Voters Have Choice In County Race
Voters in Roosevelt County commission district II will have a choice of three candidates during the June 4 primary election.
Seeking to take over the position currently held by Gary Macdonald are Dean Mahlum, Doug Marottek and Dan Sietsema, The top two vote getters will advance to November’s general election.
Mahlum was the first candidate who filed for the position. His experience includes one term as the Roosevelt County sheriff and about 50 years in law enforcement. He has been on the Wolf Point City Council during the last four years.
Mahlum feels his knowledge of budgets would be beneficial to the county if he is elected.
“I’ve always been able to sit down with people and generate conversations,” Mahlum said of having positive working relationships. I’ve always been involved in community activities. I’ve dedicated my life to Wolf Point and Roosevelt County.”
Marottek, of Poplar, has been involved in community events including organizing fish tournaments and being on the Poplar School Board.
He currently is an oilfield worker and works as manager of the Buckhorn Bar and Cafe.
He said he was urged to seek the commissioner position since Commissioner Gary Macdonald is retiring.
“I thought I could go on to bigger and better things,” Marottek joked.
He says he isn’t concerned about any particular issue in the county, but he enjoys listening to community input and helping area residents.
Sietsema served as the county’s Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator for 30 years before retiring seven years ago. Sietsema noted that while he was DES coordinator that he worked with many of the county’s departments.
He has 32 years of military service including eight years of active duty with the Navy and several years with the Montana National Guard. He performed a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004-2005. He grew up in Minnesota before moving to Montana in 1982.
He noted that he’s retired and he’s dedicated to improving the county. “There are some issues I would like to be resolved,” Sietsema said.
