BLUAC elections uncontested

By MIKE RICHESON

Bigfork Eagle

The faces of the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee won’t change much on May 8. A planned election for the group won’t occur because the two candidates, Mary Jo Naive and Darrel Coverdell, are running unopposed.

Long time BLUAC member Clarice Ryan chose not to run again at the eleventh hour. She had her paperwork filled out for the County Elections office, but decided on the last day to move on.

“I’ve been in it for so many years,” Ryan said. “I didn’t feel as driven as I should be, but I’ll still be able to contribute. My mouth works no matter where I am.”

Ryan also cited her activities in many other organizations as reasons to make a little more room in her very busy schedule. Plus, if she had run, the county would have held elections, which she considered not worth the taxpayers’ money to choose between just a couple of people.

She said that she leaves knowing BLUAC is in good shape for the future.

“BLUAC is very important, and the people that are running it are very capable,” Ryan said. “We have good leadership. I think BLUAC is symbolic of unity and focus within the community. Through coordination and cooperation, everything seems to work out better. The community spirit in Bigfork has always been strong, but it has gotten stronger because of BLUAC.”

Coverdell was appointed by the group as a member-at-large after last year’s elections. BLUAC has six elected positions and then one appointed position. Coverdell chose to run for a spot on the board for a regular three-year term. The board will have to appoint another person to replace Coverdell.

Coverdell’s family settled in the Bigfork area in the 1890s, and he moved back to Bigfork to the home he grew up in after spending 30 years in Ohio working as a chemical engineer for DuPont. He retired in 1999.

“I think as I view things, BLUAC is a balance between helping people do what they want with their property as consistent with the neighborhood plan,” Coverdell said. “Sometimes it’s a balancing act. I don’t have an agenda or any special interests. I just look for the optimum solution.”

He also cited his work at DuPont, where he often worked as a liaison between research and manufacturing, as a good qualifier for BLUAC.

“I can usually come up with a compromise that works for everyone,” he said. “A person in that position should be a good listener, and I’m willing to take the time to do that. When you enjoy it and have the time to do it, you’ll do a better job. I’ll at least listen and try my best.”

Naive is running again after completing a one-year term. This term will be for the full three years.

“I’m a good middle-of-the-road listener,” she said. “I’ve always had businesses in Bigfork, and I’m interested in maintaining the community of Bigfork.”

Naive predicted that BLUAC will have a busy year, but the real test will come when the Bigfork Water and Sewer facility expands its capacity. When that happens, the potential for more development will increase dramatically.