Competition continues for candidacy

The Western News

Two Libby residents have filed their candidacy for the District 1 county commissioner seat.

Libby Mayor Tony Berget and Treasure Mountain Casino Restaurant and Lounge owner Mike Munro have officially filed for the commissioner spot.

The Lincoln County offices of District 1 County Commissioner, Lincoln County Clerk of Court and Precinct Committee Persons are open for election.

The offices officially opened on Jan. 22 and will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 20.

Currently Rita Windom is the District I County Commissioner. Windom took office on Jan. 6, 1997, according to Bill Bischoff, executive assistant to the Board of Commissioners. Windom was then elected for a second term. Her term will end on Dec. 31, 2008, Bischoff said.

The candidate elected for commissioner will be joining District 2 Commissioner John Konzen and District 3 Commissioner Marianne Roose. Commissioners serve a 6-year term.

"We've had a couple people come pick up papers, but we've only had two apply [for the commissioner position]," said Tammy Lauer, Lincoln County Election Administrator and Clerk and Recorder.

Lincoln County Clerk of Court is a 4-year term and was filled by Nadine Pival until her retirement on Dec. 21, 2007.

Pival started her work with the county in the Sheriff's Office in March 1977, where she worked for seven years. Then in May 1985, Pival began working in the Clerk of Court office, Bischoff said.

In September 1990, Pival became Chief Deputy Clerk. In March 1999, Pival was appointed the Lincoln County Clerk of Court.

Susan Farmer became Pival's successor upon her retirement. Farmer plans to run for Clerk of Court, according to Lauer.

Also up for election are positions for Precinct Committee Persons, which are 2-year terms. The position is for one man and one woman per precinct per party.

There are 14 precincts in Lincoln County and these seats are responsible for going door-to-door and handing out pamphlets for their respective democrat and republican precincts, Lauer explained.

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

Filing forms for local elected offices are available at the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 512 California Ave., Libby, MT 59923.

To request forms by mail, call (406) 293-7781, ext. 200 or 283.