County attorney forum held

County attorney candidates Shaun Donovan, who is running on the democratic ticket, and Marcia Boris, who is running on the republican ticket appeared in a forum on Thursday before residents of Mineral County.

During her opening statements, Boris said that she discovered her love of prosecuting when she was appointed to an internship in Missoula. Since then, she has served as deputy county attorney in Libby for two years and said she’s taken full advantage to learn from the high volume case load, which she feels has prepared her for the position in Mineral County.

“I’m running for this office because I believe I can make a difference here and I’d be honored if the voters gave me an opportunity to do so,” Boris said.

Donovan, who has held the position since he was appointed back in 1979, said that during this time he has prosecuted about 10,000 misdemeanors, 1,200 felonies and 500 other cases and believes he has done so successfully.

“I’m not running for this position again out of habit,” Donovan stated, “but because I really care about this place…I’m anxious to do it for another four years.”

The pair talked about how they will run their offices efficiently and work with other agencies and departments. Boris stated that she would implement an open door policy and bring a strong work ethic to the table. She said she believes in building good working relationships with whomever you work with noting she has to work with several other agencies during her time in Libby.

“To work efficiently, you have to work toward a common goal. Why waste time fighting among each other,” Boris said.

Donovan stated that he’s had an open door policy for the years that he’s worked in the office and plans to continue to do so. He said that he’s learned a lot by talking to people who have come to his office.

“For 30 years, almost regardless of what I’m doing, if you’ve come up to my office and wanted to see me, I’ll make time,” Donovan said.

Donovan said that he’s worked closely with several other agencies during his time in the position and feels they have good working relationships.

“My belief is strongly that if anybody holds a public position it’s their sole responsibility to put aside their personal agenda and get along with the people they work with,” Donovan stated.

During the forum questions about the airport lease situation and the wolf disaster declaration came up. Boris made no comment on the airport lease situation stating she knew little on the situation, while calling into question whether it was the “job of the county attorney to come forward and ask commissioners to declare” a wolf disaster resolution.

Donovan countered saying that all he did was suggest the commissioners look into a novel idea. He said that he frequently asks the commissioners to look at different ideas if he thinks there might be something worthwhile to them. Donovan said he was not going to apologize and stated that a week after they had that discussion Denny Rehberg had drawn up a bill and the FWP was appealing the decision.

Donovan touched on the airport lease situation and explained that the contract had expired and so he advised the commissioners to do what they wanted to do.

“A lot of thought and consideration went into what they did and it was in the best interest of the county,” Donovan explained.

The prosecution of DUIs also came to the forefront during the forum.

“I began my career prosecuting DUIs and I’m very passionate about them…45 percent of traffic fatalities in2008, were because of an impaired driver,” Boris said, saying that they need to take a tough stance.

Donovan said that the fact that people are getting behind the wheel drunk and endangering others is serious business. He stated that prosecuting DUIs can be tricky sometimes and challenging because defense attorneys call into question all types of things whether the stop legal or if the instrument was properly certified.

In the closing statements, Boris said that she believes she can make the county a better and safer place for everyone.

“My goals, if elected, are to build a strong working relation between county attorney and law enforcement and other county departments, prosecute offenders fairly, swiftly and consistently, and offer sound legal advice when need and to list to the concerns of the citizens,” Boris said, “with an unwavering commitment to serve.”

Donovan stated that while each of them has various qualities, he believes the one thing that distinguishes him in the race is that he’s been “doing this for a lot longer time.”

“There’s all kind of thing I’ve come to know that I wouldn’t if I hadn’t practiced this long,” Donovan said. “I work in an office where one person covers everything…my commitment to this community is unwavering.”

Voters will choose the next person to hold the office of county attorney on Nov. 2.