Three Republicans vie for District 2 seat

Republicans have three choices for Flathead County commissioner in Tuesday’s primary election.

The contenders for the District 2 seat now held by Democrat incumbent Joe Brenneman include Howard Gipe, a semi-retired rancher who served as commissioner from 1987 to 2004; Pam Holmquist, an Evergreen business owner who ran for county commissioner five years ago but lost in the primary; and Patrick Nickol, a Creston contractor who specializes in dirt work and septic installations.

Gipe, 78, has been touting experience during his campaign. Eighteen years as a Flathead County commissioner give him an advantage, he says, “because I can start on Day One.”

A Montana Highway Patrol officer for 25 years, Gipe never has lost an election, including the two times he ran for the Chinook school board in the 1960s.

During his time as a commissioner, he worked closely with the Montana Association of Counties and spent a lot of time in Helena on legislative issues.

Gipe wants to get the recent statewide property reappraisal rescinded and admits it “may be the hardest task I will take on.” But it’s imperative, he said, to give property owners a fair shake.

He welcomes the challenge of dealing with a tight budget and said he has some new ideas he’d like to try out, such as

cash incentive programs — one for the public and one for county employees — that would reward citizens and county workers for usable suggestions on how to cut costs in county government. Gipe would like to see people more involved in local government.

Even though the downturned economy will keep the county budget tight, Gipe said he’s not willing to raise taxes.

Holmquist, 57, is a third-generation Flathead Valley resident. She has owned and operated Rocky Mountain Marine for 32 years and sees her business experience as an asset to serving as a commissioner.

“I have a vested interest in this county, and the only way my family business survives is if Flathead County thrives,” she said.

Jobs will be a major issue for the Flathead Valley in the coming years, she said, noting that the county needs to court new business and supporting existing businesses. She’d like to see a coalition of commissioners, mayors and legislators to represent collective interests in lowering taxes and bringing jobs here.

Holmquist promises to spend the time needed to work with the Legislature on lowering taxes and making sure property appraisals reflect actual value, not the inflated value that led to flawed data for the recent state reappraisal process.

Reining in spending falls in line with Holmquist’s philosophy of less government. She wants the county to provide basic services that protect the health, welfare and safety of its residents — no more, no less.

Holmquist maintains that protecting property rights requires good planning and she wants to see the county less polarized on planning issues.

NICKOL, 51, also points to his business experience as a good foundation for being a county commissioner.

He believes it’s his civic duty to run for office.

“I have a good rapport with people and I think I’m easy to get along with. And I deal fairly well with controversy,” he said.

Nickol is concerned about the number of lawsuits the county has been involved with in recent years and worries about taxpayers footing the bill.

He sees the county budget as the most consuming issue for the next couple of years and believes the county commissioners should focus more on economic development — finding ways to shore up lost revenue by bringing jobs and business to the Flathead.

Nickol said Flathead County has “tremendous infrastructure” in terms of fiber-optic and electrical capabilities, and those should be promoted.

Nickol will push for less government, not more.

“Do the basics,” he said. “Get a foundation laid.”

IN ANOTHER contested county race, Republicans Paula Robinson and Becky Eslick Savelle square off for Flathead County Clerk and Recorder.

Robinson, 57, the incumbent clerk and recorder, is seeking her third term and has worked for 19 years in the Clerk and Recorder Office.

Eslick Savelle, 53, worked for 25 years in the Clerk and Recorder Office before retiring in 2006. She served as chief deputy clerk and recorder for six of those 25 years and worked in the plat room for two years.

The winner of Tuesday’s primary contest will be unopposed in the November general election.

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Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com