Washington County hires a building inspector

WEISER – Danny Roark wasn’t looking for a new career when he found out about the vacant Washington County Building Inspector position.

 “I never anticipated being in a government job. But I decided to turn in an application,” he said.

 His decision proved fortuitous, and he was hired and stepped into the new position on Feb. 3.

 Roark isn’t a stranger to building codes or construction. The Payette native devoted most of his adult life as a contractor, constructing homes – including five for himself – across the lower Treasure Valley and Oregon.

 “I’ve probably built over 300 homes between Ontario and McCall,” he said.

 While he works his new position, he hasn’t “taken over officially.”

 “I have to get my certifications and that may take a little bit. Right now, it is a lot of codes and a lot of reading,” he said.

 Roark, 58, said he decided to apply because of the challenges inherent in contracting.

 “Overhead on the business is through the roof anymore and labor is a real problem in my business. This is a little easier than packing lumber,” he said.

 Roark said his biggest challenge now is a steep learning curve.

 “It’s taken a little bit to get used to,” he said.

 He said a key task now is to tackle the number of open permits in his office.

 “We issued those permits and they need to be finaled out,” he said.

 One new facet of his job, he said, is he now observes the work of other contractors. When he operated his own business, he did not have the time to preview work by other builders.

 Roark said the basic philosophy of his job is simple.

 “It is more of a safety protocol than anything. To protect people who are living in a home and those who may buy it. I don’t want to see anyone pay $500,000 for a house and get into and have to put another $50,000 into it,” he said.

 In his career as a contractor Roark said he’s learned “most people are good and fair if you are fair and straight with them.”

 He said he also learned how important it is to be impartial.

 “Fair is fair. If it is not fair to both sides it is not fair to anybody,” he said.

 Roark, who enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time, also learned over the years how to handle negative feedback.

 “You do the best you can. You’re not going to make everyone happy throughout life,” he said.

 Roark said he wants to be accessible to the public.

 “Anybody can call, or I can go out and answer questions and point them in the right direction,” he said.

 He said he is not an employee who procrastinates.

 “I’m probably what most people call a Type-A personality. I’m self-motivated and can’t just sit around,” he said.