Page 17 - Flathead Beacon // 4.27.16

H ELECTIONS 2016 H
Five Candidates Vie for Lincoln County Commission Four political veterans and one newcomer aim to represent Troy on commission
BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
All ve 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 di erent ideas and di erent 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 new- comer are running to replace Commis- sioner Greg Larson, who announced earlier this year that he would not run for a second term. Larson was appointed to the com- mission in 2014 after his predecessor, Ron Downey, stepped aside for health reasons.
Jerry Bennett, Anthony Brown, Rhoda Cargill, Lawrence Dolezal and Jim Ham- mons will appear on the June primary ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes will move on to the gen- eral 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 ve years as mayor from 2005 to 2010. He said he wants to take a more active role in guid- ing the county’s future and is especially interested in working with state and fed- eral o cials 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 man- aging 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 nd work. Dolezal, who served on the commission from 1987 until 1998, touted his experience in gov- ernment and the private sector. He also noted that he has worked in civil engi- neering for a number of years and that
those skills would be useful in deciding how to maintain the county’s infrastruc- ture and roads.
“I have experience that a lot of the other candidates just don’t have,” he said. Bennett, who has served on the Mon- tana House of Representatives for eight years, also raised concerns about local infrastructure and noted that the coun- ty’s rainy day fund for road repairs and other maintenance continues to dwin- dle. 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 o 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 meet- ings to better understand the issues that surround her. She said the fact that she has never held elected o ce is an advan- tage for her in the race.
“I’m going to bring a di erent voice to the county commission,” she said. “All of the other candidates have held o ce, but I haven’t, which means I can bring a com- mon sense, solution nding perspective.”
jfranz@ atheadbeacon.com
FOR ALL
SHE’S
DONE
as bright and beautiful as a garden! Honor her unwavering devotion this Mother’s Day with a Tele ora Garden Pitcher.
Woodland Floral & Gifts
755-5959 • 647 6th Ave East, Kalispell www.woodland oralkalispell.com
KALISPELL’S HOTTEST HOMES MOVE-IN READY!
Love grows
Only the best!
CALL NOW!
Westcraft Homes
Jodee Yachechek: 406.407.4834
Silverbrook Realty
Call Larry Sartain: 406.871.5000
Falcon Real Estate Group Andrea Falcon: 406.249.7429
APRIL 27, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
17
MLS
337989 338304
337988 337986
21600175
319620 21600337 21601151
ADDRESS
465 Northridge Dr
159 Northland Dr
231 Northland Dr
441 Hilltop Ave
259 Northland Dr
255 Oakmont Lp 118 E Monture Rd 445 Hilltop Ave
STYLE
Ranch
Ranch w/Walk-Out Basement
Ranch w/Walk-Out Basement
Split Level
Two-Story w/Walk-Out Basement
Two-Story Townhome Ranch
Split Level
BD
3 53
53 43
5 3.5
SCAN HERE on your smartphone to see a list of quick possession homes or visit westcrafthomes.com/quick-possessions
www.westcrafthomes.com
BA
PRICE
$339,000 $459,000
$449,000 $355,000
$589,000
2
4 2.75
3 2 $419,000 4 3 $349,000
$389,000