My Bio
As a 10-year resident of St. Anthony and a semi-retired Operations Director, Ron Kushner brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his candidacy for St. Anthony City Council. With a proven track record of service on various City Neighborhood Planning & Advisory Boards, Parks & Recreation Commission, and YMCA Community Outreach Programs in other cities, Ron has never been afraid of getting his hands dirty. He has managed the cleaning and upkeep of the city's Jr. High School and our Rexburg Temple, as well as interacted with a local foundation in the restoring and preservation of our beloved Henry Fork River. Ron is well-equipped to represent the interests of St. Anthony's residents. With a deep understanding of the community's needs and a commitment to effective governance, Ron is poised to make a positive impact on the City Council. As a seasoned leader and engaged citizen, Ron is dedicated to serving the people of St. Anthony and working towards a brighter future for our community.
My Key Issues
RESTORE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
"As a candidate for St. Anthony City Council, I am committed to restoring our neighbor streets, repairing sidewalks and curbs, and maintaining clean public spaces. I will work to protect our community's assets and ensure that our city remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family." I have proven plans for: *Greatly enhanced snow plowing of our streets. *Improved weed abatement of our curbs, sidewalks and streets. *Making all of our neighborhood streets walkable and rideable. *Helping our neighborhoods with property improvements and blight removal".
PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
"I am a "Livable Street Advocate". I will prioritize enhanced traffic and speed control measures to ensure safe roads and work to establish a true community policing approach that builds trust and fosters a collaborative relationship between law enforcement and our community. I am supportive of Mayor Powell's plan to have the vacant Army Reserves station on West Main Street granted to the city for an expanded and accessible Police Station. * To encourage the adaptation of the DOJ's / DOT's program of "Eyes On The Street", a community watch program that embraces the fact: faster traffic encourages crime. Slower traffic, quiet neighborhoods, looked over by slow moving motorist and homeowners watching from their homes, deter crime and prevent it. *To ensure all laws, city ordances, code enforcement is executed fully and fairly to all citizens of St. Anthony".
DOWNTOWN
"Our community deserves a Downtown which delivers the services and infrastructure we need to thrive. We must develop a Strategic Plan: *Identify the issues, by assessing the downtown's current challenges. *Develop a collaborate vision for downtown. *Engage residents, business owners and other stakeholders through meetings and workshops to define shared goals. *Invest in robust infrastructure by prioritize pedestrians with walkable sidewalks, bike lanes managed parking, improve landscaping and a free fiber optic network. The fiber optic network would be expanded throughout the rest of the city in stages. We can fund the improvements by use of available state, federal and private grants which are fully available, ex. GEM, CBDG, RCIF etc.”
STANFORD FIELD AIRPORT
"I support our local airport as a crucial driver of economic growth, job creation, and city competitiveness. To maximize its potential, I would like to work with the Airport Manage/Broad Members and the various stakeholders on a proposed "Runway to Revenue" initiative. This program aims to transform the airport into a destination location, attracting visitors and generating revenue beyond traditional aeronautical income. Key aspects of "Runway to Revenue" include: *Creating diverse revenue streams, such as dining and short-term "fly & stay" hangers *Developing a themed airport experience, honoring pioneer female pilot Margaret Stanford *Establishing a local flying club, offering pilot training, aircraft repair classes, and flight competitions * Adding Sightseeing and Skydiving operations. *Creating a dedicated airport website and listing the airport on the city's website By becoming a destination, the airport can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and enhance the city's competitiveness. Federal, state, and private grants are available to support these efforts. The "Runway to Revenue" program is designed to leverage the airport's potential, driving economic growth and interest, and benefiting both the airport and the community. By refreshing our thinking about the airport and its revenue streams, we can justify the city's investment and create a thriving airport district of activity".
PARKS & RECREATION
"As a champion for our community's quality of life, I envision a robust and year-round Parks & Recreation department that offers a diverse range of activities and facilities. My vision includes: *Building a state-of-the-art Sports Field House, similar to those in Rexburg and Rigby for all residence of the city. *Exploring the possibility of an all-season Aquatic Center, which would providing swimming lessons and exercise classes for our residents. For our outdoor enthusiasts, I plan to: *Optimize the use of our local shooting range and host hunting competitions, fostering a sense of community and promoting responsible gun ownership. *Celebrate our region's rich fishing heritage with a full range of classes, trips ands contests. A key priority is completing the Henry Fork River Greenway Pathway connection within St. Anthony. A recent BYUI study provides a roadmap for achieving this economically. I also aim to explore opportunities to extend the pathway to surrounding cities, such as Ashton and Parker, and potentially the Sand Dunes, creating a regional network that promotes outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic growth".
FULL TRANSPARENCY IN CITY BUSINESS
"Transparency and accountability are crucial to building trust between our city business and its citizens. I will work to make our city's operations more transparent by implementing the following measures: *A clear and easy-to-use website. Listing all Departments. *Detailed posting of all city department's agendas and minutes. *Easy-to-understand explanations of city budgets for all departments. *Live streaming of all city meetings. By taking these steps, we can ensure that our citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered to participate in our city's decision-making process."
PERFORMING ARTS THEATER
I'm thrilled to support the School Bond Measure on the November 4th ballot, which will bring a world-class Performing Arts Theater to our schools and community. This exciting project will feature a state-of-the-art theater with over 900+ seats, hosting a diverse range of performances and events. I understand that some of you may have concerns about the Bond Measure, and I want to address them directly. **Rumor: New High School I've heard rumors that a new high school is being planned, but I want to set the record straight: there are no plans to build a new high school. The cost is prohibitive, and instead, the school board is focusing on renovating and expanding our existing facilities. **Objection: Fixed Income I understand that the Bond Measure may be a concern for those on a fixed income. I live on a fixed income, and I want to assure you that the school board has carefully considered the costs. The estimated cost is approximately $7.00 per month on a home assessed at $400,000 - about the price of a Big Mac meal at McDonald's. **Objection: No Kids in School I understand that not everyone may have kids in school or use the proposed theater. However, the benefits of the Performing Arts Theater go beyond just the theater itself. It can enhance the overall quality of life for our residents, support local businesses, and attract visitors to our community. I don't like Bond Measure. But, I support our schools and the school board. I'm committed to working tirelessly to make this vision a reality. There is never going to be a right time. The longer we wait, the more expensive a theater will cost. Let's bring this incredible opportunity to life and enrich the cultural landscape of St. Anthony. Please, vote 'YES' on the School District 215 Performing Arts Theater Bond Measure on November 4th!"
PROPOSED RIVER PARK
"I'm excited to support the proposed River Park, a visionary project championed by Mayor Don Powell and Councilwomen Schuldies. This initiative has the potential to become a beloved destination for our community, and I'm committed to helping make it a reality. After careful consideration, I believe the optimal location for the River Park is upstream at the Fun Farm Bridge site. However, I also recognize that careful planning is essential to ensure the park's success. Key considerations include: *Adequate parking solutions *Effective traffic mitigation strategies Having worked on similar projects, I'm aware that developing a park of this magnitude requires significant investment and community support. It's a complex undertaking that won't happen overnight. I encourage all residents to review the feasibility study available on the city's website to learn more about this exciting project. By working together and engaging with this initiative, we can turn this vision into a reality and create a vibrant new hub for our community".
PROPOSED LOCAL OPTION TAX
"Local Option Tax or "LOT" is a voter-approved tax that provides funding for specific community projects, such as street improvements, infrastructure, or public services. A LOT is typically a temporary tax applied to specific goods and services, often targeting visitors and tourism-related activities. It is NOT a general property tax. In Idaho, the resort communities of McCall has benefited significantly from local option taxes, as they rely heavily on tourism for their economy. Local option taxes, such as a resort tax, allow these areas to collect additional revenue from visitors, which can be used to fund services and infrastructure that directly benefit tourists and residents alike. This proposed needs further study, especially on the potential side effects of working as a detourant to visitors/tourists".
OUR SENIORS
"I'm committed to ensuring that our senior citizens have access to the services and support they need to thrive. Here are some key initiatives I'd like to propose: • Public Transit: Reliable, frequent, and easy-to-board public transportation with discounted fares for seniors. • Paratransit Services: Providing paratransit or similar services for those who cannot use standard public transport. • Support for Private Travel: Designating parking spaces close to key destinations for seniors and people with disabilities. • Community Assistance: Organizing volunteer driver programs to help seniors with rides to appointments and errands. • Social Engagement: Supporting and promoting senior centers, clubs, and community events to combat social isolation. • Healthcare Access: Ensuring easy access to health services through clinics, home health services, and information on available programs. • Healthy Living: Encouraging healthy lifestyles by supporting farmers' markets and offering fitness programs. • Financial Assistance: Offering resources and programs for financial planning, budgeting, and applying for benefits. Utilities bill assistance. • Home Assistance: Providing services for help with chores, errands, and home maintenance. • Legal Aid: Making legal assistance programs for seniors readily available. By implementing these initiatives, we can create a more supportive and inclusive community for our senior citizens. I'm committed to working with city officials, residents, and stakeholders to make these services are in place and working effectively."
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. "How Do We Pay For It?"
"The city budget is more than just numbers on a page - it's a roadmap for meeting the needs of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. As a City Council member, I will be committed to fiscal responsibility, supporting our workforce, and ensuring that city residents continue to receive the quality services they depend on. *My goal is to balance the city's core responsibilities with a creative vision for improvement and innovation. *I believe we should have a comprehensive Budget Book available on the city website, outlining the City's planned revenues and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. This document would provide a detailed look at how funds are allocated across city departments, upcoming capital projects, staffing investments, and key initiatives that support St. Anthony's growth and quality of life. *I'm opposed to additional taxes, bond measures, or levies, and instead, I propose that we explore alternative revenue streams. I have successfully secured funding for projects and budgets in the past by leveraging Federal, State, County grants, and private investment. *Instead of building permit fees, the city can fund services through general fund allocations, impact fees to new developments, or public-private partnerships. These alternatives can reduce the financial burden on cities homeowners and make their home improvement projects more transparent and efficient. *Furthermore, I support implementing a "circuit breaker" on taxes for our senior citizens (65+ years), which would exempt them from paying property taxes. This proposal is currently being studied by state and federal agencies, and I believe it's worth exploring and potentially enacting in our community."
ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY....and our Pets!
"As an advocate for public-private partnerships, I believe that collaborating with private businesses is crucial to achieving our economic development goals in St. Anthony. By working together, we can accomplish more than we could separately. With our average resident income significantly below the county and state averages, I will be a strong advocate for securing more resources and funding from Boise, Fremont County, and Washington. It's time for St. Anthony to receive the attention and investment it deserves, leveraging our unexplored skilled workforce, higher education institutions, and community needs. Additionally, I propose that we pursue certification as a pet-friendly city through the "Better Cities for Pets" program, a initiative of Mars Petcare. This program recognizes cities that take actions to improve the lives of people and their pets. To achieve this certification and receive a $50,000 grant upon certification we can work with partners to: Reduce pet homelessness and increase adoptions. Create pet-friendly green spaces for exercise and recreation. Educate citizens about responsible pet ownership. Support local veterinarians and kennels. As a St. Anthonian, I know how much our community loves their pets, and I'm committed to ensuring they receive the care and services they need."
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!