Four men are running for the District 1 Fremont County Commission seat. They are Chan Atchley, Vance Derricott, Mike Adams and Skip Hurt, the incumbent.

Chan Atchley

He said his motivation for running is driven by his passion for the county he loves. 

My roots run deep. My grandfather homesteaded near where my wife Judy and I live. Growing up here, home meant a place surrounded by working farms and ranches, a place where I learned to fish in clear, unpolluted streams and rivers, and hunted all sorts of wild game. Nature’s bounty was limitless, and as a boy, I assumed that it would last forever.

Atchley is the author of “The Soul of the Land,” the true story of two brothers and their struggle to own the land, and the founder of the Smart Growth Coalition, an organization that advocates managed growth

Name three of the most pressing issues facing Fremont County?

With the discovery of Fremont County’s open space, abundant wildlife, pristine waterways, and community values, one of our biggest problems is to welcome the folks that want to call Fremont County home, without losing what originally attracted them to our very special corner of the world in the first place. Among the most pressing issues are:

–We must insure that developers pay all costs incidental to development such as roads, sewers and solid waste disposal, emergency services, fire and police protection, and schools, so that taxpayers are not subsidizing development.  At the same time, we must protect our working farms and ranches, scenic vistas, wildlife, rivers and streams as well as access to sport and recreation areas.

– We must complete the upgrade of our comprehensive plan and development code in such a way that we have managed and balanced growth.

– We must find a solution to the increasing biological and chemical effluents that are finding their way into our rivers and streams.  Bacteria counts are rising in the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, in the Island Park Reservoir and it’s tributaries as it flows southward through St. Anthony. Left unresolved, this is a ticking time bomb that has huge adverse implications for the economy of our entire county.

How would you address these three issues?

The first two, can be addressed through the timely updating of both the comprehensive plan and development code.  That means hiring a qualified, and organized planning and zoning administrator who understands how to efficiently accomplish the task and then give that person the resources to implement a plan and code consistent with community values.

All sources of pollution must be identified and evaluated, but an immediate solution to the pollution problem may be to require stricter septic tank installation standards, upgrading older systems and perhaps some sort of licensing program to insure that they are properly maintained. In areas with shallow soils, high water tables and/or poor drainage, in place of septic tanks, new developments could be required to put in development owned and operated central systems. 

What is your philosophy on county government?

I believe that to stay abreast of the challenges confronting us, county government must become much more proactive in looking strategically to the future.  That means we also must take a much more sophisticated approach in analyzing and anticipating problems as well as opportunities. We must seek better ways to communicate with each other both from within county government and throughout the community.  County government should reflect the values of the voters and address issues that will collectively benefit us all.

How would you save the county money?

In the short term, county government must follow its own comprehensive plan and development code. Longer term, I believe a more coordinated effort among elected county officials to identify and implement initiatives that could help county government operate more efficiently would either save money or increase non-tax revenues.

What does "managed growth" mean to you?

Managed growth starts with identifying what we the people of Fremont County cherish and want to pass on to future generations. With that determination, a well-written comprehensive plan and development code must encourage economic growth and at the same time protect the resident’s vision of the future. The preservation of our wildlife, our hunting and fishing, our opens spaces, working farms and ranches, our scenic vistas, etc., will become some of the most valuable contributors to sustainable economic development. Just about anyone can build a house. Who can replace our natural resources?  When they disappear, they are gone forever.

If you were forced to eliminate one county department, which one would it be?

Before I could possibly make that determination, I would have to understand why the decision must be made. Then I would look at the best way to meet that objective.  My decision would be based upon a cost/benefit analysis, how work could be moved to another department, or spread over several departments without adversely impacting performance, and especially, the effect upon employee morale.

Skip Hurt

I grew up in Grace and graduated from Grace High School in 1964. I then attended Weber State College for two years. I was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 where I spent three years, one of those years was spent in South Vietnam. After returning from the Army I went to work for the Forest Service. I started in Ogden, Utah, in the engineering department. I soon transferred to Council, where we lived for four years. We moved from there to the Targhee National Forest in St. Anthony. I worked for the Forest Service for 41 years, 20 of those years were spent working in road and bridge design and contract administration. The last 21 years I worked as the fire management officer at the Ashton-Island Park Ranger Station.  My wife and I raised six children here in Fremont County. I retired from the Forest Service in 2006 and started serving as Fremont County commissioner in 2007.

What are the three most pressing issues facing Fremont County?

County fiscal welfare, environmental quality and comprehensive plan and development codes.  

How would you address them?

County fiscal welfare:  The county is in very good fiscal condition at this time. This last year through some wise investments the county generated approximately  $ 550,000 dollars in interest. This money is being saved for a rainy day.  We continue to receive new construction money in the county each year that is being used to maintain and repair county buildings and to purchase equipment. The County Commission is continually watching the budget and assuring that expenditures are vital for the county’s well being.  

Environmental quality: I am concerned with the environmental health of the county. I am focused on water-quality testing efforts and on possible wastewater solutions.  The good health of our environment is crucial for our residents and our visitors.  I want the county to really tackle this issue and pass on an improving environment to the next generation.  Our county is known around the world as one of the finest recreational spots there is.  We have to protect the water, the forests and the wildlife that are a large part of our way of life.  I will continue to work to leave it better than I found it.  

Comprehensive plan and development codes: I am committed to getting a new Fremont County Comprehensive Plan with updated development codes.  This effort has been ongoing for more than five years and needs to be completed.  The one issue, which seems to make many news articles, is our land-use policy. We need to protect our way of life and provide and plan for controlled growth.  Our existing plan and laws aren’t going to do that. I wish every county resident could fully understand what might happen if we don’t do anything. The county has outgrown the tools we use for development now, including the Land Evaluation Site Assessment, the LESA we talk about all the time. This process is too subjective as it determines which ground in the county is productive cropland.  Fremont County is the only county in the state that is using the LESA system. We are one of a handful of counties in the United States that uses the LESA system and those counties are using it as a planning tool only. In Fremont County the LESA system is being used as a regulatory tool only and not as a planning tool. There are better ways to plan for development and much better ways to protect productive cropland than the LESA system. A new comprehensive plan will insure that those who own property will have their rights guarded and protected.  

What is your philosophy of county government?

County government should be working for the good of all the residents who live in Fremont County. It should meet the needs of those residents without being intrusive. They have the right to have the very best services that the budget will allow.  In these trying times with fuel and commodity prices doing what they are doing it is imperative that the commissioners are as frugal with the budget as possible, but still allowing for the comforts and necessities of the residents.  

How would you save the county money?

Presently the commissioners are very careful and concerned how we are spending county tax money.

With the summer employees and the shared positions at Five County Juvenile Detention Center Fremont County employs approximately 200 employees. We have to be competitive with our pay rates and benefits in order to keep the good employees that we have in place at this time.  In order to stay competitive we have to spend the money to comply with state and federal regulations.  I am very conscientious of the budget and will continue to be as long as I am your County Commissioner.  

What does managed growth mean to you?

 If we are to manage growth in Fremont County we will need an updated comprehensive plan and development codes.  We also need a vision of what we want our county to look like in 20 or 25 years. The vision for our county needs to be developed by the residents of the county and not by special interest groups whose members may be from outside the county. 

If we are going to manage growth public health, safety and welfare of all needs to be at the forefront of that effort. Sanitation, sewer, water pollution, scenic qualities, wildlife and recreation opportunities all need to be managed. Managed growth is going to have to include economic benefits for our residents and has to allow for development.  Many residents of our county make their living in the trades that are directly related to development and growth. If we are to prosper we need managed growth. Fremont County has been discovered, growth and development is happening and will continue.  With the proper plan and codes along with a county vision in place we can manage our county properly.  

If forced to eliminate a county department, which one would you eliminate?

I would not eliminate any of the departments we have in the county at this time.  Recently we have added a human resource director that will strengthen our county and should help the employees with merit pay and career paths.  We have many very good employees who are committed to do the best job they can for the residents of Fremont County who are their customers.  

Vance Derricott

I am an Idaho native and have lived in Island Park for 36 years. I was born and raised in Bear Lake. Farm and ranch life taught me to appreciate the value of hard, honest work.

My family moved to Sugar City when I was 14 years old, and I graduated from Sugar-Salem High School. Throughout my life, I often came up to Fremont County to fish and hunt.

I managed a propane business or nine years with customers in many southeast Idaho communities and West Yellowstone, and then for four years in St. George, Utah. In Utah, My wife, Marie, and I became homesick for Idaho and in May, 1972, we purchased Island Park Builders Supply. Later we added Island Park Electric to our business.

We have now retired from those businesses, but since I love to work, I operate a snowplowing business with dozens of clients. In summer, I work in the Island Park News circulation department, delivering and mailing newspapers.

Name three of the most pressing issues facing the Fremont County.

Issue 1. Land-use planning to respond to the growth we are experiencing. This issue includes:

a. The urgent need for an updated comprehensive plan and development code.

b. Having an efficient and customer-friendly Planning Department.

c. Having a knowledgeable Planning & Zoning Commission.

d. Using planning tools that experts have recommended to the county, including the Cost of Community Services Study that cost the county several thousand dollars but has never been used as a tool.

e. Protection of existing residents so they do not foot the bill for new development. This can be done with impact fees, system development fees, agreements with developers, and other options.

f. Protecting water quality, wildlife, recreation, views, and other assets identified in the comp plan.

g. The P and Z, county commissioners, county attorney and department heads all need to work together and listen to one another and to all people in the county, not just their “favorite” groups or individuals. Affordable housing for the working family.

Issue 2. Having an efficient county government that does not waste taxpayers’ money.

Issue 3. Infrastructure: Roads, wastewater treatment, and landfills.

How would you address these three issues?

Issue 1. Land use planning.

I will put all my efforts into completing the comp plan and development code revisions as soon as possible after I take office. This can be done in two or three work sessions, followed by public hearings. I would do my best to sell the revisions to the public in open houses, newspaper reports and a mailing to all citizens, noting that we need to get this job done and nothing is set in stone - if minor changes need to be made, we can get them done after the revisions are approved.

I will also work to maintain positive relationships with people and organizations that have expert advice to offer on planning issues, including the county attorney, Fremont Growth Solutions, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Henry's Fork Foundation and other agencies.

I will look at impact fees and other tools to ensure that developers pay the costs they generate. I would consult with in house experts and other communities that are facing growth to make sure we are doing everything we can legally do in this area.

To protect values set forth in the comp plan, I will make sure the right amount of testing and monitoring is done. For example, water tests in the Island Park area, soil tests at and near landfills, keeping wildlife maps current.

Issue 2. Having an efficient county government that does not waste taxpayer’s money. I answer this in my ideas for saving money, and in   the

question about cutting a department

Issue 3. Infrastructure, especially roads, wastewater treatment, and landfills. Growth creates the demand for more roads, better roads, sewer treatment and landfills. The county’s existing road budget is deficient. Developers should be required to contribute to road building and maintenance, even if subdivision residents have to pay for improvements with a local improvement district. Wastewater treatment and landfills, by law, have to be funded by user fees. In some cases, LIDs can be used to pay for infrastructure. I do not support letting growth burden existing taxpayers. User fees have to be updated in a timely manner. For years, commissioners did not raise landfill fees, for example, or charge the fees to some people, such as the detention center. These fiscally irresponsible decisions have to stop.

Commissioners need to be more pro-active in demanding some relief from the state in the form of more money allocated by the state for county roads.

What is your philosophy on county government?

Above all, county leaders - elected officials and department heads, should be people of integrity and role models for all employees and for the community.

Integrity and common sense needs to be brought back to the commissioners’ table.

They should respect all coworkers and employees and give them positive

feedback as often as possible. They should listen to all ideas from all county employees and citizens. County government should communicate better with the public. A great way to do this is with a highly informative Web site, monthly newsletters sent by e-mail and to the press and holding commission meetings in Ashton and Island Park.

I support the Republican Party value of limiting government so the people are free to make choices for themselves when at all possible.

I also believe that county commissioners should not micro-manage. We hire professionals who want to have a rewarding career as county employees. I respect their education, expertise, and training. Let them do their jobs. The present commission meets four times a month, yet has professionals running every department. In the last few years, professionals have been hired to run the Planning Department and new departments have been created, including Public Works, Human Resources, and Economic Development. I see no reason why commissioners cannot keep up on things in two efficiently run meetings a month instead of four. This will free up the clerks, too, who have to take notes at the meetings, prepare agendas and print minutes. The clerks

could use the other two days to look for grant money, for example.

How would you save the county money?

I support saving the county gas and expense money by reducing the number of commissioner meetings. I would also eliminate the office the commissioners made for themselves this year in the courthouse. They do not need an office - they have workspace in the commission room. The office space could be utilized better by another employee using it   full time.

I would reduce the amount of money spent on sending commissioners to some training programs when it makes more sense to send department

heads and employees. These people will be working for the county   longer

than most commissioners will be in office. In recent years, thousands of dollars have been spent sending commissioners to training   programs and conferences and those commissioners are not in office any   more.

I would have an energy audit done to see if the county can save money on heat and electric bills, gas, and vehicle maintenance. Some of the vehicles the county owns use a lot of gas.

Some money may be saved or generated by the sale of land the county owns.

I would also avoid whenever possible hiring expensive outside consultants and attorneys. I would work in unison with the county attorney; attempting through agreement and harmony to resolve to work together toward one end; that being what would benefit all Fremont County taxpayers most fairly. This goal would eliminate the need for out of county legal council, thereby saving same said taxpayers wasted dollars that could be used where needed within our county.

I would also listen carefully to the county clerk’s ideas about saving thousands of dollars on elections by using write-in ballots.

I would meet with all department heads and ask them to come up with money-saving ideas and reward the ones who have the best ideas. If we work as a team, we can save money. One reward could be give the winner his or her birthday off with pay, and make sure the media gets a story about the accomplishment.

I would take a hard look at the golf course. Maybe it can be sold to a private owner or an organization, with a restricted deed so it remains a golf course.

Do more recycling at the landfills and sell the recycled material, like we now do with cardboard.

What does "managed growth" mean to you?

Managed Growth starts with identifying what we the people of Fremont County cherish and want to pass on to future generations. With that determination, a well-written comprehensive plan and development code must encourage economic growth and at the same time protect the resident’s vision of the future. The preservation of our wildlife, our hunting and fishing, our opens spaces, working farms and ranches, our scenic vistas, etc., will become some of the most valuable contributors to sustainable economic development. Just about anyone can build a house. Who can replace our natural resources?  When they disappear, they are gone forever.

If you were forced to eliminate one county department, which one would it be?

It is unrealistic to imagine a scenario where the county would be “forced” to eliminate a department. Fremont County does not have any more departments than other counties its size. I think all existing departments are necessary for an efficient government. I would, as stated, ask department heads for money saving ideas. I would look at each department to see if it has the employees it needs. Cutting departments is not the answer. Making them run efficiently is the answer, without being micromanaged by commissioners. Maybe some departments can share employees.

The morale of our county employees seems to be at a low ebb. I would hope to change this to one of enthusiasm by eliminating their feeling of being dealt with a condescending attitude.

Michael Adams

He was born July 23, 1955, at Cottage Grove, Ore. He was raised in the military and has lived in Texas, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Okinawa. He graduated from Cottage Grove High in Cottage Grove, Ore. Attended Ricks College, where he became an emergency medical technician. He served an LDS mission in Arkansas and Louisiana. Returned to get his nursing degree from Eastern Idaho Technical College. Due to a debilitating injury he had to give up nursing. He learned to do taxes from Hugh Wright in St. Anthony and has been doing them for over 15 years. He has lived here in the valley for 33 years. He and Donnetta Smart have been married for 26 years. They have seven children between them and three grandchildren with the fourth due in October.

What are the three most pressing issues facing the county?

The economy: We need to grow business here in Fremont and not just over-priced housing. The future: We have to look more towards the future and less to the past. The past is dead and that is what will happen to our future if we don't start working towards it. Education: We have to make it possible to get an education here. We need a community college. The cost to the county in having our best and brightest leave the area to get their education is going to cost us our best and brightest.

How would you address the issues?

We will build an indoor stadium so that we can have a facility that can host a number of activities, give us a shot at the state high school championships being held here. We should sponsor a motorcycle rally with day trips through Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Island Park and other sites of interest. St. Anthony has some of the best drinking water in America we should encourage the building of a water bottling plant and an ice-making company. We need to invest into our infrastructure so that we can have a future for our grandkids. We should convert the old court house into a community college so people who are working, raising a family and want to improve their situation can do so with out having to drive to Idaho Falls or Pocatello for the occasional class. They should be able to get their degree here.

What is your philosophy of county government?

County government should be here to serve the people here. Improving the county with out improving the lives of our people is mismanagement. The county is an imaginary line drawn on a map. County government is not here to serve that line or the state but the people who voted them into office to represent them.

How would you save the county money?

I wouldn't try to. The old adage that you have to spend money to make money is true. I would redirect our funds towards projects that will help our residents make a decent living. After all, it is their money it should be used for their benefit.

What does managed growth mean to you?

Managed growth means we should grow only when it improves the lives of our people and not have us sold out like Jackson Hole or Driggs.

If you were forced to eliminate one county department, which one would it be?

6. The County Assessor’s Office. According to them, if they don't do their job Boise will send somebody over to do it for them. So why have them? Next would be our entire legal system. They have forgotten that they are here to serve the people and not rule over them, they are rude and dishonest and need to be replaced