Trustees drop race at community college

Flathead Valley Community College trustees voted at a special meeting Thursday to remove one unopposed trustee position from the May 8 election ballot, leaving one trustee position contested.

Incumbent Tom McElwain was the sole candidate to file for the Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Bigfork position.

When a candidate has no challengers, Montana law allows trustees the option of holding a special meeting to declare the single candidate elected by acclamation.

Trustees did just that. McElwain’s new three-year term runs through May 2015.

For the board seat representing the Flathead/Glacier high school district, incumbent Ralene Sliter is being challenged by Michael Hebert and Jerry Elwood.

Sliter first was elected a trustee in 2006 and was re-elected in 2009. Prior to becoming a trustee, she took an active role in raising money for the college through the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation.

Hebert, a Farmers Insurance Group agent, ran unsuccessfully in the 2011 trustee election. That seat was won by Shannon Lund in a three-way race.

A former student at the college, Hebert said during the last election that he has an open ear and ability to connect with others and wants to see the college prosper.

Retired since 2008, Elwood was the former director of Climate Change Research with the U.S. Department of Energy. He holds a doctorate in environmental science from the University of Minnesota.

Elwood said his background would bring a different perspective to the board. He said he has experience in strategic planning, budgeting and staff performance evaluations.

During the 2011 election, nine candidates competed for four seats on the college board.