Community seeks answers in candidate forum
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ST. IGNATIUS — In a neighborly gathering at the St. Ignatius Senior Center last Thursday evening, candidates in five local races discussed issues ranging from the condition of county roads to property rights and prisoner care.
Moderator Ruth Mahle kept the mood light with friendly banter as about 40 community members listened to candidate’s responses
Paula Holle, who is running unopposed for the office of Clerk and Recorder, and Chuck Wall, who is the unopposed incumbent for Justice of the Peace, both briefly described what their jobs entail and what services the Office of Clerk and Recorder and Justice Court provide.
Rep. Dennis Rehberg was in Washington, D.C., last week but sent a letter expressing his regret over not being able to attend the forum.
“I value the opportunity to listen to what my constituents have to say,” the letter read.
Mark French, of Paradise, one of Rehberg’s seven challengers for the U.S. House seat, said he’s running for Congress because he believes socialism and possibly even communism are “coming at (our country) full force.”
“I believe that freedom and liberty is more important than my own life,” French said. “I will keep my oath of office; when I swear it I will keep it, and that’s a unique thing. It’s not happening.
“We need to bring back the constitution, allow God back into our society and allow God to bless us.”
House District 12 Republican candidates Dan Salomon and John Swenson both attended the forum, and Democratic candidate John Fleming, who is unopposed in the primary, sent a letter saying he regretted not being able to make it.
Salomon said he believes the biggest issue in the upcoming legislative session will be the state budget, which was thought to have a surplus but due to the economic recession will probably have a deficit.
“Right now they’re scrambling to keep in the black,” Salomon said. “Best case scenario … we’ll be breaking even. (The budget is) going to be the issue that drives everything that happens in the coming legislature.”
Salomon said promoting job growth and protecting public lands are two more issues he will focus on if elected.
“We need to empower individuals and small businesses,” he said. “We need to protect the rights of Montanans to own guns and hunt on public lands.”
Swenson emphasized the importance of state’s rights, and said he’s running for office because he feels it’s time to “stop complaining” about the state of the government.
“I don’t want to be owned, and I want people standing next to me that don’t want to be owned by the federal government,” Swenson said. “We need to be individuals that are self-sufficient.”
Lake County Commissioner candidates Roy Anderson, Ann Smith Brower and Ron Merwin addressed issues like county roads and the county density map. Paul Tryon, the fourth candidate in the commissioner race, was not present. Anderson explained that his family goes back for generations in Western Montana, so he feels a deep connection to the area and wants to be able to serve his neighbors as a county commissioner.
“I have a foundational belief that county government has a fundamental ability to affect our quality of life,” Anderson said. “My roots go deep here, and it means a lot to me to be able to say that I can (help the community.)”
Brower, who works in the county elections office and is a volunteer with Lake County Search and Rescue, said, “I’m anxious to hear your ideas and solutions … as commissioners, we are here to serve you.”
Merwin, a retired Navy officer and small business owner, explained that he is Constitutionally conservative, and “I’m going to protect your property rights; I’m going to keep an eye on your taxes.”
All the commissioner candidates agreed that the issue of the roads in Lake County is a major point in the race.
“There’s a lot of debate about what we should do with county roads,” Anderson said. “I think for what we do and the budget that we have, we do a good job.”
“That’s something that we can continue, as with every department, to work on,” Brower added.
When asked for their opinions on the county growth plan, the commissioner hopefuls all said that no matter their personal views on the issue, the plan has been put into place and should now be followed.
“The density map and the growth plan infringe on your private property rights,” Merwin said. “A plan is good, but whatever plan you have … you need to have people working with you in accordance with the plan, not trying to change the plan. As your county commissioner, I will make sure that the plan is followed … I will protect your property right.”
Anderson added, “I believe in a vigorous debate … but when a decision’s made, you will find that I will unify with the prevailing decision and make it work.”
In the sheriff’s race, Republicans Art Walgren, Jay Doyle and Jeff Kingery attended the forum, while Steve Kendley sent a message with a friend, asking everyone to listen carefully to what the Republican candidates had to say since voters will be choosing one of the three in the primary. As an Independent, Kendley is already guaranteed to be on the November ballot. Democratic candidate Dan Yonkin wasn’t at the forum.
Walgren, currently Ronan’s assistant police chief, asked voters to look at the sheriff’s race as if they are members of the board of directors for Lake County.
“I believe that you deserve and have the ability to pick the best person for this job,” Walgren said. “As your sheriff, I will restore accountability to the people from the sheriff’s department … I will work to get rid of the ‘us vs. them’ mentality that we often see.
“I am the only candidate not in the sheriff’s department, and that will allow me to make the changes that are needed without having to worry about allegiances or relationships,” he added.
Jay Doyle explained that he’s worked in every division of the sheriff’s office, and believes he’s the most qualified candidate for the job.
“I’ve got the management skills, the budget experience … to bring the sheriff’s office into the future,” Doyle said.
Doyle said he has several ideas to bridge the perceived gap between the sheriff’s department and the citizens of Lake County, including implementing a citizen’s advisory group.
“I firmly believe that the sheriff works for you, the people,” he said.
Kingery asked voters to carefully consider each candidate’s character before voting on June 8. Voters should look for a candidate who’s prepared to serve the people and who knows the people, he said.
“I really believe that’s key. When people see a person that serves, they want that kind of a person,” Kingery explained.
When asked their opinions on how prisoner care should be handled, the candidates all said they’d ensure proper standards of care.
“Treat others like you’d want to be treated,” Doyle said.
“I don’t think there’s a difference between the prisoners and everybody else we deal with,” Walgren said. “We have a responsibility to those people just like we do to the people outside the detention center … everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.”
“We need to treat them as human beings … just as we would treat ourselves,” Kingery added. “The care has to be a standard of care … but we need to treat them with value.”
County Commissioner Bill Barron was also on hand to discuss a road maintenance mill levy that will be on the primary ballot.
Barron explained that running the levy was a difficult decision for the commissioners, who voted unanimously to put it on the ballot. The levy is for county roads only, and will pay for road construction equipment and oil.
“Our road department’s striving to survive right now … we haven’t got a dime for equipment. We’re in dire need of equipment,” Barron explained. “Please give it your consideration; please support it.”
