Fire levy receives resounding support in school/special district election
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months AGO
Polson Rural Fire's ladder truck was among the many vehicles on display during a recent open house. (Courtesy photo)
Kristi Niemeyer learned her newspaper licks at weekly newspapers, beginning at the Mission Valley News in 1981, then at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Lake County Leader until 1993. She launched and co-published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly, before returning to the Leader in 2022, and serving as its editor until July 2026. Reach her at [email protected] | May 12, 2026 12:00 AM
The results are in for the May 5 mail-in election for Special Purpose Districts and School Districts.
The levy for the Polson Rural Fire District passed resoundingly, 1093-363. The levy will provide $250,000 annually, and fire officials say the money will be used for maintenance, equipment, vehicles and emergency response apparatuses.
A Facebook post thanked the community for its support: “While we will always be here to do the job, this levy will help ensure we have the tools we need to do it safely and effectively.”
Lloyd Irvine claimed a seat on the Ronan School Board with 102 votes. He was trailed by Dakota Desjarlais with 80. Carli Hughbanks had 31 votes; although she dropped out of the race, her name still appeared on the ballot. Irvine will represent District 30-1, which covers the downtown area and Hwy. 93 corridor.
In District 30-2, which includes rural areas and Pablo, voters returned current board chair Bob Cornwell to the board with 465 votes and incumbent Levi Read with 587; also running were Jamie Baldwin (275) and Silas Perez (234).
Charlo had openings for three trustees and voters elected incumbents Nathan Bauer (265), Daniel Cahoon (249) and newcomer Tina Firestone (190). Tra Ludeman received 124 votes.
St. Ignatius voters returned incumbent Peter Matt to the school board with 329 votes and added Rhianna Ruhkala with 338 votes. Also on the ballot were Michelle Wood (178) and Adam Wood (135).
The Arlee School Board race attracted six candidates for two seats. Winners were Justin Curtiss with 168 and Kristine Gardner with 157. Also on the ballot were Whitney Larson (143), Cammie Dupuis Pablo (136), Alfred Deroche (115) and Brandon O’Brien (101).
Incumbents largely prevailed in special district elections, with the exception of Rollins Rural Fire District, where voters returned incumbent Greg Lefevre (95) and chose Roger Bartels (92) over incumbent Jill Sundvahl (54).
Voters in the Chief Cliff Fire District returned incumbents Mike Meuli (175) and Sigurd Jensen (138) to the board, with Les Walter receiving 77 votes.
Incumbents Susan Black (325 votes) and Gary Drye (305) handily kept seats on the Arlee Rural Fire District; Teddy Allestad collected 139 votes.
The Pleasant View Water & Sewer District near Polson returned Robin Ellenwood with 18 votes, but replaced Jeffrey Tschida (12) with John Jolliff (14).
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