Longtime commissioner Laurie Johnston resigning

For nine years and eight months, Laurie Johnston has been a Mineral County Commissioner representing the central district, and last week she tendered her resignation with a little more than two years left in her second term.

In 2013 when she won the election, she hit the road running and has never stopped, which is a large part of her decision to retire early.

“I’m mentally and emotionally drained. For my mental health, I just can’t do it anymore,” she shared. “I’ve had to schedule my time with my grandkids around my job, because my job has taken priority over my family.”

Johnston was born and raised in Mineral County and worked in the sawmills, schools and county before becoming a commissioner.

“After 20 years at Tricon Timber my body was saying ‘enough is enough’ with the physical labor.”

Johnston was not involved in politics but knew that she wanted to give back to her county and felt that with her varied experience, she had a good handle on many matters.

“I’d heard that Clark (Conrow) was retiring at the end of his term, so I called the Clerk and Recorder's Office and found out that I was a week away from the deadline for filing. So, after filing, I tried to come to every commissioners meeting while I was running to find out what issues they were dealing with so that if I was elected, I’d be up to speed on what they (county commissioners) were working on.”

One of her deep commitments was pushing through to update the Mineral County policy handbook. It had not been done since 2002.

“I worked on it for over a year and the commissioners adopted the new one in 2019. Also, I was involved with the Hospital Board, Weed Board, LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee), Human Resource Committee and Council, Soil Conservation District, Mineral County Resource Coalition, DUI Task Force and Mineral County Safety Committee. In the 9 1/2 years I dealt with three major fires in Mineral County. The Mullan West Fire, the Fish Creek Fire, and the Sunrise Fire, going to all the briefings and meetings so I could keep the citizens informed.”

Johnston was also a driving force helping revive the Mineral County Resource Coalition with Kevin Chamberlain who was the Mineral County Extension Agent and other stakeholders which was a big accomplishment for the forest products industry, environmental organizations, and the business community. Having everyone at the table together to discuss needs, concerns and ideas doesn’t happen easily or overnight.

“Trying to maintain the services we have on our limited budget will always remain a challenge. The fair, the library, roads, the health department. Just look at how the health department has grown! Trying to run this county with only 7% of private property that is taxable has probably been the most frustrating part of it,” she shared as tears welled up because of her passion for wanting to do more is always at the front and center of her objective.

“We would love to pay our employees more, but we have a limited resource.”

Johnston clarified that a county employee making $13 an hour, which is $27,000 a year, does not realize that the benefits they receive cost the county another $16,000. It's the county's share of PERS or Sheriff's Retirement System, Social Security and Medicare, Unemployment Insurance and Workman's Comp. The health insurance is over $7 an hour per employee.”

Friday, Sept. 2 will be Commissioner Johnstons last day.

“I have come to know and work with some phenomenal people, and I couldn’t have done this job without them. Roman (Zylawy) and Duane (Simons) are good commissioners and I know that whoever is appointed to completing my term will learn much from them.”

The Mineral County Republican Central Committee Chairman, Al Acheson, explained the appointment process to fill Johnston’s position.

“People can nominate themselves or have someone nominate them. Candidates must live in the Central District, which is basically between Dry Creek and Cedar Creek but there is a loop that stretches west. They can call the Clerk and Recorder's Office for better boundary lines (406) 822-3521. Now, they have to have lived in this district for 2 years before they can even apply,” he said.

“They must be a republican and this is the Mineral County Republican Central Committee doing this. This falls under Montana Code Annotated 13-10-601. It’s laid out there pretty well what has to be done.”

There is not a form to complete but rather a cover letter that explains the persons interest in the position and a resume’ if possible. They are to be received by Dawn Terrill, Secretary of the MCRCC, by 5pm on Thursday, September 1. Her mailing address is PO Box 550, Superior 59872. Phone (406) 822-3537.

A special vetting meeting will be held on the evening of Sept. 1 of all the candidates interested in fulfilling the last 2 years of Johnston’s term, and this is open to the public. However, no questions or comments can be made, as this session is for observation only unless they are members of the MCRCC. The MCRCC will recommend three candidates to the commissioners.

Acheson said he would like the candidates to look at this appointment as more than a second job to make some side money.

“They need to be interested in being a county commissioner and work for the benefit of the county. They need to look at this as an opportunity to have experience and run for it in the next election.”