Two of four Flathead County Commissioner candidates vying for the District 2 seat in the Republican primary on June 7th returned questionnaires to FCLA outlining some of their views on local government's role in providing for our public libraries. Both Pam Holmquist and Jack Fallon graciously completed our questionnaire and we're sharing their unedited responses with you below. 

We're eager to hear more about how these candidates propose addressing resource and facility needs at our public libraries, their thoughts on prioritizing the many needs in our rapidly growing county, their approach to budgeting and long range planning, and their views on Trustee appointments and library governance at FCLA's Commissioner Candidate Forum on Tuesday, May 17th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Northwest Montana History Museum. Plan to attend? RSVP here. In the meantime, read their responses here:

Commissioner Pam Holmquist (Incumbent-R)

1. In your opinion, what is the role or roles of ImagineIf Public Libraries in Flathead County?

To provide a welcoming space for all members of our community.

2. Public libraries today are often called “the people’s university,” providing services and resources for both young children and teens, seniors, small businesses, job seekers, seniors, non-English speakers and much more. Services and resources encompass books and many other types of materials, programs and classes, and a wide range of computers, technology and digital access. What would you do to help ImagineIF support lifelong learning for all ages?

The commissioner’s role is to approve the budget that the director and library board of trustees send to us. We have no authority over how they spend their funds or what programs they offer.

3. While ImagineIf Libraries provide excellent services and resources, its four facilities are inadequate for a fast-growing community of our size. Would you support new or enhanced facilities for the Library in the future? Do you support the current campaign for a new Bigfork Library? Do you support the Library or County owning Library facilities in the future (rather than the current situation of leasing locations from local entities)?

No one knows what the future holds. As a commissioner we hear from taxpayers on a regular basis that they do not want to pay more taxes. My focus right now is providing essential services and keeping the community safe. Our sheriff needs additional staff and our detention facilities need addressed before I could commit to new library facilities.

4. Despite being the fastest growing micropolitan area in the nation and experiencing growing inflation, ImagineIf Libraries have not received a budget increase since 2017. Flathead County Commissioners have maintained a firm “hold the line” policy for the county budget and the departments they oversee. Do you support a budget increase for ImagineIf Libraries? Please explain your answer.

The commissioner’s should not treat the library different than any other department in the county. If funds become available in the county budget, I would support increasing ImagineIf Library’s budget.

5. What role should public comment and board recommendation have in your decision to appoint quality applicants to county boards? What are qualities that you would look for when appointing citizens to fill positions on county boards, with particular regard to the library?

I consider all applications, public comment and board recommendations in every county board position.   

6. What obligations does a County Commissioner have to the public when there are a significant amount of complaints regarding a county department board or board member?

As a commissioner I listen to all members of our community either through email, phone, or in person.  

7. Have you provided any public statements regarding the library? If so, where can we find them?

Not that I can remember.

8. Please explain your view on the First Amendment as it pertains to freedom of speech and people’s rights to access to materials and library resources.

I believe in 1st Amendment rights for all.

9. What is your view on the importance of transparency of the actions and communications of a County Commissioner?

My door is always open to any individual who wants to discuss county operations.

 

Jack Fallon (Candidate-R)

1. In your opinion, what is the role or roles of ImagineIf Public Libraries in Flathead County?

To provide a resource for enhanced learning opportunities.

2. Public libraries today are often called “the people’s university,” providing services and resources for both young children and teens, seniors, small businesses, job seekers, seniors, non-English speakers and much more. Services and resources encompass books and many other types of materials, programs and classes, and a wide range of computers, technology and digital access. What would you do to help ImagineIF support lifelong learning for all ages?

Review educational and outreach plans as applied to the budget.

3. While ImagineIf Libraries provide excellent services and resources, its four facilities are inadequate for a fast-growing community of our size. Would you support new or enhanced facilities for the Library in the future? Do you support the current campaign for a new Bigfork Library? Do you support the Library or County owning Library facilities in the future (rather than the current situation of leasing locations from local entities)?

As a conservative who believes in local control, I support community driven initiatives. If the Bigfork community seeks a new library and is willing to obtain private funding in support of the same, my role is to be responsive to community endeavors and remove barriers to local efforts. I don’t believe the government should be a real estate investor especially in the current inflationary environment.

4. Despite being the fastest growing micropolitan area in the nation and experiencing growing inflation, ImagineIf Libraries have not received a budget increase since 2017. Flathead County Commissioners have maintained a firm “hold the line” policy for the county budget and the departments they oversee. Do you support a budget increase for ImagineIf Libraries? Please explain your answer.

Limited government means government focused on pipes, plows and public safety. Once we have adequate law enforcement support in Flathead County, a capital fund with long term strategy to address septic/sewer issues, and adequate road infrastructure, we can then look at budgetary needs of other departments.

5. What role should public comment and board recommendation have in your decision to appoint quality applicants to county boards? What are qualities that you would look for when appointing citizens to fill positions on county boards, with particular regard to the library?

All board appointments should be completed in a very public manner- public vetting, public inquiry. Board appointments that operate as political paybacks for campaign volunteers should end immediately.

6. What obligations does a County Commissioner have to the public when there are a significant amount of complaints regarding a county department board or board member?

To vet the complaints for merit and make changes where justified.

7. Have you provided any public statements regarding the library? If so, where can we find them?

Perhaps? I have no idea if my responses to inquiries have been published. I don’t actively search for my own statements on the internet.

8. Please explain your view on the First Amendment as it pertains to freedom of speech and people’s rights to access to materials and library resources.

I support the 1st Amendment as written and parental control of any content children are exposed to.

9. What is your view on the importance of transparency of the actions and communications of a County Commissioner?

The best disinfectant is sunshine.