Three battle for Hill County commissioner spot

Ted Solomon, Diane McLean and James Bedwell each want to be a Hill County commissioner for the next six years. Thursday night they took part in a candidate forum in the Hensler Auditorium in Montana State University-Northern.

The three county commissioner candidates answered questions about the budget, how best to promote business and what they saw as issues facing Hill County during the candidate forum.

The first question was: "In the last couple of decades, Hill County has seen a sharp decline in some sources of money, income - for example natural gas, revenue has dropped off significantly. If you were elected to the commission and the commission ended up facing a budget shortfall, how would you want the county to do deal with that?"

Solomon, who touted his business and ranching experience throughout the evening, said it was important to live within the budget. He said farming and ranching tax revenue has dropped as wheat and cattle prices have decreased greatly.

If things get tight, the county has to start trimming, he said, adding that taxes must not be increased.

McLean said the county is mandated to balance its budget each year, adding that under state law, "The only way to increase county funding is by putting a mill levy on the ballot," McLean said.

It would essentially be the voters' decision to vote for the mill levy, not hers, she added.

"If the county could not raise those taxes, there would have to be things trimmed," she said.

Bedwell took the business approach.

"Try to bring in business to the community. Try to give them incentives to come, even if you need to give them a little incentive like deferred taxes or something," he said. "We need to bring businesses back into Hill County. It will help with the tax structure."

It is important to identify and build on existing assets like Beaver Creek Park, Fresno Reservoir, historic downtown Havre, "anything that can draw businesses," Bedwell said.

He said he believes the county can raise money without raising taxes.

The second question was: "Should the county be taking more action in trying to attract more people and businesses to move here, and if so, what should it be doing?"

McLean said it should and the county could start by upgrading the website.

"Unlike my generation, who doesn't naturally gravitate to the internet, younger people do ... if they want to know something about your county, they might look you up on their smartphone, instead of looking in your phone book, or calling your office," she said.

Hill County has a lot to promote  - natural resources that attract hunting and fishing, proximity to the mountains, Beaver Creek - and it should be done better, she said

Bewell emphasized the city's appearance and infrastructure.

He said First Street needed a "facelift" and the roads and sidewalks should be fixed to "make the town presentable."

"Look into expanding the Wild Horse Port to 24 hours," he also said. "Try to tap into that Canadian tourism."

Solomon said government does not know how to improve the economy and was not the answer.

"We need to attract the business people," he said. "One of the biggest potentials we have in this area is energy development in natural gas and oil."

He said the Montana Land & Minerals Association "helps mineral owners and landowners work more easily and better with oil companies and gas companies to develop the resources."

The last question was: "What do you think is the biggest problem facing the county? Or what do you think is the biggest opportunity or opportunities for the county? And whichever side åyou pick, what would you do with that?"

Bedwell said the biggest need - his main platform point - is repairing infrastructure throughout the county. One opportunity is that if the city annexes properties it might be able to raise money for infrastructure upgrades.

Solomon said the fairgrounds needed major improvements.

"I would try to get some grant money and tap into some big business people in the county," he said. "Like NorthWestern Energy and the railroad. And help funding and get things started there."

McLlean said, "Our people are our greatest resources."

She said there were more 280 jobs listed at Job Service, indicating there's opportunity.

There are also great businesses in the area, as well as education options at Northern, she said.

McLean said one of the biggest detractors is the crime and drugs in the area.

She said the area needs to keep families strong - traditional family is a great thing, she added - in the communities and that will help to abate these other problems the area sees happening, McLean said.