News & Events - Archived News

In order to inform voters, the candidates answered the following Sidney Herald questionnaire.

John Redman

Occupation: Retired farmer, rancher.

Member of what organizations: Lonsdale United Methodist Church, secretary of RECD, secretary of Montana State Council of Co-ops, president of Smith Creek Grazing Association, member of Farmers Union, member of Lower Yellowstone Masonic Lodge #90.

List greatest accomplishments: Raising five healthy, intelligent children; being a top 10 beet grower one year; graduating with a bachelor of science degree from Montana State College in 1960; and receiving a 25-year pin for working with youth in 4-H.

As a state representative, how would you support economic development in the area and in the state? As chairman of Moo Juice Dairy in Richland County, I am not only supporting but experiencing economic development in Montana.

As a representative, I would be in a position to see that Senate Bill 6 be made more usable. SB 6 opens the coal severance tax fund to economic development in Montana. It's a good bill that just needs to be reviewed and adjusted to fit the situations in Montana.

What are your suggestions regarding education problems, including a possible teaching shortage in the near future? Teachers are skilled professionals. Our school boards need the money to be able to compete in the job market. An increase in the percentage the budget state trust provides would help. With some schools experiencing declining enrollment in eastern Montana, the state fund distribution formula needs to take this into account. It doesn't do that now.

What do you feel should be done with tobacco settlement funds? The tobacco settlement was won on the basis of off-setting increased medical costs due to tobacco use. This should be a first priority on where it is spent.

How can you help to have eastern Montana's voice be heard at the state level? I have a broad base of acquaintances in Montana. I am not only willing but will seek out bi-partism coalitions to build Montana, especially eastern Montana.

What actions by past legislators did you agree with? Which did you disagree with? Good bills are SB 6 - coal tax capitalization of Montana job and economic development. SB 246 - recognizing the fundamental rights of children's dignity and pursuit of life's basic necessities.

A bad bill that they tried to pass was to reduce property tax for Montana Power and regain the revenue by putting it on homeowners' monthly bills.

What makes you the best candidate in the race? Experience in job development in Richland County, a willingness to listen and work for all the people in House District 100 regardless of station in life. Not all people have the same talents or opportunities, yet they should all be treated as equals by their government.

Don Steinbeisser

Occupation: farmer, rancher, businessman.

Member of what organizations: Montana Dakota Beet Growers Association president; American Sugarbeet Growers Association past president and current board of directors; member of Richland County Farm Bureau; member of Richland County Economic Development, member of Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture; Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project director; member of Knights of Columbus.

List greatest accomplishments: I work hard on keeping a healthy sugarbeet industry in the Sidney area by being directly involved. I have led the efforts to keep the Agriculture Research Station in Sidney and its expansion. I'm working hard on four farm bills, and the GATT and NAFTA trade agreements are also among some of my greatest accomplishments.

As a state representative, how would you support economic development in the area and in the state? Economic development and research are very important to all of us. We need to properly fund economic development both locally and at the state level. We need quality leadership and to encourage people to get involved. The special session passed Senate Bill 6 allowing a good start in providing funding and assistance for worthwhile projects. Lower taxes on business and property to create a better business environment in the state. With all of this, we can have higher-paying jobs right here in Montana.

What are your suggestions regarding education problems, including a possible teacher shortage in the near future? I feel schools need more local control. Tax credits to students going to school to become teachers is needed along with increasing beginning teacher salaries. Good teachers are very valuable, and we need to respect and keep them in this state.

What do you feel should be done with tobacco settlement funds? Part of the tobacco funds should be used for diseases related to smoking and other tobacco use health problems. If a tobacco trust fund is created with part of the funds, that money should be invested in Montana and not out of state. Among some of my ideas is to use part of the tobacco money to help senior citizens and those on fixed incomes with some of the high cost of prescription drugs.

How can you help to have eastern Montana's voice be heard at the state level? I will be accessible and accountable to my constituents with e-mail, fax machines and telephones. I have the ability to bring eastern Montana's representatives together on issues affecting us and the ability to relay our needs and concerns to the representatives of all of Montana. With a strong voice in the House of Representatives, and the advice from people of eastern Montana, our issues will be heard.

What actions by past legislators did you agree with? Which did you disagree with? The past legislature lowered taxes. They increased funding to our schools. They created steps to provide a better environment to keep and create new business in the state of Montana. I feel the past legislation worked hard to represent what we in eastern Montana asked.

What makes you the best candidate in the race? I feel I am the best candidate because I have experience on many levels of state and federal governments. I am president of the Montana-Dakota Beet Growers and am a director on the national board of sugarbeet growers. I have helped write sugar policy on four farm bills. I have lobbied for many pieces of legislation in the U.S. Congress and at the Montana Legislature. I led the effort to keep the Agricultural Research Station in Sidney open after it was closed. I worked hard to increase funds for the station and now it is starting an $8 million building expansion. I have the ability to see both sides of a problem and I can work with people for the best solution. I am a life-long resident of Richland County and my wife, Leona, and I raised and educated five children here.

Photo 1: John Redman. 
Photo 2: Don Steinbeisser.