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’ ! l a c o L t a t s e B ‘The
Covering the Bitterroot Valley – “Where Montana Begins!”
Volume XXXV, Number 2
Established 1985 - Locally owned & independent
The Legacy Ranch legacy?
Books, books!
By Michael Howell
When the Ravalli County Commissioners approved the Watson Homes subdivision, a five-lot minor subdivision north of Stevensville, their answer to local and adjacent property owners who claimed they would be setting a bad precedent in the neighborhood of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge if they approved it, was sort of a ‘we told you so.’ Back in 2015, Bitterrooters for Planning was successful in its lawsuit against the board of commissioners over its approval of the 639-home Legacy Ranch subdivision located immediately across the Eastside Highway from the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. The Legacy Ranch property was already primarily
The North Valley Public Library recently purchased 75 new children’s books with a donation from Rocky Mountain Bank combined with a matching grant from the Pilcrow Foundation. Pictured from left to right are Kiley J., Dominic Paxinos from Rocky Mountain Bank, Meredith J., and NVPL Youth Services Director Annika Riley.
Library receives Pilcrow grant The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville recently added 75 new books for children to its growing selection of books for young readers thanks to a $1,200 grant from the Pilcrow Foundation which was awarded to the North Valley Public Library Foundation. The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project. The grant match in this case was provided by Rocky Mountain Bank. With $400 from the bank combined with an $800 matching grant from the foundation, the library staff was able to purchase 75 new books for its children’s collection. The books were chosen from a list of 500 available books which includes award-winning and starreviewed titles from educational and literary organizations. According to NVPL Youth Services Director Annika Riley, 78% of the books chosen are aimed at early and beginning readers while 22% are geared toward middle and intermediate readers.
Stevi councilor Holcomb to appoint three new councilors At a regularly scheduled Stevensville Town Council meeting on July 25, the lone remaining council member Robin Holcomb made a motion to the effect that she would accept applications for council seats, two in Ward 2 and one in Ward 1, through August 2, hold interviews on August 5, and make the three appointments on August 8. Holcomb seconded her own motion and then approved it “unanimously,” as noted by Mayor Dewey. Holcomb was left as the
subdivided into undeveloped 10-acre orchard tracts called Sunnyside Orchards, several of which tracts were sold since the subdivision approval was revoked by the District Court. The Watson Home subdivision is one of those 10-acre tracts. The commissioners did receive a couple of letters and comments in protest of the proposal, mostly from adjoining or neighboring property owners who also purchased 10-acrre tracts. Neighboring property owner Janet Smallwood stated, “I believe you are aware that many people protested the original subdivision of hundreds of lots and that it was deemed unfeasible by a Montana Court. I partly based my decision to buy and build here on that court’s decision. Many people who
also have lots here bought the lots and plan on building their dream homes and using the land for their families and animals. “If you grant the proposal from Watson Homes to divide up their lot into 5 lots, a precedent would then be in place for everyone else to try to divide their lots and then, potentially, there would be hundreds of houses in this subdivision resulting in a situation that was dismissed earlier….. It is vital that we consider the ramifications of such an important decision. It is not just about someone making money and building houses. It is about resources, ecological preservation and rational planning for the future of this valley,” stated Smallwood. She
the Federal Aviation Administration, if approved, would require no matching funds. The commissioners also approved payment of $24,957.75 to Peccia and Associates for its work on the land acquisition to date, including the cost of the land survey. The commissioners also approved an unbudgeted expenditure of $3,713.50 for unex-
pected repairs to portions of the existing taxiway, all part of a $1,595,209.72 taxiway improvement project. A pay request of $13,215.55 for the final report on the taxiway improvement project was approved. Payment of an invoice to Montana Civil Aeronautics for $73,435.81 for completed work items was also approved.
See LEGACY, page 3
Commissioners apply for airport land acquisition grant By Michael Howell
The Ravalli County Commissioners made several decisions concerning the improvements at the Ravalli County Airport. First, they approved a grant application for the acquisition of adjacent property owned by the Mildenbergers, for $3,167,900. Commission Chair Jeff Burrows noted that the grant request to
Guisinger named American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Christmas in July - Annika Riley, Youth Services Director at North Valley Public Library, has fun opening boxes of new children’s books funded by the Pilcrow Foundation and Rocky Mountain Bank.
By Michael Howell
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
only council member following letters of resignation from Bob Michalson and Jim Crews on July 16 and from Stacie Barker on July 22. All the resignations were effective immediately and included a generalized claim of “criminal activity” by the town administration. Prior to considering the appointment of new council members, Holcomb declined to approve the town’s regular claims. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for just me to be voting on something to do with money, so I will not be voting on these
claims,” stated Holcomb. Mayor Brandon Dewey put newly appointed Town Attorney Scott Owens on speaker phone, and he advised Holcomb to move forward with the bi-weekly claims. He said he understood her concerns, but that she could bring it all up again when she had a full council and deal with it again, if there were issues. Mayor Dewey said that in the alternative he could make the administrative decision to pay them and then bring it to the full See STEVI, page 3
Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jered Guisinger recently received the Montana American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. The commendation was presented at the American Legion State Conference held in Polson. “I could not be prouder of Jered, and no one deserves the award more than he does,” said Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton. “Sgt. Guisinger is a great example of what law enforcement is, and he is an incredible asset to my office and our community.” A Navy veteran, Guisinger started working for the county as a Recruit Reserve Deputy in January 2005. According to Holton, he recognized Guisinger’s potential to be an outstanding law enforcement officer and he was hired almost immediately to work full-time. Since that time, he has served as Corporal and Field Training Officer, Deputy Coroner, Search and Rescue Coordinator, Special Response Team Operator, Domestic Violence Investigation Instructor and Taser/OC/Use of Force Instructor. Holton said that he chose to nominate Guisinger for a number of reasons. “He is thoughtful and deliberate in his decision making and open minded. His work ethic is outstanding, and Jered gives 110% effort in all his duties,” said Holton. “He is very thorough in his investigations and just as thorough in training his people and making sure they have the resources they need to perform their duties.” Holton said that safety is the number one priority for his staff and for the community. “Jered
understands this and always puts safety first when planning operations and supervising his staff,” he said. “His level headed and compassionate approach to calls for service and individual people are invaluable to me.” Holton said that Guisinger is always willing to attend individual training opportunities and to pro-
vide training to deputies, reserve deputies, Search and Rescue, volunteers and RSCO staff. “He invariably goes the extra mile in effort without being asked,” said Holton. Guisinger obtained a college degree while working shifts full See GUISINGER, page 3
Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jered Guisinger, right, was chosen as the Montana American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Sgt. Guisinger is pictured with Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton who nominated him for the award. The award presentation was made at the recent American Legion State Conference in Polson.