The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Blaine County Journal recently compiled a short list of four questions each for the two contested races being held on November 6th.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Blaine County Commissioner race for District 3. Democrat Kim Hansen and Republican Miles Hutton are on the ballot, seeking to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Charles Kulbeck this past spring. Thomas Fairbanks was appointed to fill the position until the November Election.

The Blaine County Sheriffs race to fill the vacancy being left by Sheriff Glenn Huestis, who will be retiring as soon as the election is completed.

Republican Frank Billmayer is currently the Blaine County Undersheriff and will challenge Democrat John Colby in the November 6th election. Colby currently serves as a deputy with the Blaine County Sheriffs Department.

The following questions and responses are in regard to the Blaine County Sheriffs race.

Why do you want to be Blaine County Sheriff?

Billmayer - Dear fellow citizens of Blaine County. I am seeking the Office of Sheriff because my wife Angie and I are raising our boys here. My family has lived in this wonderful community for generations and we will be here for generations to come. In short just like you, I have a vested interest in keeping our community safe. Many of my life's experiences have prepared me to effectively lead the Sheriff's Office to serve you.

My education started at the Harlem Elementary school and finished with me earning a Business Degree from the U of M in 2004. The United States Marine Corps honed my leadership skills where I earned the rank of Sergeant in the infantry and at times led over thirty Marines. After serving in the Marines and graduating college I took an overseas project management assignment for a high tech company and worked with Samsung Electronics in South Korea. This project resulted in a very successful multi-million dollar account.

In 2009 Sheriff Huestis offered me a job as a Deputy Sheriff. Serving in law enforcement had always been a dream of mine and I gladly accepted the position. After the death of my friend Undersheriff Pat Pyette, Sheriff Huestis decided to appoint from within to fill the position of Undersheriff. Those of us interested competed for the position and in August 2012 Sheriff Huestis selected me to be his Undersheriff. Since then I have supervised all of the Deputies in the Office as well as all criminal and death investigations that occur within of the Office.

Having a father's vested interest in protecting children has led me to focus on protecting the communities' children like my own. In this quest I have joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force where we apprehend the vicious predators preying on our kids online. Educating children to not be victimized in the first place is another vital role of this Task Force.

Blaine County is also selecting the next Coroner in this election. For the past years I have been instructing all of the laws and regulations at the State's Coroner's Course to all new Coroners and Deputy Coroners. I am ready to assume the duties of Sheriff and Coroner from day one.

Colby - I have been in Law Enforcement since 1996 and worked under three different Sheriffs and under two Chiefs of Police. Each of these leaders has provided me with a different perspective on law enforcement and leadership styles. I want to continue working with the community, making Blaine County a safer place to live. To further my career in law enforcement by taking on new challenges while improving relationships amongst Law Enforcement Agencies, Fire Departments, and Emergency Medical Services. I believe leading the Sheriff's Office is a difficult and challenging position that I have spent my career preparing for.

In light of continued declining tax income how would you allocate available resources to operate the sheriff's office?

Billmayer - We must examine all of the resources available to us. Force multiplier options must be explored, where we can do more with less. That includes asking the employees of the Office to take on more responsibilities in order to better serve the community. I have already written and obtained over $400,000 in federal grants over the past 6 years. These funds help offset the local tax burden and has allowed the BCSO to get equipment that it wouldn't have been able to purchase otherwise. I will maintain strict fiscal discipline and I will continue to seek grants when they make sense for Blaine County.

Colby - With the creation of the public safety fund we have been presented with new challenges with the budget. Over the years the Sheriff's Office has and will continue to look for alternative sources of revenue to assist with daily operational challenges. I will continue to partner with other agencies to conduct drug interdiction to slow the flow of illegal drugs through Blaine County. With the increase of the flow of illegal drug traffic through Blaine County I will make this one of my priorities. With a good interdiction program the assets forfeited can be directed back to the Blaine County Sheriff's Office budget.

3. Assess the recent performance of the sheriff's department and, if elected, describe your plans for the department.

Billmayer - I believe the Sheriff's Office has been led with a steady hand from Sheriff Huestis. We need to increase our community involvement and be more visible. The Deputy Liaison program that I will implement will do that. The Deputies will be assigned areas of the County and they will perform outreach in those areas in addition to normal duties. This will foster two-way communication with community members and allow us to be more responsive to the community.

We also need to continue to target the drug traffickers that operate in our community. This includes expanding the good working relationship we have with Fort Belknap Law Enforcement and adjoining counties as well as expanding our interdiction efforts. Again two-way community communication will help us in this effort.

Colby - Over all I believe we have had a good department and quality leadership. We have a young department, many of who have moved on. Over the last few years we have come a long way in improving law enforcement in the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.

I will continue to build the department by stressing the value of community oriented policing by having the office more involved within the community therefore building trust with the people that we serve. Deputies will go to the schools and civic organizations to present classes dealing with drugs, bullying, sexual assault, elder abuse and fraud.

4. Describe your experience with preparing or authorizing budgets.

Billmayer - Budgets and administrative responsibilities have been integral parts of my duties assisting the Sheriff for the last six years as Undersheriff. I have been very involved in the process for the last four years specifically meeting with the Sheriff and Commissioners forecasting the future requirements of the Office and how to prepare for them. In preparation for transitioning to the Public Safety Fund that the Office now operates in, the Sheriff and I briefed and presented to the County Commissioner's to ensure a successful transition.

My past experiences of managing a multi-million dollar project and my current in-depth working knowledge of the Sheriff's Office budget makes me the turn-key choice to be your next Sheriff and I am asking for your vote. Thank you.

Colby - As the Chief of Police in Harlem I was responsible for preparing a budget for the City Police Department and over the last five years I have been involved with preparation of the Blaine County Sheriff's Office budget. In this time I have gained valuable experience in the budget planning and process for the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.

I have been following the budget and have been given guidance in the always changing daily operation of the Sheriff's Office Budget.

The following questions and responses are in regard to the Blaine County Commissioner race.

Why do you want to be a Blaine County Commissioner?

Hansen - I have been community minded all my life, and wherever I can help I try to do so. I always want to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem. I have lived in Blaine County all my life and understand a lot of the problems that we have. Some of the problems are out of our control, like Mother Nature, and some are not. I feel that I have the trust of all my constituents in leading this county in the right direction. Everyone wants our tax money spent wisely, and I will do that.

Hutton - I feel like District 3 hasn't had representation for some of our rural areas for a while now. I think I can do a good job as a commissioner in reaching out to all areas of District 3.

In light of continued declining tax income how would you allocate available resources to operate the county?

Hansen - Money has tightened up from the Federal, State, and local levels. So we need to be very conservative with our budget. We must put things in priority, and live within our means to balance the budget. It might take some more cuts from each of the county departments, and the understanding from the public if some programs are cut back even more. We cannot continue to fall back on raising taxes, for people cannot afford it. We need to look at long term solutions including new revenue.

Hutton - I think we will need to assign needs rather than wants. Probably the areas in the county that have gone without the longest could be moved up in a list of things to address. Our gas and oil revenue is off for sure but I think it will come back somewhat. Government PILT payments are up and that helps but it doesn't fill all the lost revenue. Essential services need to be maintained and non-essential ones can be limited as needed.

Assess the recent performance of the county commission and, if elected, describe your plans for the county.

Hansen - I cannot asses the performance of the last commission for it would not be fair to second guess them. I feel that they did the best they could with the cards they were dealt. If elected I will work hard with them to help change the direction of the county. My door will always be open to hear from all my constituents; from Turner to Harlem and from Fort Belknap to North Chinook. We must all work together.

Hutton - I don't think many of the residents in Blaine County feel they are heard on county issues. Overall, the commissioners do a pretty good job with what they are given. If elected I intend to be available, out in the county and talking with the residents of Blaine County about their ideas and concerns for our county. Taxpayers want to know they have representation and I aim to do just that.

Describe your experience with preparing or authorizing budgets.

Hansen - I have 19 years of public service and dealing with budgets: a) 4 years of school board; b) 6 years city council; c) 1 year as mayor; d) 8 years in the Montana State Senate with 6 of those years on the finance and claims committee. Thank you

Hutton - I have operated my own businesses besides being a farmer and rancher. I have learned how to justify needed expenses as well as how to wait before acting on non-critical stuff and more importantly to know the difference between the two. I will do my best to be the commissioner we all deserve and if I don't have the answers I will find them.