Dave Stipe resigns from Lake County Commission

Lifelong Lake County resident Dave Stipe of Charlo announced last week that he’s stepping down from the County Commission at the end of July due to health reasons.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must resign my position as County Commissioner due to a health circumstance,” Stipe said in a resignation letter dated July 13. “I am functioning in a limited capacity and believe that it is best to spend time with my family …”

Stipe said Monday that he has been diagnosed with a critical form of cancer.

Stipe, a cattle rancher, served as commissioner from 1993 to 2005. After a break from county government, he was elected in 2016 to again serve the county’s south district.

Stipe also has represented the region on the Montana Association of Counties. He played a key role in passing a 2014 mill levy in support of the Lake County Council on Aging.

“I have enjoyed my work with senior organizations,” he said Monday. “It is a very rewarding job, and it gives you the opportunity to help many people. I have enjoyed the fine people who work for the county. I would have liked to finish out my term but it is not possible. The support I have received has been amazing.”

The county is holding a retirement celebration for Commissioner Stipe from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 29 in Commissioner’s Chambers on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse. Those who wish to send well wishes but are unable to attend in person may email them to administrative assistant Casey Leverich at cleverich@lakemt.gov.

Stipe’s current term runs through 2022. Since he is a member of the Republican Party, local GOP members forwarded a list of three candidates to Commissioners Bill Barron and Gale Decker, who planned to announce Stipe’s replacement during a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Barron and Decker will be choosing from the following three nominees:

Frank Delgado of St. Ignatius, owner/operator of Central Chemdry and president of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Co. Delgado also serves as president of the Montana Pachyderms and the Lake County Pachyderms.

Dan Kramer of Ronan, a certified water and wastewater professional and technician with over 26 years of experience. Kramer is a member of the FBI InfraGard, a partnership between the FBI and members of the private sector for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Stephen Stanley of St. Ignatius, former Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator for Lake County (2000-18). Before his stint as coordinator, he was deputy coordinator for 13 years. Stanley also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Polson Fire Department from 1987 to 2007.

UPDATE (July 28): Steve Stanley to replace Dave Stipe on Lake County Commission