Busy ballot awaits voters Tuesday

The Daily Inter Lake

A contentious sheriff's race, a crowded commissioner slate and a trio of ballot issues headline the election slate for Tuesday's primary voting.

On Tuesday, voters go to the polls facing a busier-than-normal primary election ballot.

In addition to choosing Republican and Democratic nominees for U.S. Senate races, voters will decide primary contests for state Public Service commissioner, county commissioner, county sheriff, justice of the peace, state Legislature and county school superintendent.

Two funding questions - seeking extra taxes for mosquito control and juvenile detention - also are on the ballot.

People also will be asked a question about use of national forest roadless areas.

Voters are reminded to bring identification with them to the polls, most of which are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Voters with questions should contact the election office at 758-5535. More voting information, including sample ballots, is available on the Election Department's Web site:

www.co.flathead.mt.us/electn/index.html

Following are summaries of major local races:

Commissioner

The most-sought-after office in this election campaign is that of Flathead County commissioner. Nine Republicans and three Democrats are seeking to succeed District 3 Commissioner Bob Watne, who is not running for re-election.

Republican candidates are Gerry Banzet, Kim Fleming, Brian Fulford, Pamela Holmquist, Dale Lauman, Corey Pilsch, David Reynolds, Kathy Robertson and Kip Willis.

Democratic candidates are Don Avery, Mark Crowley and Don Hines.

With these 12 candidates to choose from, voters have their pick of experiences and philosophies.

Some candidates have backgrounds in government or business. One is a union representative. Another is a police officer.

Several have served on community planning boards or worked for planning offices.

All say they care about the Flathead and want to help make the decisions that will affect the valley's future.

They are competing for a $56,000-a-year job that could be considered the hot seat of county government.

On almost a daily basis, the commissioners deal with some kind of growth-related issue, such as new subdivisions, zoning amendments or major land-use changes. They regularly discuss how to accommodate development without undermining the valley's quality of life, how to protect the public's health, safety and welfare without violating state law or the rights of property owners.

The county budget is another major responsibility. Every year, they have to decide how to allocate the county's limited resources in the face of ever-growing demand for services.

Economic development, transportation, health benefits, taxation, senior assistance - there isn't an area of government that the commissioners don't get involved in to some degree, and the manner in which they fulfill their duties directly impacts the lives of their constituents.

Sheriff

The next Flathead County sheriff/coroner likely will be chosen Tuesday from among Republican candidates Bruce Parish, John Weaver and Mike Meehan.

No Democrats filed for the office.

Current Sheriff Jim Dupont is not seeking re-election after 16 years in office.

Weaver is general manager of Rocky Mountain Builders, Meehan is the current undersheriff and Parish is detective commander for the Sheriff's Office.

The campaign has featured sniping between the campaigns of Meehan and Weaver over candidates' backgrounds and alleged smear efforts.

Justice of the peace

There are two races for Flathead County's two justice of the peace positions.

For each race, the top two vote-winners on Tuesday advance to the general election in November.

Incumbent Justice David Ortley is opposed by Shawn Guymon.

For the other justice position, Lane Bennett, Jerry O'Neil, Mark Sullivan and Tom Muri are competing for a position that will expand from part time to full time.

Legislature

There are contested races for the Republican nomination in five legislative districts in the Flathead:

House District 6: Bill Beck vs. Harm Toren.

House District 8: Keith Regier vs. Craig Witte.

House District 9: David Carlson vs. incumbent Bill Jones.

House District 10: incumbent Bernie Olson vs. Mark Blasdel.

Senate District 5: Daniel Griffin, Verdell Jackson and Donald Loranger.

There are three contested Democratic legislative races on the ballot, although two races feature candidates who have withdrawn from campaigning.

House District 3 is the active race, with Bill Baum going up against Doug Cordier.

In House District 10, Carla Augustad is actively seeking the nomination while Steve Davidson has withdrawn, although his name still will be on the ballot.

In Senate District 4, Gerald Reckin is actively campaigning. Maxwell Battle is on the ballot but is not campaigning.

School superintendent

Incumbent Marcia Sheffels is being challenged in the Republican primary by Susan Letz-Keedy for Flathead County superintendent of schools.

With no declared Democratic candidate, the winner of Tuesday's primary likely would advance through the general election to win the school job.