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The Pathway to a Better Pocatello

By Scott Odekirk

This election will be important for the future of this city. It will be up to the voters to decide whether we want to cling to the past, preserve the status quo, or commit to a better future. My name is Scott Odekirk. When my wife Desaray and I moved here nearly seven years ago we fell in love with the kind people in our neighborhood, the friendly attitude of strangers, the clean air, the energy of the university campus, and natural beauty of the Portneuf River Valley. But when we decided to raise our future family here we became concerned about the direction of the city. I am running for Pocatello City Council because I believe someone needs advocate for the future of all of our families and the community that has inspired us to make Pocatello our home.

I coach the debate team at Idaho State University and am in the final semester of my masters of public administration degree which specializes in local government. I am running for Seat 2 of the Pocatello City Council against Steve Brown and Mark Balzer. The more I have learned about the policies of other mountain west cities the more I have recognized that our city government, and our city council, is out-of-date. Our campaign is building a large and diverse coalition of citizens that believe the current council is overly concerned with avoiding controversy and preserving the status quo. We believe that it is time for a more proactive direction on the council.

Setting a more proactive agenda is about updating the function of our city government to make it more efficient and effective at meeting community needs. This can happen in small ways like putting efficient technology in all of our public buildings, making a functional website and community calendar, moving away from printing all of our government documents on paper, and promoting our local services more directly so public investment isn’t wasted. Setting a proactive agenda is also about thinking bigger and more long term. We should have a large scale wind energy project. We should be building 10 and 20 year plans that allow us to make the case for Pocatello as a major stop for high speed rail.

Making good policy for the long term of this community requires a stronger relationship between Idaho State University and the City of Pocatello. In this economy, the university ought to be one of our most primary assets. The university’s unique research and development opportunities should be harmonized with making Pocatello a high-tech corridor.  Seven thousand dollars in work study money does not constitute a proactive relationship between the city and the school. Currently the university lacks adequate representation on the council, and this is troubling to me given the important role ISU plays in the entire region. The city government ought to create and promote internship and apprenticeship opportunities for ISU students with the hope that more of our graduates become invested in this community for the long-term.

There will be a lot of talk this election about attracting business and cultivating the private sector, and I believe that all of these things I have mentioned will accomplish this goal in clean and smart ways. However I am concerned that not enough attention is paid to what the community gets back from the tax breaks we give to corporations. Many have been right to suggest that all of the tax dollars that the city government spends ought to be scrutinized but we must also ensure that the community is getting something back from tax breaks we give. This is why I have made positive relationships with local unions and concerned community advocacy coalitions that want the businesses that come here to invest in this community, not just take from it.

The current makeup of the council represents narrow range of interests, namely, the socially conservative political establishment and real estate interests. Our campaign is making a great effort to involve many groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in local politics, including: educational advocacy groups, labor unions in the public and private sector, youth groups and student organizations, environmentalists, mental illness and health services advocacy organizations, Pocatello’s growing LGBT community, and more. I am the only candidate on the ballot that broadens the range of interests represented on the council. It is important for Pocatello’s city government to celebrate and promote diversity not only because it is the ethical thing to do, but also because an insider/outsider mentality will only discourage future growth.

Lastly I want to talk about the environment. Pocatello sits in one of the most beautiful valleys in the west. We all benefit from the clean air and the inspiring natural surroundings. For too long our city council has treated “environmentalism” as a dirty word. Currently the City Council of Pocatello lacks a strategy for environmental protection and long term sustainability. The Portneuf Greenway is about more than simple park policy. Finishing the Greenway is about more greatly integrating this community with its environmental assets. Finishing the Greenway is about promoting ourselves as a destination, as is seen in other cities. Some have made the Greenway issue all about eminent domain, but this is faulty. Eminent domain is only one among many instruments that could be used to finish the Greenway. But the eminent domain conflict has been blown up to such proportions that now the city government won’t even put it on the agenda. Finishing the Greenway needs to be put on the agenda, all relevant stakeholders should be asked to testify (including property owners), and a resolution must be reached that works for all involved. A solution can be reached, but not if our council members refuse to face controversy head-on, and not if our council members are committed to ideologies rather than sound policy. Overall we need make environmental protection one of the values of the city government; our future depends on it.

It is time for a new direction on the Pocatello City Council. We need elected officials that are willing to treat their office as a full-time responsibility. We need city officials that care about all of Pocatello’s citizens, regardless of status, religion, or political allegiance. I am ready to serve with all of my passion, energy, and with everything I have. Walk with me on the pathway to a better Pocatello.

Scott Odekirk for City Council at the ISU Homecoming Parade!

On October 1st the Scott Odekirk for City Council campaign appeared in the homecoming parade for Idaho State University. Many volunteers were there to help carry signs and hand out candy. Volunteers were made up of Bannock County Democratic Leadership, ISU students and professors, kids, concerned citizens, and Desaray and Scott Odekirk’s dogs. Scott said, “this is really fun. It seems as if this parade has more attendance than usual. Desaray and I were really excited to walk our dogs, Abby and Brutus, in the parade because they love people. We were overjoyed to be part of this because building a more proactive relationship between the city and ISU is one of our top priorities. It is great to see the overjoyed support for the university that this community consistently provides. It is time for us to become a college town, not just a town with a university in it. I am proud to coach the Idaho State Debate Team and I am proud of the education I have received from ISU in my master’s of public administration degree. Idaho State University is one of the great things that brings this city and its people together. What a fantastic celebration.”

Scott and Desaray Odekirk Attend the Family Services Alliance Fundraiser

On September 17 Family Services Alliance held a fundraiser at the Cleaning Museum in Pocatello. Desaray and Scott Odekirk were delighted to attend the event which included an auction, fine wines, appetizers from local restaurants, and live music from Shawn and the Marauders. A speech was given by a woman who used the services provided by Family Services Alliance to get herself out of an abusive relationship and integrate herself into the community; the audience was very moved. Desaray said “it was really great to see such a diverse cross-section of Pocatello residents out to support FSA. In my work I have seen the benefits of FSA programs first-hand and so it was great for me to see how successful this fundraiser is.” Scott said, “FSA shows that people in this town are concerned with maintaining social services for vulnerable members of our community. This was both a moving and a very fun event. We were happy to be there.”

Scott Odekirk for City Council Rallies at the Central Labor Council Summer Picnic

The Central Labor Council held their annual summer picnic on September 17, 2011 at Raymond Park. A number of union members from the area attended with their families to eat some great food, collaborate and meet members from unions other than their local, and meet some political leaders in the community who stand for their cause. The Scott Odekirk for City Council Campaign was invited to attend the event. Nate Murphy, campaign manager, said, “Scott has worked hard to build close relationships with the various labor unions in this community. There were a lot of events to attend on Saturday but we had no doubt about where we wanted to be.” Scott Odekirk said, “this has been a great chance to reaffirm our commitment to worker’s rights, collective bargaining, and growing outside investment to get people to work. Unions are part of the rich history of this city, and they will be going into our future. This is still a union town. The people I have met at union functions are great and they care about a lot of the same things that all citizens of Pocatello care about: a long-term vision for the city, a plan to grow the economy with good high-tech and long-term investments, clean air, clean water, a sense of community, and dignity in the workplace. We are proudly pro-union and we are delighted to announce that we have already received the endorsement of the United Transportation Union, and we hope to earn the endorsement of the other unions in town soon. I would like to thank Nate Milward, president of the Central Labor Council, for being so supportive and inviting me here today.”

A Political Rally, With Wine Tasting

This past weekend Tom Nestor and Kevin Lish opened their beautiful home to the Scott Odekirk for City Council Campaign for a political rally that also included some fantastic appetizers and fine wines. A number of concerned citizens and important community members attended. Guests got the chance to ask Scott questions, meet his wife Desaray, hear a speech, and get more involved with the campaign. Scott said of the event, “this has been a wonderful evening. I want to personally thank Kevin and Tom for being so hospitable and Kathy Mortar for contributing to the beautiful spread. I really got the chance to meet voters in a unique setting and I think they got to know me better. Overall, tonight was a great success.” Scott Odekirk is running against Steve Brown and Mark Balzer for seat 2 of the Pocatello City Council. The election is November 8, 2011. If you would like to host a meet-and-greet in your home please contact Nate Murphy, campaign manager, at odekirkforcitycouncil@gmail.com.

Scott Odekirk Lends a Hand at the Portneuf River Clean-Up

Scott Odekirk and campaign manager Nate Murphy were excited to participate in the Portneuf River Clean-Up Project on the morning of September 17. A number of energetic citizens helped the cleanup effort with canoes or by gathering trash along  the banks of the river. Scott Odekirk said, “I am proud to live in a city with unique environmental resources like the Portneuf River. All members of this community benefits from clean air, water, and a flourishing environment. This means that each one of us is responsible to contribute in our own way to environmental protection. There is a lot of work to be done here on the Portneuf, and more needs to be done in our city to feature and enhance this waterway, but it was very reassuring to see so many concerned citizens out to appreciate and clean up the river.”

The Bannock Alternative did a Nice Write-Up on the City Council Races

Check it out, here is the link to their article. Thanks to the TBA for jumping on this story. Here is the text of the story:

While everybody is getting super pumped for another tortuous season of politics, we here in Pocatello can get things started with Pocatello’s Official City Council Candidate List 2011! Who’s excited? I’m not going to beat around the bush, so here it is!

Council Seat #1
Brad Huerta
Jim Johnston (incumbent)

Council Seat #2
Mark Balzer
Scott Odekirk
Steve Brown (incumbent)

Council Seat #3
Paul Gagliardi
Eva Johnson-Nye (incumbent)

So what do we know about the council member hopefuls so far? Brad Huerta is a local businessman who is pushing his 20 years in the private and public sectors. His campaign slogan is “Integrity, Experience, Service,” whatever that means to you. Jim Johnston just got the seat back in July, so he’s hardly an incumbent. His campaign page is pretty bare-bones so far, but assures voters he is a Pocatello man, dedicated to making our fair city an even greater place to live.

The real race, however, is going to be the three-way run for Steve Brown’s seat. Mark Balzer has only been in Pocatello since the mid-2000s but is running his “Common $ENSE Leadership” campaign (the “$ENSE” stands for “$aving tax dollars, Efficient, No nonsense, Sensible and Effective) that could definitely appeal to a lot of voters. He also appears to be closely aligned with the Pocatello Tea Party, penning several columns for their website.

Scott Odekirk, on the other hand, is running on a very green platform that supports the controversial Greenway project, public transportation and a host of other environmental-friendly ideas that will definitely capture the votes of Pocatello’s more liberal-leaning folks. A look at his Facebook shows some early support from the leaders of Pocatello’s LGBTQ scene, meaning the Balzer/Odekirk spars could get ugly.

But let’s not forget incumbent Steve Brown. The Pocatello Tea Party has already flat-out attacked him as a “Fiscally irresponsible, Big Government Republican” in a 2010 blog post and it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Balzer continues that line of attack. Brown, who has only held the seat since July 2010, doesn’t have much of an online campaign presence yet, but he’s going to need one soon if he plans on keeping up with his challengers.

The third race is off to a pretty bland start, pitting incumbent Eva Johnson-Nye (no online presence) against Paul Gagliardi (no online presence). It appears that Gagliardi is a local real estate agent, but if these two don’t step things up a notch, it’s going to be a pretty boring November over at Council Seat #3.

Don’t worry, everybody, we have the next two months to talk about the mud-slinging fun this city council race will hopefully turn out to be, so no need to run to the soap box yet. Look for more coverage here and in the print edition of TBA.

Scott and Desaray Odekirk attend “Grapes on the Greenway”

Scott and Desaray Odekirk were delighted to attend the “Grapes on the Greenway” fundraiser for the the Portneuf Greenway hosted by Tamara Code and the Greenway Foundation. The event featured great wines, fantastic appetizers from local restaurants, nice music, fun people, and a beautiful view of the Greenway Trail. Scott and Desaray really enjoyed the event. Desaray said, “tonight was a great night and I was delighted to get to know so many people that really care about this community.” Scott Odekirk explained that “finishing the Greenway should be an important priority for this city. In order for us to attract good, clean, outside investment we have to show that Pocatello has a long term strategy to protect and harness our environmental resources. Many members of our community love using our fantastic semi-wilderness parks for a wide array of purposes. Easy access to the surrounding natural areas is part of what makes living here so great. Other cities have used similar projects to stimulate commerce, tourism, and to promote themselves as attractions in the region, and Pocatello should to. The ’eminent domain’ issue has been blown up into such a controversy that the city has basically halted all public plans about the Greenway. The eminent domain issue has been made into such a monster that it has prevented discussion of policy solutions, including alternatives to eminent domain. This is perfect example of how the City Government would rather be reactive and avoid controversy than being proactive about community problems. The Pocatello City Council needs to put the Greenway on the agenda, hold a public hearing that involves all relevant stakeholders (including property owners), and come up with a satisfactory resolution. Otherwise the Greenway will remain a controversy for another 20 years. The Portneuf Greenway must be finished and tonight’s event was a great way to build support for an effective Greenway solution. We are happy to be here.”

Our Paperwork is Officially Filed!

Scott Odekirk has now been officially put on the ballot for the November 8 Election for Pocatello City Council. The campaign got a number of key supporters to sign the filing paperwork including Desaray Odekirk, Scott’s loving wife, Dr. Mark Macbeth, an award winning professor in the Masters of Public Administration program at ISU, Shane Merkeley, a local business owner, Kathy Mortar, a prominent member of the community and a strong participant in rotary and other community organizations, and Nate Murphy, member of the Bannock County School Board.  Below is the news story that was published in the Idaho State Journal. You can also read the story on the ISJ website by clicking this link.

Scott Odekirk officially files for City Council Race

9/1/2011, Pocatello

Idaho State University debate coach Scott Odekirk filed his Declaration of Candidacy today, making it official that he intends to run for Seat Two on the Pocatello City Council. This seat is currently held by appointed incumbent Steve Brown.

Odekirk plans to make protecting Pocatello’s environmental beauty, building strong connections between the city and university, and growing vibrant and safe neighborhoods central to his campaign.

“I want politics to be more responsive to the needs of our community. Our campaign is built upon listening to the citizens of Pocatello. After a month of door knocking and meeting voters, I am confident that together we will build a path to a better Pocatello”, said Odekirk.