Page 17 - Flathead Beacon // 9.21.16

Newcomer Faces o Against Political Veteran for Lincoln County Commission Rhoda Cargill says new perspective needed on commission, while Jerry Bennett touts experience
BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
Four months after the June primary whittled the eld down to two, Jerry Bennett and Rhoda Cargill are facing o for an open seat on the Lincoln County Commission.
Bennett has served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican. Cargill’s only ven- ture into politics was an unsuccessful run for state Sen- ate six years ago; however, she said she is an active mem- ber of the local community.
The Lincoln County Commission is non-partisan. The winner will replace Greg Larson, who represents the Troy area.
Bennett emerged from a eld of ve in the June pri- mary as the favorite with 39 percent of the vote, while Cargill nished second with 17 percent. Besides serving in Helena, Bennett has been on numerous local boards, including president of the Libby Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the local hospital board. Bennett also previously owned a septic business.
“I have a lot of experience in leadership,” Bennett said.
Bennett said that experience and the relationships he’s built in Helena and locally would be invaluable if he were elected to the commission.
As Bennett looks to the future, he said the economy is the biggest issue in Lincoln County, which often has some of the highest unemployment rates in the state.
EXTENDED
Rhoda Cargill. CONTRIBUTED
Jerry Bennett. CONTRIBUTED
If elected, Bennett also said he would work hard to unite all three of Lincoln County’s biggest communities, noting that Libby, Eureka and Troy would be stronger if they worked together.
Cargill has said that the fact she has never held elected o ce is an advantage because she has the ability to look at issues with a fresh perspective. Despite the fact that she’s never held o ce, Cargill said she is a close observer of state and local politics, and has made trips to Helena to testify at hearings of local importance.
Cargill has family roots in Montana and moved to Lincoln County in 2003. Like Bennett, Cargill said the local economy is the biggest issue facing the area. She said the commission should do more to attract local business. She was critical of the current commission’s decision to work with a Missoula-based marketing rm to help rebrand Lincoln County because she believes that tourism won’t provide enough stable jobs for the area.
“Tourism should be a small part of the economy, but it can never provide people with living wage jobs,” she said. Cargill said the biggest advantage she has in the race
for county commissioner is that she is willing to learn. “My rst day on the job I’d be listening and talking with others,” she said. “Learning is a never-ending
He said it’s important for the commission to play a role in attracting new business to the area, especially at the county-owned business park in Libby. While Bennett said he supports e orts to use Lincoln County’s natu- ral resources, including timber, copper and silver, it’s important to have a diverse economy.
“We can’t just depend on one industry here,” Bennett said. “We need to reinvent Libby and Lincoln County as a whole.”
While many people have suggested tourism is the key to the area’s future, Bennett said that attracting new vis- itors couldn’t be the only solution.
thing.”
OR up to 2500 Cash
jfranz@ atheadbeacon.com
0%APR for
60 mos. on 10 different 2016 models
$
Back
2016 Corolla
also includes
2016 Camry Hybrid, 2016 Prius C, 2016 Prius V, 2016 Avalon, 2016 Avalon Hybrid, 2016 Sienna
2016 Tundra CrewMax
1Excludes TRD Pro (Cash Back varies by model)
2016 Prius L/B
2016 RAV4
1 2016 Camry 1.9%APR for
up to $1250 Cash Back!
60 mos.
OR
OR take advantage of Special Low Payment Leases
406.755.6060
2845 Hwy 93 South • Kalispell, MT 59901 kalispelltoyota.com
Every new Toyota comes with
The BEST Deals on the BEST in the NORTHWEST
0% APR for 60 months = $16.67 per $1,000 borrowed. Excludes RAV4 Hybrid. 1.9% APR for 60 months = $17.48 per $1,000 borrowed. $1250 Customer Cash Rebate on all new 2016 Tundra CrewMax (excludes TRD Pro & B/C Cabs) Cash back varies by model. All financing and offers on approved credit through TFS. Dealer doc fees vary by dealer. See dealer for details. Offers end 10/3/2016.*ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled service. Plan is 2 years or 25K miles, whichever comes first. The new vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial fleet, or a livery/taxi vehicle. See participating Toyota dealer for plan details. Valid only in WA, ID, MT, OR & AK. Roadside assistance does not include parts and fluids, except emergency fuel delivery.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
17