Our view
By HDN Editorial Board
Part of the terrorists' scheme of Sept. 11 was to disrupt life in America and the world. Our country has not collapsed as they anticipated. However everyday life in America and in Havre has changed significantly. Issues that seemed so critical weeks ago now seem inconsequential. The race for mayor that would characteristically take center stage on the pages of this newspaper has slipped from the conscience of nearly all of us.
To their credit, Mike Shortell and Bob Rice have tried to keep the race in the public eye. They have made themselves available whenever asked. Both participated in a forum sponsored by the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Business Association. Each candidate answered questions and spoke to issues of particular interest to the business community. Both men listed economic development as the most important issue facing Havre in coming years. Both agreed that the next mayor must work better with the Chamber of Commerce and the business community to create more and better-paying jobs.
Rice and Shortell each care about Havre, and have a vision for Havre and a diagram of how to get there. In the next two weeks it is our charge as citizens to find out as much as possible about their plans and the skills they possess to achieve them.
The Havre Daily News will publish candidate profiles and questionnaires on all candidates running for mayor and Havre City Council. On the night of Oct. 30 the Daily News will partner with Havre's Business and Professional Women's Association to sponsor a mayoral candidates forum. The Daily News will endorse a candidate in this column on Nov. 2.
We strongly urge Havre voters to find out as much about the candidates as they can so they can make an informed decision and exercise their patriotic duty and vote.
The public is invited to submit questions in advance for the candidates forum. Questions should be sent to the Havre Daily News at P.O. Box 431 in Havre or e-mailed to
hbrock@havredailynews.com.
The Havre Daily News will not publish political advertising or letters to the editor about the election on Nov. 6, Election Day.
