Veteran, Freshman Face Republican, Democratic Foes Gop Challenger Clark Says Vandenberg Out Of Fresh Ideas

Challenger Jim Clark portrays his opponent, Rep. Marv Vandenberg, as a nice guy who has been a politician for too long.

“He was first elected in 1950. His ideas aren’t fresh,” said Clark, who’s never held public office.

Vandenberg denies that. But there’s one thing the Coeur d’Alene men agree on: Property tax relief should be the top priority of the next representative from District 3, Seat A.

Whoever wins Nov. 5 will represent residents of northern Coeur d’Alene, Dalton and Hayden.

Republican Clark criticizes Democrat Vandenberg for opposing a successful 1995 bill that shifted $42 million from property taxes to the state’s general fund. That’s part of the money spent on maintenance and operation of public schools.

“He voted against it, saying it wasn’t enough money,” said Clark. “That seems like a lot of money to me.”

Vandenberg said he voted against the bill because it doesn’t help the homeowners who are feeling most burdened by property taxes. Instead, it mostly helps businesses, which pay the bulk of property taxes but haven’t made an issue of it with the Legislature.

“It wasn’t targeted to the right people,” Vandenberg said.

His solution: Allow homeowners a tax exemption on their land, not just their house, as currently is the case.

Education is another topic the candidates are hearing about as they ring doorbells.

Clark is eager to find a way for people to choose which schools their children attend. He said he likes the idea of charter schools (public schools that can operate with their own, parent-chosen priorities) and open enrollment (allowing parents to choose which public school their children attend).

Vandenberg has voted against both ideas.

But Vandenberg said he would be open to providing government vouchers that people could spend at private schools, as long as public schools weren’t deprived of money and the private ones were accountable for the money.

In separate interviews, Clark dwells on the need to cut state spending. Vandenberg voices special concern about protecting underground drinking water supplies.

“The water is such a personal thing and such a valuable thing,” he said, emphasizing that the state should monitor wastewater and industrial chemicals, and make sure residents are notified quickly of possible contamination.

Clark is a business consultant who’s delighted when people say he has their vote because he’s not an incumbent.

Vandenberg is a retiree who said he hopes his political experience will pay off in votes.

“There are things I haven’t accomplished,” he said of his decision to run again. “I have the know-how and ability that, if I talk long enough, I’ll get people to listen.”

, DataTimes MEMO: See individual profiles by name of candidate.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOUSE DISTRICT 3A Term: Two years. Spends spring legislative session in Boise. The pay: $12,360 per year.