Ravalli County Commissioner Candidate Debate

Thursday September 30th The Candidates for County Commissioner had their first official debate.  Based on my experience with the Candidates there were no major changes in position.  The Candidates know where they stand and were not afraid to tell you. 

The Candidates for County Commissioner are:

District 2

Greg Chilcott, (incumbent) Republican

John Meakin, Democrat

District 3

JR Iman, Republican

Roger Dehaan, Democrat

I will go over some of the more important questions (in my opinion) and give a short synopsis of the answers.  To get the full reasons behind the answers to the questions feel free  to contact the candidates directly and they will be happy to share their thoughts. 

The moderator did not waste any time getting right to the point.  The first questions was “Should the public be allowed to vote on zoning before it is enacted?” 

Meakin – No, we have a representative form of government.

Chilcott – Yes.

Dehaan – No.

Iman – Yes. 

The next question ( maybe should have been the first) was, “Why are you running for office?”

Chilcott – For his kids.

Meakin – For regulation to control development.

Iman – He was asked.

Dehaan – Because it was the logical next step in his involvement in local government.

“Should the growth Policy be repealed?”

Dehaan – No, it is a good document.

Iman – Yes, to stop zoning.

Meakin – No.

Chilcott – Yes.

This question was discussed back and forth for quite a bit.  It was the feelings of those that wanted to repeal it that this is a way to vote on zoning.  The two that wanted to keep it thought it was a good document and that zoning should be addressed as a separate issue. 

The next question that was asked was “Are you a member of one of the following special interest groups: Friends of the Bitterroot, Bitterrooters for Planning, Coalition for Higher Ground, Citizens for Property Rights, and (one more that I did not write down fast enough)?”

All said no.

I am sure that recent events of the day spurred the following question, “What is your opinion of the Streamside Setback process?”

Meakin – Supports the process and the idea of streamside setbacks.

Chilcott – The intent of the open meeting law was not followed, maybe unknowingly by the participants.

Dehaan – Supports the Streamside Setback Committee.  He sits on the committee as the representative of the Health Board.

Iman – Mainly expressed his dislike of the current draft of the setbacks and feel that more public involvement is needed. 

While sitting at the debates I took the opportunity to write down a few quotes that I thought were not only notable but also represented the atmosphere of the event.

“New residential development should pay for it self.”

- Roger Dehaan

“We need to provide for the economic line of Ravalli County.” (In reference to a Hwy 93 corridor)

- JR Iman

When asked about the change from 3 commissioner to 5 Chilcott said, it ”generates a lot more wind out of the Commissioners office.”

“When problems come up we discuss them until they [the public} stops coming.”

- JR Iman

During closing remarks Meakin quoted an Indian Proverb.

“We don’t inherit out land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”