Plains mayoral candidates participate in Q & A

Joe Sheppard, Plains

1. Why are you running for the mayoral position?

Currently I’m the city fire chief. I asked the current mayor about letting the fire department have use of an adjacent room to the fire hall and the fire dept. meeting room. He said he would not do, or make any decisions about this while he was in office. Then suggested that I should run for the mayor office if I wanted to make any changes. That’s when I first thought about becoming Mayor.

2. What makes you an ideal candidates? What experience do you have that is pertinent to this role?

I don’t believe there’s any such thing as an “ideal” candidate, but as far as being mayor and my experience, I’ve never held a public office until I became city fire chief. I have held that position for approximately 1 year. I have run my own contracting business for the last 30 years, having many employees throughout those years. I was also the Boy Scout Master for 7 years and 7 of the boy scouts became eagle scouts.

3. What do you plan to bring to the town?

I have lived in Plains most of my childhood and then moved back to Plains when I turned 18 and have lived here ever since. People know they can talk to me and let me know what is important to them.

What changes, improvements or ordinances would you attempt to effect?

Changes that would help the economy and the community at large. I think some of the Planning ordnance’s need a closer look. I think streets need addressed as well. I believe there is a lot of other issues that will need addressed as I learn more.

4. Give a brief overview of your education, employment, family history, etc.

For Formal schooling I graduated from high School. All of the continue education has been from mentors, family and life experience. I learned more from my grandfather Ed Hazelton, than anyone else. He taught me the carpentry trade stating when I was 14. He moved here with his family in 1917. He graduated from Plains high school in 1927. My dear mother, Ann was born in Butte Mt. She passed away a year and a half ago. My dad, Norman Sheppard was born in Canada and moved here during the depression. He joined the Army during WW2 and fought from Normandy invasion all the way to Berlin and became an American citizen while in the military. After the war he was a line man for Montana Power. He died in an accident at work when he was electrocuted, leaving a pregnant wife, my mother, who gave birth to me a few months later.

5. How do you differ from you opponents?

First off, I am a native of Sanders County. My Mother was living in Plains when I was born. I have lived in Plains my entire life except for 6 years while in school, at which time I spent all summers here in Plains with my grandfather till moving here permanently, when I graduated. I have always considered Plains as my home. I knew Gregory Jay Eitelberg a little as he was my mother’s neighbor. I have never really got too know Sandy Chenoweth. They both seem to be to be good people.

Sandy Chenoweth, Plains

1. Why are you running for the mayoral position?

While serving on council for the past six years I have seen many things I could improve upon. I feel I have a good working relationship with the council and town employees. Together we can create a local government that works with its people rather than against them.

2. What makes you an ideal candidate? What experience do you have that is pertinent to this role?

I feel I am the best candidate for Mayor because I have proven my commitment. Over the past six years I have attended the council and committee meetings. I did not wait until my first campaign sign was placed to attend, or leave right after my agenda item is covered at the council meetings. As for the council committee meetings, these could be considered the life blood of the council meeting and to date these meetings have not been attended by the other candidates.

As team leader of many performance improvement teams I accomplished sustained goals of improving efficiencies, customer service, and cutting costs for my employer. These accomplishments were the result of good leadership and allowing those on the team to excel. I know how to prioritize and successfully balance the tasks I am dealt.

3. What do you plan to bring to the town?

A Mayor has a responsibility to the people assuring the town is run effectively and efficiently. I plan to put together the appropriate teams to accomplish these tasks. For example, the hot topics in town are our streets and water/sewer rates. I will encourage council and staff to begin immediate work addressing these issues. I also plan to improve communication with the citizens of Plains.

What has occurred with recreation in the last couple of years should be the role model for all the departments of the town. CSS raised funds to save the pool. Donations were received to repair a tennis court. Donations were received to purchase security cameras to curb costly vandalism. A long term lease was voted upon to save the golf course. Rather than just saying “we can’t” year after year, we need to explore all the options. It may not solve all the problems or requests, but it is certainly better than just giving up.

4. What changes, improvements or ordinances would you attempt to effect?

The council committees and town staff will be tasked with examining the operations of the town looking for any and all cost savings. A long term plan will be set in motion for the streets to be categorized according to usage with some repairs to happen yearly. The water/sewer departments will be examined for efficiencies and changes made as needed to save costs. There will a study into the creation of a website that will communicate consistent information. The addition of online water/sewer payment options will also be explored.

4. Give a brief overview of your education, employment, family history, etc.

I am a veteran of the Marine Corp and hold a AS in computer programming, with an added focus on accounting. Montana has been my home since 1982. Before moving to Plains in 1999, I worked for the Town of Harlem in the water/sewer, police and judicial departments. Since arriving in Plains I have worked for Clark Fork Valley Hospital. I am presently a member of the leadership team representing medical staff support and risk management. I have proudly served our community for the past six years as Alderwoman for ward II. This includes serving on committees and boards for the town. I have six children and numerous grandchildren, half of which live in Plains.

5. How do you differ from you opponents?

I fight for what I am passionate about and I am passionate about Plains. Plains has been my home for thirteen years. I can not imagine living anywhere else. This is why I have served as Alderwoman. This is why I served on the emergency board. This is why I serve on the planning board and CSS. This past year I also took on the additional task as chair of Parks and Recreation. I am the best candidate because being the Mayor is the next step in serving our community.

Gregory Jay Eitelberg, Plains

For those of you that don’t already know me, my full name is Gregory Jay Eitelberg. I am giving you my full name because, my mother Bette Eitelberg always called me by Jay and most of my family and friends growing up here in Plains did the same.

I am running for Mayor because I want to make a difference! In November I will be retiring and you have my promise that I will take whatever time is needed each week to insure the town is represented correctly and running smoothly.

I retired from Verizon as a Construction Manager in 2003; at the time I retired I was in-charge of all outside plant contracting in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Northern California. I also had the Verizon outside plant construction crews North of Everett Washington.

While at Verizon they sent me to the Snohomish County Leadership training, a one year long program and I was in the graduating class of 2002. (Leadership Snohomish County is the local organization recognized for cultivating sustainable leadership.) Our motto there is. We are partners. We are civic-minded. We are involved. We are inclusive.

After leaving Verizon I returned to my home town of Plains in 2004 and started a construction company call GJE Enterprises. GJE did excellent until the housing bust, so a few years ago I had to shut it down and return to the telecommunication business, taking a position of Construction Manager with ATCO a telecom contracting company. This position let me stay living here in Plains, because I could oversee the construction crews and bid project at home thanks to the internet. The down side is I had to spend lots of time in motel rooms all over the Northwest.

I am a veteran and served in the US Coast Guard, pass member of the IBEW, Plain city council and the Plains Fire dept., graduated from Plains High School, was President of the Plains Lion club for two years, I have attended class at Helena VO Tech, Everett Community College, Edmonds Community college, TEC in Everett and worked with many charity originations.

If elected I will spend the next four year getting involved with the residents of Plains, setting up focus group, listening what they have to say and moving their agenda forward. To do this would take participation from the city council and the whole community getting involved.

I see a bright future for the town of Plains and know that we can work together to archive whatever goals we as a community want to accomplish.