Republican Holmquist draws on experience

Republican incumbent candidate for Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist is ready for a second 6-year term in office.

“I think my years of experience bode well for me,” Holmquist said in an interview last week.

In the Columbia Falls and Canyon communities, Holmquist said she has seen several positive changes during her time as county commissioner.

“The Gateway to Glacier trail was very important, that’s been a great project and one that I supported,” she said.

Additionally, Holmquist sees growth coming to Columbia Falls.

“I really see good things happening in Columbia Falls, lots of investments,” she said, “I think it’s been very positive.”

Holmquist also addressed a prominent concern in the community.

“I think we all want the CFAC cleanup done in the quickest possible way. I really hope that moves quickly,” she said.

During her time as commissioner, Holmquist said she has also seen positive changes up the Canyon.

“In Coram, there have been good things with the Greenbox site. I’d like to see that continue,” she said.

Countywide, if re-elected, Holmquist said that a major priority would be protecting property rights.

In 2012 Holmquist proposed a property owners’ “bill of rights” that was then included in the growth policy that year. An update to that policy is coming up, she said, and protecting owners’ rights remains an important focus.

This month, the county begins a $1.3 million addition to the county jail, a temporary measure to add 36 beds. Holmquist wants to see a jail facility that also houses mental health and other treatment facilities.

“With more treatment, there’s less chance that [an offender] will get into trouble and be in jail. It would decrease the recidivism rate and the number of repeat offenders,” she said.

Holmquist would like to see state-provided treatment options for the incarcerated population.

“The county provides the space. The state should expand those programs. Right now, there are people in jail who were sentenced to treatment,” Holmquist said.

She intends to lobby the state legislature for state funding.

“If the county has to fund it, the taxpayers will see a tax increase,” she said.

Conservative budgeting is also at the forefront of Holmquist’s plans.

“That affects everybody,” she said, “I think we’re doing a good job of that already.”

On the issue of refugee settlement in the county, Holmquist emphasized security and economic impact.

“The federal government has told us that they can’t vet [refugees],” she said.

“We’re a nation of immigrants. I’m not against immigration, but it is a different world we live in. If we can get people who are properly vetted, then fine,” she added.

Holmquist also said that an economic impact study should be conducted and that the needs of the county should be taken into consideration before bringing in refugees.

“We have homeless teens, veterans, people here already struggling,” she said.