Article published Jun 27, 2007

Three file for city government positions

By RICHARD ECKE

Tribune Staff Writer

Three candidates have tossed their hats in the ring for three open Great Falls city government positions.

Two of those running are incumbents, Commissioner Diane Jovick-Kuntz and Mayor Dona Stebbins.

The other candidate is Mary Jolley of Great Falls, who is seeking a seat on the commission.

More candidates are expected to file before the deadline at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The first to file for a city commissioner position was Jolley, who ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature as a Republican last fall. City government positions are nonpartisan.

Jolley has attended dozens of city meetings dealing with the proposed coal-fired power plant east of Great Falls. She has opposed the city's plans to be a partner in the plant without taking a public vote.

Jolley said she pores over city documents and pays close attention to detail, something she said city commissioners need to do more often.

An office manager for the national office of the Federation of Pachyderms, Jolley said her election would mean "perhaps we'll have some discussion before votes" on the City Commission.

"We have so many 5-0 votes," Jolley said. "That could change too."

She also said residents are concerned about crime. She wants the city to concentrate on basics, such as providing police and fire protection.

Jovick-Kuntz filed for re-election Tuesday but could not be reached.

Also filing for re-election Tuesday was Stebbins, who beat incumbent Randy Gray two years ago in a hard-fought race.

Stebbins said her goal for a second term is "just completing the stuff that we already started," from swimming pool renovations to improving animal control.

She said she has worked hard on economic development, citing good prospects for "a couple new businesses coming in" soon. She also said the federal Office of Economic Adjustment plans to pay for a broad diversification study for the region to look at offsetting the planned loss of 50 of Malmstrom Air Force Base's nuclear missiles.

Stebbins added she was pleased voters agreed to rehabilitate three swimming pools in the city. She said good pools help keep local young people from plunging into rivers such as the Missouri, which she called "very treacherous."

Stebbins said being mayor has been hard work but also a lot of fun.

City Commissioner Sandy Hinz, who said Tuesday she does not plan to run again, invited others to apply for a commission position if they have "the best interests of the community in mind." She said she hopes those who file will not be single-issue candidates.

A primary election, if necessary, will be held Sept. 11. The general election will be Nov. 6.

The mayor's term is two years. The two commission seats and a municipal judge position carry four-year terms.