Mark Mimura will be the new Public Defender for Canyon County, after his appointment Monday, June 29, by the Board of County Commissioners.
 
Mimura was one of seven attorneys who submitted letters of interest for the position, and one of four interviewed June 23 by the commissioners. He currently acts as Public Defender for Gem County, and practices criminal, family and administrative law with his sister, Susan Mimura.
 
The contract with current public defender, Weibe and Fouser, ends July 31, but commissioners voted this morning to send a letter to Weibe and Fouser asking them to continue on as Public Defenders until the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, which would allow Mimura more time to transition to the new position, and also to assist the county in maintaining a smooth budgeting process.
 
“We want in every way to make sure the new Public Defender is ready to go and to make sure they are able to provide exceptional service to the county,” Chairman David Ferdinand said.
 
Commissioners had good things to say about all four of the candidates they interviewed, but, according to Commissioner Steve Rule, “Mark Mimura has had experience running a business, he interviewed well and had good vision. I’m really impressed with his accounting background. That experience is key. He is very knowledgeable and will work well with the commissioners on budget issues.”
 
Commissioner Kathy Alder was impressed with Mimura’s grasp of finances, and said she believes having a Public Defender with a background in accounting would be a benefit to the taxpayers. “We as commissioners need to know where the money goes. With Mimura as our Public Defender, I feel like we’ll get the answers we need.”