Commission selects 5 park board finalists

Though a spot on the Hill County Park Board still was open during its meeting Monday in Havre, the Hill County Commission has narrowed a large list of candidates down to five finalists and is scheduling interviews to select one to appoint to the board.

Park Board Member Mel Gomke, appointed to the board in 2001, announced his retirement in May. The board is selecting someone to finish out his term, through May 1, 2014.

The five finalists selected for interviews are Lowell Alcock, Renelle Braaten, Ursula Brese, Scott Doney and Shawn Reichle.

The other applicants were Carol Birks, David Brewer, Lou Hagener, Shawn Keeley, Terry O’Leary, Tony Reum, Jack Solomon and Ted Solomon.

Commissioner Mark Peterson said after Monday’s meeting that the list of applicants was excellent and that they were all well-qualified. He said the exact date when the member would be appointed is dependent on when interviews can be scheduled.

The board oversees operations of county parks, including three parks in North Havre, the swimming pool in Hingham and parks in Kremlin, Gildford and Rudyard as well as the 10,000-acre Beaver Creek Park south of Havre.

The board comprises nine members, three of which are the Hill County commissioners. The commissioners appoint six more members, who serve three-year terms in a staggered rotation. The leadership of the board is selected at a meeting each spring.

The board meets once a month to conduct its business.

For more information about the appointment and on the activities of the park board, people can contact the Hill County Commission at 265-5481.