Local Election Guide - May 8th Mail-in Election

Mark Butcher - Incumbent

I am currently a serving board member and up for renewal for my position. I was originally approached to consider serving because of my Operator qualifications for water & waste water treatment plants in Alaska. Our family moved to Seeley Lake in 2012 and we own Blue River Station. My family is foremost, but welding, metal fab, all phases of construction, mechanics, farming, oil field operations, hunting/fishing, camping and exploring are my enjoyment.

Experience: I have been an SPO (Sewer Plant Operator) in the Alaskan Oil Fields holding a Class I Certification in Water-Wastewater Operations for Remote Field and Lab systems for Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collection, for many years during my on-going employment in the State of Alaska.

In my many, many years of experience with first-hand operations, I can vouch for what a wastewater system can accomplish for the community and the environment.

Why on the Board: With the systems today, I can tell you that turning waste, swamp and contaminated waters into the purest drinking water you've ever tasted, is not only possible, it's been proven and effective for many years. I would like to be a part of bringing a sustainable quality of life for this community and our future generations. Improving our environment is our responsibility.

Changes or issues addressed: I realize that the cost of the system is a major issue but protecting our environment and our future always comes at a high cost. I believe that passing this off to our children is not only irresponsible but will be an increased cost of dollars we cannot imagine....it would be a horrible burden to pass on.

I think our community can be creative during construction times and find ways to raise extra funds. Pursuing that issue should be a priority, as well as stopping the printing of Slanderous Accusations causing unnecessary hurt, division and even hatred within our community.

Challenges for the future: I believe this Sewer Board has worked so long and hard that separating the well-qualified members would be DEVASTATING to our community.

Juli Cole

My name is Juli Cole and I have been in Seeley almost two years. I have two very large dogs and can be seen out and about while THEY are walking me not the other way around. I work remotely out of my home for American Express and am thankful I have a job that enables me to live in this beautiful town.

I love my community and the solidarity everyone showed during our fire season this last summer. It was amazing to see what a wonderful community we live in. I was snowed in and on more than one occasion a neighbor has either dug me out with a backhoe or lent a hand with a snow blower. This is the family community we live in and I am proud to be part of it.

I am interested in being a trustee so that I can be a voice for the people. I would like to get the opportunity to sit on the board as a homeowner in Phase 1 of the project to voice our concerns and get the options out to the people of this community. I feel that I could bring a new perspective on the board and would be an asset.

We face many challenges with this project and I feel that we could expand our education of this project in order to appease everyone involved so that we can come together as community. I would like to see the members explore options that are conducive to not only the business but also to the homeowners and the impact on the renters as well.

We all live in this great community and should all be heard...no voice is too small.

Beth Hutchinson

My young daughter and I arrived in Seeley 40 years ago-part of a mini-migration of adventurers from Pennsylvania. Employment requirements established a sometimes here-sometimes elsewhere pattern. Throughout, our cabin in the woods and a wealth of friends in the valley remained anchors. Caring for land and cabin constitute a perpetual "hobby." Community affairs and outdoor pursuits provide stimulation.

An insatiable love for learning and problem-solving led me to in-depth studies of history, economics, politics, sociology, sciences-biology, chemistry, ecology and geology, design-landscape and community as well as management strategies...driven by curiosity, not craziness.

Applications involved teaching, directing economic development and environmental programs and presenting at state and regional meetings. On occasion, I've patched together a short-term, local survival income with jobs ranging from slash-burning to writing for the "Pathfinder" to administering the Chamber.

Seeking a trustee position is chiefly a matter of conscience to me.

Patterns of thinking, behavior and choices-characterized by tunnel-vision-have led the current board to become unduly separated from the diverse traits and needs of our community. In effect, weaknesses have "weaponized" the issue of wastewater treatment.

Opportunity exists to break out of the tunnel, to connect with our full range of constituents and to develop solutions that better accommodate the strengths and vulnerabilities of our district.

I will bring broad knowledge, proven skills and fresh ideas to a dysfunctional situation. I'm optimistic about helping to minimize threats perceived by various district constituents. This is a vital time for us to bridge and to seek consensus, not winners and losers.

A revitalized board must carefully review, troubleshoot and evaluate the currently proposed system as well as to explore and evaluate alternatives. The first four to five months should be time to dig in and actually work with stakeholders to address representation, transparency, communication, completeness of engineering, policies, distribution of costs, etc.

Sound, broad-based criteria must be developed prior to any binding decisions.

Establishing a genuine connection with district stakeholders and communicating in a timely and accurate manner are two huge challenges. The board must be prepared to "step back" for the sake of gaining perspective-back far enough to benefit from openness.

Troy Spence

My name is Troy Spence. I've been a full time resident in Seeley Lake since 1972. I have three children and have worked at Pyramid Mountain Lumber since 1989. I have volunteered on Citizens for Sensible Wastewater Treatment and will train to educate the public.

Why I want to be a trustee: I have followed the sewer district and its activities since the 1990s. I'm interested in keeping the ground water and lakes nitrates low while keeping Seeley an affordable family town. I want to get the town involved in choices and keep projects affordable.

If elected: I will work to find cheaper upgrades to septic systems, relocation of the plant if sewer is ever needed to not contaminate the aquifers by the Seeley Lake Airport and its residents.

Challenges: One of the biggest challenges will be convincing Phase 1 landowners to hook up to their systems when 50 percent of them protested and a high portion of landowners that didn't protest have vacant lots and can't hook up anyways.

Also Running:

Incumbent Mike Lindemer

Incumbent Bob Skiles