Sexton confirmed to parks board

HELENA – With a 29-21 vote, the Montana Senate confirmed Mary Sexton of Choteau to the Montana State Parks and Recreation Board after a contentious debate.

Sen. Bradley Hamlett, D-Cascade, praised Sexton for her expertise in land management and what that brings to the parks board. Other Democrats praised Sexton for her ideas boosting public interest in the parks and her work with in natural resources.

Sexton's nomination was hung up in the Senate Fish and Game Committee, but senators voted to bring it to the floor for a vote Friday.

Hard feelings remain on the Hi-Line from the state's 2013 Milk River Ranch land acquisition, which happened while Sexton led the Department of Natural Resources, said Sen. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre. She said the deal drove up land prices.

"The DNRC put its own desires and intentions above those of farmers and ranchers who bordered that property," she said.

Sen. Taylor Brown, R-Huntley, and Sen. John Brenden, R-Scobey countered that the Milk River project was Gov. Brian Schweitzer's doing and his agency heads were not to blame.

Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, accused Sexton of "conduct unbecoming of a state official" and said she was undeserving of public trust. The two women have found themselves on opposite sides of the federal-to-state land transfer debate.

She said Sexton has "a history of locking things up, closing things down."

Sen. Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek, said he's on the opposite end of the political spectrum from Sexton but has known her for decades as a good person. He wouldn't support her for other boards, "but she's been a good park board member."

Hamlett said he's differed with Sexton on water bills but "I never took it personally."

"What's really important is we don't vote against someone based on innuendo. If you have facts, state them," he said. "She understands Montana lands and how they can be managed. She's fully qualified to sit on this board."

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Kristen Inbody at kinbody@greatfallstribune.com. Follow her on Twitter at @GFTrib_KInbody.