I’d like to give a little background to those that don’t know me. My family moved to the shore of Gamlin Lake in 1975. My Dad was a logger, and my Mom is retired from a 30+ year career with Litehouse Foods. My sisters and I went to grade school at Sagle Elementary, attending middle and high school in Sandpoint. I have lived minutes from Downtown all of my adult life, it’s literally been my backyard. Sandpoint is my hometown.
I paid my dues as a teenager in Sandpoint in the ‘80s. Believe me, it was tough to get work with the lumber mills closing and tourism still not a big thing. But at least the rent was cheap. I shopped at Harold’s IGA almost everyday in the ‘90s. My son, who is the third generation born at BGH on his Dad’s side, arrived in the early ‘00s.
In 1990, luckily I found a job with a fledgling drink ware printing company, now called Clearwater Gear. I’ve had the good fortune to have an ongoing 33 year career there as a screen printer and graphic artist. It’s been a wild ride, through recessions and good times. I’m so honored to work with these people I now call family.
When my son was a toddler, I decided to get involved with a few of our local non-profits. I was board chair of the Arts Alliance for many years and I’m so happy to have that legacy carrying on today as Creations. In more recent years, I’ve been a volunteer commissioner with the Sandpoint Arts Commission. I became the chair of the newly combined Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Commission a few years ago.
Which brings me to why I’m running for Sandpoint City Council. Sandpoint has approached a fork in the road. The influx of population means that change is inevitable. We are going to have to choose whether we let the growth happen unchecked, or we take the reins to fix the known problems while fighting to keep our small town community character. As a long time local, I believe I have a unique perspective to bring to the council. Thank you for your support.
Together, we have the experience of the past to guide our vision of the future.
Elle Susnis for Sandpoint, P.O. Box 11, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
ellesusnisforsandpoint@gmail.com
Paid for by Elle Susnis for Sandpoint, Carol Kovalchuk Treasurer