Coeur d'Alene Press Newspaper | CDAPress.com
Local and National News - Kootenai County, Idaho
Carmon O'Donnell enters Rathdrum City Council race
Staff writer
RATHDRUM -- After six years on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, a 28-year resident of the city wants to take a seat on the City Council.
"I entered this race for City Council for only one reason," said Carmon O'Donnell in a statement. "That reason is to be the voice of the people; to monitor the spending of our city tax dollars and to see that each and every dollar is spent for needs and not wants."
He said he wants the city to be on a "pay-as-we-go plan," and not spend more than what it expects to come in from taxes.
O'Donnell is also concerned that the city has neglected its traffic problems.
"It's not just Rathdrum," he told The Press. "It's anybody coming from Athol, Spirit Lake or Blanchard on Highway 53 or 41 going to work. It's difficult to make a left-hand turn off any side street sometimes in the day."
His time spent on planning tells him the city needs to concentrate on infill rather than expansion of residential areas.
"Growth is fine, but we need to know how to sustain that growth," he said in his statement.
He agrees with other candidates that business growth is essential to provide jobs for the city.
"I would like to have more commercial and manufacturing that would provide a living wage so people can live and work here, and it would not be a bedroom community," he said.
Water rates are also on O'Donnell's agenda. He said when he moved to Rathdrum, the flat rate was $6 per month, but he recognizes there was a need to increase that because of additional demand.
"The cost of water should not be increased, we live over one of the biggest aquifers in the world," he said. "Also, we need to conserve our natural resources such as water and not take them for granted."
O'Donnell, who is retired after 28 years of truck driving, said his time on Planning and Zoning and regular attendance at council meetings qualify him to represent the voters.
"I will make sure Rathdrum retains its own dignity and identity with a separate yet united approach," he said.
Staff writer Rick Thomas can be reached at 773-7502 or e-mail rthomas@cdapress.com
Email this story
Printer friendly version
|
POST YOUR OPINION
|
View all of the latest commented stories! |
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
The Press invites you to contribute your online comments, with positive statements whenever possible and, when necessary, your constructive, negative thoughts.
Commenting Rules
- No libel (that means no NAME CALLING, OR USING PRIVATE CITIZEN'S NAMES)
- Use good taste
- Be positive whenever possible
- Do not Spam - post an advertisement or flood forum with the same message.
- Do not type entire post in CAPITALS - it means you are screaming.
- THINK BEFORE YOUPOST and ask yourself these questions;
Is it a positive remark?
Will I be hurting anyone?
Children can come to this site, is it appropriate for their eyes?
Most importantly, would I want my name on this forum?
