Election seasons open

The season to file for city elections started today, with a slew of races open in Havre and others open in incorporated towns throughout the area.

Nominations opened at 8 a.m. this morning in the offices of the clerk and recorders of Blaine, Chouteau, Hill and Liberty counties. The deadline to file is 5 p.m. Thursday, June 27, with the primary election scheduled for Sept. 10 and the general election for Nov. 5.

In Havre, seven positions are open, including both seats in one Havre City Council ward, with the resignation of Republican Rick Dow, who is moving to Minnesota, opening slots in Ward 3.

The alderman position in that ward now held by Republican Robert Kaftan also is up for election this year.

The position of mayor also is open in Havre, now held by first-term Democrat Tim Solomon.

Other open City Council positions are in Ward 1, now held by Democrat Gerry Veis, Ward 2, now held by Democrat Janet Trethewey, and Ward 4, now held by Democrat Allen "Woody" Woodwick.

Woodwick will not be able to run in Ward 4. Redistricting has moved him from that ward to Ward 3, and he would have to file in that district if he decides to run again.

The nonpartisan city judge position is also up for election in Havre, with that position now held by Margaret Hencz.

In Hingham, the nonpartisan election will include for the seat of mayor, now held by Ray Lipp, and the at-large council seats now held by Roger Haas and Sherian J. Horinek.

In Blaine County, Harlem also has a race with both seats in a city council ward up for grabs.

In Harlem's Ward 2, former state Sen. Kenneth "Kim" Hansen was appointed to the seat vacated by Charlie Kulbeck when he accepted appointment as a Blaine County commissioner to take the place of Vic Miller, who died last summer.

The election will be for the two years remaining on the city council position.

The seat in Ward 2, now held by Jeremy Kinyon, also is up for election, as is the Ward 1 seat held by Ralph Schneider and the mayor position, with the incumbent in that seat, William J. Taylor.

In Chinook the mayor's seat now held by Jamie Neibauer ,and the council seats in Ward 1, now held by Shawna Broadhead, and Ward 2, with incumbent Jack Conner, are up for election this year.

In Big Sandy, the nonpartisan election will be for mayor, the seat now held by Shaud Schwarzbach, and the Ward 1 seat held by Stephen Stiles and the Ward 2 seat with incumbent Colby W. Baumgarn.

In Chester, the filings are open for three council seats, in Ward 1, now held by David Ghekiere, and in wards 2 and 3, held by Brett Earl and James Dahlen, respectively.