The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Editor's note: I am working from home currently and am connecting with individuals in a wide variety of ways. I asked Daren the same questions I asked the other candidate for county commissioners.

Why are you running for Chouteau County Commissioners? Daren wrote, "I'm running for re-election first and foremost because I love my job, and I consider it an honor and privilege to represent the citizens of Chouteau County and want to continue to do so."

Why do you think you are the best candidate? "I have been fortunate enough to be able to help provide upwards of $35 million worth of development in Chouteau County during my tenure. This includes $7.5 million for Big Sandy and Fort Benton airports with up to $5 million in the queue for the Geraldine airport and $8 plus million for 12 miles of paving for State Secondary 236, to name a few. I was able to sponsor and grant for Big Sandy Activities as one of my last acts as Mayor and then turn around and sponsor another like my first act as Commissioner. This was a first of its kind funding process and is now use statewide. The project assured that BSA would remain open to the future and protected all of the jobs that were associated. I was able to cut red tape and clear the way for the library group to build our new library. I'm currently sponsoring the cleanup and repurposing of the old Collins Conoco site as well as the job creation program for Big Sandy Organics (Kracklin' Kamut) to help keep our community prosperous. I was also able to negotiate with EGT and MDT when EGT, in the planning stage, was going to relocate to a different county over an impasse in-regards to the price of the required turning lanes. The construction of the elevator added $15 million to our tax base."

"As it pertains to roads, no one is more disappointed than me in-regards to progress. It hasn't been an easy task. We've had two State moisture-related natural disaster declarations, and we have seen way above average rainfall for numerous years as well as more snow than we've seen in forty years. The moisture has been great for producers cutting record crops but a nightmare for road construction. Couple that with the loss of our Oil and Natural Gas Production Tax has been a recipe for disaster. With that being said, at this point, I feel that we are in great shape. With funding from the Special Road Levy, we have been able to gravel around 25 miles of road in the last 16 months. We have enough gravel crushed currently to gravel an additional 35 miles, and we are still crushing. With any cooperation from Mother Nature, we'll have nearly 90 miles of new gravel out by this fall. This is huge for us and will be more gravel than what's been put out in many years."