Gallatin Democrats: County Commission Archives

Gallatin County Democrats - Bozeman, Montana - Government by the people  <meta name="description" content="Gallatin County Democrats | The Bozeman, Montana Democratic Party - Dedicated to Government by the People" > <meta name="keywords" content="Gallatin County Democrats, Bozeman, Montana, politics, political, MSU, news, central committee"> <meta name="GOOGLEBOT" content="index, follow"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <link rel="icon" href="/img/favkickingdonkey.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <style type="text/css"> @import url(/nav.css); </style> <script type="text/javascript" src="/navbar.js"></script>   </head> <body onLoad="if(self.onLoadHandler) onLoadHandler() ;"> <div id="header"> <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com"><img src="/img/bridgers.south.jpg" alt="Gallatin Democrats" width="850" height="175" border="0"></a> </div> <div id="container"> <ul id="nav"> <li><a href="candidates/Candidate%20contact.html">Candidates</a> <ul> <li><a href="Templates/senate.html">Senate</a> <ul> <li><a href="candidates/LarryJent.html">Larry Jent</a></li> <li><a href="candidates/alexrussell.html">Alex Russell</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="candidates/house.html" class="daddy">House</a> <ul> <li><a href="candidates/Jennifer%20%20JP%20Pomnichowski.html">Jennifer Pomnichowski</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/FrankeWilmer.html">Franke Wilmer</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/bradywiseman.html">Brady Wiseman</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/mikephillips.html">Mike Phillips</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/lauraobert.html">Laura Obert</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/johnvincent.html">John Vincent</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/lorenacton.html">Loren Acton</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="candidates/county.html" class="daddy">County</a> <ul> <li><a href="/candidates/LyneaSeher.html">Lynea Seher</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/ericsemerad.html">Eric Semarad</a></li> <li><a href="/candidates/derikpomeroy.html">Derik Pomeroy</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="candidates/officeholders.html">Officeholders</a> <ul> <li><a href="candidates/officeholders.html" class="daddy">House</a></li> <li><a href="candidates/officeholders.html" class="daddy">Senate</a></li> <li><a href="candidates/officeholders.html" class="daddy">County</a> <ul> <li><a href="Templates/county.html">County Commissioner</a></li> <li><a href="Templates/county.html">Sheriff</a></li> <li><a href="Templates/county.html">Clerk & Recorder/Surveyor</a></li> <li><a href="Templates/county.html">County Attorney </a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="Templates/statedemocraticofficeholders.html" class="daddy">Statewide</a> <ul> <li><a href="Templates/statedemocraticofficeholders.html">Governor</a></li> <li><a href="Templates/statedemocraticofficeholders.html">Lt. 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Mr. White chose the latter. He was given a green sticker by the city and was reconnected.</p> <p>The last thing Gallatin County needs is a politician who is both accuracy- impaired and considers himself above the law.</em></p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/11/steve_whites_il.php">06:45 AM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/11/steve_whites_il.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>October 26, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000268">Two Letters on Steve White</h3> <p><img alt="mailbag.jpg" src="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/mailbag.jpg" width="106" height="67" /></p> <p>Birds of a feather<br /> <strong>If you liked Jennifer Smith Mitchell as a county commissioner, you're going to love Steve White if he's elected for county commissioner this fall.</strong><br /> In 2004 the Bozeman Chronicle wrote, "...Mitchell has proven to be a consistently polarizing figure. And it's not just her politics that turn people off. Many of her opponents are also opposed to her blunt style and accuse her of voting along ideological lines without really knowing the issues." And while Steve says today he's "not running for any particular agenda," the 2004 article quotes him saying about Ms. Mitchell, "She really has stayed pretty on course..."<br /> Steve's brother, Kerry White believes environmental groups are extreme, elite, wacko. He believes they want to "expunge humans from the countryside," that smart growth is a socialist idea, fails to see the benefit of open space, and believes that open space land will ultimately "become government land and result in more tax burden on the people."<br /> Birds of a feather flock together. While Kerry has written that the United Nations wants to move "people out of rural areas," that Yellowstone National Park "is now controlled by the United Nations," and that the Forest Service has a hidden agenda, Steve wrote in 2000, regarding a study to identify the locations for wildlife crossings on Bozeman Pass, that promoting a "wildlife study would fit in with a larger agenda being promoted by the United Nation's biospheres project." In other words, their paranoia runs deep.<br /> We don't need someone on the Gallatin County Commission engaging in paranoid conspiracy theories. We need someone who can deal with reality clearly and realistically. Lynea Seher will be a down-to-earth, clear-eyed county commissioner who will listen to all points of view non-judgmentally. She has what it takes to provide the leadership needed for Gallatin County in the 21st century.<br /> Elaine Grimm <br /> <strong>What is Steve White Hiding?</strong><br /> Steve White is a radical Republican running for the Gallatin County Commission. You don't know it because Steve is hiding his true nature. He has to. Reasonable voters wouldn't vote for him if they knew he's going to paralyze our county government with his misguided ideology. At campaign events and interviews he's consistently hedged his opinions on growth and development, the most important issues facing our overwhelmed County Commission.<br /> Steve White is in favor of Initiative 154. I-154 will destroy our public planning process. He's hedged on the bipartisan consensus on growth development, and is against the open space bond. Wise growth development and open space are issues that that our fair citizens favor overwhelmingly. Opposing these issues are not the actions of a moderate. Growth development, open space and consensus are ideas that will give us a safer, cleaner, fiscally secure community. Good ideas that make our families, land and community stronger. Steve White is against all three of those ideas.<br /> The historical record is also clear: Steve White has been a consistent enemy of prudent governance. Steve White stated in the Chronicle Aug. 7 about the city of Bozeman: " As long as I can still read, I'm going to continue to be a problem." County/city relations, rarely good, will erode, weakening the fabric of our beloved Gallatin Valley.<br /> Thoughtful Republicans know this: that's why Bob Brekke received 40 percent of the vote in the primary. They saw this train wreck coming.<br /> Luckily, we have a choice in this election. Lynea Seher is fiscally conservative, tough, and centrist. She'll listen to everyone. County government will serve its citizens better.<br /> The choice we have is stark: ideology or competence. You get the government you deserve. It's your choice.<br /> Billy McWilliams </p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/two_letters_on.php">07:00 AM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/two_letters_on.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>October 13, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000233">Critical of others</h3> <p> I was disappointed after reading the Oct. 5 front-page article on the race for the County Commission seat. I feel you did little to inform the public about the differences between the candidates. It is clear that Mr. White has a big advantage in name recognition; therefore it very important for people to understand the candidates' positions on issues of concern.<br /> Specifically regarding growth, which you and the public have identified as a major issue, you did little to distinguish the two. You let Mr. White off stating he initially opposed plans by the commission, but now some of his concerns have been eliminated. Ms. Seher sounded generally supportive of the Commission plans to guide growth while providing options for private landholders. I believe this is a critical issue, and Mr. White needs to be clear on where he stands on the current efforts, and, if he is opposed as I suspect he is, what specific proposals he would consider. The general idea of incentives is a great one, and believe me it has been looked at extensively over the past few years.<br /> <strong>I would comment that, in general, it sounds like Mr. White likes - and is good at - criticizing the efforts of others to attain benefits for the community.</strong> His negative Web site leaves me with little confidence that he would be able to come up with positive ideas and efforts for running the county.<br /> Eugene Krebsbach </p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/critical_of_oth.php">01:13 PM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/critical_of_oth.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>October 12, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000226">Steve White has to be the most accuracy-impaired individual I've seen in local politics.</h3> <p> As an independent candidate for Gallatin County Commissioner in 1998, I tried to warn the Republican party about their nominee. She had infatuated the local GOP as an antigovernment crusader based on the myth that she won her lawsuit against the city of Bozeman over her garage roof (which she didn't.)<br /> What followed was six years of what can best be described as "The Leona Helmsly approach to Gallatin County government."<br /> This go-round the GOP has another anti-government crusader running for county commissioner. This time the myth is that tyrannical Bozeman shut off his electricity. In fact the Montana Power Company shut off the electricity to Steve White's new place because, after repeated warnings he refused to comply with state law regarding electrical permits and inspections. Unfortunately for Mr. White (a budding computer guy at the time) warm weather disconnects are unannounced, so according to Mr. White, he lost a bunch of data and software he was working on when MPC pulled the plug.<br /> As a master electrician with almost 30 years working in the valley, knowing the inspectors involved at the time, MPC policy, and having listened to Mr. White's varied accounts, I can say that next to his brother Kerry, Steve White has to be the most accuracy-impaired individual I've seen in local politics.<br /> Lately we've had a string of elected officials who seem to consider themselves above the law. If not illegal, some of their actions speak to an abysmally low ethical standard. Even fine upstanding folks seem to get into office only to have their ethical standards erode. The last thing we need is a county commissioner who's already over the edge.<br /> Brian Leland<br /> Bozeman<br /> </p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/steve_white_has.php">01:49 PM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/steve_white_has.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>October 04, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000203">Seher promises positive leadership for Gallatin County</h3> <p> I am Lynea Seher, the Democrat candidate for County Commissioner. When I consider all the changes Gallatin County has recently seen, I am concerned for our future. Will we see our county looking like any other sprawling western suburb, or will we be proud of saving the amenities that brought us here in the first place?<br /> I am the candidate that believes in listening to what the public has asked the Commission to do: "Do something about the sprawl." The current, bipartisan Commission is proposing a package of growth management options that will ensure large landowners can realize value from their land without subdividing it in the traditional manner we have seen. These tools will also steer growth toward areas that are best suited for development.<br /> A series of well-attended town meetings have shown there is broad public support for this exciting initiative. The Commissioners should be commended for tackling the most important issue our community faces today: unmanaged growth. I look forward to working with them on this.<br /> Steering growth toward the towns and cities, while preserving productive land and open spaces, will benefit taxpayers by bringing more efficiency to all our services. Roads, water and sewer are more expensive the further out they go. Emergency services, needing to respond to more remote locations, are obviously more costly. The advantages of controlling sprawl far outweigh the ease of doing nothing.<br /> However, planning for the future is not an easy task. That is why I am the right person at the right time for the Gallatin County Commission. My 14-year career as a human resource consultant has prepared me to be adept at negotiating and bringing opposing sides to consensus. As I talk to people in Gallatin County, I hear them asking for positive leadership and I know I will bring that to the Gallatin County Commission.<br /> Lynea Seher<br /> candidate, county commission<br /> Bozeman</p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/seher_promises.php">07:18 AM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/seher_promises.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>October 03, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000201">An Autumn Poem</h3> <p><strong>With a Wynken a Nod</strong></p> <p>Wittich, Koopman, and White, one night</p> <p> Planned with political zeal -</p> <p>To overwhelm our lines of sight</p> <p> With signs at every field.</p> <p>"For what are you running, and what do you wish?"</p> <p> The Builders asked the three.</p> <p>"Perhaps we're just running to make us all rich -</p> <p> For our friends and our own GOP,</p> <p>Whose motto is: <em>"What's In It For Me?'"</em></p> <p> Said Wittich,</p> <p> Koopman,</p> <p> And White.</p> <p> </p> <p>Realtors helped them nail their signs</p> <p> To posts at vacant lots.</p> <p>So abundant were the three's designs,</p> <p> The landscape they did dot.</p> <p>Developers then threw their might</p> <p> Behind the right wing three -</p> <p>"We'll 'doze those foothills out of sight</p> <p> With nary an impact fee.</p> <p>These Boys may hand us the entire Valley -</p> <p> This Wittich,</p> <p> That Koopman,</p> <p> And White."</p> <p> </p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/an_autumn_poem.php">08:47 PM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/10/an_autumn_poem.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>September 28, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000186">Back Seher</h3> <p>I have known Lynea Seher as the owner of her own business, as a friend, and as a personnel consultant at my executive recruiting firm. During our association of the past 19 years, Lynea has demonstrated an ability to sort through complicated matters, with the goal of devising solutions agreeable to all parties involved.<br /> In my business, consultants must merge the personnel needs of major corporations with the individual needs of highly skilled professionals. It is an often-arduous process of overcoming objections, crafting compromise and finally achieving consensus in which both parties feel they have made a good deal. These are exactly the skills required to handle the difficult issues facing Gallatin County in these times of rapid growth. For my own selfish interests, I would prefer to retain Lynea as a productive employee of my firm. However, in the interest of better government for Gallatin County, I urge you to support Lynea Seller, Democrat for Gallatin County Commission.<br /> Kate Regan Ciari, president FPC of Bozeman Inc. Bozeman</p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/09/back_seher.php">06:46 AM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/09/back_seher.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h3 id="a000185">County fortunate to have Seher running for commission</h3> <p>County fortunate to have Seher running for commission<br /> County residents are fortunate to have an excellent candidate running for the Gallatin County Commission this year. Lynea Seher has lived in the Gallatin Valley for 30 years and demonstrates the leadership and dedication needed to serve us well as county commissioner.<br /> Lynea Seher has successfully operated her own small business and has worked with companies across the U.S. as an expert in human resource recruitment and management. As the mother of two children, Lynea has time and again rolled up her sleeves as a volunteer for the Bozeman Public Schools and the Bridger Ski Foundation. Lynea Seher is an effective communicator who listens, cooperates and is committed to the core in making sure Gallatin County flourishes and remains the wonderful place it is to live, work and raise a family.<br /> As the Gallatin Valley grows, it is critical to have a commissioner who understands the importance of fostering economic growth and development without sacrificing the unique assets that draw so many people here: our clean water and air, spectacular open lands and trails, our vibrant downtown communities, and charming, safe neighborhoods. It takes a thoughtful, experienced and forward-thinking commissioner to balance future growth with conserving what make Gallatin County a special place to live.<br /> Luckily this year, we have a county commission candidate with these skills. Please join me in voting for Lynea Seher on Tuesday, Nov. 7.<br /> Alan McCormick<br /> Manhattan</p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/09/county_fortunat.php">06:44 AM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/09/county_fortunat.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> <h2>August 29, 2006</h2> <h3 id="a000143">Chairman Jim Walseth on Lynea Seher for County Commissioner</h3> <p><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=5280149479617262812&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed></p> <p class="posted"> Posted by admin at <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/08/chairman_jim_wa.php">08:13 AM</a> | <a href="http://www.gallatindemocrats.com/archives/weblog/2006/08/chairman_jim_wa.php#comments">Comments (0)</a> </p> </div> </div> </body> </html>