Mose "Mo" Dunkel
Candidate for: Sandpoint City Council
Age: 37
Years of residence in Sandpoint and Bonner County: 22 years in town and 37 in the county
Marital status/family: Married to Janice. 5 boys Justin, Blake, Layne, Graham & Tucker
Contact information:
290-1888
[email protected]
Education:
Recent or pertinent employment history: I've worked for my families business, Dunkel Logging Inc. For 20+ years management for 15+ years.
Public offices held:
None
Nonprofit groups, service or professional organizations to which you belong: sandpoint junior tackle football, little league, rec department volunteer, knights of Columbus
What particular experiences or skills qualify you for office?
Common sense, leadership, down to earth, I've negotiated contracts through the the bid process with the Idaho department of lands, the forest service and large private land owners, Also with small land owners. I was a licensed real estate agent for five years. Very experienced with environmental impact issues. I've spent my life getting up early and working late like most residents here, my real life experience from birth here connects me to this city. I've handled large budgets and 15 employees before and also a small budget and a family.
1. How many city council meetings or city committee meetings have you attended in the past year? Why are you running for City Council?
None. I want this to be the best place on earth to grow up.
2. Among the myriad issues facing the city at present, what do you consider the single most important issue, and why? Please describe any other issues you feel are important.
Finances, huge budget, tons of fees, special interest projects that have a small long term benefit. Revenue is slipping away with business struggling and residential growth stagnant.
3. The city contributes funding for the SPOT bus, which provides daily free transportation between Sandpoint and Dover, Ponderay and Kootenai. SPOT officials this year have asked for a larger contribution from the city; do you favor or oppose increasing the city’s contribution to the SPOT bus?
I like the spot bus but for a area this size and the fact that it's free to use is troublesome because it's not realistic to keep funding it forever without finding a way to pay its own way. I'm in favor of letting people under 18 ride for free and charging adults for a pass to ride all month or year. All options should be explored.
4. In August the City Council approved a resolution calling for a study of the impacts on the city of an increase of coal trains from Wyoming to the coast, projected to add 40 more additional trains through town daily. What is your position on the coal trains?
5. The city of Sandpoint in September facilitated in the Idaho Rural Partnership Community Review, in which a team of rural development experts from around the state surveyed town and is preparing recommendations for enhancing local resources and fostering economic vitality in Sandpoint. Did you personally attend any of the review sessions?
No I did not. Reduce or eliminate fees, streamline or eliminate business related ordinances, look for meaningful incentives for local business to remain in town and to recruit new business to move into town, mostly try to make sure city government isn't hurting business.
6. As of October 1, the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association was dissolved and the city awarded the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce the contract to manage the downtown Business Improvement District. Do you have a position in regards to the management of the BID?
I don't believe in government redundancy, the BID failed and I think it's time to move away from any unnecessary taxes or obligations on businesses.
7. Seeking to revoke a decade-long joint powers agreement, the Independent Highway District has begun withholding an estimated $370,000 per year of tax money paid by city residents that has been going to the Sandpoint street department for maintenance. The city has filed a lawsuit to have the joint powers agreement declared valid. Do you support the city's position in this case?
Can't we just get along? Lol sounds like the city made someone mad or didn't hold up their portion of the agreement. My opinion won't change the ruling in court.
8. Many streets in town have no sidewalks, or only partial sidewalks, and require pedestrians to walk in the street. The city's Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee has proposed a long-term plan for sidewalk improvement that would require installation and repair of sidewalks when residential properties are sold. Do you favor or oppose this proposal? What solution would you propose for construction and maintenance of safe sidewalks through town?
I oppose it. This is an imposition of special interest ideals. I grew up in town and I've walked many miles on and off sidewalks, I don't believe this is a popular idea and the cost makes it not feasible. It hinders property sales and is yet another mark against people choosing to live here and do business here.
9. The aged Memorial Field grandstands face likely condemnation within a few years. City Council has approved final design for a $1.2 million grandstand reconstruction project, with fundraising undertaken by the nonprofit Friends of Memorial Field. Would you support allocating city funds for the grandstand project?
I do support the city spending money on Barlow stadium. It is an iconic location which deserves the highest quality attention. Funding the project ensures future families enjoy it for many generations. We can only hope it adds up as good as the current stands have for so long.