Jean Curtiss is so much more to our community than a county commissioner. She cares about the unique challenges facing everyone who lives here, in town and in the rural parts of the county.

Long after the lights are out at the county courthouse, Jean is out there investing her personal time and professional expertise trying to figure out complex problems. One area this is best showcased is her tireless work for economic development opportunities.

For example, take the Bonner mill site. That could’ve ended up like a lot of other mill sites in the West - abandoned. But Commissioner Curtiss saw a vision for the future and wasn’t willing to let our county become another chapter in mill closures. She’s helped bring new businesses to the area and there are now over 400 employees out there and they are still hiring.

On a personal note, Jean has served as the president of BitterRoot Economic Development District (BREDD) and then as a founding member of the Missoula Economic Development, of which I was also a member. On a professional note, she’s shown great interest in the opportunities and challenges facing our construction company and how we can all work together for the betterment of our county.

Jean is a fair, thoughtful and hardworking public servant who has the kind of hands-on experience to move our county forward while also keeping an eye on our most vulnerable neighbors.

With a track record as compelling as Jean’s, it’s an easy decision that she is my first choice in the June Democratic primary for Missoula county commissioner. I hope you’ll join me in giving her your vote June 5th.

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