Name: Allen Woodwick
Occupation: Self-employed
Educational background: St. Jude's, Havre Central Junior High, Havre High School graduate, Johnson Community College
Favorite TV show: "Law and Order"
Favorite book: Joshua series by Joseph Grizone
What makes you more qualified than your opponent?
I am a life-long resident of Havre as well as a taxpayer. I have a genuine concern for the city and believe Havre is a safe and healthy environment for my children and yours. I also have a vested interest in the business community as my wife, Keri, owns and operates a local business.
Being self-employed, I have a flexible schedule that will allow me to dedicate my time and energy to the alderman position. I will go the extra distance to represent Ward 4 and all of Havre and make myself available and listen to all sides of an issue.
Please identify the top two problems faced by Havre and explain your proposed solution(s).
I believe the biggest problem facing our city is the economy. We need to work with existing entities that help with grants, and instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on attracting a single business that may or may not stay, we should help existing businesses that are established or struggling to pursue and attain smaller grants or low interest loans. This way we would bolster existing local business while being careful that we attract new businesses that offer services or products that are not already offered. It will not do our community any good to bring in one business that runs out two.
We could look into promoting a wider variety of sports programs. The baseball, hockey, and Class B and C tournaments bring good revenue into the city. We should explore the possibility of expanding seating capabilities and attracting more tournaments and other events, such as stock car racing or motor-cross racing.
We can accomplish this by working together with the Chamber of Commerce, Montana State University-Northern, Northern Montana Hospital, BNSF, Bear Paw Development, Havre Public Schools, many other groups and service organizations and most importantly of all, the people of Havre. When we pull together, cooperate and work collectively, there is no problem we can't solve and nothing we can't accomplish.
The second problem facing us is crime. I would work with the police and support a neighborhood watch program as a deterrent to crime. As a further deterrent, I feel we need to support the youth of our city and provide them with alternatives. So often we hear about the negative actions of some teens. We need to take their energy and turn it into positive actions. One example would be to gather up the kids and with the support of the community put them to work designing, building and maintaining a skateboard/roller blade park. Like the Ice Dome, this could be accomplished without the use of public funds.
Do you support the proposed widening of Highway 2 to four lanes? Why or why not?
Yes I do support the 4 for 2 project. I believe it would greatly increase safety on the highway. The incomes from the construction jobs would be extremely welcome plus the added business from increased traffic. However, there is the problem of funding and we wouldn't see the economic benefits for years.
Do you support the Chamber of Commerce's current plans to build a town square park? Why or why not?
I have reservations about the proposed park in light of the highway department's plans to eliminate on-street parking along First Street. Our first priority is access to the businesses. Once the parking issue is resolved, I think a park would add beauty to the downtown area. I feel it needs to be practical and include bathrooms to give travelers a reason to stop and spend some time and money in the downtown businesses and to enjoy the historical attractions, such as the Railroad Museum, Havre Beneath the Streets, and the Heritage Center to name a few.
What do you think the city should do, if anything, to help the financially strapped Heritage Center?
I support the Heritage Center and I think the members of the community should get behind it also. I recently attended and helped with a celebrity luncheon. It was an entertaining and informative event. I would encourage everyone to get involved to help save one of our local historical treasures.
Editor's note: Republican candidate Eric Meis did not respond to a Havre Daily News questionnaire.
