Democrat Pyette named to Havre City Council

On a party-line vote, Havre City Council appointed Jay Pyette, a Havre High School teacher and director of Montana Actors’ Theatre, to fill the vacant Third Ward seat.

The council’s four Democrats voted to name Pyette, a Democrat, while the other three councilmen supported fellow Republican Debi Rhines.

Pyette was immediately sworn in and will serve for the remainder of the year.

If he wishes to remain in office, he will have to run in the November municipal elections.

Councilmen of both parties praised both candidates for coming forward, and even Democrats urged Rhines to run in the fall election.

The vacancy was created when Rick Dow resigned because he was moving with his family to Minnesota.

The two candidates sat side by side during the process and praised one another.

They made statements and answered questions from the council before the vote.

They disagreed little on the questions posed by the council. Both stressed their community service, and both promised to work for economic development.

Rhines made a brief opening statement, but Pyette said his statement would be more lengthy.

“I’m an actor by trade,” he reminded them.

“I have a vested interest in Havre,” he said. “I am raising my kids here.”

“My goal is to keep an open mind,” Rhines said. “I want to visit with the people of the community.”

Both said they were open to studying the idea of a business license, and both said they would shun partisan politics on the council.

City Councilman Gerry Veis, a Democrat, said he felt the federal spending was out of control, but he favored Havre and the Hi-Line actively seeking federal money to help with local projects through programs such as Vibrant Futures.

Both candidates said they were open to such ideas.

Hill County Democratic Chairman John Musgrove was the only member of the public to speak during the public comment section.

He praised both candidates, but supported Pyette.

When the roll was called, Veis said “I’m going to do Debi a favor. I’m going to vote for Jay.”