Anaconda candidates express positions at forum

By Erin Nicholes

May 30, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- ANACONDA -- Overcoming Superfund, growing jobs and improving public services were common themes at a public forum Wednesday for chief executive and county commission candidates.

The forum, organized by high school government students, brought candidates before the public at the Vocational Annex to answer questions generated by students, journalists and community members.

All candidates in three contested county races attended: Incumbent chief executive Becky Guay and challenger Amy Verlanic; incumbent District 1 Commissioner Mark Sweeney and opponents Gene Vuckovich and Robert Tonkovich; incumbent District 2 Commissioner Frank Knadler and challengers Rose Nyman and Bert Freer. The election is Tuesday.

Here is an overview of candidates' comments at the forum:

Chief Executive

Becky Guay

Progress in land-use planning, Superfund and budget-balancing must continue for the county to capitalize on opportunities, Guay said, citing her experience and education as assets.

"I believe the county has started a number of very important things," she said. "My degree in chemistry really does give me a leg up when we're

talking about Superfund."

Ongoing revisions of the growth policy and development permit system aim to streamline the development process, and major Superfund decisions on the horizon could reopen the county for

business, she said.

The county's strengthening relationship with Arco will broaden opportunities, she said.

"The relationship today is better than ever," she said.

Clearing Superfund hurdles is key to economic development, specifically to free up land east of town for growth.

"The most important thing we can do is bring Superfund land back into productivity," she said. "And we need to implement a zoning ordinance that brings some sense to the development picture."

Infrastructure east of town is critical to adding new companies, such as NorthWestern Energy, which has showed interest in potential power project in the Mill Creek area.

If the county can draw businesses it can increase the tax base, meaning more money for public services, she said.

Amy Verlanic

Responding to citizens and improving public services should be priorities, Verlanic said.

"My experience is when you identify a problem, you work on it," she said. Her goal is "to be available to the community to listen to their concerns and respond to their needs."

While providing even basic services on the county's tight budget is challenging, creative funding solutions are possible.

"I believe there are revenue generating sources we can tap into in the county," she said, citing a background in finances and grants.

Basic services such as signage and street repairs should not be overlooked when citizens voice concerns, she said.

"These are the kinds of basic services people in our county want to see working," she said.

In the bigger picture, she said the community can foster growth by forging healthy and open relationships with other entities, including Arco.

"We need to expect accountability from our leadership," she said. "We need to work with Arco openly and honestly."

The county can overcome some Superfund hurdles by directing resources toward planning efforts to, for example, find ways to streamline permitting processes. And the county needs to work with potential new businesses to overcome obstacles, she said, pointing to NorthWestern Energy as an example.

"We need to be rapid about (identifying) roadblocks and getting them out of the way," she said

COMMISSION DISTRICT 1

Mark Sweeney

Adding new jobs should be a top priority, Sweeney said.

Land east of town holds development promise as it's close to rail services and Interstate 90 and could be marketed to alternative energy (OOTC:AEGC) companies.

"What we do have to offer is our location," he said. "We could have tax incentives ... for them to relocate."

Good-paying jobs would help retain young residents, most of whom now leave the community after high school.

However, Sweeney emphasized a need to balance economic development with protection of natural resources, such as open space, recreational areas and fisheries.

"First, it's about jobs," he said. "We need to balance open space with development and growth of jobs. Open space is one of the reasons we live here. It's going to sustain the work force."

Gene Vuckovich

While looking for new business opportunities, the county needs to focus energy toward strengthening relationships with employers already here, Vuckovich said.

"We should do everything in our power to help these employers to survive and thrive in our community," he said, naming Community Hospital of Anaconda as an example.

And the community should invest in its current assets.

"We have some great

facilities here," he said, pointing to softball fields and a golf course. "Whatever we can do to maintain the tings we have in place, we should encourage."

Focusing on growth

potential, Vuckovich said the county must value its relationships with entities such as Arco.

"We can bring industries into this community with their help," he said, emphasizing a need for east-end infrastructure. "We have the opportunity to clean up the area plus provide many opportunities for the future."

A spirit of cooperation is also a necessity, he said.

"There's too much dissention going on in this community," he said. "We have to work together. I think I can help do that.

Robert Tonkovich

Retaining young residents and enhancing assets are important, Tonkovich said.

"I see people settling down because they like our community," he said.

But the population is largely senior citizens.

"It's become a retirement community," he said.

Leadership should seek creative funding solutions to enhance tourist attractions, he said. The county should emphasize use of existing infrastructure.

COMMISSION DISTRICT 2

Frank Knadler

Addressing blight is a step toward improving the community, Knadler said.

"We have the amenities to bring entities in," he said. "We just need to make sure the town is clean and nice so they want to be here."

He cited current work on a trailer-parking ordinance in response to citizen concerns.

"We also need to be able to move old cars off the roads," he said.

In the economic development realm, he said tax credits are good tool for bringing in new businesses that would provide "career" jobs to retain young residents.

He emphasized a need for infrastructure, and for growth to protect existing assets.

"Our recreation is very important," he said. "We need to make sure industry conforms with land use we have available and be careful where it goes."

Rose Nyman

Valuing the old while encouraging the new is a critical balance, Nyman said.

"Tourism and historic preservation are near and dear to my heart, and I believe they are tools for economic development," she said.

She also said attention needs to be paid to cleanup and enhancement.

"I grew up in Goosetown, but not the Goosetown you see today," she said. "There was pride in ownership."

The county needs to coordinate weed, decay and health efforts to make the town attractive. And, incentives could help attract business.

"I am a firm believer in tax credits, I think it's necessary to bring in new business," she said.

She also said she would support adding police officers.

Bert Freer

More resources need to be dedicated toward senior

citizen services, Freer said.

"We have to make sure our senior citizens are taken care of," he said.

He cited the local senior

center, the local hospital and other facilities as assets.

He also encouraged strict enforcement of community decay rules.

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