HELENA — Tom Rolfe says, in the wake of the COVID-19 emergency, it’s clear that Lewis and Clark County will need to focus on budgeting well and planning for the future. He says he wants to help meet those goals by serving on the Lewis and Clark County Commission.
“It is no longer a situation where we can just do what is expected and plan for things that are normal,” Rolfe said. “The last few months have taught us how important it is to have contingency plans, to be planning for the unexpected, and we’ve got to learn how to do that.”
Rolfe has had a long career in the Helena area, working in auto sales. He has previous political experience, having been elected to one term in the Montana Legislature, as a Republican representative from Bozeman during the 1973 and 1974 sessions.
Rolfe says the next commissioner may have to deal with budget instability because of the effects of the coronavirus. He says he’s committed to making sure the county delivers needed services while still operating efficiently.
He also wants the county to focus on improving mental health services, including reopening the Journey Home crisis stabilization unit. If elected, he says he wants to be part of an effort to find long-term solutions for the issue.
Rolfe says it’s important for county leaders to keep being open – hearing from all perspectives and finding common ground when possible.
“I’m a listener, and I’m a doer,” he said. “I can offer to the people of Lewis and Clark County the ability to hear what they have to say, to listen to their concerns and try to do the most for the county.”
Rolfe is one of four candidates running for an open seat on the Lewis and Clark County Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Susan Good Geise is not running for another term.
You can watch MTN’s full interview with Rolfe above. Interviews with the other candidates are available here.
Primary ballots will be mailed to Lewis and Clark County voters May 8, and they must be returned by June 2. This will be the first time that all county commission candidates are running in a single, nonpartisan primary. The top two finishers will move on to the general election in November.
