Friday, November 6, 2009

Mumford’s the word in Stanley

Mayor elected in tight race

---

By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

Stanley City Council President Herbert Mumford won a closely contested mayoral race in Stanley Tuesday, beating out opponent Charlie Briggs by a mere five votes.

Mumford received 31 votes to Briggs' 26.

Mumford, owner of the Valley Creek Motel & R.V. Park, said in a news release prior to the election that the city is in need of economic development. To that end, he said, more slack and winter season activities are needed.

Mumford will take over for Hannah Stauts, the youngest female mayor in U.S. history at the time of her election in November 2005, who opted not to seek re-election this fall.

"I appreciate the trust the community is putting in me and will do my best for it," Mumford said.

Mumford moved to Stanley in 2004, after working as director of engineering at the Idaho National Laboratory. While living in Idaho Falls, Mumford was an active member of Habitat for Humanity.

Since moving to Stanley, Mumford has held various public positions, including chairman of the Stanley Gem Committee and board member of the Custer Economic Development Association.

Mumford said outstanding issues that he would like to see completed include a flood protection ordinance, which would make the city eligible for federal emergency assistance, and a wetlands protection ordinance to preserve sensitive wetlands in the face of development.

In addition, he said new events planned for this winter include the Sawtooth Winter Festival, which is slated to take place in January with various snow-based competitions, and possibly a sled dog race in February.

Because Mumford is the current council president, his seat will be vacated when he takes over as mayor at the beginning of 2010, and a new council member will be appointed.

In other Stanley politics, City Council incumbents Lem Sentz and Laurii Gadwa ran unchallenged, receiving 39 and 42 votes, respectively.

Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com