Krueger steps into role as commissioner

With a call for changes to zoning regulations and an eye out for prudent spending, Gary Krueger plans to take on the task of being Flathead County’s new District 3 commissioner.

Krueger replaces retiring commissioner Dale Lauman and was sworn in the first week of January. He said his experience as a member of the West Valley School Board for the last 22 years, the West Valley Land Use Advisory Committee for five years and the county board of adjustments for the last four years will serve him well as a county commissioner.

He accepted assignments to seven committees and boards during his first day on the job, including the Agency on Aging, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Solid Waste District, Transportation Advisory Board, Flathead Basin Commission, Resource Advisory Committee and the Flathead County Port Authority.

It was about three years ago that he made the decision to run for Flathead County commissioner. In the midst of issues revolving around gravel pit zoning and legislation while he was serving on the land-use advisory committee, he started looking into how the county approached land-use issues.

“That got me a little more excited,” Krueger said. “I decided, I think I’m enjoying this, and I think I can bring some knowledge and life experience.”

His time serving on the West Valley school board put him in the middle of budget issues. He said his time on the land-use advisory committee and the board of adjustments gave him a good foundation for understanding land and zoning issues.

Born and raised in the West Valley, he’s seen the valley go through boom and bust. He raised his four children on his farm in the West Valley, and did construction and cement-work during Flathead County’s boom, before 2008.

“There’s both sides to that growth that we saw,” Krueger said. “We grew a lot faster as a bedroom district then we did as a business or jobs district, and that needs to change.”

Streamlining the application process and reducing regulations is something Krueger sees as a way to make it less daunting to apply for new building permits or business licenses. Krueger said the language in Flathead County’s zoning text isn’t geared toward economic development, and that’s another thing he would like to see changed.

“That would make it more friendly to businesses,” Krueger said.

As far as the money goes, he said his time spent watching over school district budgets gives him a good view on what is necessary to spend money on and what isn’t. He wants to make sure county money is spent on things that don’t compete with private sector work or jobs.

“I have a philosophy that the government is there to provide those services that aren’t readily available in the private sector,” Krueger said. “I always ask myself, ‘can that be privatized?’”

While he’s still settling into the position, Krueger also said he believes the county government should be as transparent as possible and that’s something he will work to provide as well.

“Government can not happen behind closed doors,” Krueger said. “The public has to know what’s going on.”