I am Adam Bertoldo, and I have chosen to run for city council here in Bonners Ferry. My family chose to move to the area last summer and we enjoy all of the things that make this a special place. I realize that being a newer resident does not help my chances here, but I believe I can be of service to the community.
I am not from California and I do not want to make “progressive” changes to the area that would ruin the place we now call home.
After graduating from high school in a small Texas town, I joined the US Air Force. I served for six years as a firefighter in the service. While stationed in England, I met my wife, who was also in the Air Force, and we were married soon after. Upon leaving the military, I became a city fire fighter/paramedic for over five years. It was here that I first got a glimpse into some of the workings of city and county government.
Around this time I had a desire to be self employed and we made the big decision to leave the stable job, move to Alaska, and I became a self-employed contractor. I started out doing handyman type jobs, learned and worked my way up to remodeling, and continued to learn and work my way up to home building. This was a 10 year process with struggles along the way.
Looking back I can see that the journey taught me valuable lessons and I now have more skills and abilities than when I started. I believe these strengths would be useful on the city council. While in Alaska, my family and I began to pay attention to local politics and the effects it has on the community. We were regular attendees at local government meetings, and were able to see how involved citizens can have a positive impact on the community. I would encourage all of you to attend some of our city council meetings.
We moved to this area early last summer, with our two children, and began looking at different areas in North Idaho. We liked this area the best and purchased a piece of land to build our home on. After completing our home, moving in, getting settled, and getting back into the work rhythm, I began to attend city council meetings.
I decided to run for a seat on the city council because I know business can be done better. Idaho law, title 50, requires that a proposed ordinance be read at three different meetings, two may be by title only, the third shall be a full reading. A provision is made that the council may vote to suspend that rule.
The state law does not specify the reason for this allowance, but I believe the intent is for urgent and unforeseen matters. The city council has made a habit of voting to suspend the rules on new ordinances. An ordinance is brought up for the first time, a vote is made to suspend the rules, reading is done by title only, and the ordinance is passed almost always unanimously and with no discussion.
A couple of the recent ordinances passed in this manner, to include the council’s own pay raises and the 2026 budget. I would like to see ordinances read over three separate meetings, following the intent of the law, unless a matter is urgent and unforeseen. I would also like to see discussion among the council before decisions are made, with an opportunity for public testimony during this deliberation.
As I have spoken with city residents, transparency in city government has been the concern that has come up most often, and I believe it can easily be solved.
I have also heard concerns about traffic, zoning, local business opportunities, permitting, etc., and I would like the opportunity to look into these and see what can be improved. I also welcome your ideas for possible improvement.
We are enjoying the small town values of the community, the friendly people, and our beautiful location. I have a love for our country and the values and principles that have enabled us to become the great nation that we are. I would be honored to serve this community and help to keep this a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Feel free to contact me with any ideas, questions, or concerns at adamforbfcitycouncil@icloud.com.
As a resident of Bonners Ferry for over 30 years I will agree with the fact that being new to the area it will be hard to get elected against the same old same old but this is what we need. Some new blood with some new ideas won’t hurt one bit. Thanks for your concern for our great community and good luck in your campaign.
Have you or will you be holding a meeting/rally so we may meet you personally?
I thought you needed to be a Bonners Ferry resident for 4 Years to run for city council?