By Ron VandenBoom
Two Republican candidates for the Havre City Council took a stand for financial responsibility and openness in council activities Friday when they addressed the North Montana Pachyderm Club.
I dont like to spend other peoples money frivolously, said Ron Wolford, Republican candidate from the Fourth Ward. I spend it like my own.
Wolford, a Havre businessman who said he owns 23 properties in the Havre area and is active as a leader in the Havre Landlords Association, told the Pachyderms that most of his positions while serving a 20-year tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force were in management and supervisory positions where I was responsible for budgets, manpower, and basically managing resources.
So I have a pretty good feel for that, he said.
Wolford, who will be running in the primary election against Shane Ford, told the crowd that he doesnt really have a political agenda, as such, other than some personal ideas he has pursued through his life regarding management.
He acknowledges, however, that if he has anything like an agenda, it would be to interject fresh ideas before the council.
Theres always room for new ideas in government and thats where Id like to place my efforts, he said.
Wolford has been an official resident of Havre for the past seven years with part of that time being spent in Germany while still in the Air Force.
I have time I can devote to it because Im pretty much my own boss and Im very flexible, he said.
Kevin Allison, Republican candidate from the Third Ward, has lived in Havre for three years and works as the local safety manager for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad.
Im concerned with the quietness of the council, Allison said, and added he heard about some crisis and wondered, now where did this come from.
Allison said he would like to devise some way, perhaps using the Havre Daily News, to get information out about what projects are being done and where the money for those projects is coming from.
I dont like crisis management, he said.
He does feel however that there needs to be some more communication with constituents.
Allison said he believes his job on the railroad has helped to prepare him for running for the city council.
Im used to dealing with people, he said. Ive got a target on the front and a target on the back, so Im used to getting it from both ways.
He said was prompted to run for office by people telling him that if he didnt like the way things were being done he should stop complaining and get involved.
The only way you are going to effect some change is if you get out and do it, he said.
Brad Lotton, chairman of the Hill County GOP, reminded members that Monday, Aug. 16, is the deadline for voter registration for city council elections.
