Commissioner and Council Candidates Present

SWAN VALLEY - Newly-elected Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier introduced himself and visited with those in attendance at the Swan Valley Community Council (SVCC) April 18 meeting. SVCC candidates Nathan Richardson and Diann Ericson introduced themselves and shared why they want to serve on the council.

Council member Marcia Tapp told Strohmaier that the Swan Valley is a unique community of highly motivated, hardworking individuals. “We would like you [and the other commissioners] to know us and interact with us. We want to be able to come to you for help with issues but at the same time we don’t need you [the commissioners] to micromanage us.”

Strohmaier assured those present that he would attend future SVCC meetings, hear what’s going on and stay engaged with the community but will not micromanage.

A few in the audience told Strohmaier that they appreciated his Facebook page and he was asked how he stayed in touch with the Swan Valley. “Do you subscribe to the Pathfinder?” one attendee asked. Strohmaier replied that the commissioners do have a subscription.

Questions to Strohmaier are in bold print. His answers follow:

How are you involved with reducing fire danger in the Swan Valley? Strohmaier said that the commissioners meet with the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation on a regular basis. He said he is making a concerted effort to chat with District Rangers more often. “In the case of fuel mitigation on private property, grant money using matching funds is available through Swan Valley Connections (SVC),” added SVC employee Luke Lamar.

Will our Growth Plan remain our plan or be absorbed into the County’s plan? The Swan Valley Growth Plan cannot be in conflict with the current Missoula County Plan and state law. The final Swan Valley Growth Plan product when approved will be an amendment to the overall policy. “I want to honor your unique vision and absolutely give it a fair hearing.”

The Missoula County Website is hard to navigate. How can we improve communication? Strohmaier said residents should let him know if they are having trouble finding the SVCC and Swan Valley Regional Planning Committee (SVRPC) documents and minutes. “I will work to make it more user-friendly or at least get you a hard copy.”

Will there be funding for improving the roads in the Swan? There is just so much money in the road budget and it depends on imminent threat to safety which gets the first attention. We can’t do everything we would like to.

Will Community and Planning Services (CAPS) have funding to help with the Swan Valley Growth Plan? Strohmaier directed the question to Missoula County Community and Planning Services (CAPS) planner Andrew Hagemeier who said the commissioners set the funding for CAPS. He said he is interested in communicating more efficiently with the planning committee as he has done community planning in the past.

Ericson and Richardson explained why they were running for the vacant seat on the SVCC. They are running for Tapp’s SVCC seat since she did not reapply after her three-year term. Chantel Thornsberry’s name will appear on the ballot but she has withdrawn from the election. She asks that voters choose from the other two candidates.

Ericson, a long-time Swan Valley resident, retired educator and currently on the SVRPC, said that she is fascinated by the interaction between government and citizens. “I will represent the majority of opinions of the [Swan Valley residents],” she said. She wants good communication between the council and community and visa versa.

Richardson, a Swan Valley resident since 2000, owns a logging and a saddle shop business in the valley. He wants to focus on specific jobs in the valley that support younger people so they can remain here. Richardson said his logging business has been struggling for the past six to eight years. “I want to promote economic progress,” he said.

Both Strohmaier and SVCC chair Ken Donovan thanked the candidates for their interest in the SVCC position. “It is good to see people who want to give back to their community,” said Strohmaier.

The election is a mail-in ballot due by May 2. Ballots can also be dropped off Election Day at the Seeley Lake Elementary School. Candidate bios are available online at http://www.seeleylake.com by searching Local Election Guide.

The next SVCC meeting will be Tuesday, May 16, 7 p.m. at the Swan Valley Community Hall.