Blaine County Sheriff's race heats up with BBQs and pig roasts

With regular ballots to be mailed on October 12 and general election voting set for the polls on Tuesday, November 6, the two contested offices in Blaine County (sheriff and open county commissioner seat) are heating up. In the sheriff's race between Deputy Lt. John Colby and Undersheriff Frank Billmayer, two barbeques and a pig roast have already added 'heat' to the contest. Colby held what supporters billed as a "BBQ and Family Night" back in late August (see "Journal" story of August 22). Billmayer's supporters recently held a barbeque at the Eagles in Chinook and followed up with a pig roast in Harlem a week later.

Roasting the pig was an interesting prelude to the meal and political rally. Rodney Melchert and candidate Billmayer cooked the 100 pound half pig in a La Caja China-a pig roasting box. Melchert said, "This is the 15th pig I've cooked this way. I learned the technique while living in San Diego." He explained that Chinese railroad workers, in Cuba, introduced the idea of a roasting box many years ago. The Cubans, who love pork, modified the box and the box evolved to its present design. The pig was processed for roasting by the folks at the Turner Colony.

After the pulled pork dinner and trimmings, Billmayer took time to welcome the guests and thank some folks who have helped with his campaign, especially his wife, Angie. Billmayer shared, "I grew up in Harlem and some of my best memories from childhood were here." He added, "It's a big honor to stand here as a candidate for sheriff."

Billmayer told of his selection to succeed Undersheriff Patrick Pyette who died in the line of duty in 2011. He said, "The sheriff decided to fill the position internally and though I had fewer years in law enforcement than some of the other candidates, I believe my background as a leader in the Marines and as a manager for an international company was a factor in my selection as undersheriff." He said since becoming undersheriff he has supervised deputies in the department, help formulate the annual departmental budget and performed other administrative duties in the department.

Several years ago the sheriff's position and the coroner's position were combined in Blaine County, so the sheriff also serves as coroner. Billmayer said, "I teach a basic coroner's course in Helena to new coroners around the state."

The undersheriff said, "Protecting people is the number one priority of the sheriff's department." He added that he has had two priority groups during his tenure-protecting children and senior citizens, noting, "They are two of the most vulnerable groups in our communities." He cited his work with the state task force on internet pornography and how the group has removed a number of child predators. He's presented training for students, parents and other groups about the dangers of the internet to youngsters. He also shared about his work with senior groups to alert them how to avoid phone and internet scams that target older people.

Billmayer is also a certified trainer for a national program used in schools, churches and other public places vulnerable to active shooting incidents. He said, "I've taught this program to schools in Blaine County and to other groups in the county." He's also worked with schools to enhance their security against potential incidents involving violence and was a founding member of the county's mental health advisory committee.

He closed by saying in his present position he's been able to forge good working relationships with Fort Belknap's law enforcement and sheriffs' departments in surrounding counties. He encouraged locals to be the "eyes and ears of law enforcement" and to speak up if they detect a potential problem.