Mike Gridley
Party: Democrat
Age: 48
Personal: Grew up in central Kansas. Wife, Darsey Gridley. Daughter, Kathryn, 22.
Education: Graduated from Beloit (Kansas)High School, 1974. Bachelor's degree in psychology from Central College of Iowa in Pella, Iowa(1978). Started law school at Washburn in Topeka, Kansas, and transfered to University of Notre Dame Law School, graduating in 1982. Member of the Idaho and Texas bar associations. 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training – University of Houston, 1999. 24-Hour Family Mediation Training – Fulcrum Institute, Spokane 2000.
Professional: Coeur d’Alene city attorney: 2002-present. General attorney for Union Pacific Railroad Company, Houston, Texas: 1989 – 2000. General Counsel for Northdale Construction Company, Houston, Texas: 1985-1989 Associate with Williams & Blizzard, Houston, Texas: 1983-1985.
Political: No previous political experience.
Key issues: Education: Adequate funding to reach all children. Also supports vocational education. Good-paying jobs: Have to have an educated workforce and that's why Idaho must fund schools. Need jobs with better wages and benefits and that means offering tax incentives to businesses that offer good wages and benefits. Need to grow the middle class. Protecting our way of life: Investing in preserving open space and protecting water and air quality.
Money raised/spent: Raised: $37,025 Spent: $25,071 as of Oct. 25.
Top contributors: $2,492 personal loan. $925 in-kind donation (mailings) from Coeur d'Alene attorney Scott Reed. $300 from the IAFF Local 1494 PAC. $1,000 IEA-PACE. $500 Jack Beebe of Hayden Lake,$500 Neighborhood Inc., $400 John Stone of Spokane.
Quote: "The power of the community is people working together.I think there are a lot of really good ideas not making it to Boise or if they are getting there people aren't following through. I think for things to approve we have to work together."
Key influence: Parents
Favorite book: "Health Care Meltdown" by Bob LeBow
First priority if elected: Taking the political party labels off and focusing on what people have on common, the goals for North Idaho.
Website: www.mikegridley.com
Email: mcgridleyusa@netscape.net
