HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Members of the Havre City Council met Tuesday evening to select a replacement to represent Ward 3 after Caleb Hutchins stepped down last month.
The three candidates were Erickson Insurance Vice President Andrew Brekke, Hi-Line Boys and Girls Club Director Tim Brurud and Mitchel Dolphay of the Montana Department of Transportation.
Each candidate was given an opportunity to provide an opening statement which was followed by a question and answer session.
Brekke spoke first, and touted his previous experience on the council which included work on getting Special Improvement Districts approved. He also said he is in full support of putting a measure on the November ballot to make Havre a charter government.
Brurud spoke second and noted that his 18 years working at the Boys & Girls Club gives him a good gauge on the community. He currently serves as Chair of Montana’s Youth Justice Advisory Council and says he has a strong knowledge of how local and state governments work and wants to give back to the community.
Dolphay, who was the final candidate to speak, stated that his knowledge of infrastructure would be beneficial to the council. He said it’s important for the council to always use common sense and to take everyone’s point of view into consideration
Following the interviews, the majority of the council voted for Brekke to represent Ward 3. Brekke received four votes, while Brurud and Dolphay each received one vote.
The board noted that all three candidates were excellent, and that this decision was not as easy as previous appointments.
Ward 4 council member Derek Eldridge was not present and therefore did not vote.
This will be Brekke’s second time on the council. He previously served Ward 4 from 2008 to 2018, but left the council after moving to Ward 3.
Brekke’s seat will be on the ballot in November 2021, and he says he plans on running for re-election.
Havre’s City Council will next meet on Monday, June 1st.
