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Rose runs for re-election to commissioner's post
Larry Rose, current District 2 representative on the Elmore County Board of Commissioners, will run for his fourth term during this year's election. Rose became commissioner January 13, 1997 after the retirement of John Shrum. Rose will run on the Republican ticket.
Rose says he finds it interesting that all the District 2 candidates who have filed for the upcoming election are running on the Republican ticket. "I think basically that people run on the Republican ticket because it's the strong party at the present time. I don't know, maybe they're more conservative than people used to be."
Jay Brown of Mountain Home, and Doug King of King Hill have also announced candidacy for District 2 commissioner.
But whether running on the republican or democrat ticket, Rose believes that it is the person that makes a good commissioner.
"Being republican or democrat doesn't make any difference," Rose said, "It's the person, good ideas, and saving money." Rose says he works very well with Commissioner Mary Egusquiza-Stanek(D).
"I feel that the taxpayer is very important...the county budget runs over $12 million per year, and I feel that it (the county) should be run as a business not as a government entity, and that's what I try to do. I try to see that income and expenses balance out."
Rose believes he has helped save taxpayers money while still serving the needs of the county's citizens. The commission was able to put $500,000 towards the development of a new jail, Rose said, noting that the commissioners try "to save [for] what is really important for the county, and a jail is what needs to happen."
For several years, the county has struggled over how to reduce the jail's inmate population. Two bond measures, formulated by two separate ad hoc committees, have failed. A new committee, consisting of elected officials, county employees and members of the public, is presently working on another bond issue, hoping to take advantage of the current low interest rate. The bond election is slated for November 2004.
Rose would like to stay on as District 2 commissioner, and believes his experience is favorable for serving the county's citizens. "I feel I have a good grasp of what the county needs, and can get the best bang for the buck for the taxpayer. I want to get everything we can with the tax dollars we get."
One of Rose's biggest concerns for the county is growth. "I am very concerned for Elmore County," says Rose. He believes that a balance must be kept between progress, growth and the way of life enjoyed by the county's residents.
"I'm still concerned over the confined animal feeding operations; that we do it in a controlled fashion," Rose said. In fact, controlled growth and growth in the right areas are necessary to maintain balance, and provide employment opportunities.
Rose said he would prefer to see a number of small businesses be established throughout the county, instead of just one large business. He believes that relying on one large employer could adversely affect the county's economy should the business fail. Numerous small businesses would be more beneficial, Rose believes, because they provide more diverse employment, and are less likely to greatly impact the county's economy if one or two fail.
Rose says county officials must be prepared to address foreseeable growth in Elmore County. He believes researching the positive and negative effects on the county's economy, lifestyles of its population, and environmental impacts must be precise. The possible construction of a coal-fired power plant east of Glenns Ferry along the Snake River, and potential wind-power expansion into Idaho, means county commissioners will need to be aware of both positive and negative impacts these kinds of industries will have here, Rose believes. "We need to be very careful because a lot of times they [industries] come here because we seem a little backwards or slow to respond. They think they can get away with it here," he explained.
In some instances, both at the state and county level, appropriate regulations as they pertain to zoning, planning, and environment, are not in place until a new industry attempts to set up business in Elmore County, as was the case with the Rocky Mountain Confined Feeding Operation in King Hill, and the youth behavior ranch. Even when new regulations are in place, the county, and even the state, don't always have the funds need to enforce them, Rose explained.
Rose believes that it behooves the county to "be alert to the kinds of problems," some industries, "have had in areas" in order to prevent similar problems here.
New growth puts pressure on service areas, Rose says. In some cases, the initial construction phase imports short-term residents, placing demands on services such as schools, housing and law enforcement. Once construction is completed, the short-term residents leave, he explained. "We need to have something in place so taxpayers don't assume the liability. They (new businesses) need to pay their way," Rose said.
Rose emphasizes that growth should be countywide. "We need to have controlled growth. The whole county needs to be involved in growth," Rose stressed.
For that, and other reasons, Rose hopes to continue representing all county residents including those living in the rural areas.