Ballots for special purpose and school trustees go out next month
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up on a farm in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri and enjoys covering agriculture and conservation. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporter craft with the UM J-School newspaper and internships with the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader she covers the St. Ignatius Town Council, Polson City Commission and a variety of business, lifestyle and school news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | March 19, 2026 12:00 AM
Mail-in ballots for the Special Purpose Districts and School Districts will be sent out April 15 and must be returned to the Lake County Election Office by election day on May 5.
Polson Rural levy and fire district: The Polson Rural Fire District is requesting a $250,000 annual levy to replace the expiring levy. This levy will be used for either maintenance or purchasing brush trucks, a command car, fire engines for structure fires, water tenders, pump trucks and emergency response apparatuses.
This would amount to $6.86 per year for a house with a market value of $100,000, $20.57 per year for a house valued at $300,000, or $47.08 per year for a house valued at $600,000.
Two incumbents for the fire district, Ron Roberts and Glen (Dick) Wunderlich, have filed to retain their seats on the board.
Ronan School District: One trustee seat is open in District 30-1, which encompasses the downtown area and Hwy. 93 corridor, and has three candidates: Carli Hughbanks, Dakota Desjarlais and Lloyd Irvine. District 30-2, which includes rural areas and Pablo, has two openings and four candidates: are current board chair Bob Cornwell and incumbent Levi Read, and Jamie Baldwin and Silas Perez.
Charlo School District: The Charlo School Board has three open trustee seats. Candidates are incumbents Daniel Cahoon and Nathan Bauer, and Tina Firestone and Tra Ludeman.
St. Ignatius School Board and Rural Fire District: Vying for two seats on the school board are incumbent Peter Matt and Adam Wood, Michelle Wood and Rhianna Ruhkala.
Arlee School and Rural Fire: Six candidates are vying for two openings on the Arlee School Board. They are Alfred Deroche, Brandon O’Brien, Cammie Dupuis Pablo, Justin Curtiss, Kristine Gardner and Whitney Larson.
Arlee Rural Fire District has three candidates for two openings: incumbents Gary Drye and Susan Black and Teddy Allestad.
Remaining contested races
• Rollins Rural Fire District has two trustee seats open, and three candidates – incumbents Greg Lefevre and Jill Sundvahl and Roger Bartels.
• Chief Cliff Fire has two open trustee seats sought by incumbents Mike Meuli and Sigurd Jensen and Les Walter.
• Pleasant View Water & Sewer District near Polson has incumbents Jeffrey Tschida and Robin Ellenwood and John Jolliff competing for two openings.
ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Polson City Manager resigns
Meece explained that this is an opportunity for him and his wife, Karen, to move closer to their family in Washington. He also describes it as a great opportunity to continue working in local government.
Mission police receive surprise gear upgrade
St. Ignatius Police Chief Jason Acheson was surprised and grateful when he stopped by Gambles Hardware to check on his rifle order and found out that the owner, Clay McCready, had ordered out-of-budget rifles for the department.
Polson Rural Fire requests levy to keep pace with growth
On the ballot this year for Special Purpose Elections is the Polson Rural Fire District’s request for a $250,000 annual levy to maintain safety and equipment as the outskirts of Polson continue to grow.