All five candidates for the Lincoln County Commission say strengthening the local economy is the most important issue facing the rural county’s government. Each person brings different ideas and different experiences that they say make them the best-suited to represent Troy for the next six years on the commission.
Four political veterans and one newcomer are running to replace Commissioner Greg Larson, who announced earlier this year that he would not run for a second term. Larson was appointed to the commission in 2014 after his predecessor, Ron Downey, stepped aside for health reasons.
Jerry Bennett, Anthony Brown, Rhoda Cargill, Lawrence Dolezal and Jim Hammons will appear on the June primary ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes will move on to the general election in November. The county commission race is non-partisan.
Hammons is the Libby city manager and spent nearly a dozen years on the Troy City Council, including five years as mayor from 2005 to 2010. He said he wants to take a more active role in guiding the county’s future and is especially interested in working with state and federal officials to ensure that mining and logging are part of the area’s future. He said government regulations are one of the biggest impediments to the local economy.
“We really need to do a better job managing our forests and natural resources,” he said.
Dolezal echoed Hammons concern for the economy and said it has personally impacted him. His children had to leave Lincoln County to find work. Dolezal, who served on the commission from 1987 until 1998, touted his experience in government and the private sector. He also noted that he has worked in civil engineering for a number of years and that those skills would be useful in deciding how to maintain the county’s infrastructure and roads.
“I have experience that a lot of the other candidates just don’t have,” he said.
Bennett, who has served on the Montana House of Representatives for eight years, also raised concerns about local infrastructure and noted that the county’s rainy day fund for road repairs and other maintenance continues to dwindle. He said new businesses would bring increased tax revenues to the county. He said the connections he has made while representing southern Lincoln County in Helena would be a valuable resource for the commission.
“We need to build a business-friendly environment,” he said.
Brown said the county’s economic future depends on taking advantage of the area’s scenic beauty. Brown, who was mayor of Troy from 1974 until 1979 and again from 2012 to 2014, said thousands of people come through Troy and Libby every year on vacation and locals need to do more to give those visitors a reason to stop and visit. He said an emphasis on tourism promotion could bring millions of dollars to the area economy. Brown added that he has the experience to help get big projects off the ground.
“I’m a mover and a shaker and I know how to get things done,” he said.
Cargill’s only venture into politics came six years ago when she ran for state Senate. Despite losing that race, Cargill said she regularly attends public meetings to better understand the issues that surround her. She said the fact that she has never held elected office is an advantage for her in the race.
“I’m going to bring a different voice to the county commission,” she said. “All of the other candidates have held office, but I haven’t, which means I can bring a common sense, solution finding perspective.”