Two Democratic candidates for Flathead County commissioner tried to distinguish themselves during a debate Monday night, answering questions on budgets, possible tax increases, the Agency on Aging and zoning issues.

Stacy Schnebel and Jack Garlitz, running for the District 1 county commissioner nomination, faced a critical but interactive crowd inside the Gateway West Community Center.

Schnebel is a 36-year-old Coram business owner and mother of two. Garlitz, 73, of Whitefish is a retired railroader.

Both candidates are seeking election in a solidly Republican county and want voters to look past political affiliations.

“Too often people see someone running as a Democrat or a Republican and just see that D or R above their head,” Schnebel said. “They think that person couldn’t represent me. That’s not why we’re running.”

Garlitz agreed.

“We’re not going to represent just Democrats,” he said. “I hope if I do get this job the Lord will strike me down if I don’t represent all the people.”

Neither candidate had read the 324-page Flathead County budget, but Schnebel had seen proposed expenditure increases of $2 million that would lower cash reserves.

She wondered if some of that money might be better served bolstering the county’s recycling program. Most of all, Schnebel wanted transparency, with clear goals stated for each county government department so taxpayers could see if what they were paying for was worth it.

Garlitz took issue with the legality of salvage from the landfill, but also wanted accountability for tax and grant money in the county.

Neither candidate had a well-developed answer for what should happen to the county Agency on Aging, currently located on Kelly Road.

“I know they need a new facility,” Garlitz said. “I’m looking at this building. There must be room in here.”

The Gateway West Community Center has, since it closed as a mall, become the future home for 10 nonprofits, United Way spokeswoman Sherry Stevens said.

Schnebel looked toward the fairgrounds but wasn’t sure if that would meet the agency’s needs.

“It’s a commercial kitchen,” she said of the Kelly Road location. “I know Meals on Wheels is based out of there. Along with legal counsel, handyman services and other services seniors need. It should be centrally located.”

On the questions of zoning laws versus property rights, both candidates were hesitant to support expansion of zoning while also admitting the laws can be helpful.

“Maybe you’re never going to make everyone happy,” Schnebel said. “But zoning protects me from my neighbor and my neighbor from me.”

Garlitz thought compassion would be better than new laws.

“It really comes down to consideration for your neighbor,” he said. “A good lawyer is going to find a loophole in those laws no matter how they are written.”

And on the Whitefish “doughnut” planning issue, both candidates balked at the strange legal happenings.

“The doughnut’s hogwash,” Garlitz said. “Whether you live in the city or the county, live by the rules of where you live.”

Schnebel took a more tactful approach.

“It’s a great example of what happens when commissioners change hands,” she said. “If I’m elected, I want to make the doughnut my top priority and stop dragging our county through the mud.”

The candidates also discussed the U.S. 93 Alternate Route, pedestrian walkways in Kalispell and the feasibility of recycling.

The primary election is June 3. Schnebel or Garlitz will face the winner of the Republican primary between Phil Mitchell and incumbent Cal Scott in the Nov. 4 election.

Immediately following the commissioner debate, two Democrat candidates for the U.S. Senate debated national issues.

John Bohlinger, former lieutenant governor to Brian Schweitzer, faced off with Dirk Adams, a Montana rancher.

Bohlinger, Adams and current U.S. Senate appointee John Walsh are competing for the Democratic nomination for former Sen. Max Baucus’ seat.

Walsh declined the invitation to the debate, but the two candidates who did make an appearance had no shortage of issues to debate.

The economy and budget deficit were first and foremost on their minds.

“We are painfully aware of the budget crisis,” Bohlinger said. “But the U.S. economy is so strong, it has a way of growing out of problems.”

Adams said congressmen and congresswomen could do a good job if only their heads were in the right places.

“It would be just lovely if the folks in Washington would work on the problems,” he said. “We own the federal government, and we should act like it.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.