During a recent forum, two candidates vying for the Lewis and Clark County commissioner seat presented contrasting views to the public. Incumbent Andy Hunthausen, seeking re-election for a fourth term, shared the stage with challenger Joe Dooling in an event hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area. While not labeled as a debate, Dooling challenged Hunthausen on several points during the 90-minute discussion attended by a small audience at the Helena Avenue Theatre.
The nonpartisan election for the commissioner seat is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Topics covered in the forum included issues such as growth, infrastructure, taxes, relationships with other towns within the county, septic tanks, and passenger rail. Sharon Haugen, co-chair of the league, served as the moderator for the event.
Hunthausen expressed his gratitude for serving the community and highlighted his preparation for the job through his teaching and counseling background, as well as his participation in various leadership institutes. He also mentioned his extensive endorsements and emphasized the broad scope of county issues beyond the forum discussion.
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Dooling, a business owner, farmer, and rancher, expressed disappointment at the limited number of candidate forums and stressed his experience and roots in the community. He raised concerns about the cost of living in the area and cited examples of unsustainable tax burdens. Dooling advocated for smart growth policies and highlighted the need for collaboration with landowners to address land use issues.
Both candidates addressed the county’s population growth and emphasized the importance of strategic planning and collaboration with neighboring communities for infrastructure development. The candidates also discussed financial challenges, housing issues, and the potential impact of passenger rail on the county.
The forum concluded with a discussion on septic system regulations and the feasibility of passenger rail projects in the area. While Hunthausen expressed support for exploring the potential benefits of passenger rail, Dooling raised concerns about the impact on local industries and infrastructure.
The forum recording is available on Helena Civic TV’s website for those interested in watching the full event.
For more information, contact Assistant editor Phil Drake at 406-2319021.
“The No. 1 industry in Montana is agriculture and we should not be jeopardizing it for a train that no one is going to ride.”
