Which candidate will best manage county money?

Who do you want as District 1 County Commissioner, Gil Jordan or Cal Scott?

I recently returned to Kalispell upon retiring. I lived in Kalispell nearly 25 years before moving to South Dakota. I raised three sons in this wonderful city, two who still live here with their families. You can say I have a vested interest in Flathead County and its future.

Before you go to the polls or send in your absentee ballot for the November election, make certain you know the type of person you are voting for. Now, let’s compare the candidates, Cal Scott and Gil Jordan.

Cal Scott. These are the facts:

Cal Scot was appointed interim commissioner to fill the vacant seat of beloved Commissioner Jim Dupont, District 1. I feel Cal Scott did a horrendous disservice to the Republican nominating committee and the county commissioners when he applied for the appointment to serve as the interim commissioner. Ask yourself, did he give the complete picture of his “personal” history? Or did he fudge the facts. You be the judge.

The information he gave on his education background and board involvement is questionable. Can he prove his credentials? I suggest Cal Scott and Gil Jordan meet in a public forum to discuss and verify their qualifications, credentials and their views on representing Flathead County. Doesn’t this seem like a reasonable request?

Cal Scott also failed to mention the fact that he filed personal bankruptcy with 22, yes I said 22 credit cards, He had more than $173,000 in unsecured debt and left creditors with $237,000 in unpaid bills.

I can certainly understand why people need to file for bankruptcy for a variety of reasons, unforeseen medical debts, loss of employment, etc. But in Cal Scott’s case, it appears he simply wanted a high standard of living. Gosh, wouldn’t we all?

However, it also appears Cal Scott had no intention of paying for it. He filed for bankruptcy on Aug. 21, 2009, in Butte. It was final on June 29, 2011. At the time, his monthly income was $1,483. However, his monthly payments were $4,768. Cal Scott spent, spent and spent without having the finances to pay his debt.

The information on his credit card debt surfaced before the primary, but sadly, after the date to mail absentee ballots. I understand many voters in Flathead County utilize this system for voting. Consequently, he won the primary.

Now this person, who did not control his personal finances, is making decisions on managing the county budget. Ask yourself, do you know anyone who has 22 credit cards? Or a better question would be, do you know a responsible person who has 22 credit cards and has $237,000 in unpaid bills?

It should not come as a surprise to know that since Cal Scot has been serving as the interim commissioner, he voted himself a raise in salary. In this struggling economy, does that seem appropriate to you?

Gil Jordan. Here are the facts:

When I returned to Kalispell, I became a volunteer at the Northwest Montana Historical Society and the Museum at Central School. I then learned that Gil Jordan had been executive director at the museum for the past eight years.

Under Gil’s direction, the number of museum members has doubled and the museum has recovered from the substantial debt involved when the “facility” became a historical museum.

In my opinion, only a person with management skills could accomplish these tasks. Gil Jordan took on the project and, thankfully for our community, the history of the school and the founding of Kalispell are preserved.

Gil’s resume is impressive. He has been a full-time resident of the county since 1985. While living in Flathead County, he has been involved in the community. Gil Jordan is or has been a firefighter and secretary-treasurer for the Coram-West Glacier Volunteer Fire Department, a social worker for the Western Mental Health Center, a debate coach at Whitefish High School, the president and a member of Flathead County Library Foundation Board of Directors, and an arts & culture representative for the Flathead Convention and Visitor Bureau Board of Directors. He has a master’s from UCLA and a bachelor’s from Cal Poly-Pomona.

Oh, and a very important fact, Gil Jordan has one credit card and zero personal or business debt.

Does Gil Jordan sound like a person with the abilities to help manage the Flathead County budget?

After reviewing all the facts, I am voting for Gil Jordan. It is not because he is the candidate on the Democratic ticket and I am a registered Democrat. I have never and will never vote a straight party ticket. I vote for the person.

I am supporting Gil Jordan because his opponent, Cal Scott, has proven he cannot manage money. He may claim he has learned a lesson, made a mistake, whatever, but the fact is Cal Scott was not a young, immature person at the time he accrued the large debt. He was irresponsible. Cal Scott knew he was spending more than his income.

I challenge all voters, Republican, Democrat and Independent, to know the facts before they make their mark for the November election. Let’s put the “parties” aside and do what is best for Flathead County.

Again, I ask you, who do you want as District 1 County Commissioner, Gil Jordan or Cal Scott? Look at the facts. Gil Jordan has my vote. He is honest, trustworthy and qualified, which makes him the best candidate to serve as the District 1 County Commissioner.

Mary (Atkins) Meister is a former Flathead County Commissioner and lives in Kalispell.