Arlie Shaw to run for commissioner

Arlie Shaw has announced his candidacy for the District 1 Elmore County commissioner seat being vacated by Craig McCurry.

"I've always been interested in politics," Shaw said, noting a strong desire for public service and the fact that now that he is retired "I've got the time to put into it."

Shaw said that he saw not "big issues," but said he thinks the county planning and zoning process needs to be streamlined and better zoning ordinances developed so that applicants "know what the rules are going to be" and fewer projects can be approved without the conditional use process. "Planning and zoning regulations need to be streamlined so that new and existing businesses understand the regulations clearly."

Noting that he had been raised on a farm and worked in agriculture most of his life, he added that he felt his accounting background "would be a big help."

Shaw worked over 30 years for the Simplot Land and Livestock division as an accountant and accounting manager. He said that his "expertise and experience will bring valuable skills to county management."

Current county concerns that are of particular interest to Shaw include planning and zoning, confined animal feeding operations (CAFO), and broadening the county tax base. "CAFO regulations require careful consideration to meet present and future needs, and to comply with other governmental agencies."

He said that he intends to encourage cooperation between the county and county municipalities, sharing services whenever possible.

He considers it important to actively pursue new business to broaden the county tax base.

He has been a Mountain Home resident the past four years, but an Elmore County resident nearly all his life.

He was raised in Grand View, graduating from Grand View High School in 1964. He attended the College of Idaho and Boise State College, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business.

He worked briefly in the Portland, Ore., area as a banker. In 1970 he returned to Grand View, preferring "the more rural way of life."

He went to work for Simplot Land and Livestock in 1971 and remained with them in various management and accounting capacities for over 30 years.

He currently serves on the Elmore Medical Center Foundation Board. He was a long time Lion's club member in the Grand View community. He served the Bruneau-Grand View school district as a board member and site selection committee member.

He is a member of Faith Lutheran church.

His wife, Linda Shaw, is a Family Nurse Practitioner currently employed by doctors Koelsch and Starkey. During her career she also was employed by the Elmore Medical Center as well as the Mountain Home Air Force Base.

They have two sons. Andrew lives with his family in Melbourne, Australia. Evan and his family live in Grand View. They have five grandchildren.

Shaw said he "welcomes your support, and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss county concerns with any interested patrons."