Meet Kuna Mayor, Joe Stear

Joe Stear, Kuna Mayor, grew up in Kuna since 1965, graduated from Kuna High School, raised his family in the community and has been a successful Kuna business owner for the last 37 years. Since 2012, Mayor Stear formerly served as a Kuna City Council member and has been actively involved with the Community, Economic Development Committee, Downtown Revitalization and serves on the Legislative Committee for the Association of Idaho Cities and is the Kuna City representative for the Ada County Emergency Management System. He joined the Kuna Rural Fire District in 1979 and was a firefighter until 1996 at which time he became a Fire District Commissioner and served in that capacity as Chairman of the Board until he stepped down January 13, 2016. Mayor Stear is a past president of the Idaho State Fire Commissioners Association and served on their legislative committee.

Notable Positions:

• Chair of the Allumbaugh House Group.
• Chair elect on the COMPASS Executive Board.
• 2nd Vice Chair of the AIC Executive Board.
• Vice Chair Valley Regional Transit (VRT).

Here We Have Idaho is a local radio show heard on KSPD 790 AM and 94.5 FM translator. Here We Have Idaho is a show focusing on celebrating Idaho and all that makes Idaho great. Hear We Have Idaho will focus on the issues and events that impact Idaho’s citizens and families. Each week we will visit those that are writing Idaho’s story and keeping the spirit of our state song alive with hosts Victor Miller and Tom Luna.

Robert Simison-Mayor of Meridian, Idaho

Born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, Mayor Robert Simison graduated from Whitman College with a degree in history and has spent his life focused on advancing policy priorities at the local and national level. Mayor Simison’s service to Meridian began in 2007 after he worked at the Nation’s Capital, and he has been a champion for common sense policy solutions to address community challenges.

Elected the 26th Mayor of Meridian in 2019, Mayor Simison focuses on meeting the needs of residents by delivering premier services to the public and improving the transportation network, while ensuring that Meridian remains a safe community built around families.

Mayor Simson’s efforts have led to advancing road projects such as the Linder Road overpass, and the building of two new fire stations and a police precinct. Additionally, under his leadership, the Meridian Police Department has implemented a Crisis Intervention Team, added School Resource Officers dedicated to elementary schools, and expanded its focus on drug prevention efforts. Mayor Simison is also focused on enhancing services for families to live, work and play. This includes the expansion of Discovery Park, and investments at the Lakeview Golf Club and the Meridian Pool.

Mayor Simison is active professionally in Meridian, Idaho and nationally. Along with several board roles as Mayor locally, Mayor Simison served on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation from 2020-2023 under Presidential appointment in 2020. He has been actively engaged with the Meridian Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years and is a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho and the Association of Idaho Cities. He is also part of the Idaho Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition

Mayor Simison is a husband to Jenny, and father to Ethan, Natalie, and Ryan. The Simson’s live in south Meridian and enjoy skiing together throughout Idaho each winter.

Here We Have Idaho is a local radio show heard on KSPD 790 AM and 94.5 FM translator. Here We Have Idaho is a show focusing on celebrating Idaho and all that makes Idaho great. Hear We Have Idaho will focus on the issues and events that impact Idaho’s citizens and families. Each week we will visit those that are writing Idaho’s story and keeping the spirit of our state song alive with hosts Victor Miller and Tom Luna.

Here We Have Idaho is a local radio show heard on KSPD 790 AM and 94.5 FM translator. Here We Have Idaho is a show focusing on celebrating Idaho and all that makes Idaho great. Hear We Have Idaho will focus on the issues and events that impact Idaho’s citizens and families. Each week we will visit those that are writing Idaho’s story and keeping the spirit of our state song alive with hosts Victor Miller and Tom Luna.