A former Kalispell fire chief takes on a manager at Glacier National Park’s Sperry Chalet in the legislative race for House District 7. Randy Brodehl, who retired after 7 years leading Kalispell’s fire department in 2008, defeated Steven Thompson in June’s Republican primary, 46 percent to 41 percent.
He now faces Democrat Karen Reeves, a former county commission candidate, in the election for H.D. 7, which spans the area between U.S. Highway 93 and the Flathead River, north of U.S. Highway 2 East. Republican Jon Sonju currently represents H.D. 7, winning 2,937 to 1,356 in the 2008 election. Sonju is running for Senate District 4.
During his primary campaign, Brodehl said the issues he heard most about from voters were frustrations with perceived overreach by government officials, exemplified at the federal level by the overhaul of the U.S. health care system, and at the state level by a proposed controversial sex education policy in Helena school districts.
“The biggest issue that I saw was a desire for the federal government and the state government to get out of extracurricular activities in folks’ lives,” Brodehl said. “People are really, really tired of the way the government has gone with that.”
Acknowledging the Legislature can do little to “reject Obama-care,” he said he would support a resolution asserting, “health care falls under the decisions a sovereign state can make.”
If elected, Brodehl said he would seek to reduce the size of state government: “We’ve got to pare it down; we need to get it within our budget.”
“We can’t ignore that we’re in an economic crisis,” Brodehl said. “We have to have a fiscally conservative group of lawmakers there that are willing to make really tough decisions.”
As a former public safety officer, Brodehl wants to see more decision-making turned over to local governments. Currently the owner of a cabinet-making business, Brodehl also wants to do away with certain licenses and fees, “streamlining” processes that he believes only inhibit small businesses trying to get off the ground.
“That kind of stuff just needs to go away,” Brodehl said. “If that means we close offices and sell buildings, well so be it.”
His opponent, Karen Reeves, recently emerged from Glacier Park after the most recent of several summers she has spent managing the Sperry Chalet for a family concessionaire. She believes her work for customers and guests of the chalet serves as useful experience for elected office.
“Politics should be an extension of customer service,” Reeves said. “Your constituents are your customers and you’ve got to do right by them.”
“I’m really good at that in a professional capacity and I think I’d be good at that in a political capacity,” she added.
If elected, Reeves would like to work on modifying the recent controversial property reappraisal law to ensure that long-term valley residents can stay in their homes, “despite the fluctuations of the market.”
“When you hit retirement you shouldn’t be forced out because the prices are higher,” she said. “There needs to be something that’s more equitable.”
To deal with a potential funding shortfall facing schools, Reeves said the consolidation of some school districts may be necessary.
“In a lot of ways we have a duplication of administrative costs,” Reeves said. “I would like to see that be the spot where we make some changes.”
She also supports changing medical marijuana regulations and opposes dealing with the budget crunch by raising taxes.
“I want to do what’s best for the majority of Montanans and not for personal benefit,” Reeves said. “I think it’s an important process and if we can’t attract good people, we’re never going to solve the problems that the state is facing now and will face in the future.”
BEACON ELECTION 2010 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: House District 7
1. How, specifically, should the state deal with its looming budget deficit?
2. Do you support streamside setback legislation at the state level? Why?
3. How should the Legislature handle the funding shortfall facing schools when stimulus dollars run out?
NAME: Randy Brodehl
AGE: 55
PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: Business owner, R&J Enterprises, a cabinet shop
YEARS IN THE VALLEY: 9
1. Reducing the size of government is the best starting point. I will support this through consolidation of agencies and boards, reduction of staff beginning with attrition positions, and streamlining of regulatory processes. I do not support raising taxes or adding fees to offset the budget deficit.
2. I do not support streamside setback legislation at the state level. Setbacks should be a local decision, not a decision made by legislators who do not live in the community affected. I should also note that I do not believe that a specific setback distance is appropriate because it is arbitrary and does not consider soils, grade, flora and fauna in a way specific to streams, rivers, wetlands or lakes.
3. We can’t ignore the economic disaster that we’re in today, and I support making budget cuts in every budget line, including education. However, education is a priority for me and a priority in the Montana Constitution. Article X, Section 1(3) mandates a free, quality basic education system for elementary and secondary children. I will do all I can to assure that the Legislature responds to the constitution’s education mandate, even if it means the elimination or reduction of other non-mandated programs.
NAME: Karen Reeves
AGE: 59
PARTY: Democrat
OCCUPATION: Manager, Sperry Chalet, Glacier National Park
YEARS IN THE VALLEY: 36
1. I would start by asking each department within the state to take the knife to its budget. Montanans as individuals understand how they must tighten their belts in difficult times like this and department heads should be able to do the same. If they can’t, they should go. That would save some money.
2. Yes. I believe that consistency throughout the state would be more equitable for its citizens. Clean water is one of Montana’s most important assets and both cheaper and easier to keep clean than to clean up.
3. We need to look at consolidating school districts in order to reduce administrative costs. How many school superintendents do we need? Investing in the education of Montanans is critical, which means the student/teacher ratio must be kept low. I want to make sure that our teacher numbers are not reduced in order to save money.