To escape criticism - do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. ~ Elbert Hubbard

In my previous term as an Ada County Commissioner (2001 – 2003), I focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, government accountability and open access to the public. I thoroughly researched issues, listened to public and employee input, and worked vigorously to resolve issues in the best interest of the citizens of Ada County. I saved taxpayers nearly $14 million during my two years in office, including a $6 million rebate to property taxpayers. Some examples of my efforts and impact include:

• When I first took office, I recognized the need for a new emergency radio communications system for protection of the public’s safety and our emergency services workers. I openly and publicly questioned the Sheriff’s proposed solution of spending $10 million on an 800-Megahertz replacement system. It was then brought to my attention by members of the public that the proposed 800 MHz system would be subject to interference from cell phone transmissions. My questions resulted in a revised proposal from the Sheriff’s Office for a $3 million conventional system. This less-costly system saved Ada County taxpayers $7 million yet allowed the County to obtain a fully functional system.



• As a commissioner, I had better access to County budget information and noted the County had a $20 million cash surplus that the previous Commission had been retaining for unspecified special projects. Bringing this surplus to the public’s attention created enough pressure on my Commission colleagues to obtain a $6 million property tax rebate for the taxpayers of Ada County. I believe the rebate should have been even larger.



• As an advocate for fiscal responsibility, I pro-actively followed up on wasteful-spending practices. It was brought to my attention by a member of the public that although Idaho Code says that the State is responsible for providing pre-sentence investigators for the Fourth District Court, Ada County was paying for this service. My colleagues and I subsequently negotiated an agreement with the State to phase out the County's financial support of this program, saving Ada County taxpayers $412,000 per year.



• County employees brought to my attention their concerns about software and performance flaws in a (then) soon-to-be installed dispatch system at the Sheriff's office. (The dispatch system is not the same thing as the radio communications system discussed above.) I investigated the situation and discovered that some of the system's flaws could even be life threatening during a failure. The Sheriff's office claimed that the flaws were not significant. I warned the public. After the systems flaws became apparent to all of the emergency services agencies that relied upon dispatch, the Sheriff's office finally acknowledged the problems with the dispatch system. My Commission colleagues then tried to rush through a payment of $360,000 to the provider of the faulty dispatch system. I was able to delay that payment by physically holding onto the paperwork and publicizing my colleagues’ efforts to make immediate payments for a system that still did not work properly. The Sherriff's office ended up with time to negotiate a more favorable agreement, which saved Ada County taxpayers $180,000. The faulty dispatch system continued to cause problems and was ultimately replaced in 2003.



• My commission Colleagues voted to transfer the long-term lease at Les Bois Park to Lariat Productions. I objected to the lease transfer because the financial details of the exchange were not made available to the County or to the public. At the same time the transfer was being facilitated by my Commission colleagues, the owner/operator of Lariat Productions was being cited and penalized for selling alcohol to minors at Shorty’s Saloon, across Glenwood from the Fairgrounds. In addition to the Shorty’s Saloon issues, this individual’s long criminal record and business history were soon brought to my attention. After investigating the allegations and finding them to be with merit, I did everything I could to stop the deal, but to no avail. Subsequently, the County had to take legal action to terminate the contract when numerous problems, including the sale of alcohol to minors, and contract performance issues arose.

I stand up for what I believe is right and make sure that the public knows what is going on in Ada County government. I have a strong, consistent record of supporting both thriftiness and openness in government. It would be my honor to serve you again, if you choose to vote for me in November.

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.

There are things I’d do differently, but there’s nothing I’m ashamed of. ~ Georgette Mosbacher