Libby voters say yes to former police officer Ian Smith

Zach McNew is out and Ian Smith is in.

That’s according to preliminary election results on the Lincoln County Elections webpage.

Smith, the former Libby Police Officer who quit the force nearly a year ago after asserting that then-Police Chief Scott Kessel was involved in misconduct and had a lack of concern for their well-being, will be the newest member of the Libby City Council after receiving 406 votes for one of the three, four-year terms that was available.

Incumbents Brian Zimmerman and Hugh Taylor were also re-elected. Zimmerman had the highest vote total with 568 while Taylor collected 515. Zimmerman was first elected in 2015. Taylor was appointed to the council in March 2018.

Brad Nelson, who operates a business in Libby, received 317 votes, fourth overall. DC Orr was next with 266 and McNew had 251. McNew, a local businessman, was appointed to fill a vacant council seat in September 2021 before being elected to a two-year seat in November 2021. Orr lost in a 2021 bid for a city council seat. He did win a city council seat in 2009 before losing in 2015.

In Troy, six candidates vied for two, four-year city council seats and one two-year term. 

Six candidates filed to run, including Jamie Shupe, Robert Henson, Scott Hoffman, Gilbert Gravier II, Dallas Carr and Tyler Boswell. Carr previously served on council and was also the town’s mayor.

Boswell, who received the most votes with 349, and Shupe, who got 267, were elected to the four-year terms while Hoffman, 298 votes, grabbed the two-year term.

Carr received 244 votes while seeking the two-year term. In the four-year race, Robert Henson had 211 votes while Gilbert Gravier II had 109 votes.

Also, voters across the county overwhelmingly supported the collection of a marijuana tax with 4,321 voting yes and 1,842 saying no. The tax will take affect on Feb. 5, 2024.

Previously, the Lincoln County Commissioners said it would take affect on Jan. 1, 2024, but some research on the matter revealed the tax couldn’t take effect until 90 days after the election.

The 3% tax will include sales on recreational and medicinal marijuana. The Montana Department of Revenue already collects a 4% tax for medical marijuana and 20% for adult-use, or recreational sales.

The county estimates total revenues will be about $126,000. 50% of the revenue will go to Lincoln County while 45% will go to Libby, Troy and Eureka. The split among the three cities will be based upon their respective populations. All three cities previously indicated their interest in the tax. Five percent will go to the state.

In Eureka, voters rejected a proposed $17 million school bond to build a new middle school, 1,621-1,238.

Also in Eureka, there were two, four-year seats for city council. Jim Monroe claimed one with 145 votes while Mike O’Neil had 100 to win the other. James Northrupp had 42 votes while Jason B. Hayes had 17.

For a two-year term, Arthur Walters ran unopposed.

For the Eureka Town Judge post, Stormy Langston claimed the four-year term after having no opposition.

In Rexford, Bill Marvel won the election for mayor while collecting 37 votes. His opponent, Danny Lemer, had 18.

For Rexford Town Council, Neil Wayne Gardner claimed a four-year term after running unopposed.