Varying views at forum: House District 32

At the public debate Thursday at Havre High School, House District 32 state Legislature incumbent Democrat Clarena Brockie and Republican candidate Gilbert Bruce Meyers answered questions created by Havreites and Hi-Liners.

House District 32 includes the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian reservations, adjoining area and stretches from Hill to Phillips counties.

Brockie was elected two years ago. In her opening statement, she said she is from Fort Belknap and is of the Gros Ventre tribe. She got a degree in health administration and went to work in Rocky Boy for Indian Health Services. She also got a degree from Montana State University-Northern and is now dean of students at Aaniiih Nakoda College.

Meyers said he has long ties to the Hi-Line. His grandfather grew up in Rocky Boy, and he was born there himself. He said he has worked with many tribes outside of the area and has spent time in Rocky Boy developing an anti-drug program in Rocky Boy in the last year.

The first question of the debate was about the legislative referendum, which will be on the ballot, that would change voter registration deadline from election day to the 5 p.m. the Friday before.

Brockie said she will vote against the referendum because there is often confusion as to whether or not a voter is registered, or is registered in that area. Letting them register the same day they vote would help them out.

Meyers said he thinks same-day registration creates a lot of confusion. He sees people recruiting voters constantly and it amazes him there are still voters not registered. There is a level of responsibility, he said.

“I don’t think we should do anything at all to suppress the voters,” Brockie said in her rebuttal.

The candidates were also asked if they thought marijuana should be legalized for recreational use.

Meyers was first to answer the question and he said, as a former drug user, he would say no. Legalizing marijuana would give children better access to the drug and would be detrimental to the community, he said.

Brockie agreed, saying that legalizing marijuana would be a nuisance, though there are medicinal uses for the drug.

In his closing statement, Meyers said Native and non-Native people are in this world together.

“I think we need to work together, we need to bridge cultural differences and gaps for the benefit of economic development,” Meyers said. “We need to tap into the global economy.”

Brockie said in her closing statement that she worked with Republicans.

“Sometimes, when you’re working with the Legislature, a lot of the time you reach across the aisle and you talk to those moderate Republicans to get bills through,” Brockie said.