ATHOL — Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said he and his opponent in the Nov. 8 general election, Democrat Tina Kunishige, are both lacking in the height department.

But similarities between the two ended there during Wednesday night's candidate forum at the Athol Community Center attended by more than 60.

Kunishige said poor morale is a big problem at the sheriff's office and the climate must be addressed.

"It’s not necessarily the pay that’s the issue, it’s a wide variety of issues," she said. "I would listen to the deputies, and what the issues are with them. Without the deputies, the office will not run right."

Wolfinger, a Republican, responded by stating retention of employees remains an issue facing the department.

"It’s hard to compete when a guy can live in the same house, his kids can go to the same school, and he can make $10 an hour more if he goes to work 30 minutes away," Wolfinger said.

Former employees who leave the sheriff’s office for better wages, Wolfinger added, often tell him they would prefer to work in Kootenai County, but can’t afford it.

Candidates for District 2 House seats in the Legislature, county commission and North Idaho College board were also featured during the forum.

The forum was organized by the Cedar Mountain Association, a volunteer, multi-partisan group dedicated to preserving the rural lifestyle for North Idaho and providing a rural voice.

Another question to the sheriff's candidates involved the professional experience needed to successfully fill the role of sheriff.

Kunishige, who lacks formal law enforcement experience, told the audience she doesn’t believe it is necessary to hold the position.

"The Legislature does not have that qualification," she said. "The sheriff is more of a leader and a manager of those positions — they shouldn’t be going around patrolling areas because they have deputies to do that."

However, Wolfinger said having law enforcement experience is imperative to successfully running the sheriff’s office. He touted his 33 years of law enforcement experience, and what he called a proven track record of providing service to the community.

"What's a better way to communicate with employees than actually being there with them?" Wolfinger asked. "How do you lead people if you don’t know what they do?"

DISTRICT 2 HOUSE

All four candidates vying for two seats in the State House of Representatives were in attendance at the forum.

Democrat Richard Kohles, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Eric Redman for Seat B, began the legislative portion of the forum by addressing what he sees as the biggest challenge facing the state. Idaho, according to Kohles, has a communication issue that comes from the Legislature being dominated by only one party.

"We don’t have two voices in Idaho, we have one," Kohles said. "That voice concentrates on one thing totally — what is best for the individual instead of looking at the total picture."

Redman, a Republican seeking his second term as a representative, said federal overreach is the largest issue Idaho faces. "That’s my focus," Redman said.

According to Redman, the federal government has overreached its authority on the issues of refugee resettlement, illegal immigration and allowing foreign laws such as Sharia to determine American court cases.

Kathy Kahn, a Democrat challenging incumbent Rep. Vito Barbieri, said Idaho’s greatest challenge is maintaining its budget and keeping wage earners within the state.

Kahn, a former high school teacher, said it is critical the state keep young Idahoans within the state in well-paying jobs.

"We have to be mindful of our economy and filling it with workers in the economy," Kahn added. "We need to have younger wage earners in this state because most of us, in this room especially, are on fixed incomes."

Barbieri, a Republican running for his fourth term as the district's representative for Seat A, said the budget is the largest challenge for the state. Returning federal land back to state control, he added, is the solution to budgetary problems.

"Every state that has gained back control of all their land does not have funding issues for schools or health care because they’re able to utilize all the resources within the boundaries in the state," Barbieri said.

NIC BOARD

Todd Banducci, Zone 3 incumbent and president of Falcon Investments and Insurance, is being challenged by Greg Gfeller, director of operations in North Idaho for Avista Utilities.

Gfeller touted his business background, which includes a master's degree in organizational leadership, 38 years of working his way up at Avista and being a trustee with Idaho Business for Education.

"I'd listen to the business community to see if what we are doing is what they want," he said, referring to the need to connect education with business.

He said he would work with state leaders to try to secure more funding for NIC because he believes the money will be there.

"We need to figure out a way to fund NIC like it was in 2005," he said. "We need to ask for more funding for NIC to continue to be successful."

Gfeller said raising tuition for out-of-state and out-of-county students also needs to be explored to fetch more funds. He said raising tuition or increasing taxes is not the way to increase funding.

Gfeller, who previously served on the Post Falls Urban Renewal Commission and the Kootenai County Planning and Zoning Commission, said he would bring a level-headed approach to the board and work with, not against, faculty and staff.

Banducci said he has been a budget hawk for the past four years and has defended against tax increases.

"I go over the budget line by line," he said. "I worked to make sure there have been no tax increases the past four years. I'm very proud of that."

Banducci said he advocated for a "bottom up" budget review process that allows all items to be scrutinized.

"That's helped trim fat and keep costs down," he said.

Banducci, who served in the Air Force and has a master's degree in space operations, said there's also time to spend money, but it all depends on the return of investment.

He said NIC's greatest challenge is having the vision to balance academic with technical programs while watching enrollment numbers.

"The challenge is to figure out what employers' needs will be in the future and what classes to have," he said.

For the Zone 5 seat, Brad Murray, who is running unopposed after being recently appointed to fill the seat formerly held by Ron Nilson, spoke at the forum.

Geri Wile was originally slated to run against Murray, but recently withdrew from the race for health reasons. Her name will appear on the ballot because the deadline to make changes on it had expired when she made her decision not to run, but she is not campaigning.

Judy Meyer, the incumbent for Zone 4 and also running unopposed, couldn't attend the forum due to an illness.

COUNTY COMMISSION

Russell McLain, an independent, is seeking the District 3 seat currently held by Dan Green. Green is not seeking re-election.

McLain, 51, has lived in Coeur d'Alene the past 25 years and is a former bus driver for the Coeur d'Alene School District.

"I'm a man of 10,000 questions," he said, referring to his curiosity about how to improve government. "The county is fortunate to have the employees that is has, especially for fielding all of my questions."

McLain said he would fight to bring businesses to Kootenai County.

"Everything is poised to bring in business — cheap utility rates, cheap taxes and a business friendly environment," he said. "Everything is poised for us to pounce and bring businesses in, and I'm going to do it."

McLain said the county's comprehensive plan needs to be made clear and precise so the county can move in the right direction.

"No loose ends," he said.

McLain said he considers himself a "cut and dry" candidate who gets to the point and explores the issues.

"You'll always know what I'm thinking," he said. "I'll tell you what I think whether you like it or not."

This is McLain's first time seeking public office, but he has been involved in local politics by assisting in several campaigns.

McLain's opponent, Republican Bob Bingham, declined to participate in the forum.

"I have been working to address my concerns in other arenas," Bingham wrote in an email in response to an inquiry by The Press about why he didn't attend.

Bingham declined to elaborate on the reason, but added he attended forums during the primary. He defeated Leslie Duncan, Duane Rasmussen and Fred Meckel in the May primary.

For the District 2 seat, Republican Chris Fillios, who defeated current Commissioner David Stewart in the primary and will be unopposed in November, spoke at the forum.