Hanging them up

What started in 1988 for William Crowder ended last Tuesday night as his final meeting as a member of the Malta City Council came to a close. A few hours prior to that meeting, Crowder sat down with the Phillips County News to discuss his time on the board and how he came to be the representative for Malta's Ward 2.

"There were some interests at the time that I had which I thought could be better," Crowder said of his decision to run for city council in 27 years ago.

Since that time, Crowder has worked with a handful of Malta Mayors, a dozen fellow council members and countless changes to the city he was born and raised near. At the end of it all, he is happy with how his city has progressed over the last four decades.

"Mostly they did," he said. "You can't change everything, but you can try."

Crowder found the calling for his civic duty the same place many young men found theirs while coming to age in the 1950, the Junior Chamber of Commerce (AKA, the Jaycees.)

"I have a philosophy," explained Crowder. "There is some stuff there that the Jaycees taught about government that I carried with me my entire life."

Firstly, said Crowder, the Jaycees taught him that government should be of laws rather than men. Second, the sovereignty of man transcends the sovereignty of nation. Thirdly, that economic justice can best be won through free enterprise and lastly that the service to humanity is the best service of life.

"I've always been a firm believer that you take nothing away from anybody through taxes and whatnot that is not needed," said Crowder. "Never take anything away and just stockpile it because it does nothing for the people you are representing."

In 1987, Crowder was originally approached by the councilman he would replace, Clarence Mickelson, when Mickelson decided it was time to retire from public office. At the time, Crowder owned his own business in Phillips known as Bill's Refrigeration and Air Conditioning founded in 1962. Mickelson knew Crowder would be in Malta for a long time to come and would be a worthy replacement.

"So I ran and was successful," said Crowder. "And here I am."

Crowder ran for election that first time in the late 80's and then ran again six more times – each time opposed – and in one election saw his opponent garner the exact same amount of votes as he (the city council then decided to pick the incumbent over the challenger to retain the seat.)

Crowder sold his business in 2000 and "sort of semi" retired at the time, adding that he is still, technically, a part time employee at Clausen and Sons. Prior to starting his own business in Phillips County, Crowder, for many year, drove heavy equipment for a living. The pounding his body took while driving semi and was told by doctors at the time that if he did not give up the occupation that he would be bound to a wheelchair by the time he reached 30 years of age.

"I haven't got to 30 yet," joked Crowder, who never once sat in a wheelchair.

Crowder, born in 1933, was raised in Sun Prairie Flat and attended school for eight years there before heading off to make a living. The years of growing up on the family farm, Crowder obtained many skills – welding, auto mechanic, electrical...to name a few – and decided to forgo high school and let his sisters attend instead.

Crowder married his wife, Janet Darl Johnston, in 1960 and the couple would go on to have three children – two boys and a girl – and nine grandchildren. The Crowders eldest child, Barry, works for Clausen and Sons and live 10 miles north of Havre. The second child, Larry, lives in Culbertson where he his is the Superintendent of School there and the couples youngest child, daughter Darla, owned the Mint Bar for many years in and is know the owner of Darla's 3 Sisters here in Malta.

During his nearly 30 years as a member of the Malta City Council, there are several projects that have transpired that Crowder is proud to have been a part of. Firstly was the creation of the new City Shop in Malta.

"We had been putting $15,000 a year away in an account because we knew we had to move," he said. "When it was time to move, we already had the money to pay for it because we planned ahead. There is an old saying that when the horse is at the other end of the lane, it is too late to shut the gate."

Crowder also points to new water project in Malta, the reconstruction of the Malta lagoon and the new city dump as some of the accomplishments the city council has helped conduct that he is proud to be a part of.

"I am happy with the way most things have gone," Crowder added. "I think the City of Malta is in good shape and I feel pretty good about it."

With more free times on his hands, Crowder said he will focus his attention on gardening – he hopes to raise vegetables and melons – and spend time with his family.

Crowder said that regardless of how things go from here on out for the City of Malta, he will not run again for city council. Though he will no longer sit on the council, Crowder said he will make himself available for anything he is needed for. He said that his hearing isn't what it used to be and neither are his eyes but "other than that, I am in great health."

Crowder said his tenure on the city council can be attributed to at least two things that people in public office must have in order to achieve longevity.

"You have to be thick hided," he said, "and possibly thick skulled."