No Place Like Home
"Pocatello is where I raised my children, met my beautiful wife, started a small business, and served as a Police Officer for 16 years. I have built strong ties in this community and have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. Pocatello is my home, it's where I plan on spending the rest of my life"
- Greg Cates -
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
(what people are saying)
Over the past few months, I have received comments and feedback from several thousand people who live and/or work in Pocatello. I've also met with business owners, land owners, and community leaders. We spoke about all things Pocatello - The good, The bad & The ugly. First I'll share what they said (actual comments) then I'll discuss ways to cultivate a more unified and supportive community.
THE GOOD
"The great outdoors, people in the community, small town vibe, close to everything, historical buildings, enjoy all seasons, college town, beautiful surroundings, good place to raise kids, endless outdoor recreation, decent cost of living, historic old-town district, a city with lots of potential, Ross Park pool, wonderful memories"
THE BAD
"Armpit of Idaho, stagnant economy, lack of jobs, high property taxes, nothing to do, limited family activities, needs a new mayor, wasteful city spending, infrastructure is crumbling, roadways are dangerous, huge drug problem, school closures, run-down properties, lack of affordable housing, good-ole boys club, needs better shopping and restaurants, lack of code enforcement, too many car washes, apartments and trailer courts, subpar school district, poor city management, congested roadways, homeless transients"
THE UGLY
"Yellowstone Avenue, center street underpass, everything looks worn out, potholes in roads, no pride in ownership, weeds everywhere, Westwood Mall, mismatched store fronts, needs a serious facelift, abandoned vehicles, empty businesses left to deteriorate, car wash on every corner, the cemetery, our city's reputation, government corruption"
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I have learned over the past few months that our community is very divided in thought, vision, and purpose. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that we live in a very beautiful valley with endless recreational opportunities. Most would also agree Pocatello has the potential to be something great, it just needs new leadership. But there are certain issues that are so polarizing that we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
The question is, as Mayor, how will I effect positive change in our community and make Pocatello a better place to live for everyone? There is an old saying “Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” With that in mind, I believe the following steps are crucial to my success:
Understanding the community, fostering open communication, practicing integrity and accountability, leading with empathy, encouraging participation and involvement, staying educated and well-informed, being adaptable and open-minded, delegating and empowering others, staying resilient and persistent, and engaging in self-reflection.
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MY TOP PRIORITIES
TAXES & SPENDING
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much"
- Ronald Reagan -
People always ask "how are you going to reduce property taxes?" The answer is simple - The Mayor controls the budget, the budget controls property taxes.
City budgets are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. Each line item is a reflection of our community's priorities and values. Every dollar allocated in the budget impacts the services you receive, the quality of life in your neighborhood, and the future development of our city. Whether it's funding for public safety, road improvements, or new parks, our city's budget directly affects your daily life.
Each year, the city prepares and the Council adopts a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In conjunction with the budget process, the Council decides how much property taxes they will need to fund tax-supported services like streets, police, fire protection, parks, library, cemetery, etc. The Council also reviews utility rates and other fees as part of the budgeting process.
When expenditures (spending) exceed revenue (income), the shortage is passed along to the citizens in the form of property taxes. This happens every year and, unfortunately, the gap between income and spending is growing wider and wider. In 2025, your property taxes will cover 53% of the general fund.
Lets take a quick look at Pocatello's budget over the last 4 years (FY2022 - FY2025): In 2022, expenditures were $136 million, citizens paid $31.7 million in property taxes. In 2023, expenditures were $156 million, citizens paid $32.2 million in property taxes. In 2024, expenditures were $167 million, citizens paid $33.1 million in property taxes. In 2025, expenditures are listed at $164 million, citizens will pay $34.1 million in property taxes. As you can see, government spending has a direct and substantial impact on property taxes.
Everyone I speak with agrees that government spending and property taxes are a serious problem in Pocatello. One could argue that high property taxes are the very reason our city is struggling with economic growth. When comparing the 10 largest cities in Idaho, Pocatello routinely ranks at the top for highest levied tax rates. Unfortunately, 2024 was no exception. Pocatello was once again ranked #1 in the state.
When city government increases financial pressure on homeowners due to wasteful spending, it results in rising property taxes that eventually put the dream of owning a home out of reach for many who can afford a mortgage but not the taxes.
Property taxes don’t just affect homeowners, they also affect our economy. Businesses won’t invest in Pocatello if they are being taxed to death. Teresa McKnight, the CEO of Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho (REDI), told the mayor and City Council that data obtained via REDI’s site selection process with various businesses interested in setting up shop in East Idaho suggests high property taxes are a major detriment. McKnight stated “One thing that has come up consistently has been costs.” McKnight added “The second thing that’s been a factor, especially with the one company we are talking to right now who is looking to move their entire operation here … is they just don’t know what is happening with your property taxes. We have people that are looking at homes right now and when they look at the cost comparison of what they are paying in California … and what their property taxes are, it’s a concern for their employees.” Unfortunately, our mayor discounted everything Teresa McKnight said in that meeting, her contract with the city was subsequently terminated.
As Mayor, I will make it my priority to eliminate wasteful spending and improve the efficiency of our city government. This will result in substantial property tax relief for every homeowner and renter in Pocatello.
One very recent, controversial example of wasteful spending is the $94,000.00 rebranding project that involved the design of a new city logo and tagline "The One and Only." For some reason, our mayor and city council decided to hire an out-of-state company to complete this project rather than hiring a company from within our own community and helping to boost our own economy. Estimates to fully implement this new logo and tagline citywide have ranged from $2,000,000.00 to $3,000,000.00.
I will mandate that every city department head prepare a budget that is sustainable and aligned with our mission to reduce wasteful spending. We will assess our current financial situation, set clear goals, prioritize essential expenses, incorporate sustainable practices, and consistently monitor spending. By working together, we will submit a budget to city council that is balanced and efficient. A budget that is focused on reducing property taxes and allocating funds to essential needs first to ensure the integrity of our public safety, city services, infrastructure, transportation, and housing.
Aside from protecting your hard-earned tax dollars, I will shine a light on spending and bring transparency back to our budgeting process. I will require that every dollar spent be easily tracked and understood by members of our community. After all, it's your money, you deserve to know what it's being spent on. Let’s work together to strengthen public trust, streamline budget communications, and create a more accountable financial future for our community.
I understand my position on reducing spending may cause some to believe I will be needlessly cutting jobs and services, but nothing could be further from the truth. I want everyone to know, It is not my intention to eliminate city services or employees. I worked for the city for 16 years and I truly value the dedication and hard work of everyone who works there. I also understand your families rely on you to earn an income.
Fortunately there are more rational, effective ways of reducing spending than taking a hacksaw to the workforce or cutting services. For example, when someone quits or retires, I will get together with supervisors and department heads to determine if it's necessary to fill the position with someone else. If it doesn't make sense, then the position could be eliminated. The resulting savings could then be shifted to better pay and benefits for existing employees or help fund essential services. The process is called attrition and it's commonly used during times of financial strain or when trying to manage a budget.
Other ways to reduce spending include weighing needs versus wants, asking ourselves is it necessary or just more convenient. For instance, do we need 260 employees running around with P-Cards (city credit cards)? Over the last few years, P-Card purchases have totaled between $300,000.00 to $500,000.00 per year with very little oversight. Does every supervisor need a take-home vehicle? Do we need an on-site NAPA Auto Parts store inside our city's Fleet Services Department at a cost of thousands of dollars every month? Do we need to be spending millions of dollars to subsidize Delta Airlines profit-loss margin and expenses?
There are many other examples where our city could adjust spending and reduce the budget. I believe we need to focus on being fiscally responsible whenever possible in order to bring much needed relief to our taxpayers.
PUBLIC SAFETY
"Safety isn't expensive, it's priceless"
- Jerry Smith -
"Public safety is something we all take for granted until it’s compromised. It’s not just a concept, it’s the foundation of a thriving community. When people feel safe, they’re free to live, work, and connect without constant worry. It’s what allows neighborhoods to flourish and businesses to grow."
Public safety is a broad term that encompasses a variety of measures to protect people, their rights, their property, and their quality of life. It includes crime prevention, law enforcement, emergency response, public health, safety education, and infrastructure. In the realm of public safety, the adage "It takes a village" holds particularly true. Through strategic partnerships with our first responders and the community, we can enhance emergency response and build a safer, more prepared community.
As mayor, I will focus on improving public safety and quality of life for everyone. That includes safer streets, safer neighborhoods, and safer schools. I will provide full support to our Police Officers, Firefighters, and Paramedics, by making sure they have all the resources necessary to do their jobs. I will utilize my 16 years experience as a Pocatello Police Officer to evaluate our processes and support proactive measures that address risks, reduce crime, enhance safety, and strengthen community relations.
I was fortunate to have served 18 months as the Community Resource Officer and Public Information Officer at the Pocatello Police Department. During that time, I streamlined crime reporting, encouraged community involvement, reimplemented a neighborhood watch program, and improved transparency within the police department. I also fostered strong working relationships with surrounding law enforcement agencies, community organizations, business owners, local charities, news organizations, and members of the judicial system. I will utilize that experience and the connections I have built to empower our community to take an active role in creating a safer, more secure city for themselves and their families.
JOBS & ECONOMY
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it"
- Ronald Reagan -
Idaho has been ranked as one of the "best places to live" and "fastest growing states" in the country. Cities like Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls have all experienced record breaking growth and prosperity, but not Pocatello.
Pocatello is situated in the perfect location, surrounded by beauty and endless outdoor recreation. Two major interstates literally converge at our front door. Pocatello has an airport, a railroad, and a university. It's conveniently located within a few hours of Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, and some of the best fishing, hunting, and skiing in the country. So why isn't Pocatello flourishing like everywhere else in Idaho?
Some say it's intentional, that our city leaders don't want Pocatello to grow. Others say it's too expensive and difficult to develop land or start a business in our city. Regardless of opinion, there's no arguing the fact that Pocatello's economy is stagnant, showing little to no substantial growth over the last 16 years.
When comparing the 10 largest cities in Idaho, Pocatello routinely ranks at the bottom for population growth, economic growth , workforce growth, industry growth (-8.2%), and median household income. As a direct result, Pocatello has the highest poverty rate at 13.9% living below the poverty line, compared to the Idaho average of 10.1%, and the percentage of our citizens relying on food stamps has remained mostly unchanged while other comparable cities have reduced their citizen's reliance on government assistance. (US Census Bureau 2010 - 2023)
We need to establish policies that promote smart growth while supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses to our city. We must focus on creating jobs that pay a livable wage and offer long-term employment opportunities that enable people to lead productive, prosperous, and meaningful lives. More jobs and growth will result in higher household incomes and revenue streams that will help alleviate the burden of high property taxes.
There are several ways to strengthen our economy and make Pocatello a more desirable place to do business. SICOG recognized three pathways: Elevate Industry, Advance Individuals, Strengthen Communities. As mayor, I will work with our city council, city departments, and members of the community to accomplish the following goals:
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Create a business friendly environment by reducing property taxes and regulations.
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Support local businesses by incentivizing them to increase wages and expand operations.
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Utilize tax increment financing (TIF) and business improvement districts to revitalize commercial centers.
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Stabilize the housing market by supporting regional housing partners who address housing needs and solutions.
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Streamline permitting and approval process, making development more timely, cost-effective, and predictable.
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Develop / implement a city-wide marketing strategy.
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Involve our community and local business owners in the decision-making process.
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Energize existing industry and commerce.
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Build partnerships between ISU College of Business and local business owners, Career Path Internship Program.
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Support start-up businesses by developing accelerator programs that help them overcome challenges and scale quickly.
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Build a stronger identity for Pocatello (who are we?) by adopting a consistent messaging platform.
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Optimize public transportation for easier access to jobs, shopping, services and recreation.
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Develop long-term economic sustainability.
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Work strategically with local & regional economic development partners to attract new businesses.
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Address aging infrastructure, support advancements in technology.
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Encourage entrepreneurial business start-up development and growth by offering resources for success.
My vision for Pocatello is a city that offers everyone the opportunity to live, work, and play right here in our own backyard. A big part of that vision involves keeping our families together, which is why it's imperative to retain our locally educated and trained young adults. We need to create a job market that affords them ample opportunities to stay here, instead of moving away to start a career, start a family, or buy their first home. When our children move away, and our families are broken apart, it weakens our community and impacts our quality of life. Keeping our families together is crucial to the success of Pocatello.
TRANSPARENCY
“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”
- Patrick Henry -
Why is transparency important in government? And what is the connection between transparency and good government?
Government exists to serve their constituents — the people who live and work in the community. Citizens have a right to know how their government conducts public business and allocates taxpayers’ dollars. Government has a duty to share this information with the people they serve, which is really where accountability begins. A good, just government, therefore, keeps the best interests of its citizens at the forefront of its efforts and is open and transparent in the process of serving them.
The benefits of openness, transparency, and accountability in local government: (JGPR Academy)
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Builds Trust: Transparency helps government build trust with the public, as it demonstrates a willingness to be open and honest about their actions, decisions, and policies.
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Enhances Accountability: By being transparent, government is held accountable for their actions, which can help to prevent corruption, fraud, and other unethical behavior.
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Improves Understanding: When government is transparent, it helps to improve the public’s understanding of complex issues, policies, and regulations, which can lead to more informed and engaged citizens.
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Increases Credibility: Transparent communication from government can increase their credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of the public, as it shows a commitment to being honest and open.
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Promotes Participation: Transparency can also promote participation in government processes and decision-making by giving the public a greater sense of ownership and involvement in their communities.
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Mitigates Risks: Being transparent can also help government mitigate risks by addressing concerns and issues early on, before they escalate into larger problems.
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Encourages Innovation: Finally, transparency can encourage innovation and collaboration by creating an environment of trust and open communication, which can lead to new ideas and approaches to solving problems.
As your mayor, I will work diligently to ensure a transparent and accountable government that puts the best interests of our community first. I believe in open communication, responsible decision-making, and efficient use of resources to create a city government that truly serves the people. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous Pocatello where every voice is heard, and every decision is made with integrity and purpose.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
“Homelessness is neither a disease nor a crime...but a very serious problem.”
- Timothy Pina -
There's no quick fix for the affordable housing crisis. Housing affordability is one of the biggest problems affecting our society today, one that is difficult to define and even more difficult to solve—hence our current affordable housing crisis. And, it doesn't help that Idaho is the second-least affordable housing market in the country, according to recent data from the National Association of Realtors.
While many communities in Idaho have a sufficient supply of rental homes overall, these homes are typically too expensive for renters with the lowest incomes. Seniors and people with disabilities live on fixed incomes that do not keep up with rising housing costs, and wages for many workers are too low to afford existing rental homes, even in communities that have raised the minimum wage. Because of high housing costs, these renters are always one financial shock away from the risk of eviction, and in the worst cases, homelessness.
In Idaho, a full-time worker must earn an hourly wage of $23.06 to afford the average Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom rental home in the state ($1,199). To afford this rent and utilities, without paying more than 30% of income on their home, a household must earn $47,969 annually. This housing wage assumes the individual works 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. A minimum wage worker ($7.25 hourly) would need to work 103 hours per week or 2.6 full-time jobs to afford a 1-bedroom apartment at FMR, or work 127 hours per week or 3.2 full-time jobs to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at FMR. (Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition)
So how do we make "affordable housing" more affordable? For decades, the U.S. has tried numerous solutions like philanthropic projects, public housing, federally underwritten mortgages, housing vouchers, and federal tax credits. All of them have helped and failed in one way or another.
What about the private market? Well, the private market cannot afford to create new affordable housing either. Most developers rely on loans to fund their projects, loans that are out of reach when the units cannot generate enough revenue to pay lenders. Affordable housing is not affordable when the cost of building the units exceeds what the people meant to live there can afford to pay.
Research by the Urban Land Institute and National Housing Conference found that even after making huge project cuts, building the units for free and spending nothing on maintenance, the projects were still millions of dollars short. The rent that extremely low-income households (whose income is 30% of area median income or less) can pay is not enough to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the buildings.
So are there any real, viable solutions to this seemingly unfixable problem? Industry experts believe city and state governments have several tools to address the affordable housing crisis. Here are some key strategies:
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Increase Housing Supply
Zoning Reform: Upzone areas to allow for higher-density housing, mixed-use developments, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Streamline Permitting: Reduce red tape and expedite approvals for affordable housing projects.
Utilize Public Land: Repurpose vacant or underused government-owned land for affordable housing developments.
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Provide Financial Incentives
Tax Credits & Subsidies: Expand programs like Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to incentivize developers.
Rent Control & Stabilization: Implement or expand policies to protect tenants from drastic rent increases.
Inclusionary Zoning: Require new developments to include a percentage of affordable units.
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Support Renters & Low-Income Residents
Expand Rental Assistance: Increase funding for Section 8 vouchers and emergency rental relief programs.
Strengthen Tenant Protections: Implement just-cause eviction laws and rental registries to prevent exploitation.
Invest in Public Housing: Upgrade and maintain existing public housing while ensuring new developments are well-funded.
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Encourage Alternative Housing Models
Community Land Trusts (CLTs): Support nonprofit land ownership models that keep housing permanently affordable.
Cooperative Housing: Encourage shared ownership models that reduce costs for residents.
Micro-Housing & Modular Construction: Support innovative housing designs that lower costs and speed up construction.
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Address Homelessness Directly
Housing First Programs: Prioritize stable housing before requiring employment or sobriety.
Supportive Services: Expand mental health care, addiction treatment, and job training for at-risk populations.
Encampment Solutions: Develop safe, sanctioned spaces with access to services as a transition to permanent housing.
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Partner with Private Sector & Nonprofits
Public-Private Partnerships: Work with developers, banks, and philanthropies to fund and build affordable housing.
Employer-Assisted Housing: Encourage large employers to contribute to workforce housing solutions.
When it comes to affordable housing, there is no quick fix or panacea. Given their limited budgets, state and local governments can only do so much. Developers' pockets are not endless. Household income does not magically increase, nor rents conveniently drop. Only by combining our efforts can we hope to make a dent in this challenging problem.
“It is of the utmost importance that Pocatello elects a mayor who puts public safety first, prioritizes property tax relief, spends your tax dollars wisely, and delivers city services efficiently. We need someone who’s capable, accountable, and committed to serving the people of Pocatello."
WHY AM I RUNNING FOR MAYOR? I'm running for Mayor of Pocatello because this city is part of who I am. This is where I raised my children, met my beautiful wife, owned a small business, and served for 16 years as a police officer. Some of the proudest moments of my life occured right here in this beautiful valley. Pocatello isn’t just where I live — it’s my home, it’s my future. But, I look around and I see a city that’s struggling. I see potential being wasted, opportunities slipping away, and families wondering if this is still the place they want to build their lives. Like most of you, I'm not happy with the direction our city is headed. I can’t just sit by and hope someone else will fix it. I believe in this city too much. Fortunately, the opportunity has presented itself for me to step up and do something about it, so I'm running for Mayor. I'm not running to make a name for myself. I'm running because I love this community, and I believe we all deserve better. I would be honored to have your support and your vote this November 4th. Thank you!
WHY AM I THE BEST CHOICE? The Mayor's #1 responsibility is ensuring the safety and security of the community. Having served as a Pocatello Police Officer for 16 years, I am the only candidate who possesses the training and experience necessary to effectively fill that role. I've handled over 30,000 calls for service. I spent 10 hours a day, 4 days a week, for 16 years patrolling every inch of this city. I have a unique perspective of Pocatello and the citizens who live here. I know this city inside and out, I know what happens at night when the lights go out, I know the struggles our community is facing. No other candidate has seen what I've seen or risked their life on a daily basis to protect your family.
WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CANDIDATES? I have spent most of my life as a public servant and business owner. My experience doesn’t come from textbooks or classrooms. My experience comes from decades of hands-on, real-life situations that have taught me how to remain focused, solve problems, and survive under the most stressful conditions imaginable. During my career in law enforcement, I learned the importance of treating people fairly and with respect, having a strong moral compass and unquestionable integrity, being an effective communicator, having the courage to risk my own life for someone I’ve never met, being able to solve problems quickly under extreme pressure, getting people to listen and compromise, showing empathy and compassion for others, being able to take charge during emergencies, and being strong enough - mentally and physically - to go home at the end of the day and fill my role as loving husband and father.
WHAT ARE MY VALUES? I was raised by my father. He worked three jobs to provide for our family. He was a full-time San Jose Police Officer, a bank teller, and a grocery clerk. He sacrificed everything to make sure I was well-cared for. My father was my hero, my protector, my best friend. He taught me that anything is possible if you try hard enough and never quit. He instilled in me the importance of family, hard work, accountability, sacrifice, integrity, courage, fairness, independence, and compassion. To this day, I apply these values and principles to every aspect of my life.
WHY IS THIS ELECTION SO IMPORTANT? Pocatello has been struggling for way too long. It’s time for change. It’s time to elect a mayor who can usher in the next chapter for our city. A mayor who will rebuild trust in our city government, reduce wasteful spending to lower property taxes, make livable wages and affordable housing a priority, keep our families together, improve the safety and security of our community, improve our infrastructure, build safer roads, protect open spaces, and work diligently to improve quality of life for everyone. There is so much work to be done, but through a collaborative effort between citizens, community leaders, local organizations & activists, city council members, department heads, local government agencies, Idaho State University, business owners, and experts in the field of economic development, I have no doubt we can make our vision a reality.
WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE FOR ME? I've received comments and feedback from thousands of people over the past few months. What I'm hearing is very troubling. A lot of citizens are saying they've lost trust in our city government. They are tired of being silenced, fooled and ignored by the very people they elected to protect them. I also find myself questioning the effectiveness of our city government and the motivations behind their decisions. I watched as Mayor Blad removed public comment from city council meetings. I've also witnessed our Mayor and City Council trash talk surrounding communities and insult our own citizens for daring to speak out against their agendas. This is not the way a city government should be conducting business. Our elected leaders should exhibit intelligence, grace, patience, and a commitment to respond diplomatically to public comment they may not agree with. Genuine leadership recognizes a variety of opinions exist within the community and values the ongoing public debates that occur between government and its people. When I'm elected Mayor, I promise to bring integrity, transparency, accountability, and open communication back to our city government.
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