to change commission meetings back to Monday sessions as a “way to transparency” via timely local newspaper coverage of the meetings. Zumalt also stressed that it should be the commission’s job to “pay attention to revenues” meaning all sources of revenues to fund the County operations. Zumalt is currently serving as Disaster Management Coordinator for Idaho County. He has been the primary reason that Idaho County has 9.1.1 system and a modern radio communications system for police, fire and emergency medical services as well as many road and bridge repairs around the County. “Without the five million dollars I got for state and federally funded road repair, Idaho County would not have had the funds to repair the roads around Kooskia and continue to provide normal county services.” he said, referring to the 2010 and 2011 flooding and washouts. Perry is an Independent running for the District 1 seat on the commission. He has a background in solid waste, road construction and building construction. He wants to serve on the commission to “work together to the common cause for the good of the people.” A few of the issues Perry rang in on were roads and bridges and solid waste. He feels we can get a local site for solid waste. Perry has a good relationship with local road crews and would continue to work with them as commissioner. Former Idaho County Assessor, Jim Beckman, weighed in on the current land exchange debate as against. “If you don’t manage your lands, someone has to clean up after you.” he said speaking of WPT. Idaho County Democrats meet the second Monday of every month. Locations vary. To receive notice of the next meeting location, visit the Idaho County Democrat Facebook page. 
Idaho County Commissioner candidates Jerry Zumalt, left and George Lee Perry were speakers at the Idaho County Democrats meeting July 14. |
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