County race gets second Democratic candidate

The Daily Inter Lake

A second Democrat has declared his candidacy for Flathead County commissioner, helping balance what had looked to be a one-sided primary election.

Mark Crowley, currently the construction manager for the Kalispell Public Works Department, announced his candidacy on Wednesday.

He faces former county administrator Don Avery for the Democratic nomination.

Seven Republicans also have filed for the race for Commissioner Bob Watne's District 3 seat.

Crowley moved to the Flathead in 1999. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three preschool-age children and live on a 40-acre tree farm near Kila.

Crowley was raised in the Midwest. After receiving a degree in landscape architecture from Ohio State University, he went to work for the Detroit Public Works Department, administering transportation contracts.

In 1997-98, he and Jennifer served in the Peace Corps, working with residents of Papua New Guinea on public health issues, community water supply and small business skills.

After moving to the Flathead, Crowley initially worked for Northwest Montana Human Resources. He then spent 2 1/2 years at the Flathead County Planning Department, working on floodplain management, trail construction, subdivision review and planning issues.

Crowley transferred to the Tri-City Planning Office two years ago, where he was the lead planner for Columbia Falls and Whitefish. Since July, he's been with Kalispell Public Works.

Crowley is a former volunteer with the Smith Valley Fire Department and has been a board member for Flathead Rails to Trails since 2000. Currently, he serves as chairman of the Association of Montana Floodplain Managers.

The filing period for the commissioner's race ends on March 23.

The primary election is on June 6 with the general election Nov. 7.