Robert Chambers is a candidate for a seat on the Rexburg City Council. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Pocatello, Idaho where I met my of wife of 39 years, Robin Chambers. Together we have 5 children and 18 grandchildren. I obtained a master’s degree in Public Administration and a doctorate in Political Science, both from Idaho State University (ISU). Since then, I have devoted most of my career to public office and professional city management. In addition to the experience noted below, I have served on many local and state boards and am currently serving as a board member on the Rexburg Idaho Urban Renewal Agency.

Public Service (22 years):

• 16 years as City of Pocatello’s Director of Planning and Development Services.

• 6 years served on the Pocatello City Council.

Idaho State University (24 years):

• 2 years in Admission Counseling

• 7 years as Manager of the Business and Research Park and Director of The Center for Rural Economic Development.

• 15 years teaching as an adjunct faculty in ISU’s Public Administration program.

BYU-Idaho (10 years):

• Faculty member in the department of Religious Education.

2. What do you love about Rexburg?

The people, the University, the downtown, and the beautiful geography of the area.

3. How long have you lived in Rexburg and what brought you here?

We moved to Rexburg in 2011. I took a position teaching at BYU-Idaho in Religious Education.

4. Why are you running for city council?

I am running for public office because I believe in the purposes of local government and I enjoy the work of helping people accomplish those purposes which I believe to be:

a. To provide essential services to residents in the most efficient and effective way possible.

b. To involve and represent residents in determining public needs and deciding how best to meet those needs.

c. Helping the community develop and prosper.

5. What makes you a good candidate?

I believe my experience in local government, my approachable demeanor, my willingness to listen, my interest in serving, and my commitment to work hard for the residents combine to make me a good candidate.

6. What are your beliefs on managing the city’s growth?

I subscribe to a strategic approach to growth that identifies the opportunities best suited for the community and nurtures them. An approach that plans so the city and its surroundings can cope with the demands growth will place upon them. And an approach that benefits all residents to the maximum extent possible. Key principles to this approach include:

a. Maintaining a healthy and vibrant downtown.

b. Investing in public infrastructure to support growth.

c. Ensuring proper, but not overly burdensome regulation of growth.

d. Allowing growth to help pay for itself.

e. Helping to win support for the changes that come with growth.

f. Striving to maintain a high quality of life that attracts growth which includes elements of education, the arts, and recreation.

g. Electing strong and proactive community leadership.

h. Working cooperatively with other governmental units/agencies of government.

7. What are the most important issues that you think affect the lives of Rexburg citizens?

The issues of continuing growth, improving intergovernmental relations, and funding/improving local services are key issues for Rexburg residents now and in the future.

8. What do you want to achieve during your time on the City Council?

Specifically, and in addition to what I have already mentioned, I would like to see the city administer a citizens preference survey to determine, from the resident’s perspective:

a. How is the city doing in basic service delivery?

b. What services can be or should be provided better?

c. What services, beyond the basic, are most desirable?

9. In what areas do you believe Rexburg can or should improve, and how would you go about encouraging those improvements?

Street improvement/reconstruction and downtown parking are two areas for improvement. I will continue to support maximum dollar allocation to streets without compromising other basic services. I will support efforts of the Rexburg Urban Renewal agency to improve downtown parking working cooperatively with the City.

10. Any closing thoughts?

What I believe needs to be accomplished in Rexburg will require hard decisions and lots of civic engagement. I hope to be a strong advocate for dialogue that is purposeful, respectful, and actionable.