Commission candidates differ on consolidation, N. Shore Ranch
Voters who choose the Democratic slate of candidates in Tuesday’s primary election will decide whether to pick incumbent Flathead County Commissioner Joe Brenneman or challenger Noel Gorton to represent the party in the November general election.
The primary winner for the District 2 seat held by Brenneman faces the top Republican in a three-way primary race involving Howard Gipe, Pam Holmquist and Patrick Nickol.
Both Brenneman and Gorton are Flathead Valley natives, and both live and work in the Creston area. Brenneman, 52, is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and a firefighter/EMT with the Creston Fire Department. Gorton, 51, and her husband, Tom, own Creston Topsoil and she works part time at Curves.
Although both candidates are proponents of prudent planning and fiscal responsibility, there are a couple of key differences in their approach to county government.
They have taken opposite stands on the controversial North Shore Ranch project at the north end of Flathead Lake. Brenneman voted against the subdivision two years ago because he believes the area, located next to a wildlife preserve, is too environmentally important to develop.
The developers of the 364-acre North Shore Ranch sued the county and won a $1 million settlement, but Brenneman continues to defend his vote, saying it “has to do with the very essence of the quality of life here.”
Gorton contends that if the project met subdivision regulations, it should have been allowed, even amid public opposition.
“If the law says we have to allow it, then we need to work to change the law,” she said.
Consolidation is another area where the two Democrats seem to part ways.
Brenneman said he constantly strives for government efficiency and has been an ardent promoter of consolidation. His recent attempt to consolidate the elected position of superintendent of schools with the Treasurer’s Office was discarded after heavy public opposition, but Brenneman said considering such mergers is part of the process of working toward efficiency.
“To not ask the questions doesn’t serve the taxpayers well,” he said.
Gorton said she’s not sure the consolidation done in recent years is a good thing or if it’s cost-effective. She sees plenty of areas where the county could save money otherwise.
Brenneman has been heavily involved in getting the new 911 centralized dispatch center up and running and has been a key leader with the Northern Tier Interoperability Consortium that is establishing a new communications network to link law-enforcement and government agencies across Northern Montana.
Gorton vows to take a fine-toothed comb through the county budget and examine how county departments are operated for efficiency.
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Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com