Former City Councilman running for Shelley Mayor

SHELLEY — A former city councilman of 13 years has decided to run again, but this time it’s for mayor.

Lorin Croft has announced he is running for mayor against incumbent Stacy Pascoe in the upcoming November 2, election.

“I like Stacy, he’s a nice guy. But I think I can do a better job,” Croft told Community Pioneer.

Croft grew up in Firth and graduated from Firth High School. He moved to Shelley in 1983. He said he still has a lot of friends in Firth, but he’d rather live in Shelley.

“I just like the whole feel of Shelley. I just like the size of it. I wouldn’t move to Ammon or Idaho Falls. You couldn’t pay me to move to Ammon or Idaho Falls,” Croft said.

Croft was first elected to the Shelley City Council in 1988 and served a full four-year term. He said chose not to run for a second term so he could finish his degree and focus on raising his six children.

He said that the person who replaced him on the council eventually decided to leave before finishing his term to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The council appointed Croft to fill the vacant seat and finish out the term. Croft went on to be elected for another two terms.

He said his experience on the City Council would help him if he were elected as mayor.

“Really, I don’t want to accomplish anything. I mean, it’s a nice town. I think we’re growing a little bit too fast. I think we need to put the breaks on a little bit,” Croft said when asked about what he would like to accomplish if elected.

Croft currently serves on the Bingham County Planning and Zoning Board.

“There’s so much growth out in the county,” Croft said. “It’s cheaper to build out in the county. I understand that. But the city has to grow out at the same time.”

Along with city growth, Croft said Shelley’s sewer situation is a problem he would focus on if elected. He said he believes there are issues with the East Idaho Regional Waste Water Authority that he would like to address.

“EIRWWA they can’t even charge people for sewer. They don’t have the means to do that,” Croft said. “We went a little bit weak in our leadership there in getting that done. Then, of course, we’ve got to expand it some more.”

He said he wants Shelley voters to have a choice for who they vote for.

“If you’re happy with Stacy, vote for Stacy. If you think we need a change or a choice, vote for Lorin,” Croft said.

People can find Croft on Facebook by going to Lorin Croft for Mayor.

Pascoe was elected in 2013 as Shelley’s mayor. In the last mayoral election in 2018, he ran unopposed. Prior to becoming mayor, Pascoe served on the City Council.

“Actually, I’m glad he’s running because last time nobody ran against me. I put no effort out. I put a couple of signs out just because,” Pascoe said. “This way, at least I have to get out, put some signs out and talk to people and see what their complaints are and their concerns are. I like that.” 

The election is on November 2. Early voting begins October 18 and runs through the 29.