DOVER — Mayoral candidates George Eskridge and Ryan Wells spoke out on a wide range of issues at Tuesday’s virtual candidates forum hosted by Bonner County Daily Bee.

Priest River mayor candidates Timothy Simpkins and Kevin Wylie were unable to participate.

George Eskridge, a former Idaho legislator and third-generation Dover resident, pointed to his experience and knowledge of Dover’s comprehensive plan and inner workings as things he’d be able to bring to the table if elected mayor. He advocated for fiscal responsibility, logical and sustainable growth and the need to come together as a community.

Ryan Wells, a business leader in the county for the past 25 years and a Dover resident for three years, detailed his experience interacting with county and state government as strengths he’d bring if elected. He said that the change and growth in Dover will only accelerate.

Wells’ biggest issues in the community is city government turnover in elected positions with members stepping down and others being appointed.

Eskridge said that division in the community is growing and that elected officials and the community should come together to solve this issue.

“This is Dover, not a divided community. This is Dover, we work together,” said Eskridge.

On the topic of a sustainable workforce Wells said that the first thing the city has to address the growth.

“We have space, but not space for retail,” said Wells. “Workforce housing is important, but for now it is far out on my radar.”

Eskridge on the topic of a sustainable workforce pointed out the Dover comprehensive plan encourages small community development. He said Dover has a diversity of lot sizes and home prices with the ability for more moderate housing for others to live and work.

When asked how the city could make streets safer, Eskridge said that Dover has already taken steps with the road and street planning process. The city is limited in its ability due to the lack of funding, he said; the state hasn’t helped by putting the burden on towns to build road structures.

Wells said that Dover is in a unique position with the highway dividing the town. He said that streets are in relatively good shape, but there should be improvements to its pedestrian paths. He advocated for looking into a better connection of highway crossing.

On growth Wells compared it to a firehouse creating a lot of problems. Don’t build for building sake, he said. Managing growth through the use of permits in a way that is “smart” instead of “throwing up homes” without plans for streets.

Eskridge again pointed back to the comprehensive plan which, he said, gives a good plan forward on how to manage growth. He advocated for more participation in local government from residents. He thought this would bring more transparency as well.

On how he would bring more transparency to the role, Wells said that the Dover government has done a poor job connecting and communicating with its citizens. He wanted more access to meeting notes, more residents to attend meetings and more community forums in order to start a dialogue.

In regards to the city’s current compensation plans Wells compared wages to fast food restaurants paying $16 hourly.

“We need to pay our employees enough to live in this community while still having enough to feel like an active member in the community,” he said.

Eskridge said that the city clerk was the only full time personnel and that everyone else is a consultant paid by a separate entity. He said he hadn’t heard anything to question part-time staff and that it is the role for the mayor and the city council to look into this matter.

Wells asked what Dover would look like in the next four years. In regards to transparency he wanted to have everyone that represents the best interest of Dover working for the city.

On how to be more pro-business Wells said it starts with finding staff. Dover could attract more businesses that are a good fit for Dover and help facilitate the need of staff.

Eskridge said that Dover has limited space. It cannot sustain strip malls, but is perfect for small business or even in home businesses and stay within property limitations.

Both candidates agreed that Dover did well when it came to COVID-19 and the city followed CDC guidelines on wearing masks when at the city hall. Wells said Dover should rely on the CDC, local state and county regulations.

He said he would be acting as mayor, not a medical professional. Dover has seen so many Washington license plates the past few months — a sign the city is doing something right, he said.

Wells said that he will represent Dover on the county and state level by his ties at the state and county level and his strength being an active business member. Dover issues are the priority, he said, and is in a place to tackle bigger issues.

There are all kinds of opportunities for Dover to be in charge of its future, said Eskridge. On how he will represent Dover at the state and county level, he pointed to the Idaho Association of Cities that lobbies for cities at the state level.

He said he had already been in contact with the association and that it was an opportunity to take advantage to solve some of Dovers problems.

On internet access Eskridge said that it was necessary to educate residents on the importance and connectivity that comes with internet access.

Wells said that the issue is changing as fast as the internet. With Ting coming into Dover Bay it has caused other providers to step up in servicing the Dover community. City Hall should get behind this to get more people together, he said.

Both candidates closed by mentioning the respect they have for each other.

The video of the forum will be posted to the Bonner County Daily Bee’s website.

The county’s city council candidates will be featured in a virtual forum on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m. It will also stream live on the Daily Bee’s Facebook page as well as on Zoom.