COEUR d'ALENE - Gary Herfurth is going on his second year in Coeur d'Alene. He admits that he doesn't have a firm grasp on many of the issues, but he still wants to get involved in the community.

"I just feel that I can offer something, just as much as anyone else," he said. "I saw it in the paper and I am retired, so I thought that I would try it."

Herfurth is a retired teacher from San Jose, Calif. He was also very active in the teachers unions throughout his career in education. He was president of his union when he retired.

"A lot of people get upset about the teachers union," he said, adding that he viewed the union as the protector of the education system.

He said his experience leading the union could be helpful if he is elected to the City Council. Herfurth would poll his membership on a number of issues before making any decisions on their behalf.

It's a bottom-up leadership style as a opposed to a top-down style, he said.

"That's what I think we have going on here," he said. "We have more of top-down approach at the city."

He said that appears to be what happened with McEuen Field.

"I notice the McCurry (he meant McEuen) issue, is that what it's called? Anyway, I noticed there was a big flap and what came to mind is that the people should have a vote or more of a say," he said. "I found out later that there were a bunch of outreaches to the people, but in any case they should have had more input."

Herfurth said the public should be polled somehow on the important issues facing the city. He does favor holding advisory votes, and seeking advisory committee input as well.

The city is setting up an advisory committee of stakeholders to look into development issues along the Spokane River, but Herfurth said that doesn't go far enough.

"If it is going to impact taxes, people should have a say in that," he said. "If it is a $15 million project, for instance, people should have a say."

Herfurth doesn't plan to spend any money on his campaign, but he is actively walking the community and talking to folks. He said business people have complained to him about public art.

"They think they are kind of silly and cost too much money," he said. "But when I first came through here I thought they were kind of cool. Cultural things like that are good for the city because they enhance the feeling of being here."

Another issue he sees with the city is budget oversight.

"If they are setting up commissions on the river development, they should be setting up a commission to oversee the budget," he said. "That commission could look at ways to cut taxes."

He said he would cut taxes as long as they didn't unreasonably reduce service levels in the city.

"I think there are probably a lot of people in Coeur d'Alene that are hurting," he said. "So if we could make a reduction of taxes, I think that would be a good thing."

Herfurth describes himself as a free-market conservative, but he wasn't always conservative.

"I am basically more of a conservative, but I used to be a liberal - I was a Democrat," he said. "But as I matured, you know, you have kids, you have a family, you start paying taxes and then you see what's coming out of your paycheck and it's a lot."

On public employees getting paid too much, the former union president said he would have to address the issue.

"I would feel bad cutting someone's salary, so my approach to that would be to freeze their salaries until the rest of the state catches up," he said.

There needs to be balance when it comes to pay, he said.

"When I was in California, I was making quite a bit of money," he said. "But up here, I've noticed teachers are making quite a bit less. If there is a great disparity, we need to look at how we can even that out."

Herfurth supports gay rights, but he thinks Coeur d'Alene's new anti-discrimination ordinance could be tweaked to address religious beliefs.

"The way I look at that is there are laws that pretty much cover everyone, but if there is a religious issue and you make it so there could be a lawsuit, I think it's unfair," he said. "I don't know how you would word the language to fix that, but we should do something to respect people's religious beliefs."

Herfurth said he talked with a couple of people before getting into the race, but they never officially endorsed him. He doesn't think they are too worried about him winning.

"To be honest, I have been kind of weighing whether I was going to stick this one out or not," he said. "I am kind of thinking that I am, but the money and stuff. It's going to take a lot of effort.

"But if I do stick it out and get my name known, that's worth something."