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Volume XXXIV, Number 24
Final motion
Established 1985 - Locally owned & independent
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
The last motion, a motion to adjourn the five-member Board of Ravalli County Commissioners, was made by outgoing Commissioner Ray Hawk on the last day of the year. A new set of three commissioners was sworn in. From left to right: Greg Chilcott, Chris Hoffman, Doug Shallenberger, Jeff Burrows and Ray Hawk. Chilcott, Hoffman and Burrows were re-elected to serve on the three-member board. Hawk and Shallenberger declined to run. Michael Howell photo.
County shifts to three-member Board of Commissioners
By Michael Howell
In 2016, Ravalli County citizens approved a public initiative to reduce the number of members serving on the Ravalli County Board of Commissioners from five to three. As the County shifts to a three-member Board of Commissioners, three of the current five-member board, Jeff Burrows, Chris Hoffman and Greg Chilcott, are returning to office, while the other two, Ray Hawk and Doug Schallenberger, chose not to run. The three re-elected commissioners were sworn in at
how it affects working on things a ceremony held on December and every letter will have to start meetings a little longer and maybe and making policy and such 31 at the County Administration from scratch at a public meeting a little less efficient, but, I guess, matters as writing official letters. building. The same day, outgoing or be developed by an individual maybe more transparent,” he said. He said with five commissioners, Commissioners Hawk and commissioner for consideration “There are some benefits to it and two could meet and help sift Schallenberger were honored for and presented. He sees a value some downfalls to it, but I think their past service. overall I’m looking The Bitterroot Star forward to it.” He “I definitely think we have a team of commissioners that are ready, said it looked it like a asked the three returning willing and able to work together and be successful at it." Commissioners for good model and saved their perspective on money with two less -- Greg Chilcott, County Commissioner the potential impacts commissioners. of having the board He said he in having more than one person membership reduced to three from ideas and come up with a draft thought the decision-making to be taken before the whole coming up with a draft proposal five. process will be more efficient board. With two commissioners for consideration by all at a public Commission Chairman Jeff with three commissioners rather now establishing a quorum, this meeting. Burrows said that the biggest part than five, “but I think the actual won’t be possible. Every draft “I think it will make our of the change will probably be process of getting to the point you
can make a decision will be less efficient inherently,” said Burrows, “because you will have to go into a meeting not having ever discussed [an issue] before.” Burrows said that board members divide up the workload that consists, in part, service on a number of boards and committees or serving as liaison on boards, committees and organizations. He said every member of the board was going to have an increase in workload, but that he felt they could absorb it. See COUNTY, page 3
Sworn in for another term were, left to right: County Attorney Bill Fulbright, Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg, and County Treasurer Dan Whitesitt. Michael Howell photo.
Hamilton Pack to maintain core business, perhaps some changes By Jean Schurman
Marty and Kim Auch, longtime owners of Hamilton Pack, a custom meat packing business, are pondering their future while making sure to keep the core business going strong. Jean Schurman photo.
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January 17, 18 & 19 • 8am - 6pm
For the past few months, rumors have been flying that Hamilton Packing Company, or Hamilton Pack as most people call it, is closing its doors or that they won’t be doing any custom butchering anymore, just retail. After visiting with Marty and Kim Auch, owners of Hamilton Pack since 1988, it’s time to set the record straight. Marty Auch was 31 years old when he moved back to the valley and purchased the plant. He was raised here in the valley and, after leaving the valley for a few years to make a better living, he and Kim decided this was the best place to raise kids. They bought the plant from Wally Weber and slowly began to expand. At first, they only did custom work, where the customer brought in a cow or hog, and it was slaughtered and butchered to the customer’s specifications. But Auch thought he could do some retail, too.
One of the best-known products at Hamilton Pack now is their beef jerky and they sell a lot of it. In fact, they make about two racks of jerky a day now. But the first time Auch made it, it took a month to make one rack of jerky. Auch said he is always experimenting and reading other labels to get new ideas for the jerky which comes in four flavors. “People love snacks,” said Auch. “And they want more locally made products.” One meat case in the retail part of Hamilton Pack is devoted to just these types of foods. There are summer sausages, Thuringer, beef sticks, German sausages, hot dogs and more. Baskets can be ordered and even customized. Several years ago, Auch expanded the retail to include cuts of meat. Everything from great fresh hamburger to standing rib roasts are now offered. Summer brings barbecues and serious grillers have found the meat from Hamilton Pack fits their needs. But as the retail has
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expanded, so have the number of animals processed for others. Auch said that doing custom cutting takes a lot of experience for both slaughtering and butchering. He also said that if the animal is going to go to more than one family, and each family wants their part of the animal done to their specifications, it can be done but it is more difficult. “But we have so many good customers,” said Auch. “We want to keep them.” Hamilton Pack employs eight full-time workers plus Auch and Kim. However, during hunting season, they add another five or six workers. This is not only because of hunting season but also because of the Ravalli County Fair. During the 4H/FFA Livestock Market Sale, one phrase is commonly heard, “support.” This means that the animal may be sold for more than the support price but that Hamilton See HAMILTON PACK page 8
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