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The Idaho Enterprise
April 28, 2022
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
In Support of Bob Christophersen and Ken Eliason
Dear Editor,
We live in such a great community! I am impressed with the calibar of people running for county commissioner. However, I feel that I need to express my support for our two current commissioners, Bob Christophersen and Ken Eliason. I have attended a lot of County Commissioner meetings. I have found in our county commissioners men who are aware of the needs of the county and yet who are trying to maintain conservative policies. I have been particularly grateful for our current commissioners working with the city. We are such a small city and county that it is prudent for us to combine our needs. We have accomplished this with our law enforcement, the senior center and with the city/county building inspections. We meet regularly for
our Malad City/Oneida County Economic Development Foundation; and we have worked hard the past two years setting goals for the city and county to make our community more attractive to its residents and to new business. I have known Bob Christophersen my entire life. He and I graduated from high school together, and I won’t say what year! Bob has been involved in this community for many years. He volunteered on the Chamber of Commerce and is a past member of the Malad City Council. He knows and understands small communities and their governments. He’s not afraid to work, and he’s not afraid to make hard decisions. I have always known him to be fair in his decisions. Many may not realize the number of meetings required of a commissioner. They do not just
attend the bi-monthly county commissioner meetings, which last anywhere from four hours to eight hours, but each commissioner has several areas of responsibility, and with those there are meetings to attend. In addition, they have meetings with our neighboring counties that they attend regularly. I know that Bob is very cognizant of the importance of these meetings and attends them all. Bob is currently chairman of 4-CASI, the four county economic development group, and he recently went through the difficult process of finding a new administrator for that group. I know that he is a hard worker and will always see a job through to the end. Sincerely, Joan Hawkins, Mayor Malad City, Idaho
Working alongside Mr. Jeppsen in Interfaith Council for the past six years, I have seen his leadership, decision-making attributes, kindness, ability to work and understand others. He attends and participates at every meeting and event, listens to those who speak, weighs the facts and opinions and makes decisions that benefit the people and community projects. At the recent Lincoln Days Event, Brian had the opportunity to mingle, “rub shoulders” and campaign with many State and Regional can-
didates and incumbents as a politician would do, but instead supported the kitchen staff by preparing and serving the wonderful meal to the nearly 200 people that attended. There are many more qualities I could list, but if you have concerns about our county like rapid growth, infrastructure, water issues and property taxes, please visit with Brian and get his perspectives. He is the man for the District 3 Seat.
for it - and is committed to helping us keep that property. He has an analyst's mindset - he listens intently to all arguments and assesses the problem with an eye toward its relationship to the rights of all citizens. He is a strong constitutionalist and is passionately averse to institutional dominion. He is also passionate about transparency. He wants to make the administration of county business as open as possible - This is more than publishing the minutes of the county commissioner meetings
- he wants the county community to see how much money the commissioners approve for the paying of fines the county is assessed. Brian is a man of faith, with years of volunteer participation in faith-based activities that benefit the entire county. As stated before, he has an ear toward listening, a heart toward understanding and a will toward the benefit and rights of all. Please join me in voting for Brian Jeppsen! Drew Pettis Malad, Idaho
In Support of Brian Jeppsen Dear Editor, I am writing to share my support for Brian Jeppsen as Oneida County Commissioner. He has many outstanding qualities that have come about from issues and experiences learned in Oneida County for 39 years and from other places outside Oneida County. Forty three years of marriage, three children and 11 grandchildren shows true commitment and devotion to family, as well as being involved in many community, church and organizational projects.
Respectfully submitted by Toni Werk.
In Support of Brian Jeppsen Dear Editor, I'm writing in regard to my friend, Brian Jeppsen - candidate for Oneida County Commissioner. I have known Brian for a number of years and have found him deeply committed to the rights of the individual. He is very concerned about the property rights of those in our community - whether real estate, tangible assets or hardearned income which is our property - because we traded our resources (time, effort and/or risk)
In Support of Bob Christophersen Dear Editor, When we find ourselves embroiled in controversies and all the accompanying disarray we need leadership that is willing and wanting to listen with prudence and sensitivity. A listening that seeks compromise and reconciliation in that deep understanding that a community thrives when we bring accommodations to pathways that cultivate togetherness. Unity born in mutual interests has always been the catalyst that affords us the abilities C Y
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to overcome the many difficulties challenging small rural communities. When we strive for harmony, we do see a community’s prosperity displayed in kindness, gentleness and respectfulness. Those of us who have come to know Bob over the many years of his service to others have seen his integrity, empathy, compassion, and devoted commitment to our community’s wellbeing. We are rooted and shaped by where we have been, and when we
look upon our history, we’ll find it has been the peace seekers that foster the calm forging of resilience and fashioning perseverance. And in that richness, we come to understand out Love for this community and our wanting to give back what has so graciously been given us by the peace seekers. We need peace seekers. Bob is a peace seeker. You see it in his humility. Former Commissioner Ralph Hanson
In Support of Jeanie Hakes Dear Editor,
I'm writing in regard to my friend, Jeanie Hakes - candidate for Idaho State Senate - District 27. I'd Like to start by identifying some of the troubling issues facing Idaho citizens, especially Oneida County. 1. Citizen's right to property. We are being taxed in a plethora of ways, most of which are not obvious to us as tax payers - if we knew how much of the price we pay for a gallon of milk was taken up by taxes, we would be appalled. 2. Citizen's right to a voice. I have seen constant viable and justifiable efforts by citizens to be heard, tabled and ignored by "politicians who know better". 3. Citizen’s right to determine the curriculum for our public K-12 schools. We have seen mandat3ed directives that are marginal and controversial at least and dominating at worst being implemented and proposed in our schools.
There are others, but there is neither time nor space to address them all. I would encourage all to consider Jeanie Hakes for State Senator - District 27. And here's why: Jeanie is committed to allow market forces to limit inflation (an invisible tax) and enhance wealth - which will allow property and growth in all sectors of our community - commercial, benevolent and personal. Further, Jeanie is opposed to the sales tax on food - I have seen a lot of arguments about how essential to our state sales tax on food is. Is it possible for there to be a more oppressive tax to be levied upon citizens that to tax their capacity to feed themselves and their families? The idea that an annual rebate for that taxation falls short because people need to eat every day. Think this through. Jeanie is committed to the fights of citizens over lobbyists and special interests. The reason that the sales tax on food
was tables is because of the influence of those who gain. by its retention - Please talk to me about how grocers gain from sales tax on food. Jeanie is committed to fundamental educational efforts - If our children are lacking something it is the capacity to choose their professional destiny because they are told that tradespeople have a limited place in our society. Additionally, they are not taught how to perform functional tasks like money management and critical thinking (critical thinking - something that is not being taught or exercised in our woke schooling environment today). Jeanie is a woman of faith, with years of volunteer participation in faith-based activities that benefit the entire county. She has a commitment toward you and me, the will of a champion and the fight of a bear! Please join me in voting for Jeanie Hakes! Drew Pettis Malad, Idaho
In Support of Bob Christophersen
Dear Editor,
Many years ago, Tall Bill, Big Jack, and Little Arthur handled all law enforcement in Oneida County. When a resident turned 60, he or she received a rocking chair at St. John Old Folks’ Day. The fire siren blew at noon to mark time for lunch. County Commission meetings were once a month and lasted a couple of hours. Things are different now in so many ways. County Commission meetings are twice each month and may last all day and continue the next day. Besides regular meetings, Commissioners meet with their counterparts in other counties, meet with the local Mayor and City Council, meet with regional and State officials, and meet with subcommittees of subcommittees that are
involved in the complex work of State and County government. There are 20 areas of responsibility divided among the three Commissioners. Many require multiple meetings every week. According to Bill Lewis, current Chair of the Oneida County Commission, each Commissioner ends up working 30-50 hours per week, doing research into their areas of responsibility and traveling to and participating in endless meetings-- all for very part-time pay. Bob Christophersen has the time, stamina, expertise, and interest to put in the hours and hours required of a County Commissioner today. He quit his very part-time job because it interfered with his duties as County Commissioner. The job of County Commissioner is no
longer a part-time, once a month social gathering. It is a full-time job for which the Commissioners have to have the passion, sense of responsibility, and time to help the residents of Oneida County resolve their endless lists of problems and complaints, to determine the best use of limited taxpayer dollars, to handle issues of rapid growth and development, and to ensure that the County is in compliance with its own ordinances and with state laws. Please remember to vote on May 17 for a candidate who has the time to serve the residents of Oneida County as a County Commissioner. Vote for Bob Christophersen.
Sincerely, Jean Thomas
Letter to the Editor—Larry Oja Dear Editor,
In the upcoming Primary Election, I wish to express my personal gratitude and thanks to all candidates who have filed petitions to serve “we the people” with their time and talents. I know that that comes with much commitment, unselfish sacrifice, and strong and varied opinions. That being said, I support the following candidates in the May 17, 2022 Primary Election as best representing me and my views and
understanding of the correct governing principles and the cause of freedom. Janice McGeachin for Governor Dorothy Moon for Secretary of State Bryan Smith for US House Disctrict 2 Scott Trotter for US Senate Idaho Priscilla Giddings for Lieutenant Governor Raul Labrador for Attorney General Branden Durst for Superintendent of Public Instruction Jeanie Hakes for Sen-
ate District 27 Douglas Pickett for House of Representatives District 27A Pat Field for House of Representatives District 27B Brian Jeppsen for Oneida County Commissioner Andee Parry for Oneida County Commissioner
Please register and go vote. Respectfully, Larry Oja
In Support of Bob Christophersen Dear Editor,
I support Bob Christophersen for Oneida county commissioner. A few of the reasons for this support include: Bob works 100% of the time for the commissioner’s
office. Bob understands where Oneida county gets a lot of its funding, and with this knowledge with this knowledge will avoid having to raise taxes for Oneida county. Bob has also studied and understands what it
will take to be a good commissioner by understanding essential needs for the citizens of Oneida county.
Joe J Daniels Former Commissioner of 6 years C Y
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