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Larson won't seek election

by Bob Henline Western News
| February 2, 2016 7:17 AM

Lincoln County Commissioner Greg Larson will end his run in county government at the conclusion of his term, which ends Dec. 31, 2016.

Larson, who was appointed in July 2014 to replace then-retiring commissioner Ron Downey, said the six-year commitment was just too much to make at this point in his life.

“It was a difficult choice to make but I think the main factor is the six-year commitment,” Larson said. “At this time in my life that is just too much to make. I joke that I would be as old as President Regan when he was in office when I got done but in reality I would be. I want to spend more time smelling the roses, enjoying family and friends, traveling, hiking and hunting and fishing in this paradise we are so fortunate to live in.”

Larson said during his tenure he is proud of several accomplishments made by the county commissioners. One of those achievements, he said, has been increased transparency in county government.

“We have tried to improve several things since I became a commissioner,” he said. “One is outreach and transparency to the public, through improved minutes, etc. (thanks to Robin Benson) and we are going to be redoing our county website entirely for better navigation and ease of finding information.”

Another improvement he cited was the cost saving measure of consolidating the Justice Court functions of Eureka and Libby into the single court in Libby. The decision, he said, was difficult and contentious, but ultimately proved to be a money-saving measure for Lincoln County taxpayers.

“This was a cost-saving measure and a contentious decision but we have to make the hard decisions when technological improvements offer taxpayer savings as it was with this situation,” he said.

Larson also cited a number of economic and political moves made by the county commissioners in recent months as highlights of his time in office. He said the commissioners now meet regularly with Montana’s congressional delegation and their staff members to discuss ongoing issues in Lincoln County. The county has also become involved in two issues related to the environment and economic development in Lincoln County. The commissioners filed a petition with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service asking for a delisting of the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (CYE) grizzly bear and have filed for intervenor status in the lawsuit challenging the East Reservoir timber sales.

The grizzly bear petition was denied by the federal agency, but so also was a conflicting petition filed by the Alliance for the Wild Rockies to elevate the bears’ status from threatened to endangered. The action by the commissioners, according to Commissioner Mark Peck, provided the county with legal standing on future issues related to the protection of grizzly bear habitat in the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem.

Larson said the commissioners have worked hard to improve the morale of county employees, as well as making other procedural improvements in the county’s personnel practices.

“We have been working to improve the morale of county employees,” he said. “We have made improvements with our Human Resource office and we are trying to do as much as we can to make employees feel appreciated for the work that they do for all of us.”

Larson said his primary goal as a county commissioner was taking care of the people of Lincoln County.

“I worked hard on being accessible to the public and working quickly to solve their issues or concerns when possible to do so,” he said.

Financial and economic matters dominate Larson’s agenda for the 11 months he has left in office.

His to-do list includes seeing a final record of decision for the Montanore Mine that gets the project underway and providing jobs for the people of Lincoln County.

“The Montonore Mine Record of Decision being made and seeing that project underway to a successful future of improved jobs in Lincoln County,” he said.

Other issues he said he’d like to see resolved before his term is up include a record of decision, including workable institutional controls, regarding the Libby Asbestos Superfund site, a forest trust established for the county to assist with both improved forest management and long-term school funding and a resolution to the long-standing lawsuit between the Lincoln County Port Authority and Stinger Welding.

Last but not least, he said he plans to “continue to work toward improved services for county residents and to reduce costs where possible.”

According to the Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, as of Monday afternoon no one has filed for the open seat. The deadline to file is March 14, 2016.