Swan Valley Community Council ~ One, Three-year Term ~

Diann Ericson

My name is Diann Ericson. I have lived in Western Montana for 47 years minus the eight years my husband Mike Childs and I taught school in Alaska's northwest arctic. During that time we were able to spend summers in the Swan. We have lived and owned a home in the Swan Valley since the early 1980s. In other words we have deep roots in the valley. Our daughter graduated from Swan Valley Elementary School and Seeley-Swan High School.

I am running for Community Council because I have the time, the desire and the training to assist the council in its important work.

Skills that I bring to the table are training in education (9-12) with majors in United States history and government and course work in Montana history and an elementary education certification.

I have served as secretary of the Montana Trappers Association and board member of the Montana Environmental Education Association. One of my favorite experiences of being an educator in the valley over the years is that I have gotten to know many Swan Valley residents and shared their children's progress.

The role of a community council is to be a communication link for residents to the county and from the county to the residents. I would be very pleased to tackle this important job.

Thank you for your support and thanks to the Pathfinder for this opportunity to express my ideas.

Nathan Richardson

My wife and I moved to the Swan Valley in the winter of 2000. We purchased a house on a small parcel of land a year later. I feel we were very fortunate to have moved here when we did, the property values had not gone crazy yet and there was work available. I am in the timber industry and there were a lot more opportunities at that time.

Since then we have had two children and they currently attend Swan Valley Elementary. I cannot think of a better place to raise children than the valley we live in. Our family enjoys the outdoors and some of our favorite pastimes are snowmobiling, motorbiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and hiking.

I would like to be on the community council to protect and enhance the way of life we moved here for. This would include opportunity for young families to work and support a household. This would also include protecting and improving the recreational opportunities for all activities.

I also feel like there are decisions made by Missoula County that do not fit for the Swan Valley. I am not a fan of people, who do not live here and may never visit, making decisions that affect our lives.

I feel like we would not be able to move here and get started in the current conditions whether it be for work or housing. This seems unfortunate for other young families that may yearn for this lifestyle. I am also concerned that my children and other youth currently being raised here would not have the ability to stay and make a living here in the valley.

If elected, I will listen to the citizens and do my best to represent the values of the community.

Chantel Thornsberry -

Her name will appear on the ballot but she has withdrawn from the election. She asks that voters please not vote for her.