The following piece presents a series of answers to questions posed to the candidates running for the contested local positions in the June primary election. This week we have the candidates for the Commissioner position. The candidates were asked the following: Please provide us with your background, education, and some personal history. For those in incumbent positions we also asked: Please present an example or two of accomplishments from your current term in office. What are two goals you would like to accomplish if re-elected? For those challenging for a position we added: What qualities and skills would you bring to this position? What are two goals you would like to accomplish if elected? Would you be willing to sit in on the budget sessions this summer, in order to learn the process? Donna Giacometto is the incumbent candidate for Commissioner, with Lori Fortner, Floyd Huckins, and Larry Clements also vying for the seat. We present the answers with minimal editing from what the candidate originally delivered. Absentee ballots will be mailed on May 13th. A candidate forum, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, is planned for Wednesday, May 25th in the high school auditorium. The primary election will take place June 7th.
I am a third generation Powder River County native. I attended Huckins (rural) School through 8th grade, then graduated from PRCDHS in 1977. I went to Helena VoTech for two years for an Auto Mechanics degree, returning to the family ranch in Spring 1979. After getting married in 1980 I worked for Montgomery Ranch at Rosebud MT, returning to PR County in 1984 to work for Gay Ranch. In 1991 I returned to the family ranch to operate it. My daughter Shanna (Talcott) was born while I was at Rosebud; my son Lyle was born while I was working at Gay Ranch. Both of them graduated from PRCDHS and are making their life here in PR County. From 1998 until 2006 my wife and I also owned and operated a water well service business. In 2009 through 2016 I moved on to a series of jobs working for:
L.J. Wright, Sheridan, WY (pine tree thinning on the Diamond Cross Ranch at Birney)
Flying H Ranch Big Horn, WY (sand/gravel wash plant operator, heavy equipment operator, irrigation, cattle crew)
Diamond Cross Ranch, Birney, MT (Foreman, Hanging Woman Unit)
Mullinax Irrigation, Sheridan, WY (pivot/wheel line installation & repair, pipeline installation, and heavy equipment operator/truck driver)
Oftedal Construction, Kill-deer, ND (Truck driver/ heavy equipment operator)
TOPS Well Services, Williston, ND (Frac Operator)
Halliburton MultiChem, Dickinson, ND (Well Treater/ chemical delivery)
In February 2016 I moved back to Broadus permanently to work for Alderman Oil Co. In July 2019 we sold part of the family ranch to cash out the other shareholders. I retained my grandparents original holdings on the Powder River and am raising hay and custom grazing cattle.
I am invested in Powder River County; it gave me a good start, a good education, and the best place to raise my family that can be asked for. I grew up with the values of honesty, work ethic, and commitment. Both of my kids have returned to make their lives here. I have three grandchildren here that I want to see grow up with the same life and skills that I am so grateful to have had.
I served on the PR County Predator Board and am in my 21st year on the PR Conservation District Board of Supervisors. I have been involved in MT Farm Bureau, Tri State Wool Marketing Assn, and a member of both MT Stockgrowers and R-CALF.
I have done a wide variety of things which have given me a broader viewpoint of the world and how people from cultures far different than ours function. In Wyoming and North Dakota I worked alongside people from all around America as well as England, Australia, Argentina, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. I have the ability to see issues from the standpoint of others, while still being able to stand firm when I feel it is necessary.
I have signed checks both front and back; as an employee, as a business owner, and as a business manager for other stakeholders. I have worked everywhere on the totem pole- from the bottom to the top. I have always had to balance the wellbeing and interests of people other than just myself.
Whether it be the responsibility of handling other people's money or in personnel dealings, I have been on both sides of it all. I have always treated others' property and assets as if they were my own- if they didn't succeed then neither did I.
My first goal will be to foster an environment where business, and therefore people, will thrive. This requires no unreasonable tax burden. Powder River County's tax base is primarily agriculture, with oilfield and petroleum pipelines being huge contributors. We have been fortunate to have a resurgence in investment and development in the Belle Creek oil field, as well as the pipeline. I don't assume that the energy industry will always be there to help shoulder the load. In the 1980's the OPEC oil crisis, a decline in Belle Creek production, drought, and skyrocketing interest rates created the perfect storm, causing severe economic hardship for Powder River County and it's taxpayers. I see many of the same signs in current events. It took four decades of conservative management in county government to overcome those hardships.
My second goal is to build on the past for the future.
The aging infrastructure of PR County is of great concern to me. County buildings and county roads are all new in my mind because I remember when the buildings were built and the roads then were half what they are now. Realistically, they are getting years on them and will need increased attention and upkeep. How to do that while maintaining and improving/ investing is something that will require foresight. This isn't something that begins and ends with a six year county commissioner term. This means that when decisions are made that they need to provide a foundation for subsequent county officials to continue to build on. Not only is county infrastructure aging, but city and business/personally owned infrastructure as well. Housing is a tough situation for people wanting to move to Broadus. It will take a business friendly climate to encourage new investment and construction.
In summary, I will say that growth cannot happen by throwing money at problems. We need to identify our strengths and build on them. Among the many strengths of PR County are a clean safe community, great schools, great outdoor life, and a place where a handshake is still a contract. These are things which young families are eagerly seeking.
Would you be willing to sit in on the budget sessions this summer, in order to learn the process?
Yes- given the enormous increases in the cost of everything I feel that it's imperative to get a "running start."
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