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Section A
Volume XXXV, Number 22
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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!”
’ ! l a c o est at L
‘The B
Humorous & Inspirational Stories Call Sherwood 360-3079 Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!”
‘Wreaths Across America’
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Commissioners again balk at removal of Hughes Creek gate By Michael Howell
The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners balked once again at enforcing their order requiring the removal of the private gate blocking public access on Hughes Creek Road. The local landowners got what they now call “bad legal advice” when they applied for the abandonment of a portion of the road through their properties in July of 2016. The petition was ultimately denied by the commissioners in January 2017, following the determination that there was substantial historical evidence that the road,
adopted in 1900, extended for 11.8 miles from its intersection with West Fork Road and could not be closed because of a state law prohibiting the county from abandoning any road that accesses public land. In this case, it was proven that the road does access national forest land at spots above the closed gate. The Commissioners voluntarily withheld enforcing the removal of the gate until the landowners exhausted their legal appeals of the decision over the road’s status. The landowners sought to overturn the Commissioners’ decision by filing a civil
complaint in District Court as well as a Petition for Writ of Review. Both the civil claims and the Petition for a Writ of Review were denied and the Montana Supreme Court supported those denials. Following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the County’s decision about the road’s length and point of origin, the Commissioners ordered the removal of the gate once again due to the law requiring the “immediate” removal of any “obstacle” blocking a county road. The landowners argued
See HUGHES CREEK, page A9
Members of Fort Owen American Legion Post 94 of Stevensville and local Boy Scouts held a wreath ceremony on December 14th to honor veterans buried at four local cemeteries.
Veterans remembered at Christmas Members of Fort Owen American Legion Post 94 stepped up last Saturday to stage their version of “Wreaths Across America.” The national program was started in 1992 to honor veterans in Arlington National Cemetery. The intent is to honor the service of deceased veterans during the Christmas season by placing holiday wreaths on veterans’ graves. For several years, the post has placed wreaths on all veterans’ graves at Stevensville area cemeteries with the help of the Wortman family who has a wreath-making business. But this year that wasn’t possible, and
Veterans Dorsey Decker and Chyrle Wohlman place a wreath at the Sunnyside Cemetery. post members conducted a scaleddown version of the program, placing a single wreath at four local cemeteries: Victor, River-
side, Maplewood and Sunnyside. They also held a short military ceremony in honor of the veterans buried there.
Landowners along Hughes Creek Road, in an effort spearheaded by Jay Bugli (pictured), persuaded the Ravalli County Commissioners to delay the removal of the gate blocking public use of the road until an Attorney General’s Opinion is obtained concerning the county’s jurisdiction over the matter. Although both the landowners and the county expressed the belief that it would take a federal court to decide the issue, it was agreed instead to seek a State Attorney General’s Opinion on the matter and that in the meantime the gate could stay in place.
Flood plain administrator terminated, re-hired and soon to be terminated By Michael Howell
Last September former Flood Plain Administrator Brian Wilkinson was terminated “effective immediately” following an investigation into his behavior in the workplace that at least five other county employees found to be “very unprofessional,” rude,” and “aggressive.” At the time, Wilkinson
complained about this being the second time that someone was trying to “come after him.” He said that he could not remember any of the alleged behavior, which included allegations of profanity and anger. Wilkinson filed a complaint concerning his dismissal and at a meeting last week the Commissioners agreed to a settlement that
includes re-hiring Wilkinson as an out of office consultant through January 31, 2020 after which he will be terminated. The County also agreed to pay Wilkinson $13,885.60, a portion, $7,385.60, for wages and benefits and an additional $6,500 to settle all claims. Neither party admits to any wrongdoing or violation of the law.
Sharing success Stevensville Police Chief James Marble and Post 94 Commander Brad Snith place a memorial wreath honoring veterans who are buried at Riverside Cemetery on Saturday.
Stevi council approves budget By Michael Howell
After vehemently advocating for a 3% decrease in both the water and sewer rates for months, Stevensville Town Council President Steve Gibson declined to make a motion to that effect even though the matter was on the agenda at last week’s meeting. As a result, no action was taken on the agenda item. Nearly six months into the fiscal year, the council finally approved its FY 2019-2020 budget, minus the proposed Police Department salaries and wages matrix. Several budget amendments for the previous year’s budget were approved. According to Finance Officer Robert Underwood, the amendments were necessary to correct some line items that were overspent
and required an amendment to change the amount of the previous appropriations. One that was not approved by the council would have transferred funds from the General Fund to the Ambulance Fund. That amendment died due to a lack of second and a later attempt to reconsider it failed on a 2 to 1 vote. The council voted unanimously to vacate the 40-foot alley running through Block 17, Lots 3 through 18, and establishing an easement. Although there was some discussion about amending the town’s Personnel Policy, concerning bullying and a change in the discrimination clause, no motion was made and the council moved on to other considerations. The coucil also voted to hire Jennifer Cote of Cote & Associ-
ates CPAs to conduct some audit work for the town covering the months when Mayor Brandon Dewey was acting as finance officer. The council unanimously approved a bill establishing billing policies and procedures for municipal water and sewer. Bills for the previous month will be mailed out on the 5th of each month. The customer has 15 days to pay the bill or sign a payment agreement. If no payment is received in thirty days, the water will be disconnected. This was the last official meeting of the council as it is currently configured. Steve Gibson and Patrick Shourd will be stepping and Jaime Williams and Bob Michalson will join Robin Holcomb and Dempsey Vick on the council.
Last week project59870 and the Stevensville Civic Club together presented checks totalling $3000 to Beth Perkins, director of the Stevensville Sharing Tree program. The new Project59870 organization raised money for the Sharing Tree at its first-ever ‘Share the Joy’ holiday party, and the Civic Club stepped up to match the donation. Pictured, l to r, Joan Prather, Civic Club President, Beth Perkins, Victoria Howell, project59870 Chair, and Roger Linhart, loan office at First Security Bank, a major supporter of all three entities. Perkins said the Sharing Tree would be providing for more than 300 kids this year.