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​Hi Buhl! My name is Anita Tatge, and I am running for one of the four-year city council seats.
I am a lifelong resident of Buhl who raised/raising my kids here, and now get to watch my granddaughters grow up here. I love my community and am excited to serve if chosen. I have a strong background in higher education, small business training, and volunteer board roles, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Workforce Development. A unique piece I bring is that I am tuned well into my strengths. According to the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment, my top strengths are:
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Input
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Responsibility
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Arranger
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Learner
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Connectedness
All of these combined have led me to carry multiple leadership opportunities and a sense of responsibility to serve. If not you, then who??
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My motivation for running is to serve this little town of Buhl that has done so much for me and my family. It is time for my generation to step into leadership roles and serve our community. I have worked with Economic Developers and city leaders in past roles with the Idaho Women’s Business Center, and it is time to get some work done in Buhl.
At my core, I want to preserve our hometown vibe and preserve our traditions, while promoting responsible, sustainable economic growth. I am also a huge fan of running water and garbage pick-up :).
City Councilman (4 year term)
Anita Tatge
Service
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How are you currently serving in Buhl? What past or current community activities have shaped your approach to leadership?
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I am a current trustee for the Buhl Public Library and a former board member of the Buhl Chamber of Commerce.
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Transparency
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How do you plan to address the community’s concerns about trust and transparency in local government decisions?
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This is going to take grassroots efforts and a communication plan. The city does SO MANY good things that we need to celebrate. I would also like to see the city council meeting become available for live stream so it is more accessible for all residents.
Division
How will you work to bridge divides in our community, especially among groups with differing views?
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This goes back to a solid and open communication plan and a reminder that no matter what divides us, we all have a lot in common. We all want running water, flushing toilets, and filled potholes. Let’s build on the things that link us as a town.
Public Input
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What role do you believe public input should play in your decision-making process if elected?
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Public input is crucial to leading this community. A great example is the 2024 Buhl Comprehensive Plan that the city is currently working on. Over 200 citizens responded to the survey sent out, and they are using community feedback to shape the future needs/wants of Buhl. I believe it is not MY town, it is OUR town.​
City of Buhl - urgent needs
What is one specific issue facing the City of Buhl that you believe needs immediate attention, and how would you approach it?
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I want to do a complete SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) of the wages of city employees. The pool and the library struggle to fill their open jobs, and I have a hunch that low wages are part of the problem of a lack of qualified applicants.
Trailer Parking and the Pool
The city council’s decisions to close the community pool and ban trailer parking on city roads have sparked significant debate. How would you address these concerns and balance community needs with safety and budget restraints?​
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Open communication and community input is critical. For example, the trailer ban has been in city code for a long time, it has just recently been enforced. The city needs a comprehensive communication plan to help citizens understand the how and why of these complex problems. If elected, I want to learn as much as I can about both of these situations and get community feedback so we don’t face the same problems going forward.
City Infrastructure
What strategies would you propose to improve Buhl’s infrastructure and services while maintaining fiscal responsibility?
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First of all, I would work with our experts who are already doing the work. I will rely on our city employees and lean into leaders who have years of expertise in infrastructure. It is also going to take collaboration with county, state, and federal leaders to make sure we are utilizing all of our resources for repair/growth.
Economic Development
How would you support economic development in Buhl to attract businesses and jobs while preserving our small-town character?
​I want to work in collaboration with the Buhl Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, and also help inform our citizens that we live in an IRS Opportunity Zone, which can offer certain tax benefits for businesses to invest in Buhl. Preserving our small town culture is something that is sewn into Buhl’s core, and my votes on the city council will reflect that.
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