HARLEM, Mont. (NMB) – Harlem City Council President Joseph Patrick-Wertz has officially filed to run for Mayor.
Patrick-Wertz, 35, currently represents Ward 1 and also works as an IT Specialist at Aaniiih Nakoda College.
“I’m relatively familiar with the city workers, what they do, and what they need. It’s a small town, so there’s not too much that tends to go on. I view the Mayor as somewhat of a procedural seat. There needs to be an elected official in that seat. They kind of sign checks and manage the city employees, but to some degree, the city employees manage whoever is in that position as well.”
Patrick-Wertz says one of his top priorities would be dealing with properties with excessive backtaxes.
“That has made them difficult to change hands and develop, because you have to pay the back taxes. And some of those backtaxes are exorbitant. There’s more back taxes than the property is worth. So I was planning on coming up with some solutions for that and present them to the County Commissioners and see if I can get a solid process for that change.”
Ralph Schneider, the current Mayor, told New Media Broadcasters he will not be running for re-election.
He has served as Mayor for the last three years, and has served the city in various capacities for nearly three decades.
“I’ve enjoyed my 27 years working with the city and I think the city is in excellent financial condition and the city has excellent employees and councilmembers to continue in a positive manner for the citizens of Harlem,” Schneider said.
At 73-years-old, he says it’s time for younger leadership in Harlem.
“Joe Wertz is an excellent councilperson and he is the President of the Council,” Schneider said. “I would feel that the city would be in good hands if Joe became Mayor.”
Patrick-Wertz is currently the only candidate to have filed for this year’s municipal elections in Blaine County, which are for the cities of Harlem and Chinook.
The deadline for candidate filing is June 21st. The general election is set for November 2nd.
