Community college elects to hold election

Flathead Valley Community College has elected to hold an election even though its two Board of Trustees candidates have no opponents.

Incumbent Alison Young filed for re-election to the seat representing Whitefish, Bigfork and Columbia Falls, and Ralene Sliter filed for the Kalispell seat now held by Kathleen Young. Young chose not to run again.

Carolyn Shriver, election clerk for the college district, said she had hoped to save the taxpayers the cost of an election but that laws covering community-college elections don't address election "by acclamation."

Local school districts often declare unopposed candidates elected by acclamation because statutes covering primary- and secondary-school elections allow it. After checking with state election officials and the assistant county attorney, Shriver decided she must hold an election.

"It's a no-win situation," Shriver said.

She said some citizens may criticize the college for spending the money when the ballot offers no choices. However, recent lawsuits over the bond election proved erring on the side of caution may save the district money in the long run, she said.

Shriver won't know how much the election costs until after it is held. The costs are tallied, then split among entities (i.e. school districts, fire departments) with candidates and issues on the ballot.

The last election cost $6,000, Shriver said. However, the college had to pay the salaries of all the election judges.

She estimated this year's balloting would cost about $4,000.

Shriver said that members of the Legislature are working to resolve this problem and clear up other murky areas within community-college election laws.

During the last meeting, the two candidates were invited to introduce themselves and make a few comments.

Young, a businesswoman, said she wanted to remain on the board to see the campus expansion project completed.

She also said that she was committed to ensuring that community-college students have real-college experiences. Young listed multicultural opportunities, the student senate and other activities not provided in high-school environments.

Sliter said three of her children had graduated from college and a fourth was still in college.

She said she developed an interest in serving through her work on the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation board. She has been active in organizing several fundraising events with the foundation.

Sliter said she considered the college the number one educational option for people in the valley.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.