It was, after all, a replay of six months ago, when the Missoula County commissioners appointed Furey's father, Tim, to represent the residents of Bonner, Potomac, Clinton and others who live within the vast district.
Tim Furey's appointment was for two special legislative sessions held after the regular 2007 session in Helena during his son's temporary leave of absence.
When Furey returned to Montana, he resigned his House seat indefinitely.
On Tuesday morning, the commissioners interviewed Nina Cramer, Meyer Chessin and Tim Furey to replace him.
Because of criticism that the appointment of Commissioner Larry Anderson this summer was initially too hurried, Missoula County is not rushing this decision, Commissioner Jean Curtiss said. The commissioners will accept comments at Wednesday's 1:30 p.m. public meeting before making their choice.
Less than a year ago, Kevin Furey married Sarah Elliott, Gov. Brian Schweitzer's communications director. The couple lives in Helena.
Originally Furey thought he could serve out the remainder of his term by commuting back and forth.
“It didn't work out after being gone five months,” said Furey, who resigned his post Oct. 19. “I figure it's the appropriate and responsible thing to do.”
The Missoula County Democratic Central Committee - charged with nominating three candidates to replace him - is familiar with this routine, but admitted to putting little effort into recruiting candidates this time around.
“It would have been different if we would have not just done this in May,” Treasurer Dave Kendall said.
Local Democrats hurried to meet the looming 45-day deadline to submit nominations to the Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners then will select one of the three names presented.
Part of the scramble was because of a misunderstanding, Kendall said.
“No one knew we had to do this again,” he said.
The committee received a letter from the secretary of state's office in October, but thought it addressed the previous appointment process, he said. No one was aware that Furey had resigned his post permanently and that they had to nominate three candidates all over again.
On Monday night, the Democratic Central Committee formally selected three names, that of Tim Furey along with Cramer and Chessin, both of whom sit on the nominating committee.
The meeting lasted 15 minutes. No discussion took place, Kendall said.
On Tuesday morning, the commissioners interviewed the candidates.
Nina Cramer, 51, lives in East Missoula and serves as the chairwoman of the East Missoula Community Council. She works at the City-County Office of Planning and Grants.
Cramer helped run Furey's election campaigns in 2004 and 2006.
Although Cramer said she is up for the task and would like an opportunity to expand affordable housing and social service programs, she also plugged her opponent at the end of the interview.
“I must admit, I have been working with Tim on a re-election campaign,” Cramer said. “I think he's a very viable candidate as well.”
Meyer Chessin, 86, is a retired botany professor at the University of Montana. An avid cyclist, Chessin is passionate about curbing carbon emissions, reducing energy consumption and addressing growth.
“Under the rare chance I make it to the Legislature, I would like to reach across party lines,” Meyer said.
Tim Furey, 53, is the director of development at Opportunity Resources in Missoula. The Bonner resident is also co-manager and co-founder of Opportunity Ranch near Frenchtown.
During his interview, Furey touched on a number of issues, including forest management, labor and economic development within the legislative district.
In May, the commission unanimously appointed Furey to the job.
The term is up at the end of 2008.
Kevin Furey said he doesn't envision running for office in 2008, but won't rule out the possibility in the future.
He would like to see his father reappointed.
“It's a continuation of the leave of absence,” he said. “I'd like to continue with my dad. I don't agree with him all the time, but I agree with him on his positions and values. ”
Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at Chelsi.Moy@missoulian.com.
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