Campaign 2012

Race for Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive

Posted: Nov 6, 2012 5:16 PM by KXLF Media Center
Updated: Nov 6, 2012 5:23 PM

BUTTE - Two Butte natives are going head-to-head in the race for Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive.

Incumbent Paul Babb said things will slow down for Butte if they choose a new leader in candidate Matt Vincent.

"I just think I have developed the talents and demonstrated ability to get people to work together for a better future with my current position," Vincent said.

Vincent currently works as the director of the Clark Fork Watershed education program, a position that allows him to teach Butte area youth about the restoration efforts taking place in the county.

"It's imperative that our next generation values what's been done and make sure they know how to take care of it," Vincent said.

If elected Vincent wants to begin his run by creating jobs.

"We've absolutely got to do better," Vincent said. "I'm committed to doing whatever it takes to turn our economy around, start growing some new jobs here at home, making things better for our citizens and tax payers."

Vincent's opponent, Babb, said Butte cannot afford to start from scratch.

"Our community needs a leader that not only believes in Butte, somebody that's not only the face of the community, but somebody that has the experience to actually make it happen and I believe I'm that person," Babb said.

If elected this will be Babb's third term as chief executive.

"The main reasons that I'm running for Chief Executive is it's for Butte," Babb said. "The position is not about me, it's not about the people that work for local government, it's about what we can do for Butte, Montana."

Babb said he has put a team together that is moving the Butte community forward and he wants to continue that work.

"We can't afford to be losing any amount of time," Babb said.

Babb and Vincent agree the key components to this race are job creation and restoration efforts.