County attorney resigns

After five years as county attorney, Marcia Boris turned in her letter of resignation to the Mineral County commissioners on Friday morning.

During that meeting, it was decided to hire a temporary attorney to fill the position. The temporary position will be in place until a search can be conducted to find a permanent replacement to fill the remainder of Boris’s four-year term.

Boris was re-elected in 2014 and was half way through serving her second term. Three candidates had expressed an interest in the position, including Kristine Akland, who was serving as the deputy county attorney on a part-time basis. She was laid off, along with five other county employees, in July as the result of county budget cuts.

By 3 p.m. Friday, a decision was made to hire Missoula attorney Matt Erekson. He has previously served as the county attorney for Stillwater County, as well as the city attorney for the town of Laurel. He is currently in private practice in Missoula.

The reason for Boris’s departure is because she had been offered the deputy county attorney’s position for Lincoln County and decided to take it. Her last day will be Sept. 2, but she will be available until Sept. 5 in order to help with the transition.

Boris had worked in Libby for a couple of years before she and her husband, Richard Hader, moved to Mineral County. Hader had worked for Montana Highway Patrol before retiring in 2014.

She said she really enjoyed the people and the community in Libby. Now her husband is retired, and her children are grown and moved away from home.

“When this position came up, I just felt it was a good opportunity for me, and it’s a good time for me to go,” she said. “It’s been an absolute honor to serve the citizens of Mineral County. We have made great strides to serve victims, especially with domestic abuse and that nature. I’m proud of what we have accomplished.”

She also said that she will be leaving with some regret because of the great professional relationships she has forged. “It’s never easy to walk away, and it’s been an honor to serve here.”

It could take up to six months or longer to find a permanent replacement. In the meantime, Erekson is willing to work however many hours are needed to get the job done, according to County Commissioner Roman Zylawy.

Erekson will be paid an hourly wage, and will not be receiving insurance benefits, making him affordable. Plus, he has previous experience working in this area, said Zylawy.

One concern was if Akland was subject to the recall policy. This policy states that if an employee is laid off, they are the first to be considered if a job opens up.

Commissioners contacted Brian Hopkins with the Montana Association of Counties, and learned that because the position is temporary, it does not qualify. Also, because of the urgency to fill the position, they did not need to advertise the opening.

“We decided to go with Erekson because he has the most experience and is the most affordable,” said Zylawy.