HELENA — Tyrel Suzor-Hoy says he’s running for the Lewis and Clark County Commission to bring a forward-thinking perspective to county government.
“I want to implement business-friendly policies that’ll help grow and strengthen our county,” he said. “I want to grow the Valley responsibly, with responsible future planning. I want to implement policies that will not only strengthen the county today, but will strengthen the county for the next 50 years.”
Suzor-Hoy works for the Montana Department of Transportation in the field of materials science – testing roadway materials to make sure they meet federal standards. He also owns small mining and real estate businesses. He says his background gives him an understanding of the need for infrastructure and of land use and property rights.
He has had some experience in local public office, previously serving as a member of the Helena Citizens’ Council. He also ran in the Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission, District 5, in 2018.
Suzor-Hoy said he’s concerned about the county’s current proposal to implement new zoning regulations in the Helena Valley – particularly the provision that rural property owners wouldn’t be able to divide their land into parcels smaller than 10 acres. He said he wants to make sure any zoning plan provides predictability, but doesn’t hurt landowners.
“There has to be some sort of structure to what happens in the Valley, or else it’s just going to be a wild, Wild West from now continuing on into the unknown,” said Suzor-Hoy. “So there has to be some structure, but I would like to see it land-use based, not lot-size required.”
Suzor-Hoy 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 Suzor-Hoy 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.
