Steve Stanley to replace Dave Stipe on Lake County Commission

Lake County Commissioners Bill Barron and Gale Decker on Wednesday appointed Steve Stanley of St. Ignatius to replace former Commissioner Dave Stipe, who resigned this month for health reasons.

Stanley spent more than three decades working for the county's Disaster and Emergency Services Department, including 13 years as deputy coordinator and 18 as coordinator, before retiring in 2018. He also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Polson Fire Department from 1987 to 2007.

Stipe, who lives in Charlo, served on the commission from 1993 to 2005, took a break from county government and was elected again in 2016. His term would have run through 2022.

Stipe cited health concerns in a July 13 resignation letter, writing, "I am functioning in a limited capacity and believe that it is best to spend time with my family." He said this week that he has a critical form of cancer.

Barron and Decker announced their decision to appoint Stanley during a hearing Wednesday afternoon at the Lake County Courthouse.

Because Stipe is a member of the Republican Party, county GOP leaders had forwarded a list of three candidates to Barron and Decker from which to choose a replacement. That list also included Frank Delgado of St. Ignatius and Dan Kramer of Ronan. None of the three finalists was present at Wednesday's hearing.

Barron said Stanley has indicated he will seek re-election in 2022.

Stanley will be sworn in at the courthouse Thursday afternoon and will officially take over the District 2 seat representing southern Lake County at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.