Five candidates race for commissioner

The competition for the Lincoln County Commissioner Dist. 1 position continues to heat up with a total of five candidates thus far vying for the position.

Already in the race is Libby Mayor Tony Berget, businessman Mike Munro and former Libby chiropractor Don Cox. Throwing in their hat to the commissioner race arena are Dennis Souther, owner of Souther Construction, and Jerry Okonski, who works in the forest industry.

Souther has had an interest in being a part of Lincoln County government since the mid-1980s when he was elected to the Lincoln County Study Commission.

“Ever since then I've had an interest in the position but I never could fit it into what I was doing,” Souther explained. “My business is going well enough now that I have capable people handling it and I could pursue other things.”

Souther grew up in North Dakota and was a part of the U.S. Navy Seabees in Vietnam. He has an Associate of Arts degree and when his father moved to Libby in 1968 to work for the school district, Souther followed.

Moving to Libby in 1972, Souther worked for the mill and other businesses around the area before he started Souther Construction 12 years ago. Souther's wife Valerie owns Rivermist Home Decor with partner Denice Patrick. The Souther's have two children. Charise lives in Kalispell and Court lives in Spokane, Wash. The Souther's also have three grandchildren.

Souther explained that there are several upcoming issues that need to be addressed, such as the possibility of more road funding for the area, budget issues and ongoing subdivision reports.

“There's really not anything I would want to change,” Souther said regarding the Lincoln County commissioners. “I think it's running well.”

Souther's years running a growing company have given him good management skills. He also explained certain resources in the area are underutilized.

“We're lucky in a way because of the Kootenai Business Park,” Souther added. “We need to take more advantage of it and make it more attractive for employing smaller businesses.”

If his bid for commissioner is successful, Souther said he looks forward to working with the community.

“I've been around this community for quite awhile. I'll do whatever I can for the individuals in Lincoln County.”

Jerry Okonski has also been a major part of the Kootenai River Valley community. Okonski has worked in the forest industry for several years consulting, doing small forest resource projects in the Flathead and, most recently, opening a small pulp yard in Libby.

Born in Chicago, Okonski was an Eagle Scout, and attended the University of Montana from 1964-1968. From 1969 to 1972 he was in the U.S. Army. Okonski received a master's degree from the University of British Columbia. He later became a forest engineer for St. Regis.

Okonski has a wide-ranging business and volunteer background, he said.

“I've been in the trenches doing business here,” Okonski explained. “I've been in every nook and cranny, sometimes on my hands and knees and sometimes 20 feet up.”

Because of his background, Okonski said he is familiar with people not just in Libby but also in Eureka and Troy.

“As citizens of Lincoln County, we have an urgent responsibility to steer the county's economic policy toward re-establishing a viable and diverse economic infrastructure,” Okonski explained in a press release. “It is critical that we work to stabilize the county's financial condition. Our natural and human assets provide us with the means to do this; we need the will and leadership.”

The prominent question Lincoln County faces, Okonski said is how will county insolvency be prevented within 5-7 years? His answer is long-term economic viability and financial stability for the county.

“I don't have all the answers, but I expect the citizens to provide lots of input,” Okonski added. “People need to get excited about local government.”

Okonski has been married to his wife Mary Ann for nearly 40 years and they have three daughters.

Offices officially opened for application on Jan. 22 and will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 20.

Including District 1 County Commissioner, County Clerk of Court and Precinct Committee Persons are vacant at the county level. Also included in the political race are President, Vice President, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives seats, Governor and Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Supreme Court Justice #3, District Court Judge and Public Service Commissioner.

Eileen Carney filed for Montana State Representative for the Libby area on Jan. 28. Ginny Emerson has also filed for a seat in District 1 of the Montana House of Representatives.

Susan Farmer has filed for Lincoln County Clerk of District Court.

The primary election in Montana will be held June 3. The general election is Nov. 4.