Brandon faces challenger Rhines in Ward 3

Political newcomer Debi Rhines is squaring off against incumbent Jack Brandon on Tuesday in the battle to represent Ward 3 on the Havre City Council.

Brandon, a Democrat, has served on the council for four years. He cites his tenure as an educator and his experience working on council committees as his qualifications for re-election.

Rhines, a Republican, says she has the ability to work well with others and that her background in business will bring fiscal responsibility to City Hall.

Both candidates said the city's budget crunch is one of the most important issues facing the City Council.

"I would like to help the city work on revenue issues," Rhines said. "So many city issues are dictated by budgets. I would like to take a look at how the tax dollars are allocated, how the money is spent within the departments, and see whether the money is spent wisely."

Brandon said the city needs to look at ways to generate more revenue for the budget.

"I think the last couple of years we've had pretty tight budgets and budget shortfalls, and we've had to make some adjustments," Brandon said. "I think it's really important that we look at the way we allocate our budgets and look at other ways to generate revenue."

One way the city could raise revenue is through a local- option tax, Brandon said. A bill that would have allowed local governments to tax certain goods and services was defeated in this year's Legislature, but the issue will come up again, he said.

If lawmakers approve the local-option tax, the city should consider it as a way to increase the local tax base in the face of the shrinking value of taxable property, he added.

Rhines said she favors a tax increment district as a way to stimulate economic growth in downtown Havre. As property values increase in such a district for a set period, tax revenue that results from the increased value goes into an improvement fund that can be used to make loans to property owners for further improvements.

"A tax increment district may encourage businesses to invest in the downtown area," Rhines said, adding that the city needs to work with other organizations to achieve economic ideas that Bear Paw Development has put forward in regard to economic development for our area. I think it's very important that the City Council work closely with Bear Paw Development and the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce."

Brandon said he also believes a close relationship with Bear Paw Development is critical. Grant money obtained by Bear Paw Development has allowed the city to fund projects it would otherwise have been unable to afford, he said. Brandon pointed to grants the city has used for improvements at the Havre Ice Dome, the Heritage Center, and sidewalks in the downtown area.

"It's important that we continue to use grants to fund those projects and work with Bear Paw Development," he said.

The two candidates take different stands about whether the city should provide financial support to the Heritage Center.

"The Heritage Center is a beautiful old building," Brandon said. "We need to do our best to preserve the building and have it as a functional part of our community. We need to be sensitive to the needs of the Clack Foundation. It is a city building, and we need to stay in tune with them."

Rhines said she is not likely to support giving financial assistance to the Heritage Center.

"I don't think tax dollars should be used," she said. "Maybe some sort of in-kind contributions. I do believe in the cultural arts. I just don't believe the taxpayer should have to suffer the burden."

Brandon was born and raised in Chinook. He graduated from Northern Montana College and earned a master's degree from Santa Clara University in California. He taught school in Kremlin, Cut Bank and Havre. He was an educator at Havre Middle School for 30 years.

His experience as a teacher has served him well on the City Council, Brandon said.

"Just dealing with people in general, you have skills that you learn while you're teaching," he said. "The other thing about teaching is that you're exposed to so many different people within the community. You get to know a lot of people."

During his four years on the City Council, Brandon has served on a number of committees. He serves on the Finance Committee and chairs the Labor Relations Committee.

Rhines was born and raised in Havre. She is graduate of Montana State University-Northern, having received a degree in business technology. She formerly owned Spectrum Sound and Computer in Havre, and more recently, worked for Syntech.

Rhines now works as an accounting clerk at Triangle Telephone. Her husband, Dave, owns Shine Electric.

Rhines is the daughter of Terry Schend, who is running against Democrat Gary LaValley in one of the two races in Ward 2.

Rhines is a member of the Soroptimists, chairs the Crimestoppers board, and volunteers with the Havre Youth Soccer program and at St. Jude Thaddeus School.

"I thought I would take that level of volunteerism to the next level," she said. "I've always worked well with others."

Brandon said he is proud of the way he has served Ward 3 during the past four years.

"I'm there to represent the people of my ward. I do my best to keep that in focus," he said.