Toby Schindelbeck
A candidate for City Council, Position 1, City of Coeur d'Alene in the 2015 Nov. 3 Idaho General Election
Age: 37
His words: “I’m a job creator. I’m well aware of what it takes to open a business and create jobs in an economy that’s not conducive to that.”
His pitch: Schindelbeck says the city needs to hire about 30 more police officers, for a total of 100. Instead of raising taxes, he supports eliminating the public art budget, limiting annual raises for city employees, and eliminating the city’s urban renewal district, which he calls taxation without representation. To spur economic development, Schindelbeck suggests the city look at waiving or deferring impact and developer fees, deferring property tax for a year, and streamlining the building permit process. To improve blighted areas, the city could freeze property taxes for 10 years on projects in those areas. He said he’s not an ideologue and would work with other councilors to find middle ground.
Experience: Moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2003 and opened NutriShop, a sports nutrition and weight loss store, on Government Way. Serves on the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee as a state committeeman.
Related Coverage
Huckleberries: Coeur d’Alene newcomer misfires in challenge to incumbent Edinger
Toby Schindelbeck, a relatively recent California transplant, should fire the advisers helping him run his campaign for the Coeur d’Alene City Council. First, he angered some residents in a debate with Councilman Ron Edinger by saying he knows from his experience in California how to help Coeur d’Alene avoid becoming another Oakland. Or Spokane. Coeur d’Alene residents love being told by a newcomer – especially from California – what they’re doing wrong. Not. Secondly, Schindelbeck’s campaign circulated a flier stating that Edinger is a “registered Democrat” and a career politician. Many Lake City residents consider a Democrat to be almost as bad as an ex-Californian. Funny thing, though? Edinger is a registered Republican. Finally, the Second Amendment Alliance of southern Idaho supported Schindelbeck by depicting Edinger on its Facebook page as being anti-gun. But Edinger owns three guns and is part of a gun-loving and hunting family. The Second Amendmenters advocate permitless carry of concealed firearms. They misfired at Edinger because he voted for a city ordinance that banned guns from Coeur d’Alene parades. The ordinance was put in place years ago to prevent the defunct Aryan Nations from carrying loaded firearms during its reign of annoyance. So who’s counting? Is that strike three for Schindelbeck? We’ll find out on Nov. 3. Technical difficulties
Huckleberries: CdA council race eerily familiar for English
Dan English is experiencing the ultimate “what goes around comes around” moment. Six years ago at this time, as Kootenai County clerk, Dan was about to circulate instructions to local towns about the approaching city elections. Among the races that fall was the one between Coeur d’Alene incumbent Mike Kennedy and challenger Jim Brannon, then the executive director of Habitat for Humanity. The Kennedy-Brannon race was going to be contested for months after the vote count, as a result of a legal action filed by Brannon and settled by the Idaho Supreme Court. On election night, Kennedy won by five votes. When the dust settled many months later, Kennedy was still declared the winner – by three votes. Now, fast forward to today. English is the executive director of Habitat for Humanity and seeking a Coeur d’Alene council seat held by an incumbent. And Brannon? He’s now the county clerk whose office will count votes in the Coeur d’Alene election in November. English has two wishes at this point: to win the three-way election for Councilman Steve Adams’ seat. And to win by way more than five votes. Sweet deal