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

The 2022 Election season kicks off in Montana with the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 7 with the winners of each primary receiving their party's nomination to appear on the November 8 General Election Ballot. This year positions up for election include: Blaine County Sheriff, Clerk & Recorder, Treasurer, Attorney, Commissioner District #2, Superintendent of Schools and Justice of the Peace (Non-Partisan). Of those Blaine County positions all incumbents are running unopposed except for the Blaine County Commissioner District #2.

Three candidates have filed for the position with Incumbent Frank DePriest set to challenge Shane Fox in the Republican Primary for the opportunity to appear on the November ballot. Democrat Todd Jorgenson is the lone Democrat in the June Primary and will move on to the November General Election to challenge the Republican Primary Winner. The Blaine County Journal reached out to all three candidates regarding their reasons for wanting to serve as the District #2 Commissioner for Blaine County.

Frank DePriest, Incumbent - Republican

Frank DePriest was first elected in November of 2010 and started serving the people of Blaine County in January of 2011. Prior to running for office Frank ran DePriest GMC as well as DePriest Trucking, beginning in 1967. Frank operated DePriest GMC until 2009 and DePriest Trucking up to 2011.

Frank has plenty of reasons for wanting to seek re-election, "We've got some big projects going that I would like to see through to completion. We have the Chinook Levee to start with, the Department of National Resource in conjunction with FEMA is mapping the Milk River from Fresno Damn until it meets the Missouri and I'd like to see that through so that the residents of Chinook no longer have to by flood plain insurance." Frank added, "Harlem is doing a flood study and Blaine County donated $50,000 of ARPA funds to assist with that. They (Department of National Resource) are establishing Flood elevations as part of the remapping.

Other projects on tap include, "We have the FLAP, Federal Lands Access Program. We are graveling 6 miles of Cow Island Road east and six Miles of Cow Island Road west and then we will go south 12 miles south to Ragland Bench Road," said DePriest. "We have some major projects on Culvert replacement and our conservative approach to our budget process is ongoing right now. I am anxiously awaiting our tax payments which are do by May 31st to see how tax payments will dictate the kinds of services we will be able to continue to provide."

Frank is proud of the funds he has been a part of distributing to the county, "We've contributed ARPA funds to Hogeland, Turner, Chinook and Harlem. We have contributed $120,000 to the City of Chinook swimming pool to help with their upgrades, and we are installing lighting at the Blaine County Fairgrounds east of the Commercial Building. I have been a big part of developing these projects and if re-elected I will continue to work hard at seeing these projects through to completion as well as seeing what other projects, we can begin to better serve the community."

Working for the people of Blaine County has been good for Frank, "I have really enjoyed my 12 years as Blaine County Commissioner and look forward to serving another six years."

Shane Fox - Republican

Shane Fox is a 1995 graduate of Chinook High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science, with an emphasis in Geography and minors in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Computer Science from Montana State University - Bozeman in 2000. Fox has since spent his time working for a variety of engineering firms and is currently working in a part time capacity for a firm based in Helena. Fox made his move back home to Chinook in 2017 working for the Skoyen Ranch as a Ranch Hand, a decision he considers to be one of the best of his life. Fox currently works as the Assistant Weed and Mosquito Supervisor for Blaine County and owns a small GIS mapping business called Foxtail Solutions where he contracts with Blaine, Hill and Phillips County and assisting with various GIS mapping projects, training, and mentoring throughout the winter months.

Fox decided to pursue the Blaine County Commissioner Office because, "I love this community and I love the lifestyle here on the hi-line. I am excited to run for Commissioner because Blaine County deserves a purpose-driven leader with a proven track record of innovation, leadership, and hard work. I have worked with multiple departments throughout the County to solve problems and assist them with projects. I am budget-minded, fiscally sound and can assist with securing grant funding."

Fox is adamant about his willingness to serve the County, "I am running for Blaine County Commissioner because I want to help Blaine County in any way possible and I have the skills and abilities to get the job done." Fox has completed several projects for the citizens of Blaine County and did so during inclement weather, days off from the Mosquito shop and credits the Commissioners for allowing him the opportunity to help everyone at the county succeed.

Fox has worked with the following Blaine County Project the past few years: • Blaine County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) • Blaine County Museum • Blaine County Road/Bridge Department • Kuper Memorial Cemetery • Harlem Cemetery• Chinook Levee • Commissioner's Office • Clerk and Recorder's Office• Budget – Currently working on a web-based data visualization tool for Blaine County budgets, income, and expenditures. • Weed and Mosquito Department • Superintendent of Schools• Elections – I served as an election judge in the 2020 general election. • Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) • City maps of Chinook and Harlem.

Todd Jorgensen - Democrat

Todd has lived in and around Blaine County his entire life, and currently owns a small farm east of Chinook. "I'm very familiar with the area as I have traveled all the gravel roads, hauling cattle, gravel, and dirt in a truck," stated Jorgensen.

Born in the Havre, Montana Jorgensen attended school in Cleveland, Montana and graduated from Chinook High school in 1981. Upon graduation from CHS Jorgensen earned a AS in Agribusiness from Montana State University - Northern

Jorgensen is confident in his ability to serve the people of Blaine County, "I believe I have a lot to bring to the table as a Blaine County Commissioner. I have worked a lifetime in construction, 30 Years with Patrick Construction out of Havre, and currently I am part owner in a small construction business in Chinook." Jorgensen added, "Not only can I run much of the equipment, but I know the cost of that equipment and the expenses required in its operation."

Shane Fox

Jorgensen credits his personal experiences to his being able to do the job, "I also possess some knowledge of business, which is essential when working with taxpayers' money. Furthermore, I know the area well, and you'd be hard pressed to find someone I don't know or who doesn't know me."

Jorgensen is excited about the opportunity in front of him, "I'm looking forward to working for the people of Blaine County and will make myself available to them as much as possible. I am open to listening to peoples interests and concerns and will ensure that county residents have information access. I can pass any drug test and have no problem taking them. I also believe this is a non – partisan position, so I will work for everyone."