I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody. ~ Lily Tomlin

I have spent seventeen years as a public advocate and have had a positive influence on a broad range of issues that impact Ada County residents including sewer implementation rates, water rates and garbage collection rates, schools, property taxes and open government. I have also served as the Chair of the Region IV Early Childhood Committee, for children with developmental disabilities, and I am a Co-Chair of the Great Plains Region for the Williams Syndrome Association. Previous volunteer experience includes working with the Booth Family Care Center, for pregnant and parenting teens.

One of my proudest honors is having received the very first Max Dalton Open Government Award, awarded by the Idaho Newspaper Foundation (INF) in 1999, for my work on legislation to promote more openness in government. I now serve as a member of the INF Board, whose mission includes advocating for the rights of citizens and the press in Idaho to have full access to government, particularly in the areas of open meetings and public records.

I served as an Ada County Commissioner from January 2001 to January 2003. Click here to learn more about issues I addressed during my two years in office. In 2006, I worked with people from all over the political spectrum to try to bring about much-needed property tax relief for homeowners. We held a “Boise Tea Party Rally” on the Statehouse steps during the Legislative session to pressure the Legislature and Governor to support meaningful property tax reform. Although the homeowner’s exemption was expanded, there is still much more work to do to provide lasting, meaningful property tax relief.

I graduated in 1985 from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Social Anthropology, and am the proud mother of six children: Emily 22, Kevin 21, Kelly 19, nine-year-old twins Michael and Melody, and Angelina, age four.

I always love to hear from Ada County employees and other members of the public. Please feel free to contact me at (208) 362-0843 or by e-mail at sharonu@cableone.net.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead, Anthropologist