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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
‘The Volume XXXVII, Number 15
’ ! l a c o L Best at
www.bitterrootstar.com
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Hamilton police chief to retire by Nathan Boddy
Understanding (MOU) which would allow the Bitterroot Public Library Hamilton Chief of Police Ryan to begin studying the potential for Oster was present at the Hamilton expansion into the historic Fire City Council of Tuesday, October Station building directly to the east of 18th. The Chief spoke during public the library. As pointed out by Director comment, informing the Council of his Wetherington, the current library intention to retire from the Hamilton facility at 306 State Street in Hamilton Police Department by the end of is over 100 years old and undersized the year. “I’m never going to have for the population it serves. everything done and tied up like I “The library district that we’re wanted,” said Oster, but he went on to in serves the entire central part state that he wanted to tell the Council of the Ravalli County, so it’s a in person so that they are able to begin 25,000-person service area and the process of filling the position. growing,” said Wetherington, adding Oster has been with the Hamilton that, “Next door seems the best option Police Department for 27 years, the to look at.” last 15 as Chief. In his words to the The MOU was drafted with the help Council, Chief Oster spoke about his of City Attorney Karen Mahar and appreciation for the career he will be City Planner Matthew Rohrbach, and leaving. “It’s been an incredible 27 would essentially allow for a detailed years,” he said. “I’ve had a great time study as to whether or not expansion and it’s been a great experience. I was into the Fire Station building would the local kid who got my shot. I got to be feasible for the Bitterroot Public work where I grew up.” He also added Library. No decisions were made that it has been a privilege to work for pertaining to architectural details, “the finest Police Department in the pending an initial study. Whether state.” or not the Fire Station is ultimately While the Chief intends to work targeted for usage by the Bitterroot through the end of the year, he also Public Library, changes for the library reiterated several times his trust in seem to be of growing importance. the mutual respect shown between “We’re doing too many things in the City Council and the Police that one room to meet community Department. “I feel like we’ve always Hamilton Police Chief Ryan Oster with newly sworn in Hamilton Police Officer, Presley demands,” says Wetherington. He had a respectful working relationship Chadwick. Photo by Nathan Boddy. points out that the small size of the and I appreciate that.” he said. “The current facility impacts everything future of the Hamilton Police Department is bright. Transition can be hard, from the types of materials they are able to hold and display, to the ability but it can also be really good. I never wanted to be that guy who stayed too to host different events and programs. “We’re doing the best we can in the long at the party, and I won’t be that guy who sticks my nose in it when I’m current facility, we (would love to) be able to study what it would be look like gone.” if we were able get into that Fire Hall and do renovations.” As a nod to Chief Oster’s confidence in those who will succeed him, he While no decision on the future of the Library or the Fire Hall was pointed out that Hamilton’s newest police officer, Presley Chadwick, was made, the City Council did vote to approve the MOU, with Councilor Claire sworn in on Wednesday the 20th. Chadwick grew up in Hamilton, and says Kemp stating that it, “seems like a perfect use,” of the Fire Hall. Director that she has, “been welcomed very warmly and is very excited to be here.” Wetherington agreed, pointing out that the historic Fire Hall did, at one time, Later in Tuesday’s Council meeting, Mark Wetherington, Director of serve as City Hall, the Fire Station, and the library. He closed by saying, “It the Bitterroot Public Library, presented a proposed Memorandum of would be kind of a cool ‘coming full circle.’”
Stevi hopes to create ice skating rink Local business makes donation for skating rink
has committed to providing a $1,500 donation to cover the costs of purchasing the rink for this upcoming winter season. “We are always looking for new and expanding opportunities for recreation in Stevensville, and we The Town of Stevensville is work with community groups to partnering with A2Z Personnel to bring them to life,” said Stevensville increase access to outdoor skating in Parks and Recreation Director the winter and create a community Bobby Sonsteng. “Youth hockey space with the construction of a participation as well as recreational outdoor ice rink at Father Ravalli skating continues to grow in the Park. region, and an outdoor rink will The project will begin late fall with help keep players and community installation of a seasonal ice rink, members skating here in Stevensville. that once built, will provide access to We are continually developing outdoor skating as early as December our parks in Stevensville to meet and as late as March. A2Z Personnel community needs and working with community groups and local businesses allows us to do so in a creative and costeffective manner. “We know how much our community values our parks and recreation opportunities,” Sonsteng said. “As an organization we care, and reflect those values, and work to bring those values and visions Jaime Devlin, President of A2Z Personnel, presents Parks & to life. We do this Recreation Director Bobby Sonsteng, Mayor Brandon Dewey, through creating and Park Board President/Councilmember Sydney Allen with a donation for a new seasonal ice rink at Father Ravalli Park. See STEVI, page 4
Suit filed to force county to open Hughes Cr gate by Michael Howelll Public Land Water Access Association (PLWA) has taken action in District Court to force the Ravalli County Commissioners to take down a locked gate on Hughes Creek Road up the West Even more warning signs have been placed on the gate Fork. The nonprofit organization blocking access to Hughes Creek Road up the West Fork. warned the County Public Land Water Access has asked District Court to force the County Commissioners to take it down. Commissioners in a letter last the group’s web site. “By any stretch September that if the Board did of the imagination, immediately not take any action to remove the certainly means less than three obstruction by October 16, they months.” would assume that the county was The County Commissioners have not going to act. The organization twice taken down a gate on Hughes emphasized in its letter that the Creek Road under pressure from the law actually requires the county organization this summer. The latest to remove any obstacle blocking a gate is in a slightly different location public road “immediately.” They and on property with different are not waiting any longer. The ownership than the previous gates. complaint for declaratory judgement The county claimed that the new & petition for alternative writ of conditions warranted a review of the mandamus was filed on October situation and that they were working 22, in the Montana Twenty First towards the removal of the gate but Judicial District Court. refused to say what they were doing “This step was taken as a last in that regard or when it would be resort after months of efforts to accomplished. work with the County to get Hughes “PLWA believes firmly in the Creek Road opened, a road that has obligation of officials to serve the been twice declared legally public by See HUGHES CR, page 11 the State of Montana,” it states on