News Release
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November 11,
2005
Boise State Alum Elected Mayor of Stanley at Age 22
Hannah Stauts, a 22-year-old alum from Boise State University’s Department
of Political Science, was elected mayor of Stanley in the Nov. 8 election,
making her one of the youngest mayors ever in Idaho, if not the youngest.
The final tally was 39-31; voter turnout was 69 percent.
While at Boise State, Stauts was president of the Women’s Lacrosse Club and
was instrumental in getting Boise State named as host of the league
championships. A 2001 graduate of Timberline High School, she worked as a
firefighter for the Forest Service in the Stanley area for three summers
before deciding to move there permanently. She is currently working for the
Forest Service in the summer and taking odd jobs in the winter.
Stauts decided to run for office at the urging of several residents,
including a former mayor. The part-time mayor’s job will utilize her
political science background as she tackles two main issues:
• The CIEDRA act, dealing with the economic and recreational use of federal
lands in Central Idaho. The act would allow Stanley to regain several land
parcels around its perimeter. Since the city is surrounded by federal lands,
there is little or no opportunity to widen its tax base. Gaining this land
would allow the city to develop or sell the land to generate much-needed
revenue.
• The lack of affordable housing in the area. Many low-income families live
and work in the area, but there are very few rentals available. “In order to
keep people working here and keep businesses going, we need to find a
solution to the lack of rentals,” Stauts said.
Despite her political science background, Stauts admits the job is a bit
intimidating (“I’m a little nervous,” she said. “It seems like baptism by
fire.”), she’s counting on area residents to help her out. Because the town
is so small, many residents have served a term on the city council or had
their hands in local government in some other way. She also plans to call on
her former professors for advice.
“Hanna was a very bright student and she was clearly interested in political
science and politics,” said Ross Burkhart, chair of the Department of
Political Science at Boise State. “We would certainly be happy to talk with
her further as she embarks on her term as mayor.”
Shelly Lucas, a kinesiology professor and adviser to the Women’s Lacrosse
Club, thinks also Stauts is up to the task. “She’s one of those people who
have a really good vision and takes the steps to try to make things happen,”
she said. “She’s a strong person, very passionate and determined to meet her
goals.”
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Contact: Ross Burkhart, Department of Political Science, (208)
426-3280, rburkha@boisesetate.edu
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208)
426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu
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Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005