By Fischer Genau DIGITAL MEDIA LEAD

On the ballot this November there will be an item that only appears every 10 years—if voters desire—in Montana. Gallatin and Madison county voters decided this June to conduct a local government study, which now involves electing a commission of civilians to review existing government structures and create a plan to improve their “power, form and plan of government.” Bozeman voters also elected to review City of Bozeman government. 

In Gallatin County, 22 candidates are running for seven positions on the study commission, while in Madison County, 11 candidates are running for 3 positions. Here’s a quick guide.

All candidates that could be reached were given more than one week to respond via email to Explore Big Sky’s questionnaire.

Gallatin County

Ted Barkley

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 11

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I have 37 years of local government management experience in four states. I have been trained at the graduate level in governance and management, and have worked with several different forms of local government.

Professional affiliation/job title: former Belgrade City Manager, board member for Yellowstone Fiber, The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District, and Gallatin Airport Authority

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Mitchell Blaszczyk

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 10

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? Having lived in multiple areas in Gallatin Valley, I have a unique perspective of Gallatin County and how much it has grown in the time I have lived here. Working in local commercial construction has familiarized me with the specific challenges and opportunities facing the county, including socioeconomic factors, infrastructure, and public services which will guide my review and recommendation process if elected to this position.

Professional affiliation/job title: Assistant Project Manager, Langlas & Associates

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Christopher Gray

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 29

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I will be an asset to the Gallatin County Study Commission based on my experience as a civil attorney in the Gallatin County Attorney’s office for over 15 years, most as the Chief Civil Deputy, where I observed the workings of the Gallatin County government every day. I understand the constitutional and statutory framework of the study commission and forms of government.

Professional affiliation/job title: Attorney

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Janae Hagen

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 4

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? This commission is intended to be nonpartisan, and I would bring unbiased curiosity and leadership to the study. My career in international business has shaped me into an empathetic listener and strong communicator—necessary skills to engage both the government officials and community.

Professional affiliation/job title: Senior Integrated Marketing Manager at Petco and co-owner of Bozeman Yoga, LLC

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Jackie Haines

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 20

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I hold a master’s degree in Economics from Montana State University, and over the past 15 years, my professional work in economic development has involved collaborating with federal, state, and local governments, offering me a firsthand view of the bureaucratic systems that influence our lives. Having lived in this community for my entire adult life, I am deeply committed to enhancing the place many of us call home, and I want to bridge the gap between community feedback and the local government and use this feedback plus my professional and educational experience to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of our local governance.

Professional affiliation/job title: Director of Economic and Strategic Development for the Big Sky Resort Area District

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Amber M. Jupka

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 21

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I believe my experience and knowledge as a Gallatin County employee will be an asset to this study. As a Tax Clerk I hear many concerns from Gallatin County residents and can bring these to this study commission as we review our current government structure.

Professional affiliation/job title: Tax Clerk/Customer Service Specialist for Gallatin County

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Jeff Krauss

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 49

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I have almost 30 years of experience listening to the people of Gallatin county and responding to their concerns constructively. As a Country Treasurer, Chair of County Zoning Commissions, as Bozeman Mayor and Commissioner, and as a Montana University system Regent, I have always worked to make Gallatin county a better place for its citizens and taxpayers.

Professional affiliation/job title: Retired CPA, 30 years of elected and appointed local government experience

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Billy McWilliams

Number of years living in Gallatin County: 45

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? The best way to get a government that works is to listen to everyone. Hopefully, I’m good at listening, and I want to hear good ideas from across Gallatin County and solve problems the old fashioned Montana way.

Professional affiliation/job title: Owner of Erotique

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Teri Patterson

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 38

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I have 20 plus years in public service, I know about government budgeting, I’m pretty good at research, and I feel like I can be a calming voice for the committee based on my experience.  Having worked in public service for so many years gives me great insight as to how different departments are structured.

Professional affiliation/job title: Self-employed bookkeeper and business consultant, fire department volunteer

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EJ Porth

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 15

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I have worked alongside Gallatin County government in a variety of ways and have seen how the government’s structure and form impacts its ability to address the challenges of our growing community. I believe that I can be an impartial, critical thinker in assessing the current structure and evaluating alternatives, and I am not coming in with preconceived ideas of what needs to change and want to let the study commission do the work of listening first.

Professional affiliation/job title: Associate Director of Gallatin Valley Land Trust

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Josh Sadaj

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 19

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? My strong business background has equipped me with practical experience in analyzing complex systems and implementing efficient solutions. Additionally, my deep roots in Montana give me a unique understanding of the local community, allowing me to effectively represent the interests of Gallatin County residents.

Professional affiliation/job title: Entrepreneur & Business Owner, The Local American Saloon

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Don Seifert

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 55

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I served a six-year term as a Gallatin County Commissioner (2015-2020) and served the prior eight years on various Gallatin County boards, such as Gallatin County Planning Board, Gallatin County Board of Adjustments, and the Gallatin County Capital Improvement Committee. I would bring a thorough understanding of county government’s role and processes and how the county responds to the needs of the citizens.

Professional affiliation/job title: Retired, small business owner

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Joshua Tuininga

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 29

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I am a strong candidate because the Gallatin County has been my home and community my entire life and will continue to be. I also have college, business, and coaching experience and skills that I believe will help me tremendously with the study commission.

Professional affiliation/job title: Owner and operator of wood door manufacturing company

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Klaas Tuininga

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 60

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I’ve been active in Montana politics since 1986 as a political campaign manager, treasurer for HRDC, and member of the 1995 Gallatin County government study commission, among other things. I usually have a clear mind, two ears (I listen more than I talk) and try to understand where others are coming from before I make my decisions as I have a firm basis on law from my background.

Professional affiliation/job title: Former political campaign manager, HRDC treasurer, and governor’s employment and training council member

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Robert Webster

Number of years lived in Gallatin County: 5

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I strongly believe that for the commission to succeed and produce a study report that a) improves the county operations and b) can pass the vote of the residents it needs to have a few non-political members, a few representatives who have not held political office. I will approach the commissions work with an open mind, learn and absorb every detail of the county government operations and options necessary, listen to residents and experts equally to become knowledgeable and then be able to provide the checks and balances to preconceived notions when formalizing the recommendations.

Professional affiliation/job title: Software Engineer for S2 Corporation in Bozeman

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The following candidates did not respond or did not provide contact information: Andrew Epple, Anne Donovan, Robert Fish, Rene Flynn, Elijah Mathias, Jamie McCray and Steve White.

Madison County

Shauna Laszlo Belding 

Number of years lived in Madison County: 19

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I am a business minded community member who has served on boards in Madison and Gallatin county over the past 30 years. Madison county spans many miles, it is diverse with unique towns, we are facing growth challenges and we need representation for each community.

Professional affiliation/job title: Body Dynamics Pilates studio owner & instructor and co-owner of Bob’s Place Pizza

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Rhonda Boyd

Number of years lived in Madison County: 24

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission?

I will bring my experience with budget, agriculture and natural resource management, along with collaborating skills with different groups.

Professional affiliation/job title: Managing Partner at Boyd Angus Ranch LLC

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Brian Conklin

Number of years lived in Madison County: 8

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? Professionally, I have a background in designing interviews, running focus groups and gathering feedback from people and communities about what is working and what isn’t. This is a great opportunity to continue to better understand the values and perspectives of my neighbors and volunteer to ensure our government works for the people it’s meant to serve.

Professional affiliation/job title: Self-employed, independent contractor

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Dustin Tetrault

Number of years lived in Madison County: 12

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? I am a twenty-year public servant with ten years of public sector experience in Madison County. My work experience and formal education, including a Master’s degree in public administration and policy, make me a great candidate to study and recommend updates to modernize Madison County governance.

Professional affiliation/job title: Fire Chief for Big Sky Fire Department

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Ralph Weickel

Number of years lived in Madison County: 5

Why would you be a strong candidate for local government study commission? My experience in working with leaders, teams and organizations will support an assessment of the best government structure in Madison Cty to address the economic opportunities facing the country while leveraging its strengths and supporting the best of the County—that which drew people here.

Professional affiliation/job title: Owner of Corporation for Positive Change and Performance Management, LLC

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The following candidates did not respond or did not provide contact information: Tom Broksle, Glenn R. Brook, Sharon K. Christensen, Steven Alexander Grimm Cox, Joseph Durant Mery and Gayle Schabarker.