Brown, Hadford face off in race for Hill County treasurer: Penny Hadford, Republican

A Republican Havre businesswoman is challenging the incumbent Hill County treasurer in the Nov. 6 election.

Penny Hadford said her 40 years of experience in business and finance will help her in the office if she is elected.

"I think I would bring a fresh approach to the office," she said. "I think I always see how things can be done more efficiently, save time and money."

She faces incumbent Democrat Sandy Brown, who is seeking her third term in the office.

Hadford said she was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, while her family was en route to Germany, where her father was deployed.

"I spent my first three years in Germany," Hadford said.

When her parents died, Hadford said, her aunt, Blaine County Clerk of Court Monica Miller adopted and raised her. She graduated from Chinook High School, where she earned a state record in track for the Sugarbeeters in the 220.

She went to school at Montana State University in Bozeman, but did not finish her degree, going to work full time instead. That work has given her the background for the office, Hadford said.

"I have over 40 years of financial background, banking, office administration," she said.

That work included being an office administrator for oil and gas companies and a Havre lumberyard, as well as starting Jitters Coffee Shop on First Street in 1994, working in banking and founding a trucking company.

She said she retired in the past year and has kept busy doing odd jobs.

"I understand all the facets of running a business, good record keeping, book keeping, budgets, working with the general public," she said.

She said before this year, she hadn't thought of running for public office.

I hadn't even considered it," she said. "Some people who know of my capabilities asked if I would be willing to run."

She said she thinks she could help the office work with the public in a better way.

"What I am hearing on the street is the courthouse isn't really willing to work with people." she said.

She said she would like to see some changes, such as sending a second tax notice to people who haven't made their payments on time and that people should have easier access to information from the department.

She added that she thinks a change in leadership can be good.

"People have a tendency to become complacent. I truly believe that," she said. "... And I believe that a vote for me is a vote for Hill County."