Erickson, Thackery hope to bring unity, positive change in Rexburg City Council race

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is the second of three stories on candidates running for Rexburg City Council in November 2023. Read the first article here. Read the third article here.

REXBURG — Six candidates are vying for three open city council seats in Rexburg. Incumbent Bryanna Johnson is defending her city council seat, while Tisha Flora and Jordan Busby are not running for re-election.

These are the other five candidates: Rob Woodall, David Reeser, Brian Thackeray, Eric Erickson and Nathan Martin.

EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less. EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety, and without any grammatical or style editing.

The general election is on Nov. 7.

LIVE: Rexburg Mayor and City Council candidates debate

Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work and any prior experience in public office.

Thackeray: I’ve been happily married to my wife for seven wonderful years, and together, we’ve been blessed with two bright and lovely young daughters. My educational journey led me to graduate from BYUI in 2014, earning a bachelor’s degree. Following that, I gained valuable experience through various roles in the job market before taking the entrepreneurial plunge a few years ago when I launched my own business.

Recently, I’ve also dedicated my time to volunteering in our community, working to make a positive impact. It’s through this volunteer work that I’ve been inspired to take the next step and run for city council, with a deep commitment to bettering our community even further.

Erickson: I am a retired, long-term resident of Rexburg. Together with my brother and father, we operated Erickson Pontiac-GMC for over 53 years. During that time, I did everything from washing cars to completing multi-million-dollar finance deals.

I am a graduate of Madison High School (class of ’75), Ricks College, and am an alum of Utah State University (bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance).

My wife, Tami, and I raised our family of five children here in Rexburg and together produced five more graduates of Madison High.

I currently serve on the Rexburg Planning and Zoning commission and the Steering committee updating the Comprehensive Plan for the City and have served as the President of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce. I have served on various association boards and commissions including as president of the Idaho Auto Dealers Association and as a governor-appointed member of the Dealer Advisory Board of the Idaho Transportation Department.

Much of my experience in dealing with others has been associated with my church service. I served as a young missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Paris, France mission and together with my wife, recently returned from serving in the mission office of the Lyon, France Mission. I have served as a bishop and stake president here in Rexburg and have had wonderful opportunities to interact one-on-one with some of the very best people on the planet in those capacities.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Thackeray: Of all my achievements and experiences, the one I hold in the highest regard is my journey to becoming and remaining a devoted and caring father to my children.

Erickson: My family is hands-down my proudest accomplishment. There is nothing to compare to seeing your children making good choices and seeing them raising exceptional children of their own. Rexburg has provided the quality of life to raise our family in safety and security. As a member of the Rexburg City Council, I hope to be able to help maintain that quality of life as we, as a city, face growth that seems inevitable in our future.

Why are you seeking political office within your community? Briefly explain your political platform.

Thackeray: I’m running for political office in our community because I’m deeply committed to making positive changes that benefit everyone who calls our town home. My political platform centers around three key principles:

• Balanced Community Growth: I believe in fostering an environment where both students and families can thrive harmoniously. By addressing the unique needs of each group, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous community for all.
• Small Business Empowerment: As a small business owner myself, I’m passionate about nurturing local entrepreneurship. My platform focuses on reducing red tape, providing support, and creating opportunities for small businesses to flourish, ultimately boosting our local economy.
• Community Engagement: I’m dedicated to increasing community involvement and collaboration. While volunteering and engaging with local residents, I’ve been inspired to run for office. I aim to be a voice for the community’s concerns, ensuring that we work together to address our shared challenges and aspirations.

In summary, my candidacy is driven by a commitment to balanced growth, small business development, and increased community engagement. I believe these pillars will lead to a brighter and more inclusive future for our town.

Erickson: The reality of it is that I am approaching this opportunity to serve without a personal agenda. My motivation in seeking a position on the City Council is to give back some of what I and my family have received over the years living in Rexburg. I feel that my experience and ability to work with people will be an asset to the city as difficult decisions come before the council.

Since this is a non-partisan position, I hope to be able to avoid some of the divisiveness that is occurring in party politics and focus on the needs and concerns of the city.

What are the greatest challenges facing people in your community? What is your plan to meet those challenges?

Thackeray: The greatest challenge facing our community in Rexburg is managing our growth effectively while keeping our residents actively involved in the decision-making process. With the influx of students and the expansion of our town, it’s crucial to strike a balance that benefits both our student population and long-term residents.

By promoting community involvement and embracing sustainable growth practices, we can overcome the challenges posed by Rexburg’s growth, ensuring that our town remains an exceptional place to live, work, and learn for all residents, whether students or long-time community members.

Erickson: Growth of the community continues to be one of the major challenges facing Rexburg and its citizens. Infrastructure issues such as building and maintaining roads and providing clean water and adequate sewer services will always be issues as we grow. Public safety in the form of police and fire services will continue to feel pressure. There is a growing effort focused on the city providing more amenities such as parks and recreation facilities.

All these issues will take increased resources to build and maintain. I am dedicated to working with the various department heads to identify areas where resources are needed and areas of waste that can allow resources to be re-directed to those areas of most need. Fiscal responsibility will be my approach to the budgeting process.

How will you best represent the views of your constituents – even those with differing political views? How will you communicate directly with constituents?

Thackeray: I firmly believe in representing all the views of my constituents, even those with differing political perspectives. To achieve this, I’m committed to an open and inclusive approach to communication and engagement.

First and foremost, I will actively encourage and enable direct communication with constituents. I’ll maintain a strong presence on social media platforms, making it easy for residents to reach out, share their concerns, and provide feedback. I believe in the power of open dialogue to bridge gaps and find common ground.

Additionally, I will be an active member of our community, volunteering my time and participating in local events and initiatives. By being present and engaged in our community’s day-to-day life, I’ll gain a deeper understanding of our residents’ needs and concerns. This hands-on approach will enable me to be a more effective advocate for all constituents, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are well-represented in city council decisions.

My commitment to direct communication via social media and active involvement in the community through volunteering and participation will enable me to best represent the views and concerns of all constituents, regardless of their political affiliations.

Erickson: Listening, with the intent to understand and learn, is essential in the decision-making process. I believe that understanding all points of view and then acting decisively for the benefit of the city as a whole, should govern all that the city council does. I also understand that not everyone will agree with every decision. Effective communication with all stakeholders is the duty of the council and I will do everything possible to assure that the communication channels remain open and accessible. I have created a website, erickson4rexburg.com, where citizens can learn more about and interact directly with me if they have any questions or concerns about city issues.

What areas in your community need immediate improvement? What actions will you take to address those needs?

Thackeray: I believe that our community is doing relatively well, but there are a couple of areas that need immediate attention and improvement. Two key concerns that have been consistently raised by residents are our road maintenance and the need for more indoor activities for families during the winter months.

Erickson: I am concerned that we only have one road (2nd East) connecting the city from North to South and only two roads crossing Highway 20. This effectively creates three major sections of the city with limited access between them. I will involve myself in studying additional connections between these sections of the city and develop a plan so that as we grow to the North and to the West, we will have better access.

There is constant need to improve our existing roads. I will work with the road and bridge department to assure that there is a consistent plan in place to maintain and improve them.

What parts of the city budget could use more funding? Where are places in the budget that cuts could be made?

Thackeray: Rexburg’s current budget is relatively stable, and we have a reputation for being one of the lowest-taxed communities in the area. While our budget is generally in good shape, one area that could benefit from more funding is community programs, particularly those that provide families with activities during the winter months. These programs can contribute to the overall well-being and quality of life for our residents.

Regarding potential cuts, it’s essential to approach budget adjustments with caution, ensuring that essential services and infrastructure maintenance are not compromised. Any cost-saving measures should be carefully evaluated to minimize their impact on our community’s welfare and growth.

Erickson: The budgeting process is one of the most important jobs for the city council. My experience in setting and working within budgets will help me to identify areas where funding is needed and where waste can be eliminated. I feel that I can work closely with the department heads in the process and will scrutinize each budget carefully to assure our tax dollars are being used efficiently.

What is the role of local media in your community? How can city officials work to have a better relationship with the media?

Thackeray: Local media plays a vital role in our community by keeping residents informed, especially for those who cannot attend every city council meeting or stay updated on city matters. It serves as a bridge between city officials and the public, ensuring transparency and accountability.

To foster a better relationship with the media, city officials can engage in open dialogue. This involves regular communication with local media outlets, providing timely and accurate information, and being receptive to inquiries and feedback. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that our community stays well-informed, and our local media continues to play its essential role effectively.

Erickson:The media plays a key role in communicating city issues and can be effective in holding city employees and elected officials accountable to the public. The city has a good working relationship with the media, and I will work to continue that relationship.

It is important that city business remains the business of the citizens and will assure that our meetings are open to all and comply with the rules of the Idaho Open Meeting Laws.