Seeley Lake - Missoula County Sewer District Directors

Voter Information: There are five candidates for the two open director positions on the Seeley Lake - Missoula County Sewer District. Candidates are listed in the order they filed.

Candidates' responses were based on the following questions:

• Biography

• Qualifying experience

• Why do you want to be a director?

• What challenges do you see facing the Sewer Board and District in the near future?

• Are there things you would like to see changed or what issues would you address if elected?

• What do you think would be a reasonable rate for a single-family residence to pay per month and would you approve the project moving forward if that rate can't be met?

• Do you believe the current engineered system is the only way to move forward or do you think alternatives can solve the issues and should be explored?

Ballots for the Seeley Lake Sewer District Directors were mailed April 15 to all registered voters in the Sewer District and their designated agents. The Missoula County Elections Office encourages voters to mail their ballot with plenty of time to meet the May 5 deadline, postmarks not accepted. There will be a drive-through ballot drop off at SLE on May 5.

For more information or to register by April 27 visit the Missoula County Elections Office (https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/administration/elections-office) or call 406-258-4751.

Vote for 2, 4-year terms for the Seeley Lake - Missoula County Sewer District Director

Thomas P. Morris:My family moved to Seeley Lake in 1974 when my father was hired as the pastor for the Fundamental Baptist Church. I have resided in Seeley Lake since then.

I am first and foremost a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ. His will and His way in my life are the most important thing in my life. If you want to know about Jesus, I am always ready with an answer for what I believe – without reservation.

I am married for 38+ years to my amazing beautiful awesome wife LaRee Miller Morris who is the greatest gift to me from God here on this earth. I also have two amazing daughters – Sarina Gilpin (husband Jason and son Daniel) and Stacie Ann Cassidy (husband Kevin and sons Isaac and Timmy, baby girl Annabelle on the way).

I have been an employee at Pyramid Mountain Lumber for over 38 years and have been the Boiler / Kiln supervisor for most of those years. I enjoy hunting, camping and most of all time spent with family and friends. I am an elder at Mission Bible Fellowship church and serve also as the Worship leader. I love singing praises and worshiping my God and Savior Jesus Christ. I also serve as the Worship leader and pastor for our Remain 406 Youth group and enjoy working with and fellowshipping with the youth in our community. I am also a member of the Seeley Lake Lions Club and enjoy working with and helping those that are less fortunate and in need of help with sight and hearing.

I was previously a director on the Seeley Lake - Missoula County Sewer District, almost from its inception. In the early years of the District, the entire board was dedicated to finding the least expensive and environmentally sound system that could be constructed. We spent a lot of time in the Capitol at Helena working with and lobbying legislators to change the way grant funding is allocated, so we could secure funding for the "Butte School of Mines " geological survey and for funding for the Preliminary Engineering Study. We were determined to find a way to serve the existing District with a system that was affordable, or not build it. We were also determined to hold a public vote on any action that would affect the District residents financially before proceeding.

As the years progressed and Directors changed, it became more evident to me that the general consensus of the majority of the Directors was to proceed with whatever system no matter what the cost or who would be hurt by it, and without allowing the residents of the district an opportunity to vote on the decision. At that point, I resigned my position on the Board.

We are now at a point that the proposed project will financially break many of those that are on fixed and low incomes, and even those who are not. The current proposed plan is fiscally and environmentally irresponsible and needs to be put on hold until a system can be designed and funded properly.

At this point in the planning, I believe that the only responsible thing to do is to begin with an income survey and then work toward a system or "neighborhood cell systems" that is/are affordable and environmentally responsible. This will require working with lawmakers to restructure the way that grant monies are distributed and matched. There are alternatives mentioned in the "Preliminary Engineering report" that have not been considered, mostly because the current plan is the "Engineers'" preferred option.

Jason Gilpin:My name is Jason Gilpin. I grew up in Kalispell, Mont. and have lived in Seeley Lake for the last six years with my wife and son. I have worked at Pyramid Mountain Lumber since moving here. In the past, I have worked at a sporting goods store, owned my own construction business and worked for Adipose Boatworks in Helena, Mont. building fiberglass drift boats. I enjoy hunting and tinkering with machinery.

While not necessarily "qualified" for a director position on the Sewer Board, I desire to be on the board because I have seen that the current board does not listen to the people in the district. I would like to change that.

I will challenge the current system that is being pursued because it not an affordable option for most of the residents in the district and thus it will cause many people to lose their long-time homes. If indeed a sewer system is needed for our district, I will fight to find an affordable option – at most $50 per month for a single-family residence (including debt services and operations/maintenance costs).

If we cannot find a system within that budget (which I believe we can) I would vote against moving forward. The system that is currently on the table is definitely not our best option and I believe there are alternative systems and engineering firms to explore.

F. Carleen Gonder:I have owned and lived in my home in Seeley Lake for two and a half years. However, I have lived in this area (Seeley Lake, Ovando and Greenough areas) since late 2005. Before that I worked for the federal government as a fully commissioned law enforcement officer at various duty stations in grizzly and black bear management.

Many years ago I began my government work as a wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service, all on the Lolo National Forest. From 2006-2008 I conducted graduate research with wildlife carcasses for wildlife crime scene investigation. Since 2007, I've owned my own business training state, federal and tribal officers and wardens in wildlife crime scene investigation as a government contractor. My only family here is my canine kid. My hobbies are hiking on public lands every day with my canine kid and photography.

In terms of direct experience in sewer engineering, I have none. But I have served on various boards, the most recent for the Blackfoot Challenge on their Blackfoot Community Conservation Area managing committee. The Blackfoot Challenge established that board or committee to act as a multiple use management body for lands owned by the Blackfoot Challenge near Ovando.

The sewer is a serious issue for me personally as well as for other residents in my area. That is why I wish to be involved with the process. Following are points from part of a letter I previously wrote both to the Pathfinder and to the Sewer Board:

1. I am not opposed to a sewer system for the business areas.

2. I am opposed to making it mandatory for residences in Phase 1.

3. There must be an equitable way to address residences in Phase 1 if it is indeed mandatory.

4. I am a single, elderly woman living in a 500 sq ft house.

5. I cannot afford more than $50 total (usage and engineering/development debt repayment) per month and would be forced to move, to sell my first owned home, if it were more. I have no idea where I'd go for affordable housing, no family to help, just me (and my canine kid).

I do believe it is needed for area businesses and potential new ones. But for many if not most residents in Phase 1, the current proposed cost and the monthly payments, would be economically devastating. If this is indeed held to be mandatory for residences, I firmly believe implementation must be equitable for residential users who have far fewer assets and low or fixed income.

Since this affects both businesses and area residences, the challenge is finding a solution to working with both categories of users. So far, I don't believe that challenge has been met.

The biggest issue is the effect on residences - the cost.

As a single user I cannot afford more than $50 per month total, covering the debt repayment and user fee. I understand assistance for monthly payments may be available. But I am not willing to be forced to rely on outside assistance to cover the monthly payments. And for those who would be willing to apply for outside assistance, would that assistance be guaranteed for the lifetime of the dept repayment of the sewer system? If it is indeed mandatory for residences, and the monthly fee - the total cost to residents - can't be done far more equitably, then I am opposed to moving the project forward.

I believe the board should look for alternatives for residences, including alternative funding sources (though not through assistance programs) to take the burden off residences.

Duane Anderson:I have lived in Seeley Lake since 2003. I am the owner of two companies specializing in steel fabrication and erection in the Northwest. I am married, the father of seven children and 11 grand kids. My main hobby is my work but I also like to explore the area around Seeley Lake and spend time with my family and friends.

Having been in business for over 40 years, I think that my leadership skills would be an asset to the board. I also have had to be able to garner consensus and lead folks to the common greater good of many teams. My building companies have necessitated me to be able to look at various ways to finance necessities that otherwise may not be affordable.

I have sat on the sideline and watched as the divide between the opponents and proponents has widened. I would like to try and help bring them together and clarify the need for the sewer so that our community can have what it needs to grow and stay vibrant and healthy. I don't think that any one person should be leading the way for or against the sewer.

The opposition is really a challenge and I would try to be the voice of reason and get to their specific reasons for opposing the project. I also see that the cost as likely the biggest reason. Having been in the construction industry and being an entrepreneur I would like to think that perhaps I could find some creative ways to finance the project and reduce the cost burden it would be for so many including me.

At this point I am not informed enough to answer what should be changed or issues to address if elected. I would like to say that generally I am probably for the sewer as it makes long-term sense to me. But if I cannot see that long-term benefit, when I get fully up to speed, I may ultimately switch to an opposing position.

I personally think that if we could be somewhere between $35 and $50 per month it would be doable. My goal would be to try and meet everyone's needs and to try and find the financing that would allow it to be affordable.

I would like to see or hear all the options available. This is a long-term project and we need to be sure that the best decisions possible are made to have the best system possible.

Kyle Ryan Zumwalt: Hi, my name is Kyle Zumwalt. I moved to Seeley Lake in 2007 during the Jocko Lakes fire. My family has been here for far longer then that. I enjoy all Seeley has to offer from hunting, fishing, hiking or just a lazy day on the beach. The thing I love the most about Seeley is the small town atmosphere and that you can be on a mountain road within five minutes from any spot or place in Seeley Lake. 

I believe my 10 years of utility experience and being a third year business owner will bring a vast amount experience knowledge and insight to better the growth of Seeley Lake's infrastructure.

I would like to be a sewer board member to help move this project along, to help find the best funding packages available and do my part to ensure the future of Seeley's community and environment are safe to enjoy for generations to come. 

I believe the biggest challenge facing the community and sewer right now is the lawsuit against the sewer board. This is costing us taxpayers and the project an extra $40,000 every month. 

Unfortunately, every month the system is not up and running it is only going to get more expensive. The Sewer Board has been working on the system for 20 years. It would have been a lot cheaper then. 

I believe the system agreed upon is our best bet. It will cost a lot more to go back and redesign the wheel. It is widely used nationwide and is agreed on by the EPA and local health department as a suitable solution for our community and environment. I believe we should keep the ball rolling, exploring other options to help our fixed income community members and lower income citizens.

Thank you, Kyle Zumwalt