Candidate sells off assets to commit time to job

Looking after the needs of a community can be a full-time job. That’s why Republican Jay Scott says he plans to dedicate his time to the people of Flathead County if he’s elected county commissioner for District 3. 

“I’m the only candidate who will be a full-time commissioner,” Scott said. “I don’t want any more jobs.”

Scott said he and his wife sold their cattle and haying equipment to prepare for that six-year commitment. And if he’s elected, Scott says he plans to run again and make the same time commitment for the next six years.

Creating jobs by improving manufacturing and industry is one of Scott’s aims. He said he’d like to offer tax incentives for business expansion and hiring, which would help local entities counteract the current economic climate in the valley.

“A lot of it rides on the side of business,” Scott said. “Maybe as a county we can help.”

He’d also like to take a look at the state’s tax on business equipment. He said wouldn’t recommend entirely removing the business equipment tax, but the tax should be re-evaluated.

“Counties rely on that money,” Scott said.

Scott also emphasized that the role of a county commissioner is to be a part of a team as well as an individual leader.

“It’s not a one-man thing,” Scott said. “You’re one of three.”

Scott is no stranger to teamwork. As head of the Flathead County Fairgrounds for 12 years, Scott said he worked with the heads of each county department, learning the ins and outs of county government and working with county budgets on a daily basis.

Scott’s tenure at the fairgrounds ended in February 2010 when the Flathead County Fair Board chose not to renew his contract. The decision, which was met with a degree of controversy, was soon followed by the resignation of two other members of the fair board.

Scott objected to the public nature of his termination and took legal action in May 2010 against the county, the county commissioners and several Fair Commission members.

Scott said his years of fairgrounds experience taught him that the key to successful leadership is careful, well thought out decision-making and “avoiding rash decisions.” Those same principles apply to avoiding lawsuits against the county, he said, including litigation over the Whitefish planning and zoning “doughnut.”

“You need to hear all sides out and make decisions based on law and fact,” he said.

The 911 dispatch center should be run under the jurisdiction of one agency — Flathead County — and operate with input from each city, he said. Operating under one governing entity would help keep the system organized and running smoothly.

Scott complimented the five District 3 candidates for generally showing one another respect during this year’s race, and he said he appreciated that it’s been a clean campaign.