Wallace City Council: James (Jon) Jonathan Ruggles

James (Jon) Jonathan Ruggles, 65, is running for Position No. 1 of the Wallace City Council and, if elected, plans to be approachable and have a designated cellphone that residents can text.

“As a result of terminal tongue cancer which I beat 16 years ago, I have been left with a diminished voice,” he said. “However, with faltering voice, I am able to get more done for the public than others that hold positions and even run a business. I use other tools than voice to communicate.”

Ruggles is running against David DeRoos for the position.

His education includes attending California State University San Bernardino where he graduated with honors and received a BA in political science. He also went to the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business and received certificates in transformational nonprofits, grant writing and fundraising strategies.

He and his wife, Debi Ruggles, have been married 41 years and the two have one son.

Ruggles’ relevant experience includes working in municipal management as a planner, and then as an administrator in charge of solid waste, recycling, rent control, beautification, franchise fees and special events. As a municipal contractor, he says he was hired to bring efficiency to a solid waste transfer station, hunt down lost revenues, and help establish a recycling mulching facility.

During his time in Wallace, he was the chairman of the East Shoshone Hospital District for 14 years, president and founder of Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails for 16 years, co-chair of the Wallace Flower Project for five years.

Specific issues Ruggles would like to address include opposing the current plan to build a new Public Safety Building, updating the city’s master plan, giving proposed ordinances by the Planning Commission a fair hearing and increasing efficiency.

“I will work hard to make Wallace a happy and attractive place to live. That requires a change in the way we do some things — some of it seasonally...I will also focus on our deteriorating sidewalks, municipal beautification, dilapidated structures, and expand quality of life issues including the arts, farmers markets, events and local business.”