Commissioner Bill Carey to Retire in September

Missoula County Commissioner Bill Carey announced Friday afternoon that he will retire in mid-September, 2015. Carey shared the news with the Commissioners’ Office staff before leaving for the holiday weekend. The actual date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

“It just feels like it’s time to make a change or two,” Carey said.  “There is still so much to do in life:  new friends to make, hiking and biking in faraway places, books to read and some of life’s adventures to still be experienced.  It’s a long list and time is of the essence.”

“I will miss the dedicated public servants I have worked with, and learned from, over the years,” Carey said. “They will miss me as well – for a minute or two – and then they will get back to taking care of the public’s business.”

Carey explained that with a milestone birthday quickly approaching, September felt like the appropriate time to make the transition, although “no time is ever quite perfect.” The news was met with mixed emotions by staff who were saddened he will soon be leaving office, all the while expressing their best wishes.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Commissioner Carey over the years,” Commissioner Curtiss said. “I wish him all the best in retirement and look forward to serving Missoula County with the next individual committed to serving the people of Missoula County.”

“I will be sad to see Commissioner Carey go later this year. I am fortunate to have worked alongside him and know he will continue to serve our community well in retirement," Commissioner Rowley said.

 

Commissioner Bill Carey, 2015

Because Carey is retiring before his term expires next year, his seat will be filled with an appointee until the 2016 election. Carey will notify the Democratic Central Committee with his retirement plans. The Committee will then submit three potential candidates to Commissioners Curtiss and Rowley for consideration. The two remaining Commissioners will interview candidates and select one to fill Carey’s seat. Additional applicants can be requested, if needed.

The newly-selected Commissioner will carry out the reminder of Carey’s term. He or she also has the opportunity to run for the open seat in the November, 2016 election. The winner of the election will then serve the standard staggered six-year term.

Carey has served nearly 16 years as a Missoula County Commissioner, first taking office in November, 1998. His career has been dedicated to public service, working within many local and state functions. Before his time as a Commissioner, Carey was the Director of the Missoula Food Bank for more than ten years. It was during this time that he also served two terms in Montana’s House of Representatives. Prior to accepting the position at the Missoula Food Bank, Carey worked with Missoula Aging Services as their Volunteer Coordinator for the “Meals on Wheels” and Senior Dining Room programs.

Carey was born in St. Louis, Mo. and raised in his dad’s hometown of Omaha, Neb. In 1968, he graduated from the University of California at Riverside with a B.A. in Political Science. He is a former Peace Corps Volunteer, serving in southern India during the late sixties. Returning from the Peace Corps, Carey taught at the elementary and middle school levels near Sonora, Calif. He then co-managed a cooperatively-owned retail business in the San Francisco Bay area for several years before moving to Missoula in 1983.

Carey was the first person elected to chair Montana’s Advisory Council on Food and Nutrition. He has also served on several other boards, including the Montana Food Bank Network, Families First and the Missoula Housing Authority.

Carey currently serves on several Boards and Authorities, including the County Parks and Trails Advisory Board, Larchmont Golf Course Board, Missoula Civic Television Advisory Commission, Missoula-Ravalli Transportation Management Association, Missoula Development Authority and the Transportation Policy Coordinating Committee.  As Chair in 2015, Bill also serves on the Urban Growth Commission.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunities I’ve had as an elected official, to serve the people of this truly extraordinary county of ours,” Carey said.