Libby Mayor Candidate: Peggy Williams
Editor's Note: The Western News submitted a series of questions to candidates in the Libby mayoral election. Following are answers to those questions by each candidate.
Describe yourself.
I am currently an elected Libby City councilwoman (2007). I have been a resident of the City of Libby for 32 years, raising two daughters in this community. Since moving to Libby in 1977, I have been involved in the community through business activities as well as an active volunteer within various community organizations to include the Bill Koch/Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club, church activities, STOKR/Habitat for Humanity. I am an avid gardener and quilter.
What is your present occupation?
Chief financial officer of KLCB and KTNY.
Why are you running in this election?
My interest is continuing to work in the best interest of the City of Libby and its citizens. I attended city council meetings long before running for an elected seat. My desire has and continues to be improving and making a difference in the operations of the council and thus the City of Libby. I am running for mayor because I have a different perspective of how city business and its operations should be conducted. It should be run as a business because it is a business. It should be open and transparent in its operations and responsive to its owners, the residents of the City of Libby.
What should be the city’s top three priorities?
Issues of concern include finances, neglected critical infrastructure and vital public works. These areas are of significant importance to the citizens of Libby as they include upgrades of the wastewater treatment plant, water distribution, overdue maintenance on city-owned facilities and the general visual appeal of the community. As with all small towns there is always more to do than money available. Prioritization is the key to achieving the project goals while keeping the financial budget in line.
What has been the present council’s biggest achievement?
Recognizing their strength lies in teamwork. Looking for long-term solutions and not short-term, band-aid approaches to problems.
What has been the present council’s biggest weakness?
The council is the policy-making body of the city. Implementation of the policies and decisions of the council have not always been carried out in the manner in which the council wished. Implementation is the responsibility of the mayor.
What do you love most about Libby?
Libby has been and continues to be a great place to live. It is a beautiful place. I grew up in a small town, and like Libby’s small-town atmosphere. But a small town can be progressive and develop without losing its small-town character. Not all change is for the better, but positive progress is change. The challenge is to find the difference and proceed accordingly.
I believe that the formation of the City-County Health Board has been a critical turning point for the ongoing cleanup in Libby. It is our goal to make sure that the final cleanup criteria is protective of our area residents’ health and safety.