Sweeney Takes Different Approach

MISSOULA - Mark Sweeney, who is running for the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) District 4, has decided to do things a bit differently out on the campaign trail. Aside from spending a lot of time talking with potential voters in the urban areas of Missoula and Hamilton, he decided to take the campaign into the classroom in the more rural areas of the district.

PSC District 4 is Montana's western-most District which serves seven counties including Granite, Powell, Ravalli, Missoula, Mineral, Sanders and Lincoln. Sweeney was first invited to speak to teacher Jen Graham's senior government class in Philipsburg a couple of weeks ago. It went so well he decided to make it part of the campaign in the rural communities.

Graham said, "This gives our kids the opportunity to hear firsthand what it is like to run a political campaign for public office. It was a great way to get the kids involved in politics and aware of issues affecting them and their communities."

Many of the students in government class are 18 and eligible to vote. If they have not yet registered, Sweeney came prepared with voter registration forms. Sweeney talked about the importance of voting and how easy it is to register to vote.

The Montana PSC regulates public utilities that are privately owned and are a natural monopoly such as NorthWestern Energy, Montana Dakota Utility, Mountain Water in Missoula, garbage collection service such as Republic and telecommunications companies. They are also responsible for railroad safety and natural gas pipeline safety in Montana.

Sweeney said he enjoys talking with the students and visiting about how their lives can be affected daily by decisions the PSC makes.

"This is a great opportunity for me to get into these rural areas and visit with new, young voters who are learning the importance of being active in their government at local, district, state and federal levels," said Sweeney.

His schedule is rigorous and involves putting hundreds of miles on his truck with his campaign partner Lily, his 11-year-old dog, faithfully accompanying him in the passenger seat. This week Sweeney talked to two government classes on Tuesday in Thompson Falls, two classes Wednesday morning in Libby and an afternoon class in Troy, followed by a meet and greet at the Cabinet Mountain Brewery in Libby later that evening. Thursday morning it was a class at Noxon before heading home to Philipsburg after a stop in Missoula. Next week brings him to the Seeley-Swan High School on Monday and Superior on Tuesday.