Candidates talk issues at forum

The Libby Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum Thursday at the Little Theatre.

Candidates seeking elected office in Lincoln County were invited to present their platforms. Those in contested primary races were asked questions by Chamber President Wayde Block.

Sheriff Roby Bowe and challengers Duane Rhodes and Bill Clark were asked if they supported gun registration. All three were strongly against registration.

“If somebody was to come and take my guns, I will shoot you off the porch,” Rhodes said. “And if the federal government came in and tried to take guns, I would expect the citizens to do the same.”

Bowe said he encourages everyone to get a concealed gun permit.

In response to a question about eminent domain, Clark said he did not see those words in the Constitution.

“It’s extortion what is going on with Montanore Mine,” Clark said. “They are being told they have to purchase 6,000 acres of private land, and give it to the Forest Service. That’s extortion.”

Clerk and Recorder Tammy Lauer and her challenger, Robin Benson, both discussed their interest in improving the area’s economic situation.

“I want to be part of the correction of the taxing error,” Lauer said. “I also want to use my experience to help get answers to find the county in a positive spending position.”

Benson discussed what she sees as a lack of communication with the public from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.

“Since the blanket absentee application went out to every voter, we cannot deny there is a lot of confusion,” Benson said. “People are already absentee voters. The phones are ringing and it is confusion. That is what I mean when I say the Clerk’s column.”

Benson suggested solving the problem by writing a newspaper column to inform voters of new information.

County commissioner challengers Russ Bache and Mark Peck presented their platforms, as did Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget.

Peck presented himself as a man who was born and raised in Libby before joining the Air Force, in which he served 20 years.

“It didn’t take long being away before I wanted to get back here,” Peck said. “It was the shock of coming home that propelled me into persuing political office.”

Berget, like many of the speakers, bemoaned the loss of logging jobs in Lincoln County.

“That is a huge problem,” Berget said. “The new forest plan is adding wilderness areas.”

Berget also discussed past efforts at economic development. The county provided economic development incentives to attract Stinger Welding Inc. to Libby, but the company declared bankruptcy and closed their doors in a few years.

“The Stinger thing didn’t work out, but we are fighting to turn this economy around.”

Bache, a Navy veteran of 28 years, said he hopes to form a group of community leaders to foster job growth.

Justice of the Peace candidates Jay Sheffield and Stormy Langston were complimentary. Both declared their desire for the position, but said the other would serve as a fully capable judge. Candidate Frank Fahland did not attend.

Primary elections will be held June 3.