Election

Commissioner opponents prepare for primary election

By Kristi Niemeyer For the Valley Journal

LAKE COUNTY — Absentee ballots were mailed last week to Lake County voters for the June 7 primary. Polls will be open across Lake County from 7 am.-8 p.m. on Election Day. To check your voter registration status, learn how to register, locate precincts and find a complete list of federal, statewide and district candidates, visit sosmt.gov/elections/.

The Valley Journal is profiling candidates for contested primaries at the local level, beginning with the races for county commissioner for the south district. Profiles of the two county sheriff-coroner and three Justice of the Peace candidates will appear in next week’s paper. For more information on federal and statewide candidates, check out the online election guide published by Montana Free Press (montanafreepress.org).

Incumbent County Commissioner Steve Stanley faces two opponents in the primary, Max Krantz of Charlo and Roy Anderson of St. Ignatius. Since all three are Republicans and no Democrats filed, the top vote-getter will represent the south end of Lake County for a six-year term, beginning Jan. 1.

Stanley, who lives north of St. Ignatius, was appointed to fill the commission seat last August when Dave Stipe stepped down. He served as county coordinator of Disaster and Emergency Services from 2000-2018 and was deputy coordinator from 1987 to 2000. He was also Lake County’s fire warden and his department took over management of the county’s 911 dispatch center in July 2017.

He began his career in emergency services in 1978 as an EMT for Polson Ambulance, and also served as a volunteer firefighter from 1987 to 2007 for the Polson Fire Department. He spent 22 years as director of facilities and building services at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Polson.

Those experiences, in tandem with overseeing budgets and personnel and serving as a commissioner for nearly a year, add up to “a long history of serving the citizens of Lake County … and significant understanding of Lake County’s governmental operations,” he writes.

Anderson, also of St. Ignatius, is a lifelong resident of the Mission Valley and third generation farmer and rancher. He raised his children on the same ranch he grew up on. Over the years, he’s coached livestock teams for 4-H, been involved with school clubs and activities, and served on the St. Ignatius School Board, where he chaired both the finance and building committees.

As a dairy farmer, he’s involved in marketing milk through “one of the largest member-owned co-ops in the United States.” His wife is an educator, and family members have served in the military, law enforcement, healthcare, and more – together representing “most aspects of Lake County life,” he writes.

“Big changes are in store for us, from the rehabilitation of our irrigation project to resolution of our law enforcement agreements,” he says. “The right leadership and perspective can lead to better decisions resulting in a better quality of life here in Lake County.”

Krantz, a Charlo-area resident, operates a ranch and construction and composting businesses, and is a graduate of Charlo schools. His family homesteaded in the Mission Valley in 1910, and relatives still own the original ranch.

Krantz believes over three decades of work in road construction and the building trades, plus 47 years in ranching and farming, will contribute to his “boots on the ground” approach to county government. He also helped build docks on Flathead Lake, which gave him an understanding of the importance of clean water and a healthy environment. “I want to work hard to keep our beautiful majestic place as pristine as possible for our current citizens and future generations to enjoy,” he says.

Here’s how the three candidates responded to VJ questions (please note, answers are edited for length):

VJ: With overcrowding an ongoing issue, what concrete steps can you take to move jail improvements and expansion forward?

Stanley notes Lake County began improving the jail last September to make it safer for detention staff and prisoners and commissioners aim to complete those projects by July or August. “The biggest hurdle has been acquiring supplies and materials to accomplish the tasks,” he says.

Anderson believes the county is taking appropriate steps but calls them “a Band-Aid to the problem. Until we resolve the issue with the Public Law-280 agreement, Lake County simply does not have the money” for a new jail, he says.

Krantz supports a cooperative approach between the state, Tribes, and county to find a solution to financing a new jail, as well as pursuing grants and federal assistance. “If a bond is needed to help offset funding, I would look at restructuring the

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bond to only cover the expense of the facility.”

VJ: Please share your views on the benefits and issues associated with Public Law-280, which requires the county to investigate and prosecute felony charges involving Native Americans residing here.

While Stanley believes PL-280 “has been a benefit for tribal members and non-members alike,” he notes that it costs the citizens of Lake County over $4 million a year. While the legislature agreed that the state has a responsibility to help fund PL280, money has yet to be allocated. While the commissioners have notified the governor’s office that Lake County is asking the state to fund PL-280, if no resolution occurs, “we will be filing a lawsuit,” he says. And if funding still doesn’t materialize, “the commissioners will be in a position, I feel, to consider pulling out” of the agreement.

Anderson agrees that if state funding doesn’t come through “we need to remove ourselves from the agreement and allow the federal government to take control as it does on other reservations.” Still, he’s optimistic that Lake County will prevail. “If funded properly, the 280 agreement is the best for all citizens in Lake County,” he says.

Krantz is hopeful all parties involved can resolve the funding issue, even if it means “we construct a bill and send it to the responsible party for payment.”

VJ: Pandemic relief funds have significantly boosted county spending for infrastructure and other projects, but those funds will dry up. What are your funding priorities? And how can Lake County meet those needs in the next decade?

Stanley explains that there were two pandemic-relief funding streams: ARPA and the CARES Act. He says most of the ARPA funds have been directed to small sewer and water systems throughout Lake County, while money from the CARES Act money has been used to backfill expenses that occurred during the pandemic and to improve infrastructure.

If elected, Krantz plans to reevaluate current funding projects and if there are available resources, “I would make sure it was directed towards improvements such as the jail and infrastructure needs.”

On his website, Anderson notes that the county must stay within its budget, “just like you and me,” and lists public safety, good roads and quality education as priorities. “And we need to be able to afford to live here.”

VJ: What are the most significant issues surrounding growth and development in Lake County and how can those best be addressed by the county commission?

Krantz says population expansion and the resulting housing crunch must be addressed by the commission. His suggestions include a streamlined permitting process, tax incentives to investors to build affordable housing for elderly and fixed income citizens, and finding out what tools other counties are using to address the crisis.

Stanley notes that the commissioners have been working with private enterprise and other government agencies “to find affordable, effective housing solutions.” The shortage of workforce housing, he adds, “not only affects county employees but private enterprise throughout Lake County.”

According to Anderson, “it’s imperative that we protect those who live and work and have worked and lived here for generations.”

VJ: How do you view the current relationship between Lake County and the Tribes and what steps would you take to improve it?

Krantz views the county and tribal relationship as “moderate,” and suggests that both governments need to work together to find solutions to common problems and improve communication. “I want the finger pointing at each other to stop.”

On his website, Anderson says “communication between the county and tribal government is essential. We may not always agree, but I respect that they are doing the best they can for their people.”

According to Stanley, the two governments “need to expand on the areas where we do agree and continue to work on the areas that we don’t. Part of that process will be to have an open dialogue and work on building trust on both sides.”

courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Uhrich pleads not guilty to homicide

POLSON — A trial date of Oct. 24 has been set for a Polson man accused of killing the mother of his child. Tyler Uhrich, 20, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on May 19 to felony charges of deliberate homicide and criminal endangerment.

According to court records, shortly before 10 p.m. on May 10, Lake County 911 took a report that a person, identified by the initials J.D., had reported being lost in the Hell Roaring Canyon area of the Mission Mountains east of Polson. J.D. had also reported that there was a domestic violence situation with shots fired.

When law enforcement officers arrived, they were unable to locate the parties, but J.D. did provide law enforcement with more details about who was involved as she had seen Uhrich standing over the mother of his child, Rozlyn Bluemel, 22. J.D. stated that when she approached the two, Uhrich turned his attention toward J.D. and Bluemel ran off into the woods, and Uhrich

chased after her. J.D. said she heard a shot and Uhrich returned. When J.D. last saw Uhrich, he appeared to be walking toward where he had left his vehicle. Law enforcement did locate Uhrich’s vehicle, which was still running with the headlights on Tyler Uhrich and the child inside. The window had been left open, and the child appeared to be cold and was

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JEFF SMITH Members of the community parked at the courthouse with pictures of Rozlyn on their vehicles.

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crying.

A search for the pair continued overnight and into the next day. It was late afternoon on May 11 when law enforcement officers located Bleumel’s body. She was lying face down on the ground in a heavily wooded area. She had been shot once in the back of the head with the bullet exiting the front temple area. Bluemel’s cellphone was discovered nearby.

Uhrich surrendered to law enforcement at his parents’ home in the Pablo area the evening of May 13.

Judge Karen Townsend of Missoula was brought in out of retirement to fill in for Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher who is away for undisclosed health issues. Judge Townsend maintained bail at $1,000,000. If Uhrich is able to post bail, he will be required to wear a GPS device and consent to alcohol monitoring.

vj

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Onesalt sentenced to six years for drugs

POLSON — A Polson man was sentenced at District Court in Polson on May 19 to a total of six years with the Montana Department of Corrections for violating conditions of parole by possessing drugs. Justin Duane Justin Onesalt Onesalt, 34, was also sentenced to 20 years with the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspended on one count of criminal possession with intent to distribute. Onesalt admitted to the charge during a court appearance March 3. Although the plea was entered without a sentence recommendation, the state dismissed two separate counts of the same.

According to court records, on Jan. 20, while Onesalt was on probation stemming from a negligent homicide conviction in 2005, and a probation search was conducted at Onesalt’s residence. Onesalt was located in a bathroom, resisted arrest, and brought under control after being subdued by a stun gun. The search turned up $3,318 in cash, 169 grams of methamphetamine, 12 grams of heroin, and 39 blue counterfeit fentanyl pills. The drugs and cash were in a green backpack that also contained a drug ledger, digital scale, and Onesalt’s identification card. Lake County Attorney elect James Lapotka said the drugs have an estimated street value of more than $20,000.

Onesalt was on probation from a negligent homicide conviction. In that matter, Onesalt was the driver of a vehicle that rolled on Moiese Valley Road June 4, 2005 that killed his brother Marcus Onesalt. Two other witnesses who survived the rollover told investigators that Onesalt was drinking alcohol and driving erratically prior to the rollover. Onesalt took a preliminary breath test after the crash that showed his blood alcohol content at .14. He was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for 20 years with 15 years suspended in that matter. He had six years left on the suspended portion of that sentence.

Judge Karen Townsend presided over the case. Judge Townsend was pulled out of retirement to fill in for Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher who is out for an undisclosed health matter.

Garza pleads not guilty to possession

POLSON — A Washington State man is accused of bringing large amounts of methamphetamine into Lake County for distribution. Luis Garza, 35, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson May 18 to criminal possession with intent to distribute.

According to court records, on April 30, Ronan Police Officer Jonathan Gilliland observed a suspicious vehicle. The license plate on the vehicle did not match any vehicle, prompting a traffic stop. The driver allegedly lied about his identity. He had no registration, nor proof of insurance. The driver said he was from Texas and had recently purchased the vehicle. The driver consented to emptying his pockets after advising Officer Gilliland that he had a screwdriver in his sweatshirt. The officer located a suspected meth pipe during a pat down. After being placed under arrest, Officer Gilliland was able to determine that the suspect he arrested was Garza. The vehicle Garza was driving was seized and Officer Gilliland obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The subsequent search turned up a green backpack. Inside the backpack, Officer Gilliland located 180 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and electronic devices. A review of the electronic devices revealed information pertaining to Garza.

Judge James Manley set this case for trial Oct. 17. Garza remains in the Lake County jail with bond set at $25,000.