dbryce@journalnet.com

BLACKFOOT - Planning and development wasn't Melodie Halstead's first career choice. But today Halstead, who has worked as the administrator of Bingham County Planning and Zoning for three years, can't imagine doing anything else.

"I absolutely love what I do," she said. "No two days are ever the same. People might be upset when they leave, but they understand and know it's not personal."

A graduate of Snake River High School, Halstead originally trained as a dental hygienist at Idaho State University. But she said a job opportunity with the city of Kuna intrigued her.

"I knew nothing about planning and development, but they were willing to train me," Halstead said.

During the dozen years that followed, the city, located east of Boise, grew from 1,550 residents to more than 11,000.

Halstead also worked for the city of Caldwell before taking her current position in Bingham County.

"Bingham County is coming home," she said. "My kids wanted to come home and be around grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles."

Halstead and her husband, James, have been married 19 years and have two teenage daughters.

When she's not in the office or attending one of several monthly meetings, Halstead said she enjoys riding horses, sewing and crafting.

Halstead serves as a 4-H leader and rides posse.

"That's kind of like a mounted drill team," she said.

She and James recently took up mounted shooting - firing a weapon from horseback.

"It takes a while to get the horse used to it," Halstead said.

Being able to return to her hometown to do a job she loves has been rewarding.

"I just can't think of anything else I'd like to do," she said.