Banzet announces bid for commission seat

Longtime businessman Gerry Banzet on Thursday announced his candidacy for the county commission seat held by Bob Watne.

Including Banzet, five Republicans are seeking the commission seat. Official candidate filing opens Monday and continues through March 23.

Banzet owned and operated Gerry's Tires and Batteries in Kalispell from 1987 until his retirement in 2004. Before that, he had managed the City Service West truck stop in Kalispell and the Neill Avenue Tire Co. in Helena, where he also worked for the Montana Department of Revenue.

Banzet said he has "no agenda" in running for the county commission, but he is concerned about a variety of local government issues directly tied to rapid growth and development.

"We are concerned about it," he said. "With the number of people coming in, our infrastructure isn't ready to handle it."

County roads, emergency services and law enforcement are lagging behind the population growth curve, he said, adding that traffic congestion, increased crime and an overcrowded jail are among the problems that have developed.

"With all the building going on, I'm also really concerned about water quality," he said.

Banzet recently has been active in the Northwest Montana Team Penning Association.

In 2000, he was appointed by the Northwest Montana Fair Board to review proposals for the fairgrounds property.

Banzet has lived in the Flathead for more than 20 years with his wife, Joyce, a former Kalispell school teacher.

Previously announcing their candidacies for the commission seat are Republicans Brian Fulford, Dale Lauman, Kathy Robertson and David Reynolds.