Meeting Mike

Editor’s Note: Newly elected Lincoln County Commissioner Mike Cole defeated Steve Curtiss by just 132 votes — 3,911 to 3,779. We thought our readers would like to know more about their commissioner-elect, so we asked 10 questions.

Q: Who is Mike Cole and what are his beliefs? 

A: I was raised and have lived in Northwest Montana my whole life, other than 3 years in Southeast Alaska in the early ’80s.  

My background is in farming/ranching, logging, rodeo, heavy construction and retail. I’ve been in Eureka since 1985 where I married, raised my family and became part of the Eureka community. My interest gravitated toward the Lincoln County Fair where I have been chairman for more than a decade.  The Tobacco Valley Rodeo Association, which I am director for,  has produced the rodeo since 1989 and The Bull Thing since 1995, bringing thousands of people to our county. Our business, Montana Market, has been on main street for 35 years. I believe in working hard, consistency, optimism and making my community a great place to live.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing Lincoln County and its residents?

A: The biggest challenge to our county as I see it is who are we and what are we to become?  Our core has always been timber, mining and agriculture.  As anyone can see these have been greatly impacted by ever-changing laws, economy, population and technology.  Our challenge is to find a way to get these industries back on track as well develop new and innovative companies.

Q: What are the unique traits you bring to this office and how would they help constituents?

A: I don’t think I have any unique traits.  What I do have is optimism and a business perspective to help get our county government back on its own feet instead of completely counting on federal money for funding.  As we address the diminishing revenue we need to have dialogue with not only our county departments but also the people of the county so we all understand and are involved in the process of fixing the shortfall of money.  I feel the more people that are a part of the solution the easier the decisions will be.  That in turn should help build confidence in the offices of our county.

Q: What are your plans for jobs in the county?

A: Jobs and improving timber and mining in Lincoln County go hand in hand.  I feel we have seen what not managing the forest has brought us, i.e. lack of industry and economy.  A lot of people are involved in getting us past a shut down forest and into a managed forest.  Mining has a stigma of bad water and destruction.  After a tour of the the Montanore mine I was very impressed with their dedication and policy towards protecting our water and land, while still producing a viable business.  Our county commission has and is working to create a more business friendly climate and county.

Q: What campaign promise did you make that will be hardest to keep?

A: After years of listening to politicians make promises they can’t keep I am glad to report that I am not a politician.  The only promise I am making is that I will work hard to make Lincoln County a great place to live, as well as a great place to make a living.

Q: How do you and your opponent differ on where you wanted to take this county?

A:I don’t feel Steve and I are that different in where we wanted to go.  We both want fiscal responsibility, our forest working, our mines mining, clean water, and less government interference to name a few.  That said my approach will be to focus on county business first.  Personnel, budget, assets, policy are all things that commissioners work on, on a daily basis.  Working with federal agencies to help get our economy back is a close follow.

Q: What would you ado to further the recovery of south Lincoln County as the EPA cleanup winds down?

A: South Lincoln County has taken a huge hit for the last twenty years.  I would bet that there are hundreds of people every day thinking about ways to get the Libby area up and running.  Those are the conversations that the county should be involved with.  We all need to be looking 10-15 years ahead to hopefully keep from losing all of our industrial based business at once.  Business for the sake of business is not good.  Solid long term employment is what most people want and need.

Q: With the decline of timber and mining in Lincoln County, what are your thoughts on the tourism business and is it a viable industry for our county?.

A: Tourism fits into question number 2, too.  In North Lincoln County the summer months are dominated with tourism.  Along with that in our situation a lot of summer homes have been built, which brings those homeowners back for winter time stays as well.  Golf courses have been able to open because of that growth.  With some luck maybe some new hotel rooms will grow out of it.  The largest attraction for tourism in our county is of course Lake Koocanusa.  As access to the lake continues to improve so will the industry grow.  This lake has a very large possibility for new economy in the North and South ends.  I feel it to be one of our best opportunities to help make a diverse economic base.  That said, at this time summer recreation is a limited economic bump.  Developing more winter sports is slowly gaining traction.  What is fascinating is people visiting, then moving here that will creates lots of jobs and population which usually means more business for everybody.

Q:When you walk away from this office, what do you want your legacy to be? 

A:I haven’t really thought about legacy, after all the election was Tuesday!  But my thought would be that people would remember me as being a positive factor in creating a new strong county economy.

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life?

A: My wife BeeGee is the most influential person in my life.  Her love of life is amazing, she never slows down.  My family is the most inspirational from my son, daughters, brothers, sisters they all have dedication, work ethic, and fun.