Meet The Candidates For Valley County Commissioner - Mitch Willett

In the race for Valley County Commissioner, The Glasgow Courier interviewed the two candidates, Jeff Alsberg and Mitch Willett, via an identical email questionnaire. Both candidates will be vying for District 3, the seat now being held by Valley County Commissioner Mary Armstrong.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and absentee ballots will be mailed this Friday, Oct 11. As a result of the federal holiday on Monday. Oct. 14, ballots are expected to arrive in mailboxes mid to end of next week. The polling place for all three precincts will be at the Valley County Courthouse.

Individuals can register to vote up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. Absentee ballots can be requested. A form requesting an absentee ballot is available at the Clerk and Recorder's Office, inside of the Valley County Courthouse. For further information on registering to vote or the election, contact the Clerk and Recorder's office at 406-228-6220.

Mitch Willett

Editor's Note: All answers are in full and have not been edited for publication.

Tell the community about yourself – who you are, where you are from, family, hobbies, etc.

My name is Mitch Willett. I am a fifth-generation Montanan and grew up in Ennis, Mont., the oldest of five. My parents were both educators, my Mom was an elementary school teacher and my Dad was the High School Principal and asst. football coach. They were both born and raised in the Madison Valley and Ennis. We grew up playing sports, being in 4H and enjoying the Fair every year, Boy Scouts, and enjoying the outdoors-hunting, fishing, camping. After high school I want to college and started working in construction. I started in residential construction and eventually did it full time and ended up traveling a lot of the western United States working for a custom log home builder. I went back to college and graduated from MSU Northern with a degree in Civil Engineering Technology and worked as an engineer for Kiewit Construction in Denver, Co. and Albuquerque, N.M. I moved back to Montana and went through the Montana Highway Patrol Academy and got stationed in Glasgow in 1999. I have made my home here ever since. I retired from the Patrol in 2019 and have worked part time as a Security Guard. Sherri and I live in Fort Peck and enjoy the lake, camping, side by side riding, traveling, friends, and getting together with my family whenever possible.

Why did you decide to run for Valley County Commissioner?

Valley County has been my home for 25 years now and has been very good to me. I met Sherri here and had a 20-year career with the Highway Patrol. I have been on the Town Council in Fort Peck for four years. I really enjoy it and decided to see if I could bring my experience, common sense and skill set to the people of Valley County as a Commissioner and give back to a place that has given me so much.

What do you see as the most pressing needs for infrastructure or capital projects in the county?

Valley County has a Capital Improvement Plan, on their website, that lays out the future of capital improvements in the county. By following the existing plan but realizing that things do change as time goes by, hopefully the County can keep on top of maintenance and improvements of the County's capital infrastructure. The Commissioners, working with other elected officials and department heads, can monitor the situations, to see if their needs are being met, and doing what we can within the budget means.

What one part of county government would receive more attention if you were elected?

It is tough for me to say, what part of county government would receive more attention from me if elected. After the election, as I learn the job, listen, and become more informed on the day-to-day operation of the county, this could easily change, and it might become more obvious to me on what will need more attention.

Do you plan to promote any changes to existing taxes? If so, why?

At this time, I do not plan to promote any changes to existing taxes.

A county commissioner must exhibit strong budget management skills, including setting priorities for public spending, making adjustments as needed, and understanding the financial state of the county. Can you describe your experience with managing large budgets and what strategies you use to ensure fiscal responsibility?

I have been on the Fort Peck Town Council for the last four years and like the county we go through the budgeting process. I would imagine the process will be similar except on a much larger scale. The Fort Peck budget this year was around 1.7 million dollars, and it looks like the county budget was closer to 15 million dollars. The revenue coming in, taxes, federal funds, grants, etc., must be allocated responsibly by the Commissioners, elected officials, and department heads, while realizing that some revenue must be allocated to specific budget items.

Conflicts are inevitable in any leadership role. The ability to mediate and resolve disputes diplomatically is crucial for a county commissioner. Can you share a time when you had to resolve a conflict within the community or an organization, and how you went about it?

Conflict in general. In my previous job as a Trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol, I dealt with conflict on a regular basis, not always in the best situations. Explaining the situation, listening to them and applying your training and common sense, could handle it most of the time. A community example. The Town of Fort Peck is going through the process of a drafting a short-term rental ordinance. This is a divisive topic for the community members. This went from public comment at council meetings and community members talking to us about the situation outside of meetings. The council realized action needed to be taken. A public workshop was held to take public input for the ordinance. The council heard varying comments both pro and con for it. We are still in the process, but as it continues the public will have more chances to comment on the final result. Though opinions on short-term rental varied, the town is working together to get a final document that will address the issue.

How would you rebuild trust between the Valley County Commissioners and the public?

Rebuilding trust takes time. Trust will happen when you show up, work hard, listen, are honest with the community, and take the public comments seriously. That doesn't mean the community will be happy with all the decisions the Commissioners make. People have different ideas on how things can be done, and we won't always agree. The Commissioners are elected and must make some tough, sometimes unpopular decisions. But I think we can agree that Valley County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I believe it can happen because we all want the same thing in the end. A responsive Board of County Commissioners that works hard for you, follows the law, listens, and makes the tough decisions.

Thank you for your time. I will be on the ballot as Mitchell L. Willett and would appreciate your vote.