New mayor making smooth transition Blad

POCATELLO — Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said his transition to public office has been smooth, but admitted there are some issues he was not prepared to address.

The staff and department heads have been cooperative and citizens are reporting that they feel more “in touch” with the city, he said.

Blad said as the city’s highest elected official, he will continue to strengthen Pocatello businesses.
“That’s why I ran for office,” Blad said. “I’m working to get people to buy Pocatello and to be proud of where they live.”

His next step is to get local businesses to work together to improve the community.

Blad admitted that there were issues he was not prepared to deal with, in particular, water rights and land use.

Last month, the City Council entered into an agreement with former Mayor Roger Chase to act as a consultant regarding water and land use issues.

Chase will be paid $1,500 a month to assist the city on water rights acquisition issues and will assist with issues at the Pocatello Airport associated with new land use ordinances the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are proposing.

“Recruiting Chase might not have been the best political move, but it was the best thing for the city,” Blad said.

February 8, 2010