Stake President runs for Mayor (Hayden mayoral race timely)
Spokane WA Spokesman-Review 29Oct99 D2
Stake President runs for Mayor (Hayden mayoral race timely)

HAYDEN, IDAHO -- When Hayden's incumbent mayor pulled out of the elections a few week ago, it left voters with only two choices. The two remaining candidates in this small city of 9000 situated just east of the Spokane, WA Metro area are running a timely mayoral race, literally. Time available for the job and reducing length of meetings have become key issues.

The choice is between local businessman Ron McIntire and former city Councilman Gordon Andrea.

Ron McIntire, 63, father of 7 and grandfather to 22; owns the Super 1 grocery chain, which has 760 employees and 6 stores in Idaho and Montana. He is also the president of his stake, vice president of the Inland Northwest Boy Scouts Council and active in the Avondale Irrigation District, supplier of City's water. He is also a former school board member.

Because of those existing weighty commitments, Councilman Andrea, 61, says, Ron McIntire doesn't have time to be a good and effective mayor. Andrea is just a concession stand owner who has run a stand on nearby Coeur d'Alene's city beach for 14 summers, and who builds concession stands for sale in the off-season. Thus, he is billing himself as a "full-time, full-service mayor" who has the time to study issues, represent citizens and monitor government accountability.

But Pres. McIntire says he has made time for his numerous civic involvements and has time to be mayor, as the city has a city manager and the office of mayor is just a policy making position. He does, however, plan to streamline the city's lengthy meetings, which frequently are continued because the council runs out of time to address everything.

"People don't need to spend their lives in meetings," McIntire said. His approach to the mayor's office is similar to his business philosophy: Hire good people and let them do their jobs.

A number of people in his community have asked him for years to run for mayor, but he felt that he had other more important things to give his time to. Currently five of his grown children also work for him at his stores, which is gradually freeing up his time.

Pres. McIntire admits that he knows little about the functioning of city government though he said he has attended few council meetings in the 30 years he's lived in the area. However, in his view, being mayor is about being a good leader and decision-maker. He said he's both.

"Anyone that knows me knows I'm honest and they know I'd do my best. I don't have a problem making decisions. Decisions should be made after you have all the information you need to make it," he said.