Local Election Guide - May 8th Mail-in Election

Connie Clark - Incumbent

Seeley Lake has been my home for 26 plus years. I am a Montana native born and raised in Kalispell. In 1991 we bought Pop's Place which we operate today. We raised four children here. When not busy with day-to-day operations of a restaurant, we enjoy exploring the backroads of Montana on our motorcycle. I also volunteer at Loving Hearts Thrift Shop and currently serve as their treasurer. I am an active member of Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake.

In 1994 I began a 20 plus year career volunteering with Seeley Lake Fire District as an EMT. Countless hours of training are involved in maintaining that license. I served as an officer and as treasurer of our local fire company for some years as well. We frequently share training with our fire fighters and I have many years of wildland fire training as well. As a business owner, the prudent and responsible spending of our tax monies is paramount.

In 2016, I began serving on the Fire District Board of Trustees. I am honored to continue service to my community in this capacity. The longevity of this Department is very important to me. Safety of our volunteers is of the utmost importance to me. We are in the midst of purchasing new equipment and turnouts to ensure safety of our volunteers. I would love to see this through to completion.

We are currently undergoing many changes in the District. We are working diligently with the County Attorney's office to clarify the relationship between the Fire Company and the Fire District. Officers with both units are making great progress harmoniously.

We have hired a new permanent Chief and are excited to bring him on board. He brings a wealth of experience on both the fire and EMS sides of our department. The transition time will be a continuance of the positive momentum brought by our interim Chief.

I have no personal agenda other than to serve my community and the Fire District to the best of my ability. I consider it an honor and a privilege to continue to serve.

Shawn Ellinghouse

My name is Shawn Ellinghouse. I'm running for the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Board of Trustees.

I was a member of the Seeley Lake Rural Fire Department for 17.5 years, ending as senior captain.

I know a lot of the needs that are essential to the district and the members.

During my tenure at the department it came to my attention how crucial it is to have a supportive, proactive and transparent board of trustees.  Not only for the chief and the members, but also the community.

I will work on being a proactive member of the board and for board transparency. I will listen to my members. If there are issues, I will seek both sides and bring them together.

I ask for your vote on May 5th.

Please feel free to ask me questions as you see me throughout town.

Mark Kues

Hi, my name is Mark Kues. I am presently running for one of the Seeley Lake Fire Board positions.

My wife and I moved to Seeley Lake in 2011. I have been involved with the fire and EMS services since 1984 and have volunteered for departments from small town to big cities. I am also a five-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard. I would like the opportunity to share this experience by serving on the Seeley Lake Fire Board.

You may have met me during the Trunk or Treat event, which my wife and I coordinate, or during the ice hockey event, which I volunteer my time to help condition the ice. I am also a small business owner here in Seeley Lake.

Gary Lewis - Incumbent

My name is Gary Lewis and I have served on the Fire District Board for 20+ years.

I am a Seeley Lake resident for 50+ years, having grown up here, met and married my wife Cheryl and raised my family. Cheryl and I own and operate Deer Creek Excavating, LLC which we started in 1990. It has been a deep source of satisfaction to be a part of the growth and development of Seeley Lake through the excavating services we provide.

I served 22 years on the Search and Rescue squad, and two years on the QRU. I have first-hand experience in combating wildfires and structure fires, as well as other emergency situations.

I completed formal Board training through Missoula County's Board Training program. I am a 30+ year member of the Seeley Lake Lions Club, having served on the Board for the majority of that time. I have also served at the regional level in Lions Club as Zone Chairman, and am currently on the Board of the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.

During my board service, I have been involved in the development from an informal approach to a more formal approach and transitioning the chief, district administrator and maintenance positions from uncompensated volunteers to fully compensated employees.

Our volunteer firefighters deserve to have the best training and gear available in order for them to safely serve our community with skill and professionalism. Since these needs are fulfilled with taxpayer dollars, I recognize the need to closely monitor and control spending, so that we utilize our resources well.

The relationship between the board, chief and volunteer membership needs to be well understood and managed. We need to insure a smooth transition for the new chief and the volunteer members as they learn to work together. Additionally, the board needs to work as a cohesive team to support the chief and volunteer members effectively. All parties need to bring a high level of respect and professionalism to the table, with a strong commitment to cooperation and collaboration.

Alyssa McLean

My name is Alyssa McLean and I'm a candidate for the SLRFD Board of Trustees for the second time. My family and I are residents of Seeley Lake since December of 2015.

It's my goal to be a member of this Board because I was raised around the emergency industries, which birthed in me a desire for contributing to the success of this department using my skill set. In my professional life I have experience in management, finance and human resources. I have passions for history, research, organization, future planning, community service and communications.

I admire the work of all those who put their dedicated effort into this department. However, I do believe there is always room for improvement in everything. Through observations, I have felt driven to contribute to this department especially because of the personnel turnover and growing pains this department has recently experienced. I see a need for networking and advertisement in order to grow the population of this department's volunteers and I am excited to offer my ideas, connections and strategies concerning that issue.

It is my desire to go into this position with an open mind and objectivity – an ability to see both sides of any argument and form an opinion with critical thinking. I believe this will be the key to my contribution to future decisions within the department.

Much has been accomplished with this department recently: this last fire season is a testament to the dedication of this department. I do know, however, that there are new challenges. A new fire chief will soon be taking the place of the current interim fire chief and I would be honored to help contribute to the inevitable changes and adjustments that will come.

I am ready to add extensive amounts of time researching and supporting the health of this department. I see needs for networking and advertisement in order to grow the population of this department's volunteers. I am excited to offer my strategies concerning that issue.

Please feel free to call me at 406-544-3481. Thank you for considering me. I look forward to serving our community.