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Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!” – Established 1985 – Locally Owned & Independent
Find the latest updates and information on the COVID-19 pandemic at www.bitterrootstar.com
t s e B e h ‘T
’ ! l a c o L at
Elect
MONICA TRANEL
Public Service Commission Paid for by Tranel for PSC, Sue Malek, Treasurer PO Box 7503, Missoula, MT 59807
Volume XXXVI, Number 15
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
www.bitterrootstar.com
Cold and snowy
Election office says expect long wait for in-person voting come before Election Day to avoid waiting in long lines. There will be alternate drop sites to deposit your ballot on Election Day only. These drop sites are only for dropping your ballot off. NO BALLOTS OR REPLACEMENT BALLOTS WILL BE ISSUED AT THESE
SITES. To see the alternate drop site locations, go to the Ravalli County Election website at https://ravalli.us/145/Elections. You have until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, to return your ballot. Postmarks will not count, so plan accordingly if mailing your ballot back.
The Ravalli County Commissioners held a meeting last Thursday to discuss a proposed joint letter with the Ravalli County Board of Health to the community concerning the recent increase in active COVID-19 cases in the county. According to the local Public Health Department reports, the number of active cases on any given day has increased from three on September 8 to 205 on October 23, that is, in a span of seven weeks. In the same time period, the number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 has grown from 0 to 9. Ravalli County added 75
new cases on Monday. The total number of cases in the county reported from the beginning of the pandemic is 500. The first change to be made to the draft of the proposed joint letter that was presented for consideration was a change to the first sentence which said that the joint statement was being issued in regards to “the recent dramatic increase” in COVID-19 cases. Commission Chairman Chris Hoffman immediately suggested that the first sentence in bold at the top of the letter could be “cut down considerably,” primarily by removing the reference to a “recent dramatic increase” since it is mentioned again in the body of
the message. He also mentioned that the Sheriff would be releasing his own statement about the COVID-19 situation. Commissioner Jeff Burrows, who sits on the Board of Health, noted that at its last meeting the Board allocated $5,000 of its own funds to an information campaign aimed at encouraging voluntary practices to try and stem the rising tide of infections in the county. The recommended practices were also listed as: wear a mask in public; wash hands and frequently used surfaces regularly; avoid large gatherings where social distancing is not possible; practice
Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey recently announced a slate of infrastructure projects throughout the community that are scheduled through 2021. Those projects are already coming to fruition with the Town Council’s approval of extending a sewer main south along Park Avenue to Middle Burnt Fork Road, and finalizing plans for improvements on E. 3rd Street and E. 5th Street. At their regular meeting on Thursday, October 22, the Council approved a task order with HDR Engineering to provide project management and design of the sewer main extension project. The total cost of the task order is $35,271. At the meeting, Mayor
Dewey noted that the project came out of a need for the town to meet its obligation to provide services to the Stevensville Community Foundation’s property which will be the site of a future community center. The property is already annexed into the town limits. The town looked at options, including placing a sanitary sewer main up to the new Phillips Street, or continuing the main to the town boundary at Middle Burnt Fork Road, making it available to existing or future homes that likely would one day require hookup to town service. After looking at costs and thinking about how best to serve future service needs, Dewey said the town opted to bring the main to the edge of
town.
The Ravalli County Election Office anticipates a 3 to 4 hour wait time if you plan on voting on Election Day. The only in-person voting location is the Ravalli County Administration Building located at 215 S 4th Street, Hamilton. The Election Office encourages voters to
County opts for status quo in response to COVID-19 spike
By Michael Howell
The Bitterroot Valley saw an unusually heavy snowfall for this time of year that began on Friday afternoon and continued through the night, piling up over a foot in some places on the valley floor and even deeper in the drifts. That was followed by record cold temperatures on Saturday and Sunday night, dipping below zero in some spots. On Sunday morning, Missoua recorded -7, the earliest below zero reading on record and the coldest October temperature on record, according to the National Weather Service. The snow on this patio table near Stevensville measured 8.5 inches on Saturday. Victoria Howell photo.
Charges filed in nursing home resident’s disappearance case By Michael Howell
On September 22, 2020 at 10 p.m., 81-year-old Carol Nutt was reported missing by staff at the Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton. She showed up a day later at the emergency room of a Missoula hospital. Her son, Randall Scott Vadnais, has been charged with accountability for kidnapping and accountability for
custodial interference in relation to the disappearance. Both are felony charges. He is facing up to 20 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines if convicted on both charges. According to the information and affidavits filed on October 9 by the Ravalli County Attorney’s office, “Ms. Nutt has severe dementia and according to a letter from her physician dated Sep-
tember 8, 2020, is ‘not mentally competent to make legal, medical or financial decisions on her own behalf’.” It also states that Ms. Nutt’s daughter, Cindy Thayer, has legal power of attorney. It states in the filing document that the Hamilton police had already begun investigating the missing person report when dis-
It involves the construction a new fire hall on property already owned by the City at Foxfield and Skeels Avenue. Working with Brandon Lendak of Revival Timeless Design Company, the City staff and Fire Department considered three preliminary designs before whittling it down to a single proposal that they are ready to present to the public for review and comment in preparation for its presentation to the City Council. According to Chief Mohn, the old fire hall which was constructed in 1910 and has served its
purpose for over a hundred years. “Unfortunately,” he said, “it has served its purpose.” He said the whole city has grown and the fire department along with it. As the years went by more fire trucks were acquired and now the fire hall is packed to the gills. Not only is the number of trucks needed growing the trucks, themselves are growing. They are getting bigger. Mohn said the last few engines that they acquired had to be custom built to fit the tight space in the old building and even
See CHARGES, page 19
Hamilton considering new fire hall By Michael Howell
It has been recognized for a long time now that the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department was outgrowing its accommodations in the historic Fire Hall, located in the downtown area on the corner of 3rd and State streets. Fire Chief Brad Mohn and City Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf are in agreement that the time has come to do something about it. They have come up with a design concept which they are ready to present to the public and to the City Council for review and assessment.
See fire hall, page 14
See COVID-19, page 5
Stevi sewer project approved The proposed 1300 feet of sewer main would make service available to 13 lots and make sewer available to both occupied and undeveloped lands to the south if development occurs at some point in the future. Water service already exists in the area. Design of the project and contract preparation will occur over the winter months. The Town expects that construction for the project will occur in the Spring of 2021. A complete list of 20202021 infrastructure projects is on the Town’s website at https:// www.townofstevensville.com/ publicworks/page/2020-2021-infrastructure-projects
This architectural drawing produced by Revival Timeless Design Co. shows how the proposed new Hamilton Fire Hall could look. The structure was designed so that another story could be added on top of the west end of the building in the future to accommodate sleeping quarters if they should ever be needed.
SUPPORT WHAT SUSTAINS US:
- PUBLIC LANDS - CLEAN WATER & AIR - PRODUCTIVE FARM & RANCH LAND
CREATE TOGETHER
HOUSE DISTRICT 87
- HEALTHY COMMUNITIES - GOOD PAYING JOBS - ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION
MerrillforMontana.com Laura@MerrillforMontana.com
Paid for by Laura Merrill for HD87 - Democrat - PO Box 718, Stevensville, MT 59870 • Nancy Neal, Treasurer
VOTE LAURA MERRILL HD 87
Page 2 -- Bitterroot Star
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY Serving our Community
Our Past. Our Future.
Mayor Brandon Dewey
Your town. Your mayor.
Family. My family raised me with the same values that make Stevensville the community where Tasha and I continue to raise our growing family. Time spent with our families is priceless. The Town must do what it can to promote and sustain strong, healthy families here in Stevensville, making a great community to live and work! Faith. Tasha and I are grateful to have been brought up with good Christian beliefs and strong moral standards. My faith in God leads me to do what is right in my service, no matter how simple the gesture or daunting the challenge. Community. A sense of community is what makes our Town thrive. It's our job as your leaders to preserve that sense of community and participate in productive ways.
Growing up in Stevensville, community involvement is at the heart of who Mayor Dewey is. From the early age of 10 standing on a bucket to scoop ice cream at the Soda Fountain, to his 12 years of service on the Fire Department starting at age 14, his demonstrated commitment to Stevensville includes dedicated service on community boards, projects, and events. Mayor Dewey has lived through the growth and change our town has experienced over the past two decades.
He knows Stevensville’s history and our values. Today, he puts his 10+ years of experience in Stevensville’s local government to work, benefiting our quality of life now and into the future. As a young professional, Mayor Dewey has brought innovation, efficiency, and vision to Town Hall through conservative financial responsibility and the prioritization of initiatives that build a resilient economy and stronger community. Mayor Dewey is our future. His proven leadership and ability to bring integrity to our Town’s government has greatly benefited the community in numerous ways, despite the obstructive efforts by special interests. Mayor Dewey puts Stevensville first, leading us to a safer, smarter, and healthier community. Together, we all have a stake in the future of our Town. The Mayor and his family share in that future and he holds the leadership to deliver success for us all.
Three years ago, I was elected to serve Stevensville as your Mayor, because you, the citizens, trust and believe in my commitment to our community.
Husband • Father • Community Driven
Paid for by: Together forStevensville Stevensville Paid for Paid forby: by:Together Togetherfor Stevensville
Husband • Father • Community Driven
Renee Endicott, Treasurer • PO Box 223 Stevensville MT 59870
Renee Endicott, Treasurer- PO • POBox Box223 223Stevensville Stevensville MT Renee Endicott, Treasurer MT59870 59870
Delivery Service Monday-Friday 777-4663
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
The message is - don’t wait!
Heidi House, cancer survivor, has a message for everyone: skin cancer can be treated successfully - but the sooner the better! Cancer is a scary word to hear from your doctor. That may be one of the reasons that it took Heidi House over eight years to go see a doctor about the dry itchy spot on her forehead. At first she thought maybe it was eczema. It would come and go. It irritated her. She tried not to scratch it, but she would scratch around it. It would seem to heal and then it would come back and even bleed. But then it would appear to heal again. “A part of me was actually scared to go to the doctor, to hear the word cancer, to be honest with you,” said Heidi. But her father came and saw her this summer and said it didn’t look good and he “very firmly” pushed her to go to a dermatologist and get it checked out. It was Dr. Covington at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital who gave her the word. To be specific, it was basal-cell carcinoma. It is curable. Heidi said, “It is the mildest form of skin cancer, the most curable and has the highest survival rate.” It often appears as a painless raised area of skin, which may be shiny with small blood vessels running over it. It may also present as a raised area with ulceration. Heidi was referred to Dr. Kristen Townley in Missoula who performed a Nosh surgery, a procedure in which the cancer is scraped away. Sometimes it can take multiple scrapings, but Heidi was lucky and it was all gone after the first scraping. “I was out of the hospital in two hours and went back to work the next day,” she said. “I had headaches for about a week. But I do have a pretty good hole in my head.” She said the doctor had to dig fairly deep and fairly wide. “I think the hole in my forehead is about 3 cm long,”
Bitterroot Star -- Page 3
she said. “It’s healing very nicely now.” She had a couple of options for her surgery. She could let it heal naturally on its own and go back and have stitches done later. Or she could have a graft which would mean getting another cut over her ear to remove some skin. They would sew that over the hole in her head, she said, which could leave some scarring. “I chose to let it heal naturally and close on its own and heal from the inside out. So, I should have very little scarring on my forehead,” she said. Heidi said she went back to work at pre-school the day after surgery. “I had headaches for about a week and I also have to be careful because I have a hole in my head,” she said. Heidi teaches 4- and 5-yearolds in pre-school. “They have been very good with me, very gentle with me,” she said. “It will be about an eight-week healing process but it’s doing really well.” She said that she had a strong support system behind her, including her mother and her boyfriend.
“They really helped me get through this,” said Heidi “This was my first bout with cancer,” she said simply. “I will have to go in every year now and get checked.” She said if there is one thing she would like to convey about her experience it is, “Wear your sun screen! And get your spots checked! If I had caught this earlier I would not have such a big hole in my head.” In the current Colors of Cancer educational and fundraising campaign, the color of skin cancer is black. Hamilton Gifts is the Hamilton Main Street business that’s been leading Team Black for the last three years. They ran together as a group for the Colors of Cancer 5K last year in honor of the owner’s Jeanie Bruton’s husband, John. Dr. Angela Covington at Bitterroot Dermatology, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital’s new clinic, said early skin cancers are most treatable and many skin cancers are found by patients or their family members. See CANCER, page 18
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Heidi House, pictured here with Leah, one of the children in her pre-school class in Hamilton, has a hole in her head following cancer surgery but is healing well. After facing the problem of a recurring trouble spot on her forehead for years, she finally had it examined and got the bad news: basalcell carcinoma. Now that she’s faced it and dealt with it, there is one thing she would like to convey about her experience: “Wear your sunscreen! And get your spots checked! If I had caught this earlier I would not have such a big hole in my head.”
STEVENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT #2
NOW HIRING! SUBSTITUTES
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS - $85-$90/day (High School Diploma required.)
SUBSTITUTE PARAPROFESSIONALS - $75-$80/day SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVERS - $15.75/hour (Must have current CDL license, be CPR certified, and be able to pass a drug test.)
SUBSTITUTE CUSTODIANS - $11.81/hour (Must be able to pass a physical.)
SUBSTITUTE KITCHEN STAFF - $10.76/hour (Must be able to pass a physical.)
CLASSIFIED STAFF FULL-TIME CUSTODIAN - $13.74/hour - 1 position (Must be able to pass a physical.)
All positions require a background check. Due to COVID-19, Stevensville Schools will waive the $30 background check processing fee. Applications for classified and substitute positions can be completed online at www.stevensvilleschools.org. If you have further questions, please contact Samantha at 406-777-5481 ext. 137 or Angela at 406-777-5481 ext. 133.
Hurry & get your orders in for your Thanksgiving Turkey! 901 N 1st . Hamilton . 363-1626
Montana Law Requires it. You Decide:
Does Stevensville Follow the Law? Stevensville 2016 Growth Policy, page 34: “Stevensville does not currently have local subdivision regulations as required by MCA 76-3-501, and thus the town is not compliant with Montana’s Subdivision and Platting Act.”
Can the Town review a proposed subdivision since the Town is out of compliance with Montana law?
Is this another issue being swept under the rug like:
* No water rights for the subdivision property being reviewed and; * Town wells not in compliance
Your Valley Neighbors keep asking, but answers have been non-existent. We’re Concerned. You Should be Also.
Watch this space for more info weekly. Paid for by Jim Kalkofen and Valley Neighbors, Stevensville
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 4 -- Bitterroot Star
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COVID-19 continued
social distancing; stay home if you are sick (including work, school, and gatherings); respect and follow guidelines set by private businesses and public entities including schools. The message basically reiterates the county commissioners’ stand as previously announced that they are not going to enforce any mandates from the Governor’s Office but they are going to strongly encourage people to follow the guidelines. Burrows expressed his own disagreement with the Board of Health decision to do an advertising campaign to educate the public and encourage following the guidelines because the money could be better spent. He said anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock has already heard the message. Out of 10 people making public comment, only one wore a mask and suggested that the guidelines needed to be enforced. The rest said, “no way.” Several denied that there was a pandemic. Alan Lackey called it a “fakedemic” and said the government was instilling needless fear in
the public. Several denied that masks were effective at all, some said that wearing them is worse than not wearing them because of things they had read from “experts.” “Sick people need to wear masks, not healthy people,” said Heather Thurs. “Masks have a place and a purpose, and it is not in the healthy public.” A couple of people stated that they believed the PCR tests being used to test for exposure to COVID-19 is “unreliable.” Several speakers mentioned the importance of a free individual’s right to choose how to protect their own health. Darryl Poole said that there may be a lot of deaths nationally related to COVID-19, but that a lot of those deaths, “statistically speaking,” were “people with morbidities who were already going to die by the end of the year anyway. That sounds crass and hard, but it’s life.” “I’m not part of a collective,” he said. “I’m not and I never will be. So, when you think it’s my responsibility to take care of you, then I’m just not going to do it. I wish you well in your own endeavor, but I’m not going to do it because I’m a free American and I believe in the principles the
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United States was founded upon.” Kierstin Schmitt, the lone masker to speak up, said that she hates wearing a mask, “but nobody knows anything much about this virus. No one in this room is an expert.” She said that she believes the experts who are recommending masks know what they are talking about. She said that people can spread the disease for days before they show any symptoms and that’s why healthy feeling people do need to wear them. She said it is an effective way to reduce transmission among people and you do it to protect others, not necessarily yourself. Asked by one person what the purpose of writing such a letter is, Hoffman said, “We are just trying to stay in touch with the community. It is not the county commission’s job to enforce the governor’s mandate.” But with the hospitals in the area filling up, he said, it made sense to make a joint statement so that people know where the county commission and the Board of Health stand on the issue. He said the worst damage being done to the community in all this is the divisiveness it has created in the community. He said no one wants to be mask enforcers. He said, “We just want people to make good decisions.” “Good God, people, can we please just let people be who and what they are,” said Hoffman. “You’re not going to change anyone’s mind.” He said at this point
2021
MEDICARE CHANGES
in time, neither the public health, county commissioners, sheriff or county attorney are interested in becoming the mask police. Burrows said that we have been told from the beginning that it was going to go through our community and it is. He said the aim of masking and distancing was to flatten the curve, not avoid the contagion. He said the infection has been “over-hyped.” He said he had run the numbers himself and found that the death rate from COVID-19 was not extreme. He said the death rate in Ravalli County from the disease was only .01%. In the state, he said it was .026%; in the nation .069% and in the world .014%. He said the reaction to this has been an over-reaction. At this point, he said, the cure has become worse than the illness. Burrows said that he was fed up with people saying that some people don’t care that people are dying. He said nobody wants anyone in the community to die or get sick. So, he doesn’t even respond to “that garbage” anymore. The Commissioners approved the letter “in concept” and voted unanimously to send it on to the Board of Health for its consideration and final approval.
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Bitterroot Star -- Page 5
Hamilton announces changes for Halloween
The City of Hamilton has year. For more information visit sent out a press release stating that their website at: https://www.cdc. Ravalli County health professiongov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/dailyals are asking that they discourlife coping/holidays/halloween. age door to door trick or treating html. due to the recent surge of cases “Yes, things are different of COVID-19. Mayor Dominic this year, but we are festive none Farrenkopf and Hamilton City the less,” states the release. “ The Councilors are recommending that City of Hamilton encourages you traditional trick-or-treating not to take a walk through the fallen take place. leaves, enjoy the crisp fall air, the In the central Hamilton resicreative residential Halloween dential area of south 3rd, 4th and decorations, downtown Hamil5th, the streets will not be blocked. ton’s ‘Parade of Scarecrows’, and Homeowners chose not to apply don’t forget the ‘Blue Moon,’ our for a street closure permit and they second full moon of the month are asking that families from outfalls on October 31. lying areas not bring their children “We would love to share a there for trick-or-treating. photo of your Halloween decoraHamilton’s Main Street will tions or awesome costumes on our not be blocked for a parade or City Facebook page. Please email trick-or-treating. The Hamilton photos to deputyclerk@cityofhamDowntown Association chose not ilton.net. small and We specialize in helping to apply for a street closure permit. “THIS HALLOWEEN . . . businesses with• Stay all inofyour their Instead large the Hamilton Downtown own neighborAssociation has organized the hood employment needs. “Hamilton Downtown Parade of • Respect homeowners Scarecrows,” and Wages is asking•busi• Do your part help health • Employee Worker’s Compensation • to Liability ness owners to build a scarecrow care workers Insurance • State & Federal Unemployment Insurance to put in the front of their business • Do your part to keep Statea basket and Federal Payroll Taxes • Criminal and•place of individually schools open Background wrapped treats outside fromTesting Octo• DoMuch your part to keep our Checks • Drug . . . And More! ber 26 through October 31. community safe. The Centers for Disease Thank you for doing your 333 S. 1st Ste. E Control (CDC) offer creative ways part!” to celebrate Halloween safely this Hamilton, MT 59840
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 6 -- Bitterroot Star
/,9( $7 7+( /21(620( '29( 6$785'$< 129(0%(5 7+ 30
Proposed Skalkaho Bend Park riverbank protection project draws some criticism By Michael Howell
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A plan was presented to the Hamilton City Committee of the Whole on October 13 to do a major riverbank protection project and parkland enhancement along the river in Skalkaho Bend Park. The Bitter Root Water Forum and the Bitterroot Land Trust have been working with City staff to draw up a plan for riverbank stabilization in the area. Andrea Price from the BWF said that when they first looked at the parkland they noticed that the riverbank was eroding and was headed towards a ditch on the property. “We also noticed that it lacked vegetation,� she said, “We like to see willows and cottonwoods growing next to the river like in River Park.� She said the park is mostly grassland which doesn’t make good habitat for birds, wildlife or fish. She stated that over the past few decades bank erosion had encroached five
feet per year and every five years it would take an acre of parkland. Price said a team of scientists found that, given the rate of erosion and the lack of habitat, the erosion could reach the ditch in 30 years. The plan is to dig out a shallow depression parallel to the river and plant 10,000 willows that could grow up to 10 feet tall. Some trees would also be planted, and irrigation water would be diverted to supply water to the plantings. A temporary 8-foot-tall fence would surround the plantings until they matured. DEQ agreed to fund revegetation project. The aim is to start on the project next March. The plan has drawn criticism from some members of the public. A retired wildlife biologist who owns property in the area of the park believes open grassland is a fine habitat that supports all kinds of wildlife which prefer that habitat over bush- and tree-covered
areas. He said it didn’t make sense to destroy good grassland habitat to make more of the same kind of habitat that is found both upstream and downstream from the park. He also questions the efficacy of the willow plantings. He believes the public was sold on the park originally as a “natural area� that would not be developed. He sees this as a kind of development. The COW meeting on the 13th, which was being conducted on Zoom, was interrupted by a power outage. As a result, the COW meeting was continued until Tuesday, October 27 where discussion of the vegetation enhancement project would be further analyzed. The next regular City Council meeting was moved to Thursday, November 4. Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf said the Committee of the Whole could decide to have the topic on that agenda for a decision but the mayor thought that wasn’t likely.
According to City Planner Matthew Rohrbach, the site was designed not only to make it easier for members of the public to inform themselves and participate in the decision making process, it also allows for an extension of the meeting time over a period of weeks instead of just a few hours. Anyone, including council members can check up on the site and see the comments coming in before the actual public hearing. “This will make for greater public participation as well as meeting demands for higher transparency in public meetings and legislative processes,� said Rohrbach. The site would not replace the city’s current website but would complement it. It is a software system designed to allow for extended public hearings that could last days or even weeks. He said more information should be available to the public earlier and
it will be easier for the public to comment and participate in the decision-making process. Links to the records of the live meetings will be uploaded to the town’s website in the same way current information is made available. Right now the program is limited to actual public hearings, whether they are held before the City Council, the Zoning Board of Adjustments, or the Zoning Commission, etc. But Rohrbach calls it a work in progress. He said there is the potential to expand the use of the program to deal with regular city council actions and business apart from the issues that require a public hearing, but right now Rohrbach says, “We want to get our feet on the ground before expanding the operation.� “I think it’s a useful tool and I hope it gets a lot of traction,� he said.
‘Hamilton Speaks’ is now online
By Michael Howell
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The City of Hamilton’s new online public meeting platform is up and running! If you are interested in what the city of Hamilton is up to and want to examine all the relevant information, this is the site to visit: www.hamiltonspeaks.net. Hamilton Speaks is an online platform where action items (issues) for City public hearings (e.g. subdivisions, annexations, zone changes, etc.) are placed for the public to review and provide input on ahead of the actual public hearing. At Hamilton Speaks, community members can review application materials, staff reports, and staff presentations. They can also ask planning staff questions and make public comment which is visible to decision makers and becomes part of the public record.
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Opinion
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Bitterroot Star Editorial Board Michael Howell Victoria Howell
Guest Comment
Skalkaho Bend Park – will it remain ‘natural and undeveloped’? By Kathy Wehrly, Melissa Hughes and Cheryl Waterworth, Hamilton
TEN THOUSAND willows, aspens, serviceberry and dogwood shrubs, and cottonwoods planted the length of FIVE football fields, surrounded by EIGHT-FOOT-TALL FENCING, paralleling the river and bisecting the beautiful grassland and viewscape of Skalkaho Bend Park –REALLY?! Well, that is exactly what will be coming to our new city Park in March of 2021, if the plan proposed by the Bitter Root Water Forum (BWF) is approved by the City Council in November. The proposal was first presented to the Council’s ‘Committee of the Whole’ October 13th Zoom meeting, with the only announcement of the plan being on their agenda, on the city’s websites. At that meeting, which was disrupted by a major power outage, a request was made by this Committee to the Parks Director to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding with the BWF; in other words, tacit approval of the plan. On October 16th, in a Ravalli Republic article titled “Roots Against Erosion,” the BWF laid out their finalized plan for the Skalkaho Bend Park. We assume it is finalized because the article went on to furnish times and a drop-off point to leave truckloads of large, woody debris which will be needed for their erosion work. It also related that many volunteers will be needed to both cut and plant THOUSANDS of willow starts between January and March of the coming year… and solicits them to contact the BWF to sign up as volunteers. How did a riverbank stabilization concept to plant some vegetation to slow down river erosion, as per the Bitter Root Land Trust (BLT), end up being a HUGE habitat ‘restoration’ project anyway? And ‘why’ is this happening so fast? What is the rush? From proposal of this plan to the council, to execution in barely four months! When the BLT acquired this property in order to give it to the city, we were told that the intent was to preserve it in its natural state. Director Gavin Ricklefs himself said in a Ravalli Republic article in 2018 that, “the city may put in a few trails, but for the most part, it will remain a quiet, undeveloped natural area.” Well, there is nothing ‘natural’ and ‘undeveloped’ about a dense row of 10,000 willows and trees planted within an 8-foot tall fence over the length of five football fields! This plan proposes huge changes to the current riparian grassland that is such a unique and cherished part of the park, and which adds much valued diversity and variety in contrast to the ubiquitous willow/ cottonwood riparian habitats found immediately up and downstream. These changes will have lasting, irreversible impacts for wildlife movement and those bird species that prefer open grassy areas. Changes in floodplain dynamics, the need for increased weed management, no view of the river from the paved ADA trail, and no direct access to the river
from the parking lot, are just some of the other unmentioned consequences. What is the science behind this plan? Has stabilization of a notoriously and historically meandering river as large and powerful as the Bitterroot ever been attempted before with just a row of willows? What information about the river and its past history is this based on? What are the statistical chances that it will work? What are the other alternatives? Have the various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies been consulted for their expertise? Is bank stabilization even necessary when the river is already using a flood channel to the west? Who made the decision to go with this plan- the BWF? the Parks Director? Is this the best use of taxpayer dollars? We contend that these and many other questions need to be asked and answered before going ahead with this plan which will irrevocably degrade the natural beauty of the park. It is disturbing that at no time has there been any mention of public input, comment, or review of this plan other than the usual opportunity to speak during a City Council Zoom meeting. Plan details have not been forthcoming, reports on which this plan was based have not been released to the public, and there has been absolutely no effort to involve citizens and users in any decision making process, in spite of the fact that this is a taxpayer funded project via the State Department of Environmental Quality. And what is really ironic is that 95% of the published photos of this 70-plus acre park have been taken of the grassy river bank with the river and mountains in the background, a stupendous vista that will no longer exist if this “restoration” plan goes forward. Here’s one agency that’s doing it right - in the same Ravalli Republic paper, an article titled “Fort Owen State Park closed for site planning and improvements” states that the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks department is acquiring a mere ONE acre of private land to provide more room for the parking of visitor vehicles. It says that “… upon submittal of the final plan, the draft development proposal will be available for public review.” And this for a ONE acre PARKING LOT! In short, we members of the public are expecting of the City and BWF that there will still be a formal, transparent process for public/ peer review and input on this largely over-engineered project before it is ‘rubber-stamped’ for approval. Whether one agrees with the project or not, it is the conscionable thing to do. If you agree that the public should have input on such matters, please contact the mayor, members of the City Council, the Bitter Root Water Forum, and/or the Bitter Root Land Trust and let them know what you think!
Recall Dewey
Support for Romano
Letters
Mayor Dewey is facing recall for one reason. He broke the law. When he sued the recall petitioner he claimed that the petition was a lie. Ravalli County Judge Recht ruled that based on the arguments provided by both sides, “Dewey acted outside the law and without legal authority, by doing so, he violated several statutes, ordinances and the Purchasing Policy.” Thus, the petition was valid and the recall would move forward. Literally, nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter if he didn’t mean to do it. (Why did he hide the contract for three months from the Town Council and the public?) It doesn’t matter if he just got the rules wrong despite two years of being aware of those rules. (Ignorance of the law excuses no one.) It doesn’t matter if he has a heart of gold. (He broke the law!) And it doesn’t matter what the town attorney said AFTER he illegally signed the First Call contract. (Town Attorney vs. Judge…. hmmm...I know which one I trust more.) Do you really want to support a Mayor that calls citizens
who disagree with him a liar in the local newspaper and on Facebook? Who doesn’t follow the state and local laws in place to govern our town? Who violates citizens constitutional rights with secret backroom contracts? Vote FOR recall of Mayor Dewey and let’s move Stevensville forward. Angela Lyons Stevensville
Support for Merrill HD 87
We are so lucky for the opportunity to have Laura Merrill represent Ravalli County in Helena! I have done business with Laura for over 26 years and have always been impressed with her business acumen, listening skills, honesty and work ethic. Laura is THE qualified candidate who will take our concerns to Helena and seamlessly work with all members of the legislature to get things done. If you are lucky enough to live in house district 87, vote for Laura Merrill for your representative. You will be glad you did! Sarah Roubik Corvallis
Bitterroot Star
Office: 115 W. 3rd Street, #108 • Stevensville Mailing: P.O. Box 8 • Stevensville MT 59870 Phone: (406) 777-3928 • Fax: (406) 777-4265 Website: www.bitterrootstar.com E-mail: editor@bitterrootstar.com
we need a leader at the Office of Public Instruction who will advocate for our schools and students. That person is Melissa Romano. Montana’s future is on the line, and Melissa Romano is the person for the job. She is an award-winning elementary math teacher and a recognized leader in her field, earning distinction in 2018 as Montana’s Teacher of the Year. In her 16-year career, she has worked tirelessly to create a strong foundation of skills, knowledge, and love of learning in her students both in and out of the classroom. Melissa understands what it takes at the local and statewide level to ensure all students are prepared for success and are ready for the 21st century jobs that will build Montana’s economy for the long term. Melissa is running for state superintendent because she believes, contrary to her opponent, that every child deserves access to a quality public education, and she is determined to make sure that promise to every student is fulfilled. On day one, she will get to work implementing a public preschool option for working families, increasing mental health services in our schools, and tackling our teacher recruitment and
For 28 years, we had the great honor of serving Montana as Superintendents of Public Instruction. In that time, we increased funding for Montana’s public schools, improved graduation rates, and defended our public education system against those who would privatize it. Unfortunately, the current officeholder, Elsie Arntzen, has spent the last four years unravelling all our past achievements — and if she gets four more years, there might not be much left to defend. When our public schools have needed her most, she has been nowhere to be found. The last four years, she has spent more time attending private school rallies, applauding budget proposals that would cut millions from Montana’s public schools, mismanaging her office, and illegally diverting aid to private and for profit schools. We’ve never been able to count on Elsie to do what’s right for our children, and we certainly can’t count on her when the stakes are this high. In this critical time,
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retention crisis. Melissa will restore competent, focused leadership to the Office of Public Instruction when leadership is desperately needed. Please join us in supporting Melissa Romano for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Denise Juneau, Montana State Superintendent from 2009 2017 Linda McCulloch, Montana State Superintendent from 2001 2009 Nancy Keenan, Montana State Superintendent from 1989 2001
Gorski is the REAL ‘outsider’ for District 44
In reference and public response to Michael Koeppen, Florence re: “SENATE DISTRICT 44” (Sep 22), he calls Theresa Manzella an “outsider.” Nothing could be further from the truth! He’s a liar when he calls Theresa Manzella an “outsider.” She was born in the Bitterroot, and I’m guessing here, probably lived here most of her life, if not all. The “outsider” is clearly Gorski. Born in Florida, and schooled in California and Washington. Since you seem to like the term “outer fringe” I suggest Gorski clearly fits the “extremist” left having attended Washington University and Berkeley (ranked #22 and #4 respectively on the list of “America’s Most Liberal Colleges” by CBS). https://www. cbsnews.com/pictures/americasmost-liberal-colleges-ranked/47/ We see how those “extremist ideologies” of liberal policies are working in liberal strongholds such as Washington, California, and other states: rioting, burning, destruction, rampant racism, extreme taxation, unmanaged fires burning out of control (which we’re seeing here now, too, thanks to extreme ideologies of outer fringe liberalism!), theft of Constitutional RIghts, sanctuary cities for illegal aliens (law breakers!), etc. We do NOT need or want Gorski’s extremist ideologies or outsider liberal policies here. If she wants to represent her people, she needs to move back to CA or WA! Mike Miller Stevensville
Gorski only reasonable choice
I’ve known Margaret Gorski for 20 years. She is smart, hardworking, listens, cares and she shows up. Both her work experience and her volunteer experience demonstrate that she is committed to finding win-win solutions. Margaret is passionate about our public lands, committed to public education, and yes, is a gun owner. She is committed to a careful and conservative approach to managing our tax dollars, just as she managed her budget in the Forest Service. She’s lived in Senate District 44 for almost 30 years. She attends candidate forums and other events so voters can ask questions and share their concerns. Her opponent does not, though she appears to have time to chair the Missoula County Republican Women and attend their candidate forums. When Republicans can’t find any fault, they fall back on using “Democrat” as a dirty word. I urge you to check Margaret’s record, her issues, her approach and vote for the person who lives in your district and takes the time to listen to you. Bridget Johnson Missoula
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Theresa Manzella, bless her heart, declared today on her campaign Facebook page, Manzella for Montana, that, in the interest of unity, she will take up the standard of bringing the country together under HER interpretation of Christianity, because the Founding Fathers were “divinely inspired”. Manzella has dramatically declared, “The citizens simply
Bitterroot Star -- Page 7
need to elect legislators who are honest and well rooted in the founding principles, with the back bone to give the founding documents effect. I was created for a time such as this.” Created? Really? Is she implying created by God? Or perhaps closer to reality by some other outside worldly power who is manipulating her? As far as I can tell she has been created simply to further divide us by promoting her brand of Christianity as the rule of law. For those who support her, that sounds so reassuring, but, in fact, it is completely at odds with reality. In fact, in their own words, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are on record as saying“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” -- John Adams, 1797 , Treaty of Tripoli “Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.” --Statute For Religious Freedom. Thomas Jefferson, 1786 For those of you who support Ms.Manzella, substitute Allah for God in her selfless quest and check your reaction. America’s very inception was conceived by the desire to exercise freedom of religion. Don’t be misled by current, shortsighted, religious leaders. Maintain your freedom to follow your faith as you see fit. It’s your right, given to you by the Founding Fathers. Theresa Manzella’s misguided quest to bring her personal religious beliefs into the rule of law will ultimately be found unconstitutional. She likes to talk a good game about reducing government overreach, but her wrongheaded approach as a spiritual guide is the epitome of big government and needs to be left outside the State Capitol. Manzella, in her dramatic proclamation, tries to demonize her opponent, but, in fact, Margaret Gorski will protect your right to worship as you see fit. Corrine Gantt Hamilton
Pro gun voter
A firearm has saved my life, both as a combat infantry man, Korean War, 1950, with three Purple Hearts, and as a Treasury and FBI agent, and law enforcement officer, 1950’s to 1970’s. Kenneth Brown Jr. Hamilton
Liberty and tyranny
The more government plans the less the individual can plan. In other words, the more government plans and controls the life of the individual the less options and choices or liberty and freedom he has. Unfortunately, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have obviously embraced Socialism, being an all powerful centralized federal government that plans and controls every part of our lives from the cradle to the grave, stripping us of our natural God given rights as put forth in the Bill of Rights or our Federal Constitution along with the confiscation of all private property to be put into the hands of government, in reality making of us slaves, except of course the few who run the government who will live like kings and queens. Unfortunately, some in the Republican Party has also embraced Socialism. They are called RINOs (Republicans in name only). But there are some Republicans that fight hard every day in Congress to protect our liberty and freedom. One of them is our President Donald Trump. Trump has cut taxes, gotten rid of many burdensome and unnecescontinued on next page
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 8 -- Bitterroot Star
The death of Lulu: How an early and unexpected snowstorm led me to understand America’s direction By Elliott Oppenheim, MD, JD, LLM Health Law This year has been the worst of years. We are locked in a winter of our discontent. Lulu was dead. She strangled on her collar which got caught in the south boundary fence on my Rockin’ E Ranch in Florence. As I dug the grave for my two-year old Pug, I had to accept fault and my tears dripped into her grave. This was a form of climate change I’d failed to well manage. My four dogs barked at the dogs on the other side and eventually I knew a tragedy was inevitable. I pretended that it wouldn’t happen. I connected some dots and thought about how, only a month before, my 14-year-old Wendy scooted beneath that fence with Hannah, a 160# Old English Mastiff, but Wendy was torn apart by the Pit Bulls. I lost two dogs to the South Boundary. This issue was never going away and I had to do something. Was I going to continue to ignore this? Then we got hit with unexpected snow … a foot of wet, heavy snow. I am seventy-two and live alone following a bitter administration change — replete with lies, calumny, and perfidy before the court, unthinkable lack of decency — with, now, minus two, plus one, three dogs and a cat, Gracie. Bella is the Bernese Mountain dog and Gauge, is a pound dog, whom I lucked into at the animal shelter following Wendy’s death. … whole again … but then Lulu died. Three dogs and a cat and me … my family … and because of my bad ranch management. I was responsible for a 40% reduction in the population of my loved ones. I groveled in my shortcomings and culpability. Losing Wendy after fourteen years was a rip into my soul. Losing Lulu was another incalculable and inexpressible hurt. I was broken and alone, quarantined on Rockin’ E Ranch in Florence. Then the unexpected snow-demic came. I have five joint replacements: hips, shoulders, and right knee. My one worker, Dean, was out fighting the big fires and … despite the turmoil elsewhere, I had to get out and clear this snow myself … I had no choice. Rugged Individualism or bust. Recently, “Frankenstein,” a radio show, saved me from going completely mad in my isolation and sorrows. The Stevensville Players, Jim and Susan McCauley, produced a radio play and I latched onto that. In this claustrophobic pandemic, to say that I have been depressed, sad, and lonely is an understatement. I flirt with jumping off my office deck every day but I won’t do it. It could be days before anyone would find me … I have no real visitors … and the dogs would probably eat me … and all that would be left would be my metal prostheses from my joint replacements. So, summoning all of my
sary regulations. He fights hard against unnecessary bureaucracy, corruption and the Socialist takeover of our federal government. We have a choice in this election, shall we choose liberty with Donald Trump and the Republican Party or tyranny with Joe Biden and Democratic Party. I don’t know what choice others may make but as for me I choose liberty with Donald Trump and I encourage others to vote for our great President also. Recommended reading: “The Road to Serfdom” by Friedrich A. Hayek; “Liberty and Tyranny” by Mark Levin; “Manifesto of the Communist Party” by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels. Roy Morton Corvallis
strength, I injected my psyche with old Pee-Wee Herman films and vowed to exist. I had to. What choice did I have? America must go on. I must go on. … Oh, and I made a chocolate pie. At our Canine Council meeting where I am the Head Hamburger, lean, low fat, the four of us gathered in my living room before a fire. “This barking at the south fence has to stop,” I began and laid out the problems. “It is an existential environmental problem,” I said and I saw ears perk. “We will only lose more if we don’t do something,” Hannah, the wise one, said. Gauge, a Black Lab and Hound mix, who replaced Wendy in our pack, listened patiently. I heard a mew, a quiet mew, from my couch where Gracie sat, a gray Maine Coon, ordinarily silent on most matters. I am a mammalian linguist, mastering most languages and dialects: horse, chicken, dogs dialects, feline. … not so adept at fish. “Cat lives matter,” Gracie said, a conservative in the pet realm. “I want to be on the Canine Council,” she said, licking her paws. Renaming the Council to reflect our diversity, the Rockin’ E Ranch Council reinforced our unity of purpose: everyone committed to quality in pet lives. “We have to update all of your vaccines,” I noted, followed by low barking and a long meooow. Then, we unanimously passed the South Cross-Fence Initiative. Snow always makes me think inwardly and I thought about when I was a firefighter. We were four firefighters inside a massive apartment conflagration when timbers fell and the roof started to collapse. I was terrified. I feel like that now … as if the roof is collapsing in America, the sturdy Constitutional timbers which once upheld America are crushing under the weight of lies, deceptions, and reworking of commonly accepted values which have held us together since the Federalist Papers. … or before … since Plymouth Rock. I am fatigued by all of this. You can’t litigate everything, I reflected. This mess with Lulu and Wendy swirled within my sadness and fears over the political climate. Where is America headed on November 3rd? America is in a great civil war, the kind that caused Lincoln’s agida. There was recently anti-Semitic graffiti in Kalispell. How does such a thing happen in Kalispell? Having grown up on the East Coast with pervasive systemic anti-Semitism, I sucked in a breath. All lives matter; these black lies matter. What are Montana values? I puzzled. As part of this election cycle, Montana values emerge, relating to one candidate or the other, and when mentioned, Montana Values seem implied, as if “we” all already know them. As with so many Montanans, I am a transplant … eleven American states and four foreign
countries … speaking four human languages … and dual citizenship with Israel. … so what do I know? In over fifty years of presence in Montana, I have experienced almost no “anti” in Montana. I drive through the Burger King in Hamilton and get very friendly comments about my yarmulke. One server’s mother is Jewish. Here, people help one another; come together when there are problems. My housekeeper, a born and bred Missoulian, who I often mine for social insights, asked her Facebook associates about what defines Montana values. Here’s her list: respect, family, hard working loyalty, honesty, giving, helpful, trusting. We don’t like liars and cheats. If you hunt, we follow the rules. We shoot straight, I have heard many people say about Montana values. Montanans make sure everybody gets a piece of the chocolate pie. “We don’t forget folks,” I heard when I played Taps at a military funeral in Corvallis. I tapped into my deepest feelings and thought about how I wanted to poison those Pit Bulls who killed Wendy to the south of me. It is better to fence off that paddock. In Montana, we do what’s right. We know what right, is, I told myself, in my grief and despair over this upcoming election. I think I feel the way Lulu must have felt when she struggled to free herself of her collar. I feel as if I can’t breathe. I am strangling and struggling. My experience in Montana over 50 years is that there’s no flim or flam here. Sealed with an elbow bump these days, a person’s word is the person’s bond; count on it. Those values are what keep me here, what I treasure in this treasure state. Montana values assure that America endures. America needs to address climate change. We need universal health care. We need to form a plan and stop the ravages of COVID-19. Any country that can send a satellite 200,000,000 miles to an asteroid to get rocks can conquer all of this. My sorrow is so deep that my stomach muscles ache, such as they are at my age, I decided to get another Pug and, through the miracles of modern technology, I have met a nurse. Maybe together we can find sunshine together in this bitter darkness. Next year, I am sure, will become the best of years. Want something better than chocolate pie to lift your spirits? Vote Montana values on Tuesday!
Remember
missed 97 out of 1816 votes in the US House, wants to sell off your public lands and wants the ACA repealed; Daines voted four times to repeal the ACA, supports ending Social Security by deferring a portion of the payroll tax and appears to care more about his NRA rating than most anything else. I would suggest you read the reference citations to verify; however, it appears there are no reference citations, therefore no verification. REMEMBER: A large number of Daines’ “flyers” are from outside interests. Do you wonder why those outsiders are so interested in a Montana Senate election? What do they want? REMEMBER: to vote like your life and life style depends on it. You own your vote. REMEMBER: You have a “choice and a voice” as “Merrill
REMEMBER all those “flyers” you received in the mail? Yes, how could we forget? If you look closely at them you will see, if they were distributed by the individual campaigns, that Cooney, Bullock, Williams, Gorski, Graybill and Bennett all provided references where you can go to verify what they stated. Their opponents do not. REMEMBER: Cooney, Bullock, Williams, Gorski, Graybill and Bennett demonstrate their support for: affordable health care for all through the Affordable Care Act, continuation of Medicare, Medicaid Expansion and the need for rural hospitals to stay open. They support that your public lands stay public. Their opponents do not. REMEMBER: Gianforte
* NASA spacecraft on Tuesday touched down on an asteroid that scientists believe could hold the building blocks of life. The craft, OSIRIS-REx, successfully landed on the asteroid dubbed “Bennu” more than four years after being launched from Earth.
for Montana” postcards indicate. You are deciding to vote for America and Montana or not. REMEMBER: Your vote reflects whether you want to do as Gorski states and be “uniting, not dividing.” REMEMBER: to vote and track your ballot using https://app. mt.gov/voterinfo to verify that it has been accepted. REMEMBER: Those “flyers” will soon end. Diane Thomas-Rupert Stevensville
Have you made up your mind yet?
Have you made up your mind on who you will vote for? I assume most have but let me throw out a few thoughts for those who haven’t. The choice on which party to vote for is crystal clear UNLESS you subscribe to the following: 1. Rioting and looting are OK as witnessed in many Democratic run cities. Why anyone would continue to live in Portland after 200 plus days of rioting is beyond my comprehension. 2. Suppression of opinions/ speech are OK if you do not agree with it. The evidence of this happening is enormous such as allowing censorship on the social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. 3. Denying citizens the right to protect their property and selves is OK. Check out the couple in St. Louis who confronted rioters on their property and are now facing criminal charges. 4. Defunding the police is OK. As I have previously stated, that is probably the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Council members in Minneapolis have recently expressed surprise that crime has gone up after they pursued this idea. Duh! In the case of the Democratic candidates Bullock and Williams running for National office, I actually view them somewhat humorously. We are supposed to believe that they may be listed as Democrats but are really Independents. They repeatedly assure us that they do not agree with many aspects of the Democratic platform and will vote against gun control and defunding of the police. Excuse me, they are accepting record level funding from the Democratic Party and extreme liberals and I’m supposed to believe that rubbish? Additionally, are you familiar with the concept of a “rookie”? Rookies in all organizations are told from day one to “sit down, shut up and watch how it’s done if you want any future support.” Jerry Esmay Stevensville
Disturbing
An out of the blue FB message was sent to a local business here in Stevi earlier this week: it was from someone who calls himself/herself Patrick Henry and it said: “Yep. Donald Trump carried Ravalli County 70-30%. Fact is you’re an outcast here. You aren’t welcome here. Why don’t you go
back to Colorado where you came from. You effed (only the actual F word was used) that state up with your moronic vote and now here you are to destroy Montana. You people are a disease. The most hated of hated. Pure effing (again the real F word was used) trash. And the veterans of this nation consider you a domestic enemy. Just know. You are unwanted and unwelcome here. You are filth. Eff (again the actual F word) you.” I responded to that with: “That’s a truly disturbing disgusting text you sent to (I’m not saying that person’s name). You are a coward, hiding behind a fictitious name. Real men/women stand proudly behind their comments. You again are a very nasty coward. Go away and leave this person alone.” The next day I got a FB message from someone calling themselves “Commie Stacker” but using the same picture as Patrick Henry, saying “Eat shit you commie scum. The same message applies to you. Get the F out. You will not be allowed to pull your commie bullshit in this state. Not now, not ever.” This person lives “just outside of Stevensville,” keeps the lights on at Super 1,” “Used to live in Stevensville and has paid thousands and thousands of dollars in school taxes.” This is absolutely unacceptable. Sue Devlin Stevensville
We had better wake up in this country
Our reality and our future? If these numbers are true for 10/24/20, are we the new Neanderthal species on this planet and China the new Homo Sapiens species of the future? There is something wrong here and if you do not know what it is… US Covid-19 totals, deaths, today: 8,580,556 224,464 89,700 China Covid-19 totals, deaths, today: 91,125 4,739 15 (numbers from WHO and Johns Hopkins) It is our idiotic leadership and we the people in this country. With no discipline, no control and this attitude of rights over all reason and common sense, are we the stupid ones in this case? If these numbers are true, are we the ones evolution will eventually leave behind since we cannot adapt or change or refuse to do either? The question is, if these numbers are true, then what is this telling us about ourselves in this country and our future? Think about that and maybe, wake up from our self-masturbation in a sense… Joseph C. Gallagher Jr. Stevensville
A matter of freedom, not rights
In just a few days, Montanans will go to the polls and vote their preferences on office holders and issues. One of these issues is whether marijuana should be legalized for general use among the public. This question will be settled democratically, once and for all, on Nov. 3 when a majority of voters choose to impose their viewpoint on the opposing minority. Settled, that is, until the losing minority can gin up enough of whatever it takes to bring the issue into contention again. There are usually only two sides promoted as pertains to this question and, of course, there are all the shades of gray between these two extremes. 1. People have a “right” to use marijuana no matter what anyone else says, thinks, or believes. The State must grant the privilege of exercising that right, making it completely legal to do so for any consenting adult. 2. Marijuana use should not be legalized, condoned, or allowed under any circumstances. It is a “gateway” drug, the use of which leads to more dangerous drugs and, ultimately, the degradation of society. In the case of the first, the State is seen as an indulgent parent, granting favors to its subordinate children, who are always asking for more and always shielding them from the consequences of their actions. In the case of the second, the State is seen as a strict parent, refusing its subordinate children the opportunity to decide for themselves, never allowing them to make mistakes out of a sense of overbearing “paternalism” and breeding rebellion among those thwarted. That is about all there is to it. Summed up, it can be expressed in one of two ways: “I will do as I please!” or “You will do as you’re told!” Stubborn, rebellious, immature selfishness vs. tyrannical, hide-bound, rules-reliant selfishness. A neat, tidy, us vs. them standoff. But there are questions which cry out for answers. Why should anyone of a legally defined adult age have to gain permission from the Law in order to ingest, inhale, or inject any foreign substance into his or her own body? Why should anyone have the authority or power under the Law to be able to order and control the actions of anyone else according to his or her own opinions? Should anyone be able to act in any way which might be “beneficial” to them privately, but detrimental to the society around them? Are there or should there be limits to personal behavior? I will not take part in the ‘either-or’ proposition. Neither side will get my vote. I will not “grant permission” to my neighbor because it is not mine to give. Neither will I “refuse permission” because I do not hold that authority over him. Instead, I will allow him to live his life freely, as he See LETTERS, page 14
Serving the Bitterroot Valley in the areas of tax law, business and estate planning, and real estate property law.
JOHN MASAR Attorney 406-625-2682 115 W 3rd Street Suite 103 Stevensville jmasar@lionwoodlaw.com www.lionwoodlaw.com Ready to help.
Calendar
Hamilton Senior Center meals
Hamilton Senior Center is preparing meals for take out on the following schedule: Monday, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. call in to order meals for the week. Thursday, pick up between 12 noon and 1 p.m. For orders and info: 3635181.
AA meetings
Check for local meetings by calling the hotline 1-888-607-2000 or by visiting www.aa-montana. org.
Al-Anon
The Stevensville Al-Anon Family Group has changed its location and day. The meeting is now held every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Stevensville United Methodist Church, 206 College St. Members wear masks and practice social distancing. Enter the church through the red front door, turn left, then right through the double doors to the second room on the left. Al-Anon helps family members or friends of an alcoholic learn about the disease and to share their experience, strength, and hope. For more information call Hazel, 239-0878, or Mary, 529-3951.
Narcotics Anon
Narcotics Anonymous meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Parish Center, 411 S. 5th, Hamilton (north entrance).
Gamblers Anon
Gamblers Anonymous meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 411 S. 5th Street in Hamilton.
Overeaters Anon
Overeaters Anonymous meets every Saturday at 10 a.m. at Bitterroot Public Library, Hamilton. For more information call 363-2512.
WIC clinics
Ravalli County WIC is a nutrition education program that serves pregnant, post-partum, and breastfeeding women, children from birth to age 5 and women whose pregnancies have ended early. WIC also welcomes dads, grandparents, and foster families. The WIC program is offered In Hamilton Monday through Thursday 8:30-4:30 at 205 Bedford Street, Suite P, District Courthouse Building in Hamilton. The Stevensville clinic is open on Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church, 216 College Street in Stevensville. The Victor Clinic is the second Tuesday of the month at the Victor Nazarene Church. The Darby clinic is open every month on the third Monday of the month at the Darby Library. Income eligibility guidelines: 1 $23,606; 2 - $31,894; 3 - $40,182; 4 - $48,470; 5 - $56,758. For each additional family member, add $8,288. Call 406-802-7180 for more information or see on Facebook; www.facebook.com/RavalliCounty-WIC. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Family Shelter
The Family Shelter of the Bitterroot is dedicated to helping homeless and needy families in the Bitterroot Valley. If you are interested in helping or need help, call Gary Locke for more information, 239-8833.
Shuttle
The BitterRoot Bus runs a 6:30 a.m. Shuttle to Missoula on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call the BitterRoot Bus at
363-7484 for more information or to schedule your ride.
Wednesday Farmers Market
A farmers market is held every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. starting June 3rd at 111 s. 4th Street in Hamilton.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
ST. STEPHENS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 203 Stevensville••777-0028 360-2661 203Main MainSt.• Stevensville
Worship at 12:00 p.m. Sunday Worship 11 AM In this Church there shall be no outcasts. In this Church there shall be no outcasts.
Three Mile Coffee Audubon AdvenClub Three Mile Coffee Club tures homemeets every Monday, Wednesday, schooling packets and Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at 1064 Three Mile Creek Road. available Everyone is welcome. Good coffee, conversation and get to know your neighbors. All ages welcome. For information call Colleen at 777-3710.
BitterRodders Car Club
BitterRodders Car Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st in Hamilton. Everyone welcome. For more information call 961-3136.
Story Time
Are you desperately missing your Library Story Times? Fret no more- you can join Annika from North Valley Public Library for Story Time Live Online! on Wednesdays in June at 10:3010:45 a.m. for this North Valley Public Library online program. Come enjoy fun stories, a quick early literacy activity, and a creative craft idea. Visit the website to register for this event. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information visit northvalleylibrary.org.
Zoom Art Club for Kids
Is your child in need of a creative outlet? North Valley Public Library is here to the rescue with Zoom Art Club. Club will be held third Thursdays in October, November and December at 4 p.m. on Zoom! You can watch the lessons live or recorded. After you’ve registered on the Library’s website, check your email for the Zoom meeting link and passcode for each meeting. Make sure to register for each month you’d like to attend and pick up your materials at the Library the week of each meeting. This program is suitable for ages 5-11. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street Stevensville. Stay safe. The library reminds you to practice social distancing and wash your hands. For more information visit northvalleylibrary.org.
In the challenging times we’ve been experiencing during much of 2020, many families have spent more time outside. Many children love being outside, exploring and investigating the rich natural world of Ravalli County, the Bitterroot National Forest, and beyond. If you are homeschooling your children or just want to enhance their education about the world outside, Bitterroot Audubon invites you to get a free Audubon Adventures homeschooling packet. Donors have provided the funding to offer this opportunity to the families of our area. To learn more about Audubon Adventures, see Audubon Adventures.org and click the “About” tab. To order a packet or ask questions, contact Betsy Ballard at 777-7110.
BRHA business challenge
Calling all businesses! Whether your business is big or small, the Bitter Root Humane Association (BRHA) is challenging you to raise funds for the shelter and compete against other valley businesses to see who can raise the most money during the month of November. The winner will not only receive “bragging rights” but some awesome prizes too! What type of fundraiser businesses host is totally up to them...it can be as simple as putting out a donation jar, merchandise raffles, hosting a one-time event or a month long promotion. Basically any fun thing you can think of! BRHAwill assist in encouraging shoppers to visit your business with mixed media promotion and a colorful promotional poster for you to display. Joining in the “Challenge” fun is easy...for more details and registration form go to: www.bitterroothumane.org/events/#30days All proceeds from the “Challenge” will go towards helping BRHA continue to care for all the homeless pets that come through our doors! For more information contact Mary @ 642-3785 or email to dogmommary@aol.com.
Quilters Guild Library fundmeetings cancelled raiser nears end Out of an abundance of concern for both our members and our community due to the rising number of cases of Corona Virus in Ravalli County, the Bitterroot Quilters Guild has cancelled all remaining 2020 general Guild meetings. The Board will consider resuming meetings for the 2021 year at a later date. Membership in the Guild is open to quilters from beginner through advanced; dues are still being collected to help with ongoing regular expenses. For more information, or to pay your current annual dues of $20, contact Tena Chapman, Membership Chair, at 406-381-4755. To keep abreast of activities, visit the Bitterroot Quilters Guild on Facebook.
With only three days left in the Business Battle for Books fundraiser to benefit the North Valley Public Library, Engel & Volkers real estate company is in the lead, having raised more than $500 for the Stevensville library. Through Oct. 31, 10 area merchants are competing against each other to see which one can bring in the most money for the library. Other businesses competing are Kutting Edge salon, Fireside Pizza and Sandwich, Valley Drug and Variety, Cenex, Radio Shack, Tin Can Bar and Draft Room, Yaskus Dental, Burnt Fork Market, and High Country Club. Red donation boxes or cans are at each participating business. The Business Battle for Books winner will receive a basket of sweet treats graciously donated by the Montana Chocolate Co. and Morning Star Café. This event was organized by
the NVPL Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds through grants, donations, and events to support and enhance the operations of the library. For more information, contact Foundation President Amy Horlacher at amybhorlacher@gmail.com or call (480) 332-8737.
Elks Lodge dinners
201 State Street, Downtown Hamilton No Host Bar opens at 3pm Wednesdays and Fridays Food is served at 6 pm Curbside Pickup and Takeout orders are available Call 406 363 3031 for more information Wednesday Dinner Menu Dinners $ 11.00 for Members, $ 12.00 for Guests Oct. 28, Pork Chops with Stuffing Nov. 4, Chicken Piccata with pasta and roasted vegetables Nov. 11, Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and corn Nov. 13, Orange Chicken Pub Night Menu Friday Pub Night, $ 6.00 for everyone Oct. 30, Franks and Fries Nov. 6, Meatballs and pasta Nov. 13, Orange Chicken
Thurs, October 29 Noxious weed class
Join North Valley Public Library in person or Via Zoom on Thursday, October 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Ravalli County Weed Coordinator, Kellieann Morris and Dave Brink, Mineral County Extension. Masks and distancing are used in the community room. If possible, a camera will be used to send the information out to Zoom. Please register on the Library’s Calendar for additional information. Noxious weeds are nonnative plants that have been introduced to Ravalli County through human actions both purposely and accidentally. Due to their aggressive growth and lack of natural enemies, these species can be highly destructive, competitive, and difficult to control. Kellieann says that, “Fall treatments are very effective for many weeds. Once we get into freezing temperatures spraying treatments will be over but the information is still good and can be used in the spring as folks try to plan.” Noxious weeds reduce crop yields, edge out native plant communities that wildlife and fish depend on and degrade wildlife habitat. The damages from noxious weeds can cost landowners, ranchers and farmers millions of dollars in loss of production and control efforts. These costs can be transferred to consumers through higher food costs. Noxious weeds also damage recreational sites, clog waterways, lower land values, and can poison livestock. An invasive species can become a noxious weed when it has shown to have serious effects on natural resources, ecosystem health and our economy. Credits for private and commercial applicators to be determined. If you have any questions about potential noxious weeds on your property the Ravalli County Weed District can assist you with identifying noxious weeds and give you advice on their control. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. The library reminds everyone to practice social distancing, wash your hands and masks are required in the library. For more information about current offerings and events at the library check the website at northvalleylibrary.org.
Tues, November 3 Bitterroot Library November events Tuesday, Nov. 3: Bitterroot Public Library closed for Federal election. Wednesday, Nov. 4: Baby and Toddler Story
Time, meeting room, 10:30 a.m. Registration required. Limited to 9 participants. Registration available online at Bitterrootpubliclibrary. org in the Calendar or call 3631670. Create Amazing Veggies class 6 to 7:30 p.m., meeting room. Join Jennifer Murrillo of the MSU Ravalli extension office for this CREATE class, featuring hands-on food prep and ideas for healthy eating on a budget. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Go to: buyeatlivebetter.org and Class Sign up. Masks are required for this program. Thursday, Nov. 5: Plant Bundling with Hillary Sargent, 6 to 7 p.m., meeting room. Join local herbalist Hillary Sargent for a hands on plant wand class. Registration required. Limited to 9 participants. Registration available online at Bitterrootpubliclibrary.org in the Calendar or call 363-1670. Friday, Nov. 6: Preschool Story Time, meeting room, 10:30 a.m. Registration required. Limited to 9 participants. Registration available online at Bitterrootpubliclibrary.org in the Calendar or call 363-1670. Tuesday, Nov. 10: Print and Pages Virtual Happy Hour, 6-7 p.m. On Zoom. Join community librarian Daniel Ray and bring your favorite beverage for an hour of free range discussion on what you’ve been reading, watching, listening to. Social decorum required! Registration Required to receive log-in information. Email community@ bitterrootpubliclibrary.org or call 363-1670 to register. Wednesday, Nov. 11: Bitterroot Public Library closed all day for federal holiday. No programming scheduled. Thursday, Nov. 12: Lego Club, meeting room, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Registration required. Limited to 10 participants. Registration available online at Bitterrootpubliclibrary. org in the Calendar or call 3631670. Friday, Nov. 13: Preschool Story Time, meeting room, 10:30 a.m. Registration required. Limited to 9 participants. Registration available online at Bitterrootpubliclibrary.org in the Calendar or call 363-1670. Wednesday, Nov. 18: Baby and Toddler Story Time, meeting room, 10:30 a.m. Registration required. Limited to 9 participants. Registration available online at Bitterrootpubliclibrary. org in the Calendar or call 3631670. Book Club 2020 on Zoom: noon to 1 p.m. The book club reads “Olive Again,” by Elizabeth Strout. For login information, contact community@bitterrootpubliclibrary.org or call the library at 363-1670. Contact: Wendy Campbell, Youth Services Librarian; Daniel Ray, Community Librarian at 3631670.
Mon, November 2 Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast - Ultimate Breakfast Cookie Bar, fruit & milk; Lunch - Chef’s Salad with Ham & Cheese & ranch dressing, apple slices, breadsticks, milk Tuesday: Breakfast - Sausage, Egg, Cheese & Potato Breakfast Burrito, fruit & milk; Lunch - Shepherd’s Pie, tossed salad with ranch dressing, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk
Bitterroot Star -- Page 9 Wednesday: Breakfast Strawberry Cream Cheese Filled Mini Bagels, fruit & milk; Lunch - Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice, steamed broccoli, mandarin oranges, dinner rolls, milk Thursday: Breakfast - Maple Pancakes, fruit & milk; Lunch -Chicken & Noodle Casserole, green beans, peach slices, milk Friday: Breakfast - Donut Holes, fruit & milk; Lunch Cheese Filled Breadsticks, fresh carrots & ranch dressing, grapes, milk.
Thurs, November 5 Business law class “The Basics of Business Law” will be presented on Thursday, November 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. This class covers several aspects of law, including the legal business structures that small businesses assume, reasons why to select each one, and what their advantages and disadvantages are. Negotiations, contracts, intellectual property and legal liabilities are explored. Most importantly, advice is given as to where to get legal information and help. Attorney Richard A. Weber, PC will be the presenter. The class will be following the same COVID-19 protocols as the Bitterroot College and will be by Virtual Classroom; these classes are live and interactive. You will need home internet access and a personal computer with camera, microphone and speakers. You can also phone in. Instructions will be sent by email. You may request to attend the classes in person, but masks will be required. To register, contact the Bitterroot College at 375-0100 or go to their website. For questions about the course, contact the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority at 375-9416 or email john@rceda.org.
Fri, November 13 Lost Trail Ski Patrol Ski Swap
Have outdoor gear you want to sell? Kids outgrowing their gear? Lost Trail Ski Patrol’s 49th Annual Ski/Snowboard/Outdoor Gear Swap November 13th & 14th at Bitterroot College (103 South 9th Street in Hamilton) is the place you want to be. Consign clean, gently used ski, snowboard and all manner of outdoor sports gear on Friday, November 12th from 5 to 8 p.m. and come back Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and shop the amazing bargains you will find at the swap. You will find gear for all ages – kids, young adults, adults – there are great deals for you. Make a $20 donation to Lost Trail Ski Patrol and shop one hour before the doors open to the public on Saturday (8:30-9:30 a.m.). Lost Trail Ski Patrol takes 20% of each sale to fund their lifesaving efforts, you keep the rest! Thanks to the Ravalli County Public Health Department and the Rapp Family Foundation, a limited number of free children’s helmets are available on Saturday (free helmets not available during early bird shopping). For more information check out their event page on Facebook: Ski Swap – Lost Trail Ski Patrol.
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Sports
Page 10 -- Bitterroot Star
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
By Jean Schurman Sports Editor
Hamilton finishes perfect season The snowstorm didn’t stop the Hamilton Broncs from finishing their season out in perfect fashion with a 49-14 win over Polson on Friday night. The Broncs finished their season with a 9-0 overall record and 5-0 in the Southwest A conference. They will play Sidney at noon in Hamilton at Bronc Stadium. Sidney is the No. 4 seed from the Eastern Division. They have a record of 4-3 in conference play and 4-3 overall. The Broncs were very efficient with their plays and while they only ran 47 plays to Polson’s 63 plays, the Broncs had 395 yards of total offense and 36 minutes of possession in the game. Tyson Rostad threw five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Ben Rooney had 95 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. Ben Tack had 122 yards including 40 yard romp and one touchdown. Gabe KeyHirmann had a 42 yard touchdown reception and Tristan Lewis had an 18 yard scoring reception. Sophomore Noah Johnson had a three yard scoring plunge for the last Hamilton touchdown. Austin Drake kicked seven-of-seven PATs. The Florence Falcons football team has been in quarantine since last Saturday, October 17. They had a bye this past week and so didn’t miss a game. They
Hamilton boys take cross country championship The Hamilton boys cross country team took the Class A state championship in the cold and wind in Kalispell at Rebecca Farms. Although the snow hadn’t really started, it was blowing and the temperature was dropping. Hamilton placed three runners in the top 10 to solidify the championship. Colter Purcell, a junior at Hamilton, won the race with a time of 16:17.52. His teammate and another junior, Colter Kirkland was second with a time of 16:40.26. Tanner Nead, another junior from Hamilton finished fifth with a time of 16:48.01. Rounding out the scoring for Hamilton was Lane Cole in 16:58.37, Harrison Silverio with a time of 17:08.92 in 16th place, and Zachary Kunkel in 22nd place. All are juniors. Corvallis finished in fourth place behind Hardin and Colum-
bia Falls. Brinson Wyche of Corvallis was 6th with a time of 16:49.97. Yannis Jessop was 24th. Hamilton’s Brynnli Poulson won her second state championship title with a time of 19:02.30, 50 seconds faster than second place. She broke out in front at the start and led throughout the race. Hamilton finished in eighth place. Corvallis finished in fourth place behind Laurel, Columbia Falls and Hardin. Olivia Buoy finished in fifth place with a time of 20:01.94. Katie Gleason was eighth with a time of 20:16.08. Laurie Davidson was 16th with 20:33.43, and Anna Jessop was 23rd with a time of 21:00.49. In Class C, the Darby boys finished in sixth lace behind Manhattan Christian, Richey-Lambert, Belt/Centerville, Drummond, and Scobey. William Martin finished 20th and Cullen Duggan was 23rd.
Hamilton’s Jaiden Klemundt (7) makes a run while Gabe Key-Hirmann blocks during the Polson game. The snow didn’t stop the Broncs at all. Diane Weeks photo*. will host the Conrad Cowboys on Saturday at 1 p.m. Florence has a record of 4-0 in conference play and 6-1 overall. Conrad is 1-3 in conference play and 2-4 overall. Stevensville picked up their first win of the season in a nonconference win over Park County.
Final score, Yellowjackets 28, Park County 12. Stevi quarterback Sahkaia Wehr threw for two touchdowns, one for 10 yards to Hunter Gum and one for 57 yards to Kellen Bradt. Kellen Beller had a 26 yard carry for six. Hunter Gum was the recipient of a 20
yard pass for another score. Corvallis lost to Ronan. Darby lost to Arlee.Victor lost to Flint Creek. *Special thanks to Diane Weeks for her photographs in the snow.
Country girl, CityBoy making big time runs Chenessa McGraw has been riding horses since she was just a toddler riding around on Rosy and then Sunny, the old gray mare of her mom’s. Although her mother, Cheressa Parke, didn’t want her to compete when she was young, Chenessa went to her first gymkhana when she was just three years old. These days, she making waves on the national scene and will soon have a chance to compete against well known (in the barrel racing world) names such as former world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Chenessa has always been a determined young lady. When she was just starting in gymkhana at the ripe old age of three, she told her parents that she didn’t need them to lead her through the pattern, ‘she had this.’ She did have ‘this,’ and worked her way through winning the saddle in the Tiny Tots, the Pee Week, and the Junior Division before deciding to move on to entering barrel racings around the area. Her mom taxied her around to the many barrel races in the state. However after a while, the grey mare was not Chenessa where she wanted to be. After all, her childhood dream had been to run in the top 15 of the world at the National Finals Rodeo. (Her mom told her she was too young at the time.)
Chenessa McGraw and her horse, CityBoy, are counting down the days until they compete at the WCRA finals in Texas. Jean Schurman photo They found a horse for Chenessa right here in the valley after looking all around for one. Dawn Burnham Lindsey of Florence had a horse she had brought up from Mississippi. CityBoy had been
CityBoy, Chenessa McGraw’s barrel horse, has had some anxiety issues throughout his competition career. Chenessa said that using a pressure mask on him has helped him succeed. Submitted photo.
patterned on the barrels but had not been in many competitions and was unseasoned. “It wasn’t the greatest start,” said Parke. “They hated each other.” Chenessa is one of those people who just have a natural connection with animals and horses in particular. Her mom said horses always liked her, but not CityBoy. He is a very high strung horse and it took a lot of time to get his mind back to working. The duo spent a lot of time riding outside the arena, up Coyote Creek or Calf Creek, to get the horse to relax and enjoy being a horse. The pair went to a clinic put on in Great Falls by Charmayne James, an 11 time world champion who has won over $2 million during her barrel racing career. She retired in 2003 and now does clinics throughout the nation. When CityBoy and Chenessa came to the clinic, James saw the struggle the two were having, but she also saw the potential of the two. “She (James) doesn’t very often ride one of the horses that people have in the clinic,” said Parke. “But she rode CityBoy and said he had potential.”
That convinced Chenessa to work even harder to keep CityBoy’s mind going in the right direction and keeping him strong and wanting to run. “I learned that I have to be there every step of the way,” she said. “I have to help him and not be a jockey.” While attending a race at Manhattan at the Copper Springs Ranch, they heard about the World Champion Rodeo Alliance. This was a relatively new organization that was created to expand rodeo events. They talked it over and decided to give it a go last year. Parke had just purchased the Sapphire Event Center just north of Corvallis and renamed it the 5C Event Center. You would think this would be great for a barrel racer and her horse but not CityBoy. Apparently he doesn’t like this arena, even though it now has some of the best ground in the state in it. The idea behind the WCRA was for each athlete to earn points no matter where they were competing. All they have to do is nominate the event and pay the fee. Points are earned when that contestant wins money. Points are weighted differently for each division and are scaled for go rounds, final rounds and aggregates. Points are awarded up to the top 10 money winners in that event. It’s kind of like a virtual barrel race on top of a regular race. Chenessa had a good year last year and was slated to go to the finals in Guthrie, Oklahoma. This was after COVID hit and the event would be in August, in Oklahoma. Mom and daughter decided the travel and the heat would not be good for CityBoy and opted not to go to the finals. But they kept competing. They went to the Days of 47 in Utah and had a good run. Then they went to the Running the Rims in Billings where the duo almost beat the arena record. They won the Montana Barrel Horse Association state championship. The pair has consistently been in the top four of the leaderboard and even at the top of the board. With the finals just a few weeks away, they decided to go to Las Vegas, to the South Point arena, where the finals were scheduled to be held. They figured this would be a great opportunity to size up the arena and surround-
Stevensville’s Maddie Weber sets the ball during their game against Corvallis. Jean Schurman photo.
Corvallis bests Stevi
The Corvallis Blue Devils defeated the Lady Yellowjackets of Stevensville in four sets last Thursday night although each of the games were close. Stevensville won the first game, but then Corvallis came back to win the match. In the first game, Aliyah Anderson led her Lady ‘Jackets with serving and a few well placed kills to a 25-19 win. Corvallis’ Katelyn Behner led a Blue Devil rally that fell just short of the win. Game 2 was also very close. For each point won by Corvallis, Stevensville came back to score their own points. Stevensville’s Anderson tied the game up at 16 all with her serving but then Paige Colaprete served up four points and gave Corvallis the edge. Kennedy Praast had a huge kill for Stevensville but a block by Madeline Gilder on the next play ended the game with Corvallis winning 25-21. The final two games were
close with some of the volleys going for quite a while. Jenna Jordan, Gilder and Madison Lewis made a formidable front to get the ball over for the Blue Devils but Praast and Anderson found a few holes and kept Stevensville moving. Corvallis won 25-15. Corvallis won the final game, 25-17. Brooklyn Powell served up eight points to give the momentum to the Blue Devils. Corvallis def. Stevensville 19-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17 Corvallis - Kills 36 (Madeline Gilder 15). Blocks 8 (Jenna Jordan 4). Digs 79 (Gilder 22). Assists 30 (Brooklyn Powell 27). Aces 7 (Powell 4). Stevensville - Kills 37 (Daphne Engel 9, Aliyah Anderson 8). Blocks 3 (Anderson 2, Engel 1). Digs 77 (Maddie Weber 17, Kelti Wandler 12, Engel 12). Assists 35 (Weber 31, Engel 3). Aces 7 (Anderson 4).
ings before the finals. Although they didn’t have the greatest run, because CityBoy didn’t like the ground, they still competed well. They were back at the top of the leader board and just recently slipped to second place. The top four in barrel racing automatically qualify for the finals and will be directly seeded into the finals. Racers from 5-64 must qualify through a three round progressive format with six advancing to the finals. However, COVID reared. It’s ugly head again. The finals were moved to Texas in November. But with Chenessa sitting at the No. 2 seed, she doesn’t have to qualify to get in through the
first rounds. So they are making the long trip to Arlington for the finals. The WCRA finals will be held in conjunction with the PBR championship. In addition to barrel racing, there will be breakaway roping, and team roping. “This is history being made,” said Parke. “And Chenessa is going to be right there.” Chenessa will begin her quest for the title on Thursday, November 12 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX. The barrel racing finals with the top six racers coming back will be held one Saturday, November er 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
A food such as I Last winter I wanted to re-read Cervantes’ classic, “Don Quixote.” Maybe this year. The 17th century tale was dummied down and taken to the Broadway stage as the musical, “Man of La Mancha,” during a more idealistic period of our national life not that long ago, and produced the hit song, “To Dream the Impossible Dream.” The lyrics go, in part ,
Flyfishing with Chuck Stranahan To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, To bear with unbearable sorrow, To run where the brave dare not go. To right the unrightable wrong… To reach the unreachable star. This is my quest, To follow that star… No matter how hopeless, No matter how far. To fight for the right Without question or pause, To be willing to march Into hell for a heavenly cause. And I know if I’ll only be true To this glorious quest That my heart will be peaceful and calm When I’m laid to my rest. And the world will be better for this, That one man scorned and covered with scars Still strove with his last ounce of courage. To fight the unbeatable foe. To reach the unreachable star. The Broadway musical at least got to the heart of what Cervantes’ hero was all about. Along the way it missed a rich world of nuances that the Span-
ish author penned into his text some four hundred years ago, and I wanted to refresh my memory of them. The book is a chronicle of times when Quixote’s courage and perseverance were delusionary and misplaced; the phrase “jousting with windmills” that is still in use today refers to battling a hopeless or empty cause. It comes from Quixote’s hallucination that the windmills he charges with his lance are indeed the enemy. There is at once great irony and great humor in this scene and several layers of underlying truth: while others see his cause as misplaced or totally futile, there is a nobility in the old knight. He is unafraid to champion what is right, when the rest of the world sees him as crazy. Cervantes’ irony is that a world that has lost its values is crazy, not the old knight. That overriding theme is a cornerstone to much of Western literature and thought that followed: An individual can be right, while the world around him is wrong.
Kinship with Don Quixote Over the past thirty-odd years I’ve felt some kinship with Don Quixote. I’ve jousted with my share of windmills, and they’re still standing. Maybe that makes me a fool, as he was. Take, for example, the long, long, and tedious amount of time I put into championing the use of barbless hooks. The state shot that idea down, big-time, when we tried to get it approved as part of the new regs for the West Fork. I’ve back-burnered that notion; the wheels that turn the windmill of state bureaucracy are too big for even a majority of West Fork users to override. To me that seems crazy. And sad. I still have a tattered bumper sticker on my old Dodge truck that advocates for streamside setbacks for new construction on our waterways. For years I tried to get streamside setbacks written into county land use regulations; the county still has no meaningful land use regulations secured in a zoning code. As a result, houses are still being built too close to the river and some now have ugly, habitat-
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Bitterroot Star -- Page 11
destroying riprapped banks to keep the house from washing away. To me that still seems utterly crazy. And the county government windmills still stand. Today there are projects in front of the Bitterroot Conservation District that I haven’t had research or lead time to properly review in this column. I’ll save a
report on the results for later. The BCD has its own windmills to joust with, in the form of special interests that attempt to override their efforts to carry out their mission: to conserve. There are several causes out there that seem right to me today. I’m sure there will be more. This old knight will be picking up his keyboard lance in the coming month to joust again with a few of them. Our fisheries deserve our protection. The resources – the fish themselves and their habitat – are too valuable to lose by default. Our streambanks need not be sacrificed to short-sighted developers for their own benefit. Our politicians and entrenched private and public bureaucrats need to be reminded, maybe at the point of a verbal lance, to serve the common good rather than economic special interests, wherever they might lie. Stay tuned. In the end this old fool would rather ride with Don Quixote. Author and flytyer Chuck Stranahan can be reached at chuck@chuck-stranahan.com or visit his fly shop at 109 E. Main in Hamilton.
Crossword Answers on page 18
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PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT for a busy, growing law firm in Stevensville. Responsible for day-to-day office duties and supporting current staff in a professional setting. Must have clerical experience, be computer literate, extremely detailoriented, and able to multitask. Submit resume and references to bransbylaw@gmail.com. No phone calls. COME JOIN OUR TEAM! We are seeking a Maintenance Engineer I opportunity at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital! POSITIONS HIGHLIGHTS: • Employee-centric: Familyoriented facility with small-town compassion; comparable wages and benefit package • Market Leadership: Continued growth to provide services to the Bitterroot Valley What will you do: • Performs duties necessary to ensure the physical structures, appropriate equipment and grounds within all MDMH locations are in good repair, safe and visually appealing. • The areas of involvement may include carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, snowplowing, and mechanical installation/repair. • Hours for this position may include weekends and evenings. Participation in the On-call rotation is required. What you will need: • High School Diploma, General equivalency diploma (GED). • Valid Montana Driver’s License. • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in at least one of the following areas: o Carpentry o Painting o Groundskeeping/Landscaping o General Handyman o Flooring To apply, go to www.mdmh. org and complete an online application, or send your resume to humanresources@mdmh.org. For more information, give us a call at 406-375-4407. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. LAND TITLE BUSINESS SEEKS FULL-TIME CLERK. Communication, customer service and computer skills needed. Willing to train. Pay DOE, advancement opportunity. Contact Rod: rod@lclandco.com or (406) 2534267. HELP WANTED Seeley Lake is hiring!! Head chef, line/ prep cooks, and other positions. The Filling Station. Salary DOE.
WANTED TO BUY
WE BUY GUNS. Cash paid. New, used, antique or military. Call Rich, (406) 531-6702. WANTED WANTED WANTED Porsches and exotic cars any year. Vintage motorcycles up to the 1990’s. Old cars and trucks. Guns and gun collections. Call or text (801)-361-4022. Fair prices paid.
NOTICES LOST: CELL PHONE last used at Stevensville Driver’s License office. Samsung, white w/black case and silver PopSocket. REWARD. Contact Gayle, (406)360-8413.
LEGAL NOTICES
By: David T. Markette Attorney for Personal Represen-
RAVALLI COUNTY ATTORNEY Royce McCarty, Deputy County Attorney Clay Leland, Deputy County Attorney Ravalli County Courthouse 205 Bedford Street, Suite C Hamilton, Montana 59840-2853 Email: countyattorney@rc.mt. gov Phone: (406) 375-6750 Attorney for Special Administrator MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: BROOKE C. MURPHY, aka JOANN K. JONES, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20-94 Department No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Ravalli County Attorney’s Office has been appointed Special Administrator of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Special Administrator, 205 Bedford Street, Suite C, Hamilton MT 59840, return receipt requested, ℅ Royce McCarty, 205 Bedford Street, Suite C, Hamilton MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court . DATED this 7th day of October, 2020. /s/ Clay R. Leland, Deputy County Attorney BS 10-14, 10-21, 10-28-20. MNAXLP
David T. Markette Dustin M. Chouinard Megan S. Winderl MARKETTE & CHOUINARD,
601 S. First Street P.O. Box 515 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-1110 DavidMmcpcattorneys.com Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of CECELIE BRUMDER A/K/A CECELIE A. BRUMDER A/K/A CECELIE ALEXANDRA BRUMDER, Deceased. Probate No. DP 20-74 Dept No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within Sour (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Christina Brumder, the Personal Representative, in care of MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C., 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 515, Hamilton, Montana ADVERTISING 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct.
tative
Bill Nelson, Esq. Nelson Law Office PLLC 217 North 3rd Street, Suite J Hamilton MT 59840 Telephone: (406) 363-3181 Facsimile: (406) 552-0153 Email: wmziplip@gmail.com Attorney for Personal Represen-
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF MATEO MAGNIA CHAVEZ, Deceased. Cause No.: DP-20-125 Department No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to the Personal Representative, Ted Chavez, P.O. Box 621, Corvallis MT 59828, return receipt requested, OR ℅ Bill Nelson, NELSON LAW OFFICE PLLC, 217 North Third Street, Suite J, Hamilton MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. DATED this 5th day of October, 2020. /s/ Bill Nelson, Attorney for P.R. 217 N. 3rd Street, Ste J Hamilton, Montana 59840 Ted Chavez Personal Representative BS 10-14, 10-21, 10-28-20. MNAXLP
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David T. Markette Dustin M. Chouinard Megan S. Winderl MARKETTE & CHOUINARD,
601 S. First Street P.O. Box 515 Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-1110 DavidMmcpcattorneys.com Attorneys for Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of MERRY JO RALL a/k/a MERRY J. RALL, Deceased. Cause No. DP-20-130 Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Kymberly Jo Owens, the Personal Representative, in care of MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, P.C., 601 S. First Street, P.O. Box 515, Hamilton, Montana 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Montana that the foregoing is true and correct. DATED this 7th day of October, 2020. /s/ Kymberly Jo Owens MARKETTE & CHOUINARD, PC /s/ David T. Markette, Attorney for Personal Representative BS 10-21, 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP
tative
Naomi J. Cheeney Cheeney Law, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840 Phone: (406) 363-9060 Attorney for Personal Represen-
MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY ADVERTISING IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JACKIE HOPE BECK, also known as JACQUELYN BECK and JACQUELYN HOPE PAVER, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20-129 Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named Estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Autumn L. Gladback, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 13th day of October 2020. /s/ Autumn L. Gladback, Personal Representative BS 10-21, 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN RE THE ESTATE OF VERNA D. HODGSON, Deceased. Also known as VERNA DIEHL HODGSON
Cause No.: DP-20-131 Department No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Diane K. Ellis, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at 1814 Red Crow Road, Victor Montana 59875, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 19th day of October, 2020. /s/ Diane K. Ellis Diane Ellis, Personal Representative 1814 Red Crow Road Victor, Montana 59875 BS 10-21, 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP Naomi J. Cheeney Cheeney Law, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840 Phone: (406) 363-9060 Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DENNIS JOSEPH BALDUS, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20-128 Dept. No. 2 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named Estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to present their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Naomi J. Cheeney, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 13th day of October 2020. /s/ Naomi J. Cheeney, Personal Representative BS 10-21, 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP ADVERTISEMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW RECORD The Ravalli County Road and Bridge Department will hold a public hearing on November 4th, 2020 at the Sula Clubhouse located at 405 East Fork Road, Sula, MT for the purpose of obtaining comments regarding the environmental review record for the proposed Edwards Bridge project that will completely construct the Edwards Bridge that catastrophically failed in 2019. At the public hearing, the proposed project will be discussed, including the purpose and proposed area of the project, activities, budget and sources of funding and a decision will be made on the environmental assessment. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to ask questions and express opinions regarding the proposed project and any environmental impacts. Comments may be given orally at the meeting or submitted in writing before November 4th, 2020 at 6pm. Anyone wanting to review the environmental review record and project impacts or submit questions and comments should contact Jeff Standaert, PE, at 1-406-728-1880. Copies of the draft environmental
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LEGAL NOTICE The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will conduct a public hearing for a Ravalli County Open Lands Bond project on Thursday, November 12th, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Third Floor) of the County Administrative Building located at 215 South 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840. The proposal is known as the South Burnt Fork Ranch Application. The project is comprised of four parcels with 301.21 acres combined and the property is located on South Burnt Fork Road, adjacent to the beginning of Miller Hill Road and 2.8 miles southeast of the Town of Stevensville from the intersection (town jurisdictional border) of Logan Road and Middle Burnt Fork Road. Bitter Root Land Trust is the applicant. Information describing the proposals are available for inspection at the Planning Department, located at the County Administrative Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840. Written comments are encouraged to be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the public hearing and will be forwarded to the BCC for consideration at the public hearing. The public may comment verbally or in writing at the hearings. Comments and information submitted at the public hearing will be considered in the decision. Submit email comments to: planning@rc.mt.gov, and questions can be asked by phone at 406-375-6530. BS 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP CALL FOR BID/QUOTES: INDEPENDENT AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2020 WITH OPTION OF AUDITING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR TWO SUBSEQUENT YEARS The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS is soliciting bid/quotes for their independent audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 with an option for two subsequent years, June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022. This is a fee-for-service contract that requires a single audit under the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The minimum requirements necessary to perform the audit are: 1. The firm must be independent and licensed to practice in Montana.
2. The firm must have no conflict of interest with regard to any other work performed by the firm for Ravalli County. 3. The firm must be on the Montana Department of Administration’s Roster of Independent Auditors Authorized to Conduct Audits of Montana Local Governments. It is preferable that the audit fieldwork be completed by March 31, 2021 with an audit report issued within 60 days of fieldwork completion. The County has accounting staff available to assist with schedules requested by the auditing firm and has qualified staff to prepare the financial statements if time permits. Previously audited financial statements from June 30, 2007 through June 30, 2018 can be located on the County’s website at ravalli.us under the Finance Department. The fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 audit is currently in progress. It is expected that the June 30, 2020 Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) will be comparable to the June 30, 2018 SEFA with a few minor exceptions. For the June 30, 2020 audit, Ravalli County is considered a high risk auditee for the SEFA because the June 30, 2019 audit was not completed by March 31, 2020. The June 30, 2021 SEFA will include at least four (4) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the FAA with total grant awards of $13.3 million. Within the bid/quote, Ravalli County requires the audit fee to be shown by each fiscal year. A breakdown of the audit fee for each year needs to be as follows: Audit fee, Single audit preparation, and financial statement preparation. The Finance Department plans on preparing the financial statements as they have done for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, audit, but they will need the flexibility for the selected auditing firm to prepare them if other critical items take precedence (i.e. CARES Act reimbursements, FAA grant reporting, etc.). Interested firms must submit their bids/quotes in a sealed envelope by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2020, to: Regina Plettenberg, Clerk & Recorder 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C (2nd floor) Hamilton, MT 59840 The bid/quotes will be opened by the Commissioners on Friday, November 13, 2020 at 9:30 a.m., and the bid/quote will be awarded on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ conference room at 215 S. 4th Street (3rd floor), Hamilton, MT. If you have questions about the process for bid/quotes, please contact Chris Taggart, Administrative Assistant
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
to the Commissioners at 375-6500 or ctaggart@rc.mt.gov. If you have any questions regarding the audit, please contact Klarryse Murphy, CFO, at 3756524 or kmurphy@rc.mt.gov. BS 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP
BID REQUEST This is a request for a bid to remove 26 trees and trim 4 trees in Corvallis Estates Park along Martin Driver. The trees to be removed are leaning over Martin Drive and are a threat to the road and to the Northwest Energy power line along the west edge of the road. The trees for removal are marked with an orange stripe and those for trimming with a white stripe. Some of the trees for removal will need to be removed in pieces from the top to avoid hitting the power line. All cut portions of the trees will be removed from the site. The stumps will be left in place. There are two residences and a shop along Martin Drive. The contact point for the two residences and the shop is Mr. Dan Cassens 369-0046. The project will need to provide periodic safe Ingres and egress for road users. Please submit your bid for this work by November 9, 2020, at 4:00 PM to Ravalli County Park Board c/o Chris Taggart, 215 S. 4th Street Suite A, Hamilton, MT 59840 (3rd Floor) Contact Bob Cron AT 375-2364 for questions. BS 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP LEGAL NOTICE Christine New, Notice is now given, that pursuant to the provisions of MC 70-6-601, et seq, and the contract you signed, the contents of your storage unit is now subject to any operators lien. Unless the accruing balance is paid in full, before 12 noon, November 6, 2020, the contents of the storage units will be removed and sold at Custom RV & Mini Storage, 381 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton MT 59840, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2020. BS 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP
PUBLIC NOTICE BitterRoot Bus and MR TMA of Missoula is applying for our annual 5311 grant from the Montana Department of Transportation. Due to recently enacted federal legislation, BitterRoot Bus is required to develop a community Transportation Coordination Plan. BitterRoot Bus and MR TMA is required to hold public hearings in order to give all citizens the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed plan. Public hearings are set up November 16, 2020 at 310 Old Corvallis Rd. Conference Room from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Proposed plans are available for review at: BitterRoot Bus 310 Old Corvallis Rd. Hamilton, MT 363-7484 Ask For: Sharna MRTMA 2820 South Higgins Missoula, MT 327-8707 Ask For: Lyn Any questions call either of the above phone numbers. BS 10-28, 11-4-20. MNAXLP
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Bitterroot Star -- Page 13
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For consignment and pick-information please call: Wally Webber at 406-360-3218
Regular Sales are every Tuesday & Special Feeder Sales are Friday www.montanalivestockauction.com
Martin Kukich, Broker MT/lD GRI, ABR, CNHS, PSA, SFR
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STEVE BULLOCK STANDS WITH THE RADICAL LIBERALS IN DC STAND AGAINST SENDING BULLOCK TO D.C. TheRealSteveBullock.com PAID FOR BY NRSC. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATES COMMITTEE. NRSC.ORG
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Document: 0000188402.eps;Page: 1;Format:(91.85 x 76.20 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Apr 05, 2010 10:24:44;GF Tribune PROOF (406)791-1444
record is available at Professional Consultants, Inc., 170 S. 2nd Street, Suite C, Hamilton, MT 59840 and will also be available at the public meeting. Ravalli County Road and Bridge Department 406-363-2733. BS 10-21, 10-28-20. MNAXLP
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 14-- Bitterroot Star
Fire hall continued
then just barely fit. Compounding the situation is the cost of doing the kind of repairs it already needs as well as any sort of improvements. Another reason to leave the old fire hall behind, he said, is the question of engine exhaust fumes and the lack of ventilation. Mohn said that the National Fire Fighters Association has recognized that firefighters suffer a high incidence rate for contracting lung cancer. He said while there is some risk of exposure to smoke and toxins while fighting fires that there is also documented evidence that over exposure to diesel fumes from the vehicles was also a major factor. Mayor Farrenkopf said that it made more financial sense to build a new fire hall on property already owned by the city. He said that anyone who has any doubts about the real need for such a move just needs to visit the current fire hall. He called it painfully obvious. He also said that asking volunteers who risk their lives at times for the sake of the community to work in such cramped conditions was not good for morale among volunteers. “I think these people who are dedicated to providing this kind of essential service to the community should be treated well,” said Farrenfopf. “They should have a totally functional, clean, modern,
Health dept. issues COVID-19 reminders
and safe working environment.” According to Farrenkopf, the cost of the proposed facility would come close to the $3 million mark. So a lot of thought has been put into funding it. He said that he put together a list of six funding options that some or all may come into play. His plan is to pursue the first five options before trying the sixth, which would be a public bond and higher taxes. First off, he said, he would be looking for a potential “naming donor.” If someone wanted to donate a very significant amount to the project, the new fire hall could be named after them. Secondly, the City Council could consider using money in the Capital Improvements fund for the project. Farrenkopf said he would also be looking for some significant grant opportunities as well as seeking out local donations. In addition, there is the option of taking out a low interest Intercap loan from the state. “If we can put all this together and it’s still short of what we need, only then will we go to the voters and seek a bond,” said Farrenkopf. Farrenkopf said that he believed they had a good design and a good plan for financing and were ready to let the public wade in and help shape the project as it moves forward. Designs for the new fire hall can be viewed on the city’s web site cityofhamilton.net
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS AND TERMS TO KNOW FOR COVID-19
Isolation: Separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Quarantine: Separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. - Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease. Close contact: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period *starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. You are also considered a close contact if you: - Provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19 - Had direct physical contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 (hugged or kissed them) - Shared eating or drinking utensils with someone who is sick with COVID-19 - They sneezed, coughed, or
NOTICE OF VOTING SYSTEM EXHIBITION, DIAGRAM OF BALLOT, VOTING INSTRUCTIONS, BALLOT PREPARATION, BALLOT COUNTING, AND BALLOT PLACE OF DEPOSIT
Notice is hereby given that the Federal General Election held on November 3, 2020, is being conducted solely by mail ballot. Polling places will not be open. Ballots were mailed on October 9, 2020 to active electors only. If you did not receive your ballot, contact the Election Office at 375-6550. Notice is also hereby given pursuant to law that a recall election will be held on November 3, 2020, for the purpose of voting upon the recall of Brandon E. Dewey who holds the office of Town of Stevensville Mayor. Only voters in Precinct 20 (Town of Stevensville) will vote on this issue.
VOTING SYSTEM EXHIBITION/PUBLIC TEST
A public test of the DS850 high-speed vote tabulator and the ExpressVote ballot marking system will be conducted at 10 AM on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, in the basement of the Ravalli County Courthouse (205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, Montana). Upon request, the ExpressVote will be demonstrated to any inquiring elector.
A sample diagram of the ballot layout and instructions on voting the ballot is provided below.
Sample County
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS
1. TO VOTE, COMPLETELY FILL IN ( ) THE OVAL USING A BLUE OR BLACK PEN.
2. To write in a name, completely fill in the oval to the left of the line provided, and on the line provided print the name of the write-in candidate for whom you wish to vote.
3. DO NOT MAKE AN IDENTIFYING MARK, CROSS OUT, ERASE, OR USE CORRECTION FLUID. If you make a mistake or change your mind, exchange your ballot for a new one.
VOTE IN ALL COLUMNS (VOTE BOTH SIDES)
State of Montana
COUNTY (Continued) FOR SAMPLE OFFICE 1 (VOTE FOR ONE)
GEORGE WASHINGTON
____________
JOHN ADAMS
Election Date
What is the point of wearing a mask, and other Public Health recommendations? • Masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene practices, and limiting social interactions are all proven mitigation techniques intended to keep businesses open and keep the economy strong, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of viral transmission in every community. • Masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows masks reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth.
Letters continued
sees fit, and be there to help him if and when he needs it. Exactly the way I want him to treat me—as a responsible, mature, person able to make my own decisions. Otherwise, as Stevie Ray Vaughn put it in his hit song, Crossfire, “Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? We got stranded, caught in the crossfire.” Yes, caught in the crossfire. Perhaps we should approach this from a new direction—that of liberty, freedom, and love for humanity instead of power, popularity, and love of money? Roger Mitchell Stevensville
Dude!
The ExpressVote is a ballot-marking device that is available at the Election Office for anyone to use. Its main purpose is to assist voters with disabilities and other special needs in marking their ballot privately and independently.
somehow got respiratory droplets on you
COUNTY (Continued) FOR SAMPLE OFFICE 3 (VOTE FOR ONE) JAMES BUCHANAN ABRAHAM LINCOLN
____________
FOR SAMPLE OFFICE 2 (VOTE FOR ONE)
Do you stop at stop signs and stop lights? What are they for? Yes, to protect you and the people around you. How is that any different from wearing a mask to do the same thing? Mary Fahnestock-Thomas Hamilton
Williams will represent Montana
Despite the outrageous lies her opponent and his supporters tell in their ads, Kathleen Williams
COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another. • Due to the fact that COVID-19 can be spread by people who have no symptoms and do not feel sick, it is very important that individuals take the basic precautions to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus to others. • CDC currently estimates that 40-45% of new cases are contracted from people with no symptoms.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DEVELOP NEW SYMPTOMS SHOULD ASSUME THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID SPREADING THE VIRUS. If you develop new symptoms: • The best way to protect the people around you is to self-isolate for a period of 10 days and contact your provider.
Fort Owen State Park closed for site planning and improvements Fort Owen State Park near Stevensville is temporarily closed while planning for site improvements and construction takes place. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is working through the final steps for acquiring just under one acre of land adjacent to the state park. This addition will provide improved public access, parking to accommodate individuals and larger groups, and clearer separation of park property from neighboring private lands. During the park closure, FWP will first conduct an inven-
has an unimpeachable record of service to Montana and its citizens. Williams has worked for decades with Montana farmers, ranchers and landowners on land and water conservation issues. They know her in rural Montana and support her efforts to make ours a better state. She spent six years representing Bozeman in the Montana House, working tirelessly across party lines to improve the lot of all Montanans. Her efforts were instrumental in passing numerous acts protecting and benefiting
MARTIN VAN BUREN ANDREW JACKSON
WILLIAM H. HARRISON JOHN TYLER
____________
Go to “My Voter Page” at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo for voting information. You can use this service to check: • If you are registered to vote • Your voter registration address • Your polling place location and directions (Note: polls will not be open for this election) • The status of your mailed ballot (if you are on the absentee list) • A sample ballot (what your actual ballot will look like)
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PREPARATION, RECONCILIATION AND COUNTING OF BALLOTS
Early preparation and reconciliation of ballots will be held on October 29 and October 30, 2020, at approximately 10 AM, in the basement of the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton. Beginning at approximately 10 AM on November 2 and on Election Day, November 3, 2020, ballots will be opened, reconciled, and counted by a counting center board in the basement of the Ravalli County Courthouse, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton. No results will be released until after the polls close at 8 PM on Election Day.
Public is welcome to observe on any of the above dates (October 29-30, November 2-3); however due to COVID19 and social distancing recommendations, we will limit the number of observers. Montana law requires that any person participating or observing the procedures of the count is required to take an oath that they will not discuss the results of the early counting of votes at any time prior to the closing of the polls on Election Day. A person who knowingly violates this law shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed two years and/or be fined an amount not less than $100,000 and not more than $500,000. BALLOT PLACE OF DEPOSIT
If returning ballot in person, voters can deposit their ballot at one of the following drop sites: Before Election Day • Ravalli County Election Office, 215 S 4th Street (1st floor, north entrance); Hamilton, MT (8 AM to 5 PM, M-F)
Election Day Only • Ravalli County Election Office, 215 S 4th Street (1st floor, north entrance), Hamilton, MT (7 AM to 8 PM) • Darby Community Clubhouse, 206 N Main Street, Darby, MT (7AM to 8 PM) • Florence Rural Fire Station No. 1, 234 Holloway, Florence, MT (7AM to 8 PM) • Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, MT (7 AM to 8 PM) • Whitesitt Funeral Home, 314 Church Street, Stevensville, MT (7 AM to 8 PM) Dated this 14th day of October, 2020 Regina Plettenberg Ravalli County Election Administrator 215 South 4th Street, Suite C Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-6550
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Display Ad Publish: October 21 & 28, 2020
• Not everyone will need to be tested; some people will have minor symptoms and recover during isolation. - Isolation means no contact with anyone. - COVID-19 is highly contagious; based on the current estimated R-naught value of this virus, without isolation protocol, the average infected person will spread the virus to a minimum of two other people. - This rate of spread leads to exponential growth if strict controls are not maintained. - If people are not following strict isolation protocol after testing positive, the virus can quickly spread to their family, other members of their household, and the greater community. • Community members who do not have symptoms should also assume they have been exposed to COVID-19 via community spread and be consistent about covering their nose and mouth with a mask to reduce the likelihood of transmission to others.
Celia Grohmann, Broker 406-550-1014 http://on93.com
tory of cultural resources that will inform the design of a new parking area and other improvements. When this work and planning is complete, the draft development proposal will be available for public review. The park will remain closed until construction is complete, likely sometime in the summer of 2021. FWP appreciates the public’s understanding and tolerance for this temporary closure. For questions and updates, contact Park Manager, Maci MacPherson at 406-2734253.
Montana small businesses and corporations that serve the public good. As vice chair of the Water Policy Interim Committee and member of the CSKT Water Commission, Williams’ efforts to educate the Legislature and public about the compact were pivotal to its passage. Williams has a proven record in the Legislature advocating for access to medical care in Montana and will pursue improved access nationwide. Kathleen Williams has an absolutely transparent record of advancing public policy to benefit all Montanans, regardless of political beliefs. It is for these well-documented accomplishments and her ability to work with all stakeholders that we strongly support her for our next Representative in Congress. John and Carolyn Snively Missoula
Legalize recreational marijuana
This November, Montanans will be able to vote on the initiatives I-190 and CI-118 to legalize recreational marijuana. I-190 details the legalization, regulation, and taxation while CI-118 sets the legal minimum age for purchase and consumption at 21. Even if you don’t partake in using recreational marijuana, doing your part to pass these initiatives would provide Montanans with the services they deserve, at no expense of your own. The 20% tax on all purchases of recreational marijuana would provide around $47.2 million dollars of tax revenue a year, with over $23.3 million going to land conservation efforts. The other $23.9 million is allocated for veterans’ services, local governments, substance abuse services, and senior and disability services. As the former Director of the UM Women’s Resource Center, I am able to see how voting yes on both measures would be immensely beneficial to our Treasure State and protect our most vulnerable Montanans. Jennifer Stoneking Missoula
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Bitterroot Star -- Page 15
Town Pump fundraiser helping food banks serve in crisis
With demand for food bank services surging in Montana during the pandemic, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is matching $750,000 in contributions during its 19th annual fundraising campaign for food banks across Montana, including Haven House in Hamilton, Stevensville Pantry Partners and Darby Bread Box. A record-setting 93 food banks are participating in the statewide “Be A Friend in Deed, Helping Those in Need” campaign
this year. The campaign has raised over $36 million for Montana food banks in 18 years, including about $7 million in matching grants from the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. Organizers of the campaign, which runs through Nov. 30, hope to raise $4 million for the food banks this year. Locally, the Foundation is matching up to $10,000 for Haven House and $3,000 each for Stevensville Pantry Partners and Darby Bread Box.
The money is frequently used to purchase perishable food items such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. Also, the funds are becoming more crucial in helping many food bank organizations simply stay open through payment of rent, utilities, and space for storage, refrigeration and freezing. “As always, Town Pump’s annual funds pledged to our pantry are essential for us to keep our shelves well-stocked for the monthly food boxes we distribute
to our needy families in Hamilton and Corvallis,” said Judy Williams of Haven House. “We are grateful for your generous support.” Mary Lockwood of the Darby Bread Box said, “We would like to thank Town Pump for the continued support that they have given us. The matching funds that we receive enable us to provide a complete meal for our clients at Thanksgiving and Christmas.” “We usually have about 120
clients that come in for a holiday box,” she said. “The good work of Montana’s local food banks is especially vital in the ongoing pandemic,” said Bill McGladdery, of the Town Pump Charitable Foundation. “Please join Town Pump and our dedicated food bank partners in making a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors by donating today at our businesses or directly to the food banks.”
Donations for Haven House can be made at local Town Pumps, Lucky Lil’s, Magic Diamonds, the Quality Inn and directly to the food bank at P.O. Box 1343, Hamilton MT 59840. Stevensville Pantry Partners is accepting donations at Lucky Lil’s, the Florence Town Pump and by mail at P.O. Box 806, Stevensville MT 59870. Donations to the Darby Bread Box can be sent to P.O. Box 189, Darby MT 59829.
Have a Safe & fun Halloween!
• Only Trick-or-Treat at homes that are well-lit, and never enter a stranger’s home. • Review pedestrian safety rules with your children, including looking both ways before crossing the street, and not crossing between parked cars. Children should walk on sidewalks and not on the street. • Parents and children should carry flashlights and have their clothes and costumes trimmed with reflective tape. The Trick-or-Treat route you choose should be well-lit and well populated. • When it comes to candy, your children may want to dig in immediately. It is important that you instruct them to not eat any candy until they are home and you have thoroughly inspected it. Any homemade snacks should be thrown away. • Consider using face paint instead of a toy mask that could impair vision. If your child’s costume does include a mask, be sure it has large holes for the eyes. Any accessories, including knives and swords, should be made from cardboard or other flexible materials. Sharp toys can present dangers, including injuring your child if he or she trips and falls on it. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween. • Try to maintain social distancing measures while out trick-or-treating, if possible it is strongly encouraged to wear a mask to lessen exposure. • Have your kids wash their hands once home with soap and water.
ing for a new member a new member of the family? family?
Callfor 363-5311 Looking a new member Call 363-5311 or visit our of the family? or visitOpen our Daily For website atDay From Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner Have a Happy Call 363-5311 website at 500 1stTurkey Street Everyone at the Coffee Cup! www.montanapets.org ywww.montanapets.org Hamilton or visit our from these local businesses:
ee all the wonderful animals waiting website atHwy 93 363-3822 nderful animals waiting 3946 U.S. for someone special like you! Stevensville special like you!
213 W Main Street Hamilton • 375-5155
www.montanapets.org
777-2822 oot Humane Dizzy Association would like to thank:
S. like First, Hamilton ociation500 would to thank:
• 363-3822
Come see all the wonderful animals waiting for someone special like you! Ravalli Electric
320 4th Ave PO Box 333 Victor, MT 59875
Co-op
Hannah Whitney
998 North 1st Street (406) 642-6800 Hamilton Hannah Whitney
363-4050 (406) 642-6800
Ravalli Electric
777-0903
1208 US HWY 93 Victor 961-4780
Funeral Home
314 Church Street
Stevensville
777-5711 Proud to Support Bill & Helen Kropp 39 Stevensville River Rd Armed Forces Day, Serving the Bitterroot Stevensville 777-7300 GRADS Since 1902 OUR HATS OFF TO YOU! May 20th-2017!
Great Co-op Job to All 4H & FFA Participants! 3682 Eastside Hwy Stevensville 777-3844
3905 Hwy 93 N Stevensville Junction
301 Main Street StevenSville, Mt
Whitesitt
Bitter Root Humane Association would like to thank:
ve PO Box 333Hannah Whitney (406) 642-6800 T 59875
510 South 1st Street Hamilton 363-3751
777-5591
143 Bell Crossing W . Victor
Great Job- to All 4H 961 3001 & FFA Participants!
1600 N 1st St Hamilton 363-1922
1600 N 1st Street Hamilton
363-1922
BRIAN POTTON 221 Main St, Stevensville
777-3626
3804 Eastside Hwy Stevensville 777-5002
1010 W Main Street Hamilton
500 North 1st St Hamilton
3912 US-93 @ The Wye Stevensville
363-2995
363-2010
(406) 777-1179
750,000
TOWN PUMP CHARITABLE FOUNDATION IS MATCHING 961-3001 143 Bell Crossing W . Victor
$
FOR FOOD BANKS ACROSS MONTANA
Donate at any Town Pump store, hotel, or casino, or at your local food bank. Your Donation will be matched Dollar for Dollar!
TownPumpFoundation.com/food
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 16-- Bitterroot Star
UNITING, NOT DIVIDING
H H H
As your senator, I will advocate for:
H H
H H
E! T VO
Strengthening your access to health care.
Public
education and workforce training
H
Protecting
our public lands and addressing the need to reduce the risk from wildfires
H H
Investing
in infrastructure to attract clean industries to the Bitterroot
H H H H H H H H H
ELECT
H H H H
MARGARETGORSKIFORSD44.COM
H
email: Laura@MerrillforMontana.com Paid for by Democrat Laura Merrill for HD87 - PO Box 718, Stevensville, MT 59870 Nancy Neal, Treasurer
Paid for by Margaret Gorski for SD 44 H Democrat PO Box 994 H Stevensville, MT 59870
H H
Yo u r One Sto p Pa rty Shop
Lots of New Stuff
- GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE EARLY! Games • To Arts • C ys rafts and Mo re!
State Liquor Store & More • Mon - Sat 9am - 8pm
Stop in & Get Ready for
HALLOWEEN!
Liquor • Beer • Craft Beer • Cigars • Mixers Ice • Gifts Ideas • E-Cigs & Flavors 501 S.1st Street Hamilton (406) 363-3751
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Bitterroot Star -- Page 17
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Source MRMLS: “Property types, Residential, Land, Commercial, Multi-Family, Agricultural, Business Opportunity, Misc Property: County of Ravalli” © “2020” BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 18-- Bitterroot Star
Cancer
Celebrate resiliency during October
continued
“I recommend monthly skin checks at home to look for spots that are new, changing, or unusual,” said Dr. Covington. Covington recommends following the instructions of the American Academy of Dermatology on how to perform a skin selfexam and making an appointment with a dermatologist to have any suspicious lesions evaluated.
____________________
ALL DONATIONS TO THE COLORS OF CANCER FUND WILL BE MATCHED UNTIL OCT. 31
How to perform a skin selfexam • Examine your body in a full-length mirror • Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised. • Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms • Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, underarms, and palms. • Look at your legs, between toes, and soles of your feet • Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet. • Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp • Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look. • Use a hand mirror to check your back and buttocks • Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.
Double your impact ! DONATE TODAY
www.MDMH.org/GIVE or by check
Daly Hospital Foundation 1200 Westwood Drive Hamilton, MT 59840 Thanks to our 2020 campaign sponsor ...
Crossword Solution
MDMH.org/colorsofcancer All proceeds will support cancer services and patient assistance at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital
© Feature Exchange
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Mountain views close to the river Showroom/shop 2812 sq.ft 2 bed, 2 bath 1248sq.ft remodeled home Plenty of parking and separate drive through garage/storage area • Hwy 93 access
406-531-0783
406-360-5728 Max@EXITrealtybv.com
• • • •
www.EXITMT.com | 406-375-9251
LIKE NEW! STEVENSVILLE / $449,900
Close to Hamilton amenities Air conditioning Vaulted ceilings Just under ½ an acre Mature landscaping
STEVENSVILLE / $225,000
• • • • •
99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor | Hamilton, MT, 59840
VERY UNIQUE HOME
ONE OF A KIND COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL HAMILTON / $375,000
HAMILTON / $369,000
ONE LEVEL LIVING
EXIT REALTY BITTERROOT VALLEY
406-546-0493 Aly@EXITrealtybv.com
ALY LESTER, REALTOR
®
• • • • •
4 beds, 2 baths Custom built 2,560 sq. ft. Central valley location with views Spacious living atmosphere 19.24 fenced acres
406-369-5737 Jeff@EXITrealtybv.com
JEFF ALEXANDER, REALTOR
®
It’s a
Sellers Market. Contact us today to find out what your home is worth! LOCAL EXPERTISE. HIGHLY TRAINED. PROFESSIONAL.
406-360-9799
SueJustus@EXITrealtybv.com
SUE JUSTUS, BROKER
3 bed/2 bath one level Newly revamped 19.48 acres 360 views
406-360-9108
CraigSiphers@EXITrealtybv.com
CRAIG SIPHERS, BROKER
• • • • •
28.47 acres, 3 separate deeds One septic approval Underground main line 2 separate water rights Irrigation pump, great views
406-369-5737 Jeff@EXITrealtybv.com
JEFF ALEXANDER, REALTOR
®
FOR RENT
Office Space FOR RENT • • • • •
Potential living quarters, store front 2 bed, 1 bath, kitchen Hwy 93 frontage, easy access Extra large shop .9 acre with 6’ fencing
406-531-0783 Kim@EXITrealtybv.com
KIM LENDMAN, BROKER
FOR RENT
• • • •
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS! STEVENSVILLE / $399,999
Rustic Montana saloon Great views, Bitterroot Mountains Gaming & full liquor license All furniture & equipment included
PRODUCTIVE HAY GROUND CORVALLIS / $424,000
• • • •
HORSE FRIENDLY STUNNER CORVALLIS / $839,000
VICTOR / $275,000
OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY
l snl
Stevensville Hamilton
l Includes Utilities s Includes Receptionist n Includes Conference Room
406-360-5728 Max@EXITrealtybv.com
G.R.I., I.P.E. I.P.E. MAX COLEMAN,G.R.I., BROKER/OWNER BROKER/OWNER
HAMILTON•STEVENSVILLE•DARBY•LOLO•LAUREL•POLSON•MISSOULA•WEST MISSOULA•HELENA•GREAT FALLS
Charges continued
patch received a phone call from Vadnais saying that his mother was fine, but that she was not with him. Thayer told the police that her brother “was not happy with Ms. Nutt being at Discovery Care Centre and that he had told her on numerous occasions that he was going to take Ms. Nutt to Utah, where he resides.” Based on information that her son could potentially be in the area, the investigating officer made contact with him. But Vadnais continued to refuse to give any information about his mother’s whereabouts. “Defendant repeatedly said that he knew where she was, but would not tell officers,” it states in the documents. “Defendant also tried to present a handwritten piece of paper, dated September 22, 2020, that stated, ‘I Carol Nutt, do hereby revoke Cindy Thayer from having medical power of attorney that I signed on the 20th day of February, 2020’.” Vadnais is reported to have said that he had met with his mother and had her sign that piece of paper earlier the same day, but still refused to give the address or say where Nutt could be located. The documents state simply that “Ms. Nutt was later found at the emergency room of a Missoula hospital, accompanied by the defendant’s wife.” The charges of accountability to kidnapping and accountability to custodial interference against Vadnais were filed on October 13, alleging that he “purposely or knowingly, either before or during the commission of an offense, with the purpose to promote or facilitate the commission, aided, abetted, agreed or attempted to aid another person in the planning or commission of the offense of custodial interference…” Vadnais doesn’t believe his mother suffers from severe dementia. He said he couldn’t tell the police where his mother was on the day she “escaped” from the nursing home because she needed time to do the things that she wanted to do. One was to write a statement revoking her daughter’s power of attorney over her and filing it with the county clerk and recorder. The second was to prepare a statement designating Vadnais with power of attorney and filing notarized copies of the documents at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and with Dr. Heath. “She got all this done,” said Vadnais. Vadnais said that the night his mom escaped the nursing home his sister, Cindy Thayer, called him and told him that they were going to have him arrested for kidnapping. So he called the police and told them that his mom was OK but he couldn’t tell them where she was. Vadnais said that his mom’s actions in “breaking out” of the nursing home are just more evidence that she is not incompetent. He said he heard from someone at Adult Protective Services who had interviewed his mom that she got dressed and waited for just the right time, opened the locked door by entering the pass code that was posted above the door, then hid in the bushes and then called family for help. Vadnais said he was prohibited from communicating with his mother for two weeks following the incident. Since then he has been allowed to make phone calls from 9 to 5 on the week-days. He believes it is so that the calls can be monitored. Vadnais said that when he took his mom’s note conveying power of attorney to him to file in the appropriate places he discovered that there was no record of any power of attorney on file at the hospital, at the doctor’s office or at the county clerk and recorder’s office. He said using his power of attorney he was able to get access to his mother’s medical records, even though the nursing home had flagged the information as not available. He said he and others have reviewed those records and he does not believe there is any evidence of severe dementia or that she was even properly tested for it. Vadnais said that his mother
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 was getting along fine in her own apartment when there was a case of bed bugs in the building last February and some got into her apartment. He said his sister, Cindy Thayer, did not notify him but just stuck their mother in the nursing home, telling her that it was only temporary. Vadnais said that when he does talk to his mother on the phone now she says every time that she wants out of the nursing home and cries. He said the nursing home was using her dog as a tool for punishment for not being good and also took away her phone. “If she’s not good then she can’t see her dog. If she’s not good she can’t have her phone. They are treating her like an 8-year-old, not like an 81-year-old,” he said. Vadnais said that they have gotten Adult Services involved and they are investigating. “When they lock somebody up for getting bed bugs that’s ter-
rible,” said Vadnais. “They took all her rights away from her. It’s just a mess. If they are doing it to
her, are they doing it to anybody else?” Director of the Discovery
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Care Centre Rick Bucheit declined to comment on the case and suggested the Star contact the family.
Bitterroot Star -- Page 19
Cindy Thayer, who lives in Nevada, did not respond to a request for comment.
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Page 20-- Bitterroot Star
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