ELECTION INFORMATION 1999 Livingston City Commission
Election 1999
Results will be posted as they are received
Candidate Profiles
Challengers: Caron Cooper
Victoria D. Gameon
Matthew Henry
Tim Stevens
Incumbents: (These links will open in a new window)
Mike Doyle
Fred Hall
Bill Spannring
Caron Cooper
When I was contacted to write about my candidacy for the City Commission for the Livingston web page, I was surprised and happy that the Internet is being used for local issues. I had known of a web page, but not having spent much time on the Internet, had never used it. In preparing to write this, I went to the web page and was pleased to see a major focus on city and county government issues.
I feel strongly that local residents have a voice in local issues, and that the many voices that we have in our community be listened to with respect. When I was on the city council previously (from 1996 through 1997), I made a point of contacting everyone who wrote a letter to the city council. Even if there wasn't much I could do for someone, I could let them know their letter was received and read, and thank them for their input.
Usually the first question asked by a reporter in this race is "what made you decide to run." While on the surface a simple question, one that is difficult to answer succinctly. I'm running for city commission because I think Livingston is a great town, and it's not going to stay that way by accident. I'd like to work to protect those things we value about our community, because whether we want to admit it or not, change is coming. Sometimes it can catch you by surprise.
I believe the people of this community can have a great deal of power over their destiny if they want to take it in their own hands. I remember when the Postal Service said in 1996 that they were going to close the downtown Post Office, which would have had very negative consequences for our downtown area and residents. As a city council member, I was not going to let the Post Office close without a fight. I started researching the issue, and speaking with hundreds of people across the country that were fighting similar battles. Together with a number of concerned citizens, we won the battle.
One of the many concerns people have in Livingston surrounds the economy, and better paying jobs. How do we attract clean, high-paying businesses to relocate here? What can we do to differentiate our town from many others? In Montana, the city commission has little say over reducing taxes, so we can't (and might not want to) compete with other locations for the lowest tax bill. We're not really near an airport or a rail hub. What we have to market is our town. A town that is near the Yellowstone River, surrounded by breathtaking mountain ranges, a wide range of housing options, and a historic downtown area that is remarkably intact.
I believe if we make the city more attractive, East side and West, downtown and residential areas, it will begin to pay dividends in the form of attracting new businesses to locate here and to keep existing businesses happy. Expanding recreational opportunities is a part of this equation.
I am an engineer by training, a researcher by profession. I am able and willing to dig into issues to work towards the best solution for our community. We deserve the best ideas about how to develop while at the same time protecting what makes Livingston such a great place to live. I will not accept the "lowest common denominator" that many Federal and State agencies want to achieve. I want more--- I want the best.
Back to top
Victoria D. Gameon
Age 55
Born in Sidney, MT
6th of 8 childrenEducated in various MT cities as father built bridges and depots for the Great Northern RR.
Graduated high school in 1963
Attended MSU-N part-time while raising family - 3 children
Have raised children alone since husband Donald's death in 1986.I think the city commission needs to go forward with items previous commission has begun updating traffic issues, city ordinances, boundary issues, and other growth items. The East End beautification needs encouragement. Attracting year around new business.
The city is heading in a progressive direction. We just need a little upgrading and tweaking here and there to be a great little home town type of place to live.
Back to top
Matthew Henry
Hello, On-Line Livingston Residents and Internet Users from Beyond!
My name is Matthew Henry and I am a candidate for the Livingston City Commission in the 1999 election. The first question people ask me when they hear I'm running for City Commission, usually after they ask me if I've gone crazy, is "Why?"
The truth is, some friends approached me about it after becoming frustrated with the current City Commission. After feeling as if their concerns were unheard and their needs unmet, they asked me to consider running. They seemed to think that I have the integrity, character, and leadership skills to make a positive change on the Commission.
I carefully considered it and felt in my heart afterward that I should give it a try. I don't have much political experience, but I did get elected and successfully served a term in my college's student government. I'm also a fifth-grade teacher at Winans School -- which in the minds of my students, at least, means I should know everything!
The question people usually ask next is, where do I stand on the issues. Frankly, there are lots of things in Livingston I would like to see changed or improved. For instance, I think it would be nice to have our town's infrastructure brought up to a uniform standard of quality -- like paved streets and sidewalks, especially around our public schools. I also think it would be an improvement to have a railroad crossing from behind Pamida to Front Street, or the Livingston Ditch "problem" resolved.
I would also like to see things happen in our town that promote a positive, community attitude for ourselves and our children -- like businesses staying open later on Friday and Saturday nights to give our teenagers a safe alternative to cruising the streets.
But the reality is, as one member of a five-member board, any Commissioner is limited in his ability to deliver all that he wishes to. However, there are things for certain that I can and will deliver if I'm elected as a Livingston City Commissioner.
I will represent the people of Livingston with the utmost honesty and integrity. At no time will I compromise my moral behavior or vote on decisions that negatively affect the moral values of our community. I will represent the residents of Livingston by speaking with them, for them, and to them with an attitude of respect, fairness, and responsibility. I will do all that I can to see that the City of Livingston exudes an attitude of service to you, its residents.
Finally, I will be a careful and cautious steward of Livingston's resources, specifically your tax dollars. I will not vote to spend your money without carefully determining the need and position on "the priority list."
Thank you for taking the time to read this and vote as an informed citizen. I hope it is these qualities that you're looking for in a City Commissioner. If so, please cast your vote for me on November 2. Thanks again.
Matthew Henry
Back to top
Tim Stevens
406-222-5148
e-mail- tstevens@greateryellowstone.org
Age 32. Married with two children. Wife Amy, son Joshua (4) and daughter Allison (18 months).Experience: Iíve been fortunate to have been involved with several key issues in Livingston, including the effort to save the downtown location of the Post Office, the levy removal, sale of City-owned lands, and the debate over exotic dancing at the Rainbow bar.
Education: Graduated from Colorado State University in 1991.
Interests: hiking, camping, biking, hockey and playing with my kids.
My main reason for running for council is to play a part in continuing to better the city of Livingston, and to work along side with the folks who live here. If elected, I will focus on east side beautification efforts, improve the city recycling program, help find ways to increase downtown business and strive to conserve remaining open space in the city.
The current commission made great strides in improving accessibility in the city with the new bike trail, and I am interested in building off that success. There are several big challenges confronting the city over the next two years, and I feel that I can help by lending new ideas and a solid, team-building approach.
Back to top
Government Access ~ Educational Access ~ Cultural Access ~ Health Access
BACK TO LIVINGSTON COMMUNITY WEBSITE