Five Things You Need to Know about Who’s Running for Meridian Mayor

Name:  Tammy de Weerd

Age:  52

Profession:  Incumbent Mayor of Meridian

Political Experience:  Two-term Mayor of Meridian; four years on Meridian City Council; two years on Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission; six years on Meridian Parks Commission.

Top Three Goals as Mayor:

1. Make Meridian a “destination” city, not a “through” city.
2. Fund and rebuild Meridian Road interchange to help relieve traffic congestion.
3. Streamline city government to attract and retain businesses.

Name:  Gerry Sweet

Age:  54

Profession:  Owns custom firearms maker Shooters Wholesale

Political Experience:  Four years as Idaho State Senator.  Worked for U.S. Congressman Bill Sali.

Top Three Goals as Mayor:

1. Settle city hall lawsuit with Petra, Inc.
2. Pay down city government debt and save money for anticipated expenses.
3. Cut city government bureaucracy and regulations.

Name:  Jason Monks

Age:  43

Profession:  Owns window covering store, The Blind Gallery, and medical supply store, Valley Medical.

Political Experience:  First run for political office

Top Three Goals as Mayor:

1. Business friendly city government – reduce regulatory burden.
2. Government should not compete with the private sector.
3. No local sales tax option for Meridian.

Name:  Lisa Paternoster

Age:  43

Profession:  Marriage and family counselor

Political Experience:  First run for political office

Top Three Goals as Mayor:

1. Restore trust and hope to Meridian citizens and businesses.
2. Hire city information technology director and human resources director.
3. Day or series of days to focus on hiring unemployed or building up hiring skills.

Name:  Randy Pew

Age:  56

Profession:  Owns real estate research firm Mountainaire Research

Political Experience:  First run for political office

Top Three Goals as Mayor:

1. Slow down growth.  Release new property construction permits only when an existing property has been sold.
2. Attract manufacturing jobs to Meridian.
3. Performance based bonus for Mayor of Meridian.  Take 20 percent of the Mayor’s salary every year and set it aside.  City council or citizens decide whether to give the money to the mayor after or near the end of the four-year term.