Havre Weekly Chronicle, Ayres, Lanier face off in Hill County Commission election: Libertarian Hill County Commission candidate Sam Ayres

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Samuel is originally from Long Beach, California. He earned a bachelor's degree in communication design from California State University. He is a member of Havre Community Alliance Church. He lives in Havre.

Samuel is the chief executive officer and founder of the Wild Initiative, LLC, a media group. He previously worked as a brand services manager at Stryk Group, a digital producer for several companies, and as a videographer and editor at Sequoia Video Productions.

Samuel Ayres' campaign for county mommissioner in Hill County in Montana is his first run for public office.

Believes Hill County's reluctance to adopt modern technology in county offices causes inefficiencies and hinders public communication, and supports leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance transparency.

Supports adopting modern technology in county offices to streamline operations and enhance transparency.

- Supports adopting modern technology in county offices to streamline operations and enhance transparency.

Public Services

As of October 4, 2024, Samuel Ayres’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Candidate website

Supports transitioning to a bi-weekly pay schedule to help employees manage finances better, meet obligations on time, and reduce financial stress, especially for those living paycheck to paycheck.

Supports a bi-weekly pay schedule for county employees to help employees manage finances better, meet obligations, and reduce financial stress. 

Proposes implementing a triple-bid process for selecting county vendors to ensure fairness and accountability.

- Supports a bi-weekly pay schedule for county employees to help employees manage finances better, meet obligations, and reduce financial stress. 
- Proposes implementing a triple-bid process for selecting county vendors to ensure fairness and accountability.

Economy

Believes additional funding and staffing are crucial for ensuring safety and well-being at the detention center.

Believes additional funding and staffing are crucial for safety and well-being at the detention center.

Believes the lack of mental health resources in Hill County leads to incarceration of individuals with severe issues, contributing to overcrowding.

Wants to improve mental health resources for people in the Hill County Detention Center.

Believes the intersection of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) and the influx of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Native communities is a significant challenge in Hill County.

Plans to address fentanyl and methamphetamine challenges in Native communities.

Believes the county's weapons policy, which bans all weapons on county property, in county vehicles, and during county time, should be reconsidered, saying "the right to bear arms is inherent and should be honored."

- Believes additional funding and staffing are crucial for safety and well-being at the detention center.
- Wants to improve mental health resources for people in the Hill County Detention Center.
- Plans to address fentanyl and methamphetamine challenges in Native communities.
- Opposes the county weapons policy ban. 

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Supports using modern technology, like a ticketing-based system, to improve road management and better schedule and communicate road repairs.

Supports using a ticketing-based system to improve road management and better schedule and communicate road repairs.

Believes strategic investments and proactive measures will create safer, more resilient road infrastructure in Hill County.

Wants to invest in better road infrastructure. 

- Supports using a ticketing-based system to improve road management and better schedule and communicate road repairs.
- Wants to invest in better road infrastructure. 

Transportation & Infrastructure

Healthcare

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Samuel Ayres

Samuel earned a bachelor's degree in communication design.

Samuel Ayres is a small business owner specializing in digital marketing, design, and website services. He has over fifteen years of experience as a project manager overseeing multimillion-dollar projects.

As of October 7, 2024, Samuel Ayres’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "I’m dedicated to giving back to this incredible community I’ve come to call home."

Supports preserving Montana traditions through outdoor activities like bowhunting and fly fishing.

Works weekends at The Golden Spike, serving drinks and forging connections with community members.

Believes in "the power of substantive, transparent, accountable leadership."

Said, "I’m not here to play politics, blow smoke, or make empty promises."

Said, "I’m here to restore the public trust and confidence in the office of county commissioner."

Supports community involvement through public services, foster care, and local organizations.

The candidate's website says, "Plumbing issues, while continually addressed by the limited maintenance staff, consistently crop up and have led to recurring flooding in cells and other areas."

Believes in the importance of community engagement and relationship-building through shared experiences.

Opposes the idea of a four-day work week.

Believes outdated equipment hinders operational efficiency and supports upgrading to improve performance.

Said, "While I may not be a lifelong resident of Montana, my connection to this land runs deep, with familial roots dating back to the late 1800s."

Believes that without proper vetting by experienced operators, new equipment purchases risk inefficiency and financial strain.

Supports transitioning to a bi-weekly pay schedule for county employees to address financial strain and late payments, prioritizing their well-being and financial stability.

Supports the Sheriff's Department's efforts to digitize records.

Believes in investing in education, prevention programs, addiction treatment, and mental health services to enhance public safety.

Supports raising awareness for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).

Believes timely compensation is essential for county employees, including teachers and law enforcement, to support themselves and their families.

Promises to "listen, learn and lead with integrity."

Supports community healing events like candlelight prayer vigils for families of crime victims.

Believes Native children and Indigenous adults are highly vulnerable to violence and exploitation, citing that "85 percent of Native children reported missing were considered endangered runaways" between 2009 and 2018.

Believes the county loses trained operators to private construction companies due to higher wages.

Supports the use of technology to improve efficiency in housing and urban development.

Supports lease or buyback programs to replace outdated equipment and reduce financial burdens.

Believes embracing modern technology in housing and urban development is essential for efficiency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.

Supports public transportation, believing it provides an important alternative and encourages young people to connect with their culture and community.

Believes Montana is "the greatest place on earth."

Supports improving infrastructure and ensuring access to essential services.

Supports the development of transportation and infrastructure projects that enhance mobility and economic growth.

Supports investing in rural communities, as demonstrated by his move to Hill County and establishment of a 7-acre homestead for raising livestock and poultry.

Believes the county's reliance on outdated equipment hinders efficient road maintenance.

Believes that closed cells for repairs contribute to overcrowding in jails.

Supports access to quality healthcare for all.

Believes limited personnel in healthcare lead to officers performing non-law enforcement tasks, such as monitoring diabetic patients’ blood sugar levels and custodial work.

Believes addressing drug demand requires a comprehensive approach.

Believes cultural reconnection helps prevent substance abuse by providing young people with identity and purpose.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county level. These laws show up in tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property taxes, providing recreational amenities, and maintaining county property.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government, such as personnel management, communications, and appointments for advisory boards.
- County Commissioners in Montana are typically elected to 6-year terms in staggered years. Counties may change the Commissioners' term length if they wish. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district. 