Balance North Idaho today announces that former Mayor of Post Falls, Clay Larkin, has joined the Board of Directors. A fundamental element of Balance North Idaho’s growth vision is that the board has representation from different communities within the county. Execution of that vision is in process. Board member, Ryan Brodwater, formerly of Post Falls, resigned from the board as he relocated to Spokane.

“We are honored to have Clay Larkin on our board,” said Eden Irgens, BNI President. “He brings deep knowledge of the Post Falls community and is very respected within our county. It will be a pleasure to work with him on future non-partisan elections.

"I had followed the work of BNI since it's inception, and thought how important their mission is, to keep local non-partisan elections just that – non-partisan. My philosophy for over 40 years has been to vote for the most qualified candidate. There are great folks on the Board, and I am honored to join them. There is much work to do to keep the mission alive, and BNI has a lot of faithful followers."

About Clay Larkin

Clay Larkin has been a resident of Post Falls since 1969 when the population was less than 2,500 people. He has witnessed Post Falls’ 10x growth. He was first appointed Mayor of Post Falls in January 2001. He was then elected Mayor in November 2001 and took office in January 2002 and finished his third term in 2014. Before becoming Mayor, he served 5 years on the City Council.

Clay Larkin has led a life of public service. He started with 12 years in the Air Force and then served in various positions including serving as a volunteer fireman, volunteer ambulance technician, and eight years on the local school board before being elected to City Council and Mayor.

Clay Larkin received the WEF Public Officials Excellence Award in 2010. He is a steadfast advocate for protecting the Spokane River and the Prairie Aquifer, both vital resources to the area’s more than 500,000 residents, as well as local aquatic and wildlife. Some of Mayor Larkin’s environmental efforts have included working with local agencies to encourage the proper disposal of medications; advocating for boat inspections and decontamination stations to keep invasive species out of Idaho’s lakes and streams.

Boards and Commissions:

Jobs Plus Board of Directors

Association of Idaho Cities (Past President, Legislative Committee, Environmental Committee)

Kootenai County Metropolitan Planning Organization – Chair

Dirne CHC Advisory Board Member

Post Falls Senior Center Board

First Judicial District Magistrates Commission

1969-1986 Post Falls Fire Volunteer District and Post Falls Volunteer Ambulance Association—retired in 1986 with rank of Assistant Chief

Post Falls School District Board of Trustees – 8 years

Awards & Honors:

2010 WEF Public Officials Excellence Award

2008 Association of Cities Harold Hurst Lifetime Achievement Award

2008 Inland Northwest Partners Hall of Fame Award

2008 Art Manley Environmentalist of the Year

2006 Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award

2004 Post Falls Citizen of the Year

1978 Idaho State Firefighter of the Year

About Balance North Idaho

Balance North Idaho is a Political Action Committee created to endorse and promote candidates and issues in local non-partisan elections. Endorsements will be made using facts, qualifications, and a structured interview and evaluation process, not political party. Candidates will be evaluated based on their goals, experience, qualifications, and community focus. Issues will be evaluated based on their benefit to the community while weighing a variety of other factors, including financial impact. In all regards, Balance North Idaho's recommendations will aim to be fiscally responsible and promote candidates and issues that will have a positive impact on the growth and development of Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County. For more info visit www.balanceni.com.