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Rice talks plans for the future

Alice Campbell Havre Daily News [email protected]

After eight years of serving as Havre's mayor, Bob Rice will hand the office over to Tim Solomon Jan. 1. "The people have spoken," the first Republican mayor elected in Havre for several decades said after Tuesday's election. "I wish the best of luck to the new officials," he said. He has spent more time than the part-time job description required during his tenure in office, working to beautify, clean and maintain the city he grew up in. Rice lived up to his motto of "Get'er Done," spending time working with city crews and by his own volition during weekends. He sought improved relations with Canada for local businesses and the possible creation of a 24-hour commercial port at Wild Horse to increase traffic. He also worked closely with people pushing for a widened U.S. Highway 2. The skateboard park, that he focused on during his first unsuccessful campaign and his second successful campaign, was completed. "I don't view any of my accomplishments as personal," he said, because the work of staff has helped make things possible. The 1st Street project, that repaved the town's main street traveled by visitors and residents alike and improved things like sidewalks and light poles, is the biggest accomplishment during his time in office, he said. "It just made a big difference in Havre." Several projects, like a health walk at 5th Avenue and 13th Street, an extended Baltrusch Walking Trail and the creation of a 24-hour commercial port at Wild Horse, will be handed over in January, he said. Whether they'll be finished or not, he said, he doesn't know. "I have no concept of anything that's going to happen in the future at all," he said. He won't be around to see, though, he said. To remain in Havre after being such an integral part og the city and see things done differently or not at all would be too much, he said. "I'm moving," he said, although he hasn't decided where yet or when. It was a decision he made during the campaign. "I decided that if I didn't get reelected, I was going to move on," he said.

 

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