Political novice running for chief executive

By Roberta Forsell Stauffer of The Montana Standard - 01/31/2004

James Burton

Abolishing property taxes and establishing a county-owned power plant are among the

suggestions offered by

Butte-Silver Bow's latest chief executive candidate, Burton James.

James is the ninth to declare his candidacy, filing for office on Tuesday.

He's lived in Butte for

roughly three years and has never before sought public office.

He said he decided to run because "the standard bill of fare is the same old party line steeped in good-old-boyism.

"People here want a change. They want a reason to get up every morning," he said. "I believe I have a fresh approach virtually unheard of in this

county based on the original American way of life."

He says the government is much larger than it needs to be and if cut down to the right size, it could function without property tax income, which he views as unconstitutional.

"By the very founding

documents of our nation, a

persons private property was to be protected from government meddling," he said in a press release. "Excise, tariffs, and

public business taxes were to be the only taxes levied."

He says that if the people are not in control, the government "grows into a monster that devours everything in its path" and that has happened here in Butte-Silver Bow and around the country.

As for his power plant idea, Burton thinks the county could finance construction of it by developing its own monetary system. He believes there is plenty of geothermal energy available to tap and envisions the county cooperative granting reduced rates for greenhouse food production.

Water bills should be based on actual use, and fees for garbage collection should not be attached to property tax bills. In fact, he doesn't think local government should be in the garbage business; it should be handled entirely by the private sector with controls on how much can be charged and what goes into the landfill. He believes much more recycling should be done.

The first action Burton would take as chief executive is to reduce his salary from $73,000 to $24,000 and put the extra money back into essential government operations.

He said he's intentionally waiting to unveil most of his ideas later in the campaign. However, Butte residents can tune into his radio program, B.J.'s Law Hour, every weekday at noon at 101.5 FM.

The program focuses on all aspects of law, both positive and negative, he said, and it's broadcast around the world through the Truth Radio Network based in Nipomo, Calif. People can learn more about the network on-line at www.truthradio.com.

The 49-year-old said he's spent most of his life in Washington state. He said he graduated from Mariner High School in Everett, Wash., and then went on to study American common law and law history.

Other work experience includes project management for a national hazardous waste processing and disposal company, and work building turbines, the space shuttle, and torpedo parts, according to the release. He's also a satellite technician, welder, and small engine mechanic.

Burton said he was sent to Butte to open a Direct TV business, and when that closed after six months, he started his own satellite installation and service business called B.J. Satellites, but later closed it due to lack of demand.

Besides doing his radio show, Burton is running the local radio station at 101.5 FM and restoring his house on Nevada Street.

Other chief executive candidates are county commissioners Paul Babb, Mike Sheehy and Ristene Hall; former assistant public works director Dave Schultz, health department director Dan Dennehy, civic booster Pat Kearney, former state legislator J.D. Lynch, and Jack Hanley, publisher/editor of the ‘roun'town Review.

Reporter Roberta Forsell Stauffer may be reached via e-mail at roberta.stauffer@mtstandard.com.