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Hillery wins in city primary

Democrat Pam Hillery on Tuesday won the primary election in Ward 1 and will face Republican Russ Luke in the general election for a seat on the Havre City Council.

The unofficial count shows Hillery beat her opponent, Gerry Veis, 105-88, with a 20 percent turnout in the ward. It was the only contested race in Havre's primary. The votes will be canvassed on Thursday.

Luke, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, received 23 votes. The candidates in Ward 1 are running for the seat held by Democrat Doug Larson, who did not seek re-election.

Hillery could not be reached for comment today.

Veis said Hillery will do a great job if she's elected on Nov. 4.

He said he probably hurt his campaign by not going door to door or buying advertising.

He said he ran because of a desire to help the community.

"I didn't get in the race to be political," Veis said.

Overall turnout in the city was 13 percent. Results in the uncontested races in Havre were:

Ward 2, four-year term: incumbent Rick Pierson, Democrat, 75; Jerry Hanson, Republican, 41.

Ward 2, two-year term: Gary LaValley, D, 62; Terry Schend, R, 40.

Ward 3: incumbent Jack Brandon, D, 63; Debi Rhines, R, 23.

Ward 3, incumbent Emily Mayer, D, 44.

In the only other election in Hill County, Rudyard voters in a mail-in election approved organizing the Meadowlark Water and Sewer District, 101-3. A total of 67 percent of the ballots were returned.

Annmarie Robinson, deputy director of Bear Paw Development Corp., said creation of the water and sewer district will allow Rudyard to apply for low-interest loans and grants to maintain and upgrade its water and sewer system.

The primary concern in Rudyard is upgrading the sewer system, she said.

A new twist on elections was given a trial run in the Havre primary.

Hill County Clerk and Recorder Diane Mellem said the election judges asked people to show identification before they could vote.

A federal law that goes into effect Jan. 1 will require showing some form of identification before voting. Mellem said the election judges could not prevent people without identification from voting, but her office wanted to start getting people used to the idea.

 

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