On election day, Tuesday Nov., 3, three newcomers will challenge city councilmen David Gray and John Langs. Chris Clark will run unopposed for a two-year seat on the council.

The challengers running for the four-year term are businessman Roger Fraser, former city engineer Mike Klaus and assessor Tom Mayo.

The Herald asked each candidate what they think is the most important issue facing the city.

Fraser, 46, has lived in North Idaho for 15 years and spent the last three in Bonners Ferry he owns his an audio and video production facility and serves on the Boundary County Translator Board.

“I think that is an easy answer, with a difficult solution, (and that is) how the budget gets balanced and the cities commitments get met and have taxes not go up,” said Fraser. “It seems that the budget is upper most in everybody’s minds and is the number one challenge for the city.”

Mike Klaus, 43, grew up in Bonners Ferry and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1984 and served as a mayor -selected planning and zoning commissioner for five years and is the district engineer for Cabinet Mountain Water District.

“I think the biggest one is keeping our head above water, economically,” said Klaus. “I think a close second is maintaining compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regarding our water and waste water discharge permits. I am also really concerned about pedestrian safety in the city and on the South Hill.”

Tom Mayo, 61, has lived in Boundary County for over 30 years. He works for Boundary County Assessor’s office.

“I think that the maintaining and financing of our infrastructure is probably the most important issue facing the city,” said Mayo.

Clark, 57, was appointed to the council in 2008 to fill a vacancy. He has lived in Bonners Ferry for over 40 years.

“The cities delivery of services to its residence at the lowest possible price with continue to be a challenge in the years to come.” Also that we need to provide to the public an honest accounting of all the tax revenue generated as well.

Gray, 65, was elected to the council in November of 2005. A resident of the City of Bonners Ferry since 1972. He retired from teaching in Boundary County School District for 37 years.

“Finances, the lack of revenue coming in with the short falls we have been receiving is a definite issue. Who ever gets elected is going to have to have a very sharp pencil and benevolent heart.”

Langs, 62, has lived in the community since 1975 and operates State Farm insurance agency and was elected to the council in 2005.

“Economic development for the community at large,” Langs said. “Without the base of jobs the community is going to just wilt away and I think that all people; including the city that are in positions of being able to make some change need to get together in an economic summit and build realistic plan to bring jobs into the community, whether it is using existing resources or bringing in something that is not here now, such as electronics.”