Greg Chilcott, Republican, Stevensville
I am 58 years old and was born in Hamilton and raised in Stevensville. My wife Vickie and I have been blessed with seven children and thirteen grandchildren. I have been serving the citizens of Ravalli County for nearly 18 years, first as the Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator and now as your County Commissioner. While I have worked in management positions in three states, my roots run deep in the Bitterroot as my family settled here in 1864.
A strong work ethic has been a valuable asset in my professional career with more than 35 years of public and private sector management experience. For the past 15+ years I have been an approachable, deliberate, thoughtful and conservative voice on the Board of County Commissioners. I believe my experience serving on a three-member board will be valuable as we transition from a five-member board back to three. I have been fortunate to serve with an excellent Board of County Commissioners and incredibly dedicated employees. Together we have made the tough decisions that have placed the county in the strongest fiscal position it has been in for decades.
I have served as Chairman of the Ravalli County Board of Commissioners numerous times as well as held leadership positions in other organizations. My peers have elected me to serve as President of the Montana Association of Counties (MACo), Chairman of the Montana Coalition of Forest Counties, Chairman of the MACo Public Lands Committee, Chairman of the Urban Counties of Montana, Vice-Chairman of the National Association of Counties Public Lands Steering Committee and membership on the Board of Directors of the Western Interstate Region. These positions provide Ravalli County an opportunity to have a stronger voice not only statewide but nationally as well.
Reason for Running for Office
I believe in Ravalli County and its citizens and am passionate about positioning our county for the future. I am blessed to have been born, raised and educated here. I am proud of our heritage, our “neighbor-helping-neighbor” attitude and our traditional values. As a father and grandfather this is a legacy I believe we should pass on to future generations. It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Ravalli County as your commissioner for the last 15+ years. I will continue to work faithfully and with integrity on your behalf.
Property Rights versus Public Access
Public access to public lands rarely is in direct conflict with private property rights. I am confident that we can honor private property rights AND advocate for better access to our public lands. I am proud to have a demonstrated history of advocating for private property rights in Ravalli County. I have also been an active advocate at the local, state and national levels for increased and more diverse multiple-use public access to our public lands.
Management of Public Lands
Since federal public lands (Bitterroot National Forest) represent over 73% of Ravalli County’s land mass, it is critical that these lands be managed effectively not only for the public health and safety of our citizens, visitors and wildlife habitat, but also as a contributor to our local economy and tax base. Active forest management includes multiple-use initiatives, mitigation, responsible resource management, and fuel reduction activities. All of these activities should be done with consultation with locally impacted counties, communities and stakeholders.
Polarization in the Electorate
We certainly have a myriad of opinions on many topics. It is my hope that public debate can be based on facts and evidence rather than attacks on each other. This board of county commissioners has worked hard to be transparent and approachable to the citizens of Ravalli County. While there will always be two sides and one decision, open, honest and participatory discussions based on the facts and merits of the topic(s) will hopefully reduce the polarization.
Why I am the Best Choice for the position
I have over 35 years of successful management experience in private enterprise and public service. After graduating from college I was blessed with diverse opportunities to gain valuable experience. As a business owner and manager, a local government administrator and as your commissioner, I have demonstrated the ability to successfully manage personnel and resources while being fiscally responsible each and every day. I have been a strong advocate for economic development and actively involved with the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority. I have been engaged at the state and national levels on Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Public Lands issues and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding on behalf of Ravalli County. I have served with integrity and will continue to work hard for the citizens. With OVER 15 years of experience on the board of county commissioners, I am able to bring valuable institutional knowledge to a variety of issues which I believe allows us to continue moving forward toward positive outcomes for Ravalli County.
Lyndsay Stover, Democrat, Florence
I am a new face to the political stage, but I am not new to the issues we face as a community. The current commission does not work well together, they run along a single-party line, barely have any major discussions on important topics, and have a general disregard for what their constituents want to see in the community. Their current decision-making strategies are based on personal convictions and political agendas, and not in the best interest of the citizens.
The commissioners are not leaving a legacy for the future generations, they are, in fact, making decisions that limit opportunity and economic growth in our county, and restrict the advancement and quality of life of the people they are supposed to be serving.
I am a mother of 2 beautiful children and 2 wonderful step-children, the wife of a construction painter, and an employee of Ravalli County for almost 6 years as the program director for the County’s tobacco education program. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Anthropology, and attended The University of Montana to pursue a Master’s Degree in Anthropology with a focus on the Medical and Cultural fields.
Reason for Running for Office
I am running for office because I have an optimistic and constructive vision for the future of our County and possess the perspective and forward-thinking that is needed on the Board of County Commissioners. Many of the uninformed decisions made by the Commissioners in recent years have resulted in legal battles, and sub-substandard planning that has threatened our County socially, economically and environmentally.
Our County Commissioners have become too comfortable and too cavalier in their positions. There have been too many examples over the past decade where the Commissioner’s careless and reactive management style resulted in tax payers forfeiting millions of dollars in preventable lawsuits, payouts, and other illogical projects. I have seen the dismissal and general disregard of public comments during meetings and have observed the lack of sufficient public notice surrounding significant County issues that warrant public input. I am running to bring leadership, accountability and integrity back to the County Commission and invite the community back into the decision-making process.
Being a commissioner is about being a community member, working on the ground level to create opportunities, make decisions to move the county forward, and come up with solutions that benefit the most people possible. I am running to serve the people of Ravalli County, find solutions to repair our failing infrastructure, and identify means to diversify our economy and provide better paying jobs in our community.
Property Rights versus Public Access
Two very fundamental elements of being a Montanan is the ability to enjoy access to public lands and the ability to own private property. Outdoor recreation and tourism draw a substantial amount of revenue into our County’s economy, it employs many people in the Bitterroot Valley including outfitters, guides, and other recreational professionals. Approximately 73% of Ravalli County is made up of public lands and having access to these lands is essential for hunters, anglers, outdoor recreationalists and community members. However, it is just as critical that those accessing public lands respect private property rights, which means not trespassing on private property, not leaving trash behind, and respecting property owners. It is the responsibility of us all to protect our public lands by keeping these areas clean and well-maintained, if we want to keep them accessible for years and generations to come.
The same lesson holds true for private property owners as well. It is just as important for property owners to understand the public’s legal right to access public lands and that property owners cannot place a personal claim on public lands and/or waterways, or intentionally block access to these areas.
We have lost access to many public areas due to privatization and “landlocking,” where isolated parcels or properties have blocked the publics ability to access public lands. With that said, it is important that County Commissioners, members of the public, property owners, and community organizations work together to forge better relationships, and keep our public lands open and accessible to everyone.
Management of Public Lands
Public lands have both positive and negative impacts on the quality of life in our County – from recreation, forest fires, and smoke, to watershed and the economy. While management decisions about National Forest resource uses are not within County Commissioner authority, I believe it is important to maintain positive communication and coordination with members of the public and other local, state and federal agencies. We can work together to decide the best approach for solving short-term problems and agree on a long-term management direction of our public lands.
I believe that the Bitterroot National Forest should continue to be managed by the Forest Service, and the Board of County Commissioners should focus on the County budget, issues of public health and safety which includes roads, health, and law enforcement. These issues if not managed efficiently can have a significant impact on our daily lives.
Polarization in the Electorate
As a democracy we have to remember the words of Abraham Lincoln we have “a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” The polarization of politics has reduced people down to political affiliation and has divided us. At all levels of government, even at the local level, it is important that we all work together, whether you are Democrat or Republican. Together we can work toward a common goal, compromise, and find solutions that will benefit the most people; not tote a single-party line philosophy.
Partisan approaches and decision-making styles only provide support and solutions to a small portion of the public and do not strengthen the community as a whole. When decisions are one-sided we get nowhere; we do not grow economically, environmentally, or socially, we remain stagnant and that is what we are being confronted with in Ravalli County. We have to look at all sides of an issue and be willing to look outside the political box for answers and bring all parties to the table. The best decisions for our country, our state, and our county are made when Democrats and Republicans work together.
As the next Ravalli County Commissioner, I will take a bi-partisan, inclusive approach to ensure the stability and growth of our county. I know we can work together across these divisive party lines, and put politics aside to create a better, prosperous future for all of us.
Why I am the Best Choice for the Position
As the next county commissioner, I will be an active listener, a good researcher, and come fully prepared for all meetings. I will provide leadership, take decisive action and follow-through with all decisions that are made. A Commissioner’s salary is paid for by the citizens of Ravalli County and a good Commissioner should maintain an open-door policy, be accountable for the work-week, work regular office hours like all other County employees and be readily assessable to everyone. A good Commissioner checks their e-mails and voicemails daily and shows up for the day ready to work, and does not leave after morning meetings.
I will be present at work and meetings, conduct research, consult with experts and advisory boards and make decisions that will benefit the most people in the County. I will understand the role of Commissioner as it relates to local, state, and federal laws on issues that are impacting the community. I will listen to the community, encourage active participate, notify the public of significant meetings well in advance, and work hard to protect the public health and safety of all residents.
It is time to elect a Commissioner that will help build a strong foundation and leave a sustainable legacy for an enhanced quality of life, not only for our current residents, but for our future generations as well.