Candidate Name:
Mike Bullard
Candidate Mailing Address:
Box 2528
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816
Email:
mabullard@gmail.com
Website:
http://mikebullard.org
Political Party (If partisan race):
Old Time Democrat
Years of Residence in Jurisdiction: 17
Describe your educational background (including degrees, certifications and
life experiences):
• Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Maryville College, Maryville, TN
• Master of Divinity, McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL
• Doctor of Ministry, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL
Thesis: Attitudes of Clergy Toward Victims of Sexual Violence
• Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament, Presbyterian Church in U.S.A.
• 35 years, work in inner-city, suburb and “downtown.” churches.
• Honorably Retired Presbyterian Minister
• Independent Study Graduate Student, University of Idaho
Describe your community involvement (including civic groups, appointed/elected
positions and dates):
• Current member, Institutional Review Board, Kootenai Medical Center (Reviews cancer research, consent forms, ethics,)
• Vice President of board, 2010, and 7 year chorus member, Opera Coeur d’Alene
• Former member of board and volunteer Women’s Center, Coeur d’Alene. Also was on board of women’s shelter in previous community, and have written and spoken as advocate of domestic violence prevention and response.
• Co-chaired elementary school boundary committee for Coeur d’Alene School District, 1995
• Was trustee of Magic Valley Regional Medical Center, chairing their personnel and credentials committees, 1989 - 93.
• Prevented closure of a school similar to Project CDA, in Southern Idaho, by housing it in a church building until a facility could be built, 1989 - 93
• Received “Citizen of the Year” award in another community for community youth activities. 1986
Describe your employment history for the past 10 years including dates:
Served as senior pastor and head of staff, First Presbyterian Church of Coeur d’Alene, 1993 to 2009 – 16 years, managing a city block campus with $5M in assets, and $300K annual budget. Helped that church upgrade facilities, bring in technology, develop a pre-school, facilitate Family Promise, and maintain community ties by hot meals, annual clothing giveaway, educational events and public performances. Broadcast sermons for 16 years on Sunday mornings on KVNI radio.
What are your three priority issues and why:
I have a passion for education because I believe knowledge is the lifeblood of a democratic society. Without knowledge a young person has no chance for a career. Without knowledge a people have no freedom. Thus free public education for all young people is a deep moral obligation. It is also good business since educational systems both provide an educated work force, and attract families who attract businesses. Recent cuts in education are not simply a result of the recession. Before the recession Idaho was 48th in the nation in per student expenditure. Options for better funding of schools without new taxes and without borrowing or cutting other programs were not even considered by the Boise power structures. It is time to restore public education to a priority.
I believe in jobs and business for the working people of North Idaho. Several legislative opportunities to help North Idaho businesses were lost this session because of partisan issues in Boise.
I want to work for clean, open government, where there are no partisan sacred cows. I will seek to cultivate open debate with many viewpoints, and to work cooperatively with all parties toward a shared goal of benefitting the people.
