ADLC Commission District 5 Candidates
Edward G. “Ed” Beaudette
Age: 70 years old
Length of residency in Anaconda: 70 years
Born and raised where: Anaconda, Montana
Occupation: Semi-retired Attorney
Family: Single. Maryanne Brugman, Sister. Duane Brugman, Brother-in-law.
Education: Anaconda Central High School, 1971; University of Montana, BA 1976; University of Montana School of Law, JD 1980.
Military Service: None
Previous political offices held and/or memberships in community/professional organizations: ADLC County Attorney, 1993-96; ADLC District 5 Commissioner. Membership in Community Professional Organizations: Professional: Admitted to Practice District and Supreme Courts of Montana. Admitted to Practice Federal District Court. Admitted to Practice 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Admitted to Practice U.S. Court of Claims. State Bar of Montana. MACO Roads and Planning Committees. Community: Copper Village Museum and Art Center (Past President 3 terms). Anaconda AOH Division No. 1. Old Works Golf Course Authority. Past Memberships: Anaconda Kiwanis (Past President 2 terms). Anaconda “Speakeasys” Toastmasters Club (President 2 terms). AWARE, Inc. Board of Directors. Old Works Golf Course Authority (as originally constituted).
Question 1: Why are you running for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission, and what skills do you bring to the table as Commissioner?
I am running for District 5 Commissioner to complete the term to which I was appointed. To follow through on the projects in which I have become involved and to work to solve new and existing issues facing our local government. Currently, these include the Urban Wildlife Taskforce, OW Authority Board, Mill Creek Road Project.
During my professional life I have been a private practice attorney emphasizing in litigation and criminal defense. As a result I have had to learn to persuade, negotiate, and facilitate compromise for parties with diverse interests. I was also a member of the Arrowhead Foundation, Inc. which was the citizen precursor to the Old Works Golf Course Authority which initiated the concept of constructing a golf course as part of the Superfund remediation effort to create a new economic opportunity for ADLC.
As ADLC County Attorney, I was responsible for criminal prosecution on behalf of the State and County and I represented the County in all civil matters and in particular the negotiations on behalf of ADLC in the initial stages of the Superfund clean-up effort. This included formally establishing the Anaconda Water Department, preserving Hearst Lake as a Class A Watershed, creating the initial Development Permit System and most other pressing governmental issue of the time.
From 1998 to my retirement in December 2019, I was a Staff Attorney for the Montana Department of Transportation. In that capacity, I was imbedded in the operation and function of a large governmental agency. I was involved in all phases of highway construction including environmental issues, planning, land acquisition and litigation, contract negotiation and claims, prevailing wage, fuel tax and MCS law enforcement. I also drafted and reviewed legislation, testified and lobbied on issues relevant to MDT’s business.
All of these past experiences have given me a broad base of knowledge and understanding of governmental operations and administration of ADLC.
Question 2: What are your top priorities as Commissioner?
1. Addressing infrastructure issues. Primarily roads, water, sewage and development.
2. Addressing uncompleted initiatives previously started by ADLC and not completed or continued.
3. Proactively working to efficiently use revenues to address current and future problems
4. Developing a more cohesive relationship between the executive and legislative branches.
5. Working to develop the economy of ADLC while striving to maintain quality of life.
Question 3: What in your opinion is the number one issue affecting the residents of your district, and how will you work with the Commission, ADLC staff, with other agencies and officials and the public at large to address it?
The number one issue in ADLC District 5 is roads. This includes the maintenance and repair of county roads and addressing the issues of increased traffic and accesses to Highway 1 W related to increased development. Secondarily, is the protection of our water resources from degradation.
I have and will continue to work with the Chief Executive and Road Foreman to prioritize and complete necessary improvements to our existing roads and to work with ADLC contract engineers to develop roads plans and projects in the most cost-effective manner. I also maintain contacts with the MDT representatives for ADLC as well as the staff at MDT headquarters. I am actively working with members of our legislative delegation on these issues. I have recently worked with members of the public both in and out of my district to address road issues. Primarily spring breakup conditions in District 5 and issues with current road projects in the city limits as well as developing a plan for improvements on the ADLC portion of Georgetown Lake Road which is suffering from increased heavy traffic and deteriorated conditions due to frost/heave cycles and end of useful life of materials.
Question 4: How will you work with the other members of the Commission, the CEO, ADLC department heads and collective bargaining units to ensure that ADLC residents will receive the best possible public services while operating within the confines of a budget that’s impacted by higher costs and without an undue burden to the taxpayers?
Since being appointed to the Commission, I have worked proactively with the CEO on ongoing issues related to current county projects and in relation to future developments within the city-county.
I have worked proactively with the Planning Department staff, the Road Department, the Parks and Rec staff and others to address the most pressing issues as well as to try to shape how we will go forward in operating the government. With the Commission, I have prompted action on public issues, primarily the Urban Wildlife and Subdivision Regulation and I think I have expanded the communication amongst the Commissioners on issues that come before us. One has to recognize the separation of powers between the Commission and the CEO relating to day to day operations and direction of and negotiations with staff and bargaining units. I do believe more transparency is needed but the balance between the public’s right to know and the need to keep some matters confidential until public disclosure is appropriate is critical.
As we all experience, the correct balance of income and expenditure is critical to successful progress. As a County Commissioner, it is the need to enhance the increase of income by responsibly expanding the tax base through sound development decisions and maximizing the cost-benefit of new and existing projects with a long term perspective. Working with the CEO and staff to identify and aggressively pursue grants and funding opportunities to increase the value of our tax receipts while maintaining and enhancing the quality of life currently enjoyed in ADLC.
Con J. Malee
Age: 71
Length of residency in Anaconda: 46 Years
Born and raised where: April 21, 1953, Glendive, Montana
Occupation/Career: Thirty years of experience in a variety of positions working for Montana Dakota Utilities, Montana Power Company, Energy West Resources, and Utility Services, Inc. Auditor, State of Montana, Workers’ Compensation Division. Vice president sales, Sterling Bank Services. President, Utilities Services Inc. Vice president sales, Pacific Pharmacy Consultants. Currently, managing partner, Anavista Group.
Family: Wife Susan, and four adult sons – Dale, Brian, Kevin and Marcus – who live in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Bozeman, and Kalispell respectively with their families including our five grandchildren.
Education: Carroll College, Helena, Montana, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in economics, 1975
Military service, if any: None
Previous political offices held and/or memberships in community/professional organizations: I have worked actively on many boards and committees dealing with economic development and growth as well as community enhancement including: Member of the Montana Ambassadors, representing Montana products and services while soliciting economic development with the Montana governor. Chairman of the ADLC Planning board reviewing and approving subdivisions at Georgetown Lake, west valley, and smaller subdivisions in the county. Board member and chairman at Southwest Montana Community Federal Credit Union. Board member of the Old Works Golf Course Authority Board and the Mill Creek TIFID Board. Forty-year member of the Anaconda AOH and the Anaconda Art Center and Museum. Volunteer at the local food bank. Fifty-year member of the Anaconda Elks Club. Thirty-year member of the Georgetown Lake Homeowners Association and the Rainbow Point Homeowners Association. Initial president of the Anaconda Community Hospital Foundation. Board member of the Carroll College Alumni Foundation. Member of numerous Superfund advisory boards and committees.
Question 1: Why are you running for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission, and what skills do you bring to the table as Commissioner?
I am running for county commissioner because I believe I can help guide and encourage the positive and sustainable growth of our community like we have witnessed over the past several years. Since moving here in 1978, I have been passionate about wanting Anaconda to thrive. Yet, my wife and I had to commute out of town for decades to our jobs and we saw our sons move away after high school seeking better career opportunities than what they could find locally. I am beyond happy to see so many young people move back here or never feel the need to leave because they see Anaconda becoming the place they want to live, play, and raise their families. I believe that my extensive experience in the economic development arena, specifically as it relates to Superfund, and my previous experience soliciting new business to Montana has provided me with a solid foundation to encourage and support ADLC’s growth for years to come. One specific issue I have researched extensively and worked on with local county and industry leaders is to develop projects on Superfund contaminated acreage increasing our tax base (and potentially reducing property taxes) while taking advantage of seemingly non-productive land.
Question 2: What are your top priorities as Commissioner?
Property taxes: Rising property taxes are not just a problem for Anaconda Deer Lodge County but for all of Montana residential taxpayers. I am confident the issues will be addressed during Montana’s next legislative session and I will support any efforts by our county to ensure your concerns are heard during this review. Meanwhile, we must do our part to control our county expenses. A portion of our property taxes go to the state while the remainder is earmarked for schools and ADLC expenses. As we establish budgets for county property tax revenues, we must be vigilant with the county funds ensuring all county departments receive the financial support they need to operate in keeping with their goals and objectives. In the long term, I believe we must continually work to increase our tax base by soliciting and encouraging new light industrial and commercial businesses to locate in our county.
Budget Review and Approval: Currently, ADLC is on solid financial footing, but we must stay focused on the annual budget to ensure that every expenditure supports our continued vision of sustaining Anaconda as a gem of a community. One of the primary duties of the county commissioners is to review and approve the annual budget. I believe we must be wise and focused when adding new expenditures while balancing the budget against anticipated revenue, and we must complete this in a timely manner. While our county is in good shape financially, we need to ensure the next budget is prudently prepared, reviewed, and approved.
Economic Development: Adding to our tax base through the addition of light industrial and commercial taxpayers is key to reducing or at least maintaining our levels of taxable value in the county. As such, we must continue to pursue aggressively bringing these businesses to our county adding not only to the tax base but also to living-wage job opportunities.
Housing: Resolving the housing crisis, which is a national problem as well as a local one, will take a multi-faceted, many-year approach. We may need to develop areas of our county for future subdivision that combines entry-level housing, town houses or smaller starter homes giving homeowners a chance to afford a home while building equity. We also may need to build some multi-family dwellings or small apartments as well to rebuild existing neglected housing stock. Options are available, but they will take time and considerable work among the county, potential developers and existing residents. I am willing to put in the work needed to address this serious problem.
Question 3: What in your opinion is the number one issue affecting the residents of your district, and how will you work with the Commission, ADLC staff, with other agencies and officials and the public at large to address it?
District 5 is geographically diverse. It includes individuals who live on isolated mountainsides; in tree-covered canyons; along lakes, creeks and rivers; behind manicured lawns and with paved streets; and next to productive pastureland. They live on acreage and lots and have needs and concerns that are as unique as their living spaces. Yet, I believe they all are concerned about property taxes along with how growth and expansion might impact their way of life. More than anything, however, I believe they want to have their voices heard and they want to know they can get their questions answered simply by contacting their commissioner. I propose to re-establish district advisory boards to open the lines of communication within District 5. In such a role, I would serve as the liaison to express their issues to the agencies and officials within the county and develop an action plan or provide clarifying information. I believe they want to be informed and included in the decisions that affect them regardless of where they live.
Question 4: How will you work with the other members of the Commission, the CEO, ADLC department heads and collective bargaining units to ensure that ADLC residents will receive the best possible public services while operating within the confines of a budget that’s impacted by higher costs and without an undue burden to the taxpayers?
Honest communication founded on transparency, trust and respect for all stakeholders – whether they be a resident or a county employee – will result in the best public services to this county. Fiscally, our county is in good shape, but as we grow, it will require additional resources to meet its needs, so developing and maintaining a close working relationship with all the parties will ensure ADLC provide the best possible public services within limitations of the county budget.
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