Seven hopefuls file in Libby; Troy has five

            The Libby City Council race has expanded to seven, with the addition of Brent Teske and Joanne Woods-Newman into the running on Thursday, the last day to file.

            Other candidates for City Council include incumbents Robin Benson, Barbara Desch, and Vicki Lawrence. Arlen Magill, Michael Shock, Teske and Woods-Newman are challenging incumbents for the three open seats.

            Mayor Doug Roll is now forced to run against councilman Allen Olsen, who also chose to submit his application on the final day of the registration deadline. Both are seeking the mayor’s seat.

            Final applicants for Troy City Council candidates are incumbents Phillip Fisher and Frances McCully, who welcome new candidates Dallas Carr, Donna Lee Rugani and Kimberly Rowse.

            Now campaigning for the Troy mayor’s seat includes Anthony E. (Tony) Brown and Darren Coldwell.

             Coldwell, a longtime resident of Troy and a business owner, so far has only one key point for his campaign, unity.

            “Just maybe bring the community back together after the last few years,” he said.

            Coldwell spoke in support of reopening the mine, and bringing the community together to bring jobs back to town.

            “I absolutely support the mine,” Coldwell said. “As a community leader, the mayor should do everything possible to help any company that’s willing to stick their neck out in this community.”

            Olsen and Roll were unavailable for comment, while Teske reserved comment for a later time when he would release a list of campaign points.

            “I’m really pleased at the new candidacy,” said Shock. “It’s a good turnout, and we need some new blood in Libby.”

            Shock envisions a campaign involving grassroots politics, getting out to the public to hear new ideas that he can willfully bring to the council. As a service to the community, Shock believes snap judgments lead to poor politics. He criticized the city’s decision to conduct funds into Riverfront Park, contrasting the argument with the city’s infrastructure needs in the reconstruction of sidewalks, holes, and water leakage that ultimately falls on taxpayers.

“It’s going make for a tough campaign,” Shock admitted, “but maybe well have some new ideas, maybe some inspirational ideas.”