City Council member Jim Ronquillo is seeking re-election to a second four year term. A native of Billings South Side, Jim has lived there most of his life, fighting to improve the living conditions for his community. He worked for Montana Dakota Utilities for 30 years, and is now retired. Concerned about air quality due to the pollution from refineries, Jim joined the Citizens Advisory Council for Conoco Phillips Refinery. He is also the former chair of the South Side Neighborhood Task Force, and a board member for the Yellowstone County Council on Aging. If reelected, Jim pledges to fight for improved air quality, affordable housing and alternative transportation. His opponent is Amy Cowley, who did not seek endorsement.

• District: Billings Ward #1
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term: 4 years
• MCV Scorecard Rating: N/A

Chris Mehl is seeking a seat on the City Commission to be a voice for responsible planning and growth and economic development. He is the Policy Director for Headwaters Economics, a Bozeman-based independent research group that works with communities to promote economic growth. As a member of the Bozeman Planning Board, Chris played a role in updating the city's Growth Policy. He also is on an advisory board with local business leaders to develop an Economic Growth Policy for Bozeman. Chris formerly worked for The Wilderness Society as Communications Director, and served as Communications Director for Congressman Lee Hamilton for 13 years. Chris and his wife, Laura Hoehn, enjoy hiking, skiing and Bozeman community events.

• District: Bozeman City Commission
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Not Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Carson Taylor has been a dedicated school board member for the Bozeman community since 2001 and wants to continue his public service on the City Commission. As a member of the school board, Carson has worked to "make strides towards considering environment in construction and building maintenance. He wants to ensure that public buildings are efficient, saving both energy and taxpayer money. Carson is an attorney and mediator, as well as an adjunct professor of business law at Montana State University. He is a member of Montana Conservation Voters and is married to DeeDee Taylor.

• District: Bozeman City Commission
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Not Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Businessman Sean Becker was elected to the Bozeman City Commission in 2005, resulting in a "conservation majority" on the Commission.  He is now running for Mayor to carry forward the work of the Commission and ensuring that conservation is kept at the forefront when making decisions about community growth. As a City Commissioner, Sean helped to create the Climate Change Task Force and wants to "maintain the momentum of this effort by continuing to amend ordinances towards these recommendations." Sean manages Montana Craftsman Woodworks, a door manufacturing company, and previously was an economic development professional. Sean is an avid outdoorsman, a Montana Conservation Voters member and appreciates Bozeman's access to nearby trails and wilderness areas. Sean was recently married to Nolita Becker.

• District: Bozeman Mayor
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Not Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Dick Thweatt has been a longtime Montana Conservation Voters member, and has been an advocate for conservation and protection of clean air, land and water for most of his life. Dick has been involved in Helena growth management issues for the past 12 years, recently as President of Plan Helena, a group concerned with responsible community growth. Dick also serves on the Sonoran Institute Board of Directors and the Montana Smart Growth Coalition Board. He is an attorney, formerly with the Department of Department of Environmental Quality, and if elected, Dick wants to continue to work on managed growth and community health.

 

• District: Helena City Commission
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Not Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Pam Kennedy, Kalispell Mayor, is seeking re-election to the city's top office, where she has served for 8 years. Pam brings a good deal of city experience, having also served on the City Council for 8 years. Pam has lived in Kalispell for the past 30 years and is the managing partner of Great Bear Builders, a residential home builder. Pam is a long time supporter of youth and family issues within her community, and has served on a multitude of boards and commissions at the local, state, and federal level. She is committed to preserving water quality in and around Kalispell, and working with the Department of Environmental Quality to reach a common sense approach to maintenance. She also believes that reviewing and updating the growth policy is a proactive approach to preserving open space, water and air quality and transportation needs.

• District: Kalispell Mayor
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Mary Beebe was first elected to the Livingston City Commission as a write-in candidate in 2004 for a two-year term and re-elected in 2006. She has been strong voice for conservation on the commission. Mary works as a case manager for the local mental health center and is a dedicated volunteer for the Stafford Animal Shelter and the local chapter of the Montana Spay-Neuter Task Force. She worked as a teacher, a researcher and a community organizer, as well as a seasonal surveyor for the Forest Service and two summers as a sheepherder north of Melville. Mary wants to be re-elected "to create a long-term plan for the development of a recreational district that incorporates existing and new parks, trail systems and a recreational facility." Mary pledges to "continue to expand recycling and composting efforts, and to move forward with infrastructure replacement, especially in the downtown area, so that our historic district is both functional and aesthetic."

• District: Livingston City Commission
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Vicki Blakeman has been a Livingston City Commissioner since 2000 and was chair for three years. She is the Executive Director at the Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston. From 1991 to 2003 Vicki was a co-owner of a small manufacturing/retail shop that employed 12 people. Blakeman believes that people are drawn to our area because of its natural beauty and amenities, which she believes is a strong economic driver. If re-elected, Vicki "would continue the current infrastructure replacement plan - concentrating on replacement of century old water and sewer lines downtown and other areas, expand our recycling program with enhanced citizen education and strive for more drop off sites, and continue development of a city wide trail system."

• District: Livingston City Commission
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Steve Caldwell is running for re-election to his 2nd four year term on the Commission. He is a finance and economics consultant with more than 25 years of management experience in industry and banking. In recent years, Steve has managed a technical assistance grant from the EPA to fund the Park County Environmental Council's oversight of Burlington Northern Santa Fe's cleanup of the Livingston rail yard. He is also a board member of the Western Sustainability Exchange. Steve is also a member of Park County Search and Rescue. Steve is hoping to continue the hard work the Commission has done by "looking for opportunities to leverage our trail development efforts with other programs, including county efforts and the Safe Routes to School program." He wants the commission to be "very creative in sourcing construction materials, which now include crushed glass from the city's glass pulverizer." Steve also wants to find ways to encourage more public participation in the city program and feels there is opportunity for improvements in the city system.

• District: Livingston City Commission
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Mayor John Engen was elected to his seat in 2005 and is unopposed in his re-election bid. John was instrumental in passing an open-space bond for Missoula, protecting land in and around the city for generations to come. He has promoted affordable housing and has worked to update the City's zoning regulations. John also helped facilitate the passage of the Urban Fringe Development Area, to protect agricultural land around Missoula. He established an advisory board on sustainability and climate change and is interested in launching a brown-fields restoration and redevelopment project. In his endorsement interview, John also committed to identify means to preserve agricultural lands, in order to promote a local food system for Missoula, the Garden City.

• District: Missoula Mayor
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term:
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Dave Strohmaier, was endorsed by Montana Conservation Voters and elected to the Missoula City Council in 2005, and has been a conservation champion on the Council, earning a 100% on the 2009 Montana Conservation Voters Missoula City Conservation Scorecard. Dave works as an historian with Historical Research Associates where he specializes in environmental and Native American history, and history of the American West. He spearheaded a feasibility study to restore the North Coast Hiawatha Amtrak passenger railroad to bring services from Glendive to Missoula, and sponsored a resolution calling for Citywide Fuel Consumption Reduction. Dave faces Ryan Morton, who did not seek MCV's endorsement.

• District: Missoula Ward 1
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term: 4 years
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Roy Houseman is challenging incumbent John Hendrickson, who was first elected to the Council in 2005 and received a poor 20% on the 2009 MCV Missoula City Conservation Scorecard. Roy is a union leader and was elected in 2007 as the youngest President of the United Steelworkers Hellgate 885. He grew up in Great Falls and graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Psychology in 2003, and later worked for Smurfit-Stone as an operator. Roy helped his local union develop a travel plan for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership, involving the timber industry and various labor, community and conservation organizations. He convened various unions for a presentation from The Nature Conservancy on conserving thousands of acres from unwise development. He also recently drafted a guest column with Sierra Club and the Blue-Green Alliance to support the American Clean Energy Securities Act.

• District: Missoula Ward 2
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Not Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Bob Jaffe was endorsed by Montana Conservation Voters in his first bid for City Council in 2005 and earned a 90% of the 2009 MCV Missoula City Conservation Scorecard. Bob owns a small software and web design firm. He has been a strong voice on the City Council for effective planning, alternative transportation, open space and mitigating the loss of agriculture lands. Bob also hosts a Missoula Government blog, providing an open forum for community members to discuss City Council issues. He has been active in the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition, he helped build a new playground on the Westside, and was on the board of a local non-profit that provides economic assistance and develops affordable housing. In 2007, he helped found the Missoula Chapter of Montana Conservation Voters. His opponent, John Quandt, sought endorsement and was interviewed by local members but was not endorsed.

• District: Missoula Ward 3
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term: 4 years
• MCV Scorecard Rating: 90%

Mike O'Herron is challenging incumbent Dick Haines, who received the lowest score on the 2009 MCV Missoula City Conservation Scorecard at 13%. Mike is a 17 year resident of Missoula and a downtown small business owner. He works in forest management for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. He has also worked as project manager for the Montana DNRC Forested Trust Lands Habitat Conservation Plan. Mike is very interested in identifying more energy efficient transportation strategies and growing more of our own food. On energy, Mike says "There is no downside to getting prepared for a rise in energy prices, because even if energy prices stay low and manageable, we will be far more self-sufficient and environmentally healthier as an urban center."

• District: Missoula Ward 5
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Not Incumbent
• Term: 4 years
• MCV Scorecard Rating:

Marilyn Marler is seeking re-election after winning her first election in 2005, when she was endorsed by Montana Conservation Voters. She's a conservation champion, having earned a 90% score on the MCV 2009 Missoula City Conservation Scorecard. Marilyn is the co-owner of Butterfly Properties, a property management company emphasizing sustainable living. She has been working for 10 years on noxious weed control and native plant restoration on Missoula's open lands. She is a Natural Areas Specialist for the University of Montana and has been lending her expertise on noxious weed control and native plants to groups like the Native Plant Society, Montana Natural History Center and Rocky Mountain Invasive Plant Council. Her opponent, Kathy Greathouse, did not seek the MCV endorsement.

• District: Missoula Ward 6
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term: 4 years
• MCV Scorecard Rating: 90%

Frank Sweeney is running for the Whitefish City Council, where he has served for over a year, having been appointed to fill the unexpired term of Shirley Jacobsen. Frank is an attorney with 29 years of experience in business, construction, consumer, divorce, family and real estate law. He received his JD from the University of Houston, Texas. Frank brings a wealth of civic experience, with service as a Board member of the Glacier Institute, a Board member of the Foys To Blacktail Trails, including serving as chairperson for a year, the Trails committee for a Trail Runs Through It. He was also a Big Mountain Ambassador for 4 years, guiding tours of the mountain. Frank has also been a strong voice for water quality, standing up for the Lakeshore Regulations, the Critical Areas Ordinance and evaluating problems with existing septic systems and the city-owned facilities. Frank supports the Growth Policy as a viable tool for encouraging infill development and preserving open space.

• District: Whitefish City Council
• Party: Nonpartisan
• Incumbent Status: Incumbent
• Term:
• MCV Scorecard Rating: