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Volume XXXVI, Number 6

www.bitterrootstar.com

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

County considers establishing a polling place

By Michael Howell

Ravalli County Commissioner Jeff Burrows told the Bitterroot Star on Monday that the County Commissioners were considering establishing a single polling place at the Fairgrounds First Interstate Building for the upcoming November 3rd elections. The meeting to make the decision was scheduled to take place Tuesday morning. A public meeting on the issue was already held at the First Interstate Building last week to take public comment. According to Burrows, the public response at the meeting was overwhelmingly

in favor of having a chance to vote at the polls. He said as a result the commissioners began brainstorming possible ways to make polling places available. Establishing polling places across the valley, mostly in school district facilities, has been the traditional approach. But with the COVID-19 emergency measures in place, the traditional use of those facilities would necessarily be limited due to social distancing requirements and would also be difficult to arrange. The biggest problem, according to Burrows, was going to be getting enough experienced election judges to turn out.

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According to Burrows, those people are mostly older and in a vulnerable age range for COVID19. Election Administrator Regina Plettenberg said that she polled the volunteer group that serves as election judges. Out of 174 volunteers, she said, 80 said they would definitely be willing to serve, 60 said maybe, depending on how much the epidemic progresses or not, and 20 said definitely no. She said that it left her without enough experienced judges to have multiple polling places across the valley as usual, so she recommended to the commissioners if they were wanting to

go to the polls, it would probably mean consolidating polling places. Burrows said that it seemed like there were enough experienced and willing volunteers to staff at least one polling place. He said they brainstormed the options and it is likely that it will be established at the First Interstate Building at the Fairgrounds in Hamilton. Burrows said that they were still going to encourage people to use absentee ballots. He said with only one polling place it could mean long lines due to distancing and also a long wait. “We are trying to make a team effort of it with everybody,”

said Burrows. “We can’t do it without Regina and without the staff she provides, so we are trying to work out the difficulties at the polling place. It may be noticeably reduced since there is only one polling place, but the election should look similar to what we’ve seen in the past general elections.” Burrows said that he talked to some individuals and groups who had expressed concerns about being able to vote at the polls and it seems like they are OK with the solution. He called it a reasonable compromise considering all the difficulties involved. According to Plettenberg, if the First Interstate Building is

designated by the commissioners as a polling place, the entire parking lot could be used for parking and the building adjoining the Interstate building could be used as well. Plettenberg said that voters would receive a mailing to alert them to the location of the polling place and that mailing would include an application for an absentee ballot. She said they were encouraging people to get on the absentee list to reduce the lines and the waiting at the polling place and also give those who feel uncomfortable about attending a See ELECTION, page 3

Stevi adds public participation options to virtual meetings By Michael Howell

After coming under fire for excluding public comment at the Town’s meetings on the Zoom platform, Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey has announced that under the new operating procedures citizens will have a chance to participate in the town’s decisions prior to the making of any decision by phoning in. Guidance is provided on the town’s website about how to make public comment over the telephone.

The public may also make written comment by submitting a “Real-time Public Comment Form.” Each meeting agenda contains a link to the public comment form on the Town’s website for that specific meeting. Comments submitted through the form are automatically sent by email to the governing body of that meeting (Town Council or board members). Written comment may also be submitted by email. In the announcement it states that emails can be sent to publiccom-

ment@townofstevensville.com in advance of, or during, any meeting. Comments sent to this email address are forwarded to the appropriate governing body by the Town Clerk. Please note the meeting you are providing comment for in your email. The mayor’s announcement goes on to state that these electronic public comments submitted in writing through the options listed will be uploaded to the Town’s website daily.

See PUBLIC, page 3

Cinnabar Fire burning east of Stevi at 90 acres on Monday

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C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site one step closer

By Michael Howell

The Ravalli County Commissioners put one of the final pieces of the puzzle in place last week when they approved the use of Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program funding for the acquisition of approximately 97 acres of private land along the West Fork of the Bitterroot River for creation of the C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site (FAS). The property, originally owned by the White, Dickman and Stomberg families, was eventually consolidated into one holding by the Stomberg family as they slowly moved towards potential public ownership of the property, a long standing dream of young C. Ben White, grandson of W.W. White for whom the smaller, leased 1.5 acre FAS was dedicated. Ben White died at the age of 24 in a motorcycle accident before his dream could be realized, but his mother, Marty Stomberg, persevered and has finally brought the dream to realization. The Stomberg family received multiple offers from private buyers but opted to give FWP the opportunity to acquire the land instead, because they wanted to see the land protected and open to the public. It will expand the smaller, existing 1.5-acre FAS currently leased by FWP as the W.W. White Memorial FAS and

permanently protect public access, recreation and wildlife values at the gateway of the West Fork of the Bitterroot River canyon. The C. Ben White Memorial FAS will be the only FWP-owned or operated FAS on the West Fork of the Bitterroot River and would complement an array of other boating and access sites owned

and operated by the USFS on the upstream portions of the West Fork. It would share approximately a half mile boundary with adjacent National Forest land, and would permanently protect access, recreation, and wildlife

See WHITE FAS, page 3

The Cinnabar Fire is a lightning-caused fire burning in the Carron Creek drainage within the Welcome Creek Wilderness on the Missoula Ranger District. The fire is located approximately 10 air miles east of Stevensville and 15 miles south of I-90 in the Rock Creek drainage. The fire was first reported burning on Wednesday, August 19 and by Sunday had grown to 30 acres. According to a Lolo National Forest Service report, a helicopter was actively conducting water bucket drops while 14 firefighters were on the scene assessing access points to develop a suppression strategy. Fire behavior was active with isolated trees burning. “The terrain is steep and the fire is burning in heavy downfall and beetle-killed timber

which presents many challenges to firefighters. At this time, the District is taking suppression action from the air with frequent water bucket drops as firefighters continue to assess the opportunity for access on the ground. There are no structures threatened at this time. A Type 4 Incident Commander has been assigned to this full-suppression incident. Crews are evaluating heli-spot locations and conducting reconnaissance on the fire to further develop a suppression strategy,” states the forest report. By Monday, however, the fire had tripled in size from 30 acres to 90 acres and 65 personnel were on the scene and the fire had been upgraded to a Type 3 incident. The helicopter remains in use and the firefighters are using indirect tactics to strengthen fire

lines to the west of the fire with the objective of keeping the fire east of the Bitterroot Divide in the Welcome Creek Wilderness area. Ground crews are taking indirect suppression actions along the Bitterroot Divide Road #2129 and the Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 north of Ambrose Saddle which will be used as key holding lines over the next few days. Firefighters will work indirectly along this road and trail to strengthen these areas by reducing fuels. These roads and trails are outside of the Wilderness boundary. A hose lay will also be put in place along parts of the Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 to further strengthen fire line in this area. A helicopter is available See CINNABAR, page 2

Cinnabar fire northeast of Stevensville in the Sapphire Mountains. Forest Service photo.

Page 2 -- Bitterroot Star

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Cinnabar

Map shows location of the Cinnabar fire.

continued

as needed for direct suppression of hotspots within the interior or perimeter of the fire. Fire behavior is expected to be active later in the afternoon, with the potential for smoke production. Several previous burned areas surround the fire which will

also be used as natural barriers to moderate fire spread. These include the Cooney Ridge Fire (2003) directly to the north of the fire; the Sawmill Fire (2007) to the east of the fire between the existing fire down to Rock Creek; and Harry’s Flat Fire (2013) to the southeast. Officials from the Ste-

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vensville Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest and the Missoula Ranger District are coordinating closely on this fire. Updates for this fire will be posted to Inciweb: https://inciweb. nwcg.gov/incident/7063/ and to the Lolo National Forest Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/lolonationalforest. Monday’s Cinnabar Fire Facts: • Location: Carron Creek drainage, Welcome Creek Wilderness, 10 miles east of Stevensville • Start Date: August 19 • Cause: Lightning strike • Acres: Approximately 90 • Vegetation: Burning in heavy, dead, down, and beetle-kill timber • Resources: 65 firefighters, including one hotshot crew; one Type 2 hand crew and miscellaneous overhead, one helicopter. • Weather: Today will be warm, dry and breezy with winds from the west, fire managers are also expecting higher relative humidity. Forest Service officials have said that most of the smoke in the valley is actually coming from the many fires in California.

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White FAS continued

values at the gateway of the West Fork canyon. Proposed developments include expanded day-use improvements, a small campground with one to three sites, river-bottom and upland parking areas, two vault latrines, and walking trails. The existing boatlaunch area would mostly remain the same with possible minor improvements. Fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching opportunities would increase as a result of the additional acreage. The FAS will also protect important floodplain habitat to benefit game and nongame species in perpetuity, including Montana Species of Concern. The property encompasses a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that provide resources for a wide range of fish and wildlife species. Approximately half a mile of the main stem of the West Fork flows through the property, with an additional half mile of side channels and 68 acres of associated riparian habitat. The riparian habitat includes 56 acres of mixed cottonwood and ponderosa pine riparian forest and 12 acres of willow thickets, gravel bars, and river channel. The property is located on the east side of West Fork Road. The upland portion of the property is located on the west side of West Fork Road and consists of approximately 19 acres of open, largediameter ponderosa pine forest connected to BNF lands. Fishing, hunting, and wildlife-viewing opportunities would increase as

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 a result of the additional acreage provided by the proposed FAS. The property will be managed under existing FWP publicuse regulations. Management of the FAS will include routine maintenance, control of motorized use and firearms, forestry management to reduce wildfire threat and remove hazard trees, weed control, and other accepted FWP recreation-area management policies. Protection of natural resources, the health and safety of visitors, and consideration of neighboring properties will all be incorporated into development plans for the site. Anticipated improvements to the FAS in the near-term would be installation of a latrine near the boat launch area, development of an upland access parking lot and trailhead, and installation of signage on-site and along West Fork Road. Future developments are likely to include a small campground (1-3 sites, including a latrine), a stock bridge and trails development on the upland portion of the property, a picnic area near the boat launch, and a small additional parking area north of the boat ramp and campground to accommodate hikers and walk-in anglers. FWP believes the proposed FAS will provide hunting opportunities for black bear, deer, elk, grouse, turkey, and waterfowl. The river-bottom portion of the property east of West Fork Road (approximately 78 acres) will be regulated as an archery-only hunting zone (for all legally huntable game species during all Fish and Wildlife Commission-approved hunting seasons. Archery-only hunting would be confined to

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those portions of the FAS property north of the campground area and west of the main river channel, and to the entire portion of the property on the east side of the main river channel. Shotguns may still be in use in the vicinity of the property because, under Montana’s Stream Access law,users are permitted to hunt waterfowl and upland game birds using shotguns when the hunter is below the highwater mark of the river and its flowing side channels. However, wit is expected that waterfowl hunting will be uncommon at this site, and upland game birds are generally not readily available for harvest below the high-water mark. Users will not be allowed to hunt waterfowl or upland game birds using shotguns from the FAS property (i.e., on FAS property above the normal high-water mark). No weapons restrictions will be placed on the upland portion of the FAS west of West Fork Road (approximately 19 acres), but signs would be posted regarding locations of roads, trails, and structures in the area to promote safe hunting practices. Signs would be installed at the trailhead/ parking area that explain hunting access rules and regulations as well as provide a map of the property, adjacent public and private

lands, and safety zones. FWP will install property-boundary signs along all boundaries that border private lands to minimize potential trespass issues and conflicts between hunters and neighbors. All trail use in the FAS, both upland and river-bottom units, will be non-motorized. The $1.1 million project took over a decade to ring to fruition with Gavin Ricklefs of the Bitterroot Land Trust spearheading the coordinated effort. The plan to pay for the acquisition involves several funding entities whose contributions were committed in advance. It includes $70,000 from FWP’s Fishing Access Site Program, $50,000 from the FWP Access Public Lands Program, a $420,000 contribution from the White, Dickman and Stomberg families, another, $100,000 from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, a committed $100,000 from other private donors. Now we can add another $250,000 to come from the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond. This leaves a final $800,000 which is expected to be acquired through additional private funding sources. The total acquisition costs are estimated at $1,070,000 dollars with an additional $100,000 for development of the site the total project cost comes to $1,170,000.

Public

ment are designed to ensure residents are afforded the opportunity to participate in, and observe, the affairs of their local government and have been reviewed by the City Attorney to ensure compliance with Montana’s open meeting laws and the public’s right to participate” and that “the Town relies on guidance from the Montana Attorney General and the Montana League of Cities and Towns in establishing procedures and methods for public participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

continued

Comments will then be uploaded to the corresponding meeting page on the town’s website and can be accessed by visiting www. townofstevensville.com/meetings and clicking “View Details” next to the meeting you wish to see the comments for. Comments provided in writing in advance of the meeting will be uploaded prior to the meeting. However, comments submitted in writing during the meeting will be uploaded immediately following the meeting and not used in the decision-making process. The mayor states that, “All methods of providing public com-

Election continued

large gathering of people during a pandemic an alternative. Plettenberg told the Bitterroot Star late Monday, however, that she had begun plotting out the details of holding such an event under the restrictions currently in place due to COVID-19 and does not, at this point, think that she can actually recommend establishing any polling place. “Having done this for 22 years,” said Plettenberg, “in my professional opinion, I will have to advise that we do a full mail-in ballot. With things the way they are, with everyone cancelling large group events and conventions being cancelled, with the Ravalli County Fair being cancelled, this is not the time to be having any

Bitterroot Star -- Page 3

large group of people come to any gathering.” She said that it sends the wrong message to people when Missoula County has already decided to use mail-in ballots and the local schools are all requiring masks, and all these other things are being canceled to suddenly sponsor a large event at the Fairgrounds. Plettenberg said it also doesn’t pencil out when you start calculating the space and the distances that must be maintained between people. She said at this point she did not think the idea of establishing any polling places or even a single one is a viable option and she was going to recommend that the Commissioners approve a full mail-in ballot. The meeting was set for Tuesday, August 25 at 8:30 a.m.

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Read it. No Water. No Subdivision. Dear Ms. Stoos, get ek and prior to that I am trying to we xt ne n tio ca va a for d ule ed I am sch my vacation. That said I joy en y ma I at th so ble ssi po as as much work done ide a letter to your office prior to ov pr to le ab be ll wi I at th e nte cannot guara an opinion on anything e giv to sed po dis t no am I y, all my departure. Addition water rights related. ter and the Town of Stevensville’s wa te, ica ind ds or rec r ou at wh te sta I will of Section 26, T09N, R20W, /2 E1 e th in e us of ce pla a e lud rights do not inc a Stevensville cannot legally provide of wn To e th ch su As ty. un Co in Ravalli of their current service area, de tsi ou is at th a are an to ly pp municipal water su /2 of Section 26, T09N, R20W. E1 e th d an 27 on cti Se of 1/2 W which is the the area proposed for de clu in t no es do , ea ar e vic ser This place of use, or quiring about. Additionally, in e ar u yo n sio ivi bd su es tat Es the Burnt Fork al do not include the place of use leg hts rig ter wa le’s vil ns ve Ste of the Town eekside Meadows, which I Cr of 1 ase Ph ing ist ex e th for land description l water supply system despite being ipa nic mu e th to ted ec nn co is d understan e and service area. outside of the Town’s place of us ter issues and limitations of their wa e th of are aw is le vil ns ve Ste of The Town wells that do not have t en em lac rep e th of e us nt rre cu rights, including the ange a water right number 76H ch to n tio ca pli ap ’s wn To e Th a water right. to well and expand the service area ese th d ad to ed itt bm su s wa 14 300704 wever unfortunately it was ho , 0W R2 , 9N T0 , 26 on cti Se of include the E1/2 e correct and complete threshold. th et me t no did ey th e us ca be terminated eive authorization from the rec d an ly pp rea to ed ne es do Ultimately the Town e the Montana Water Use Act for th th wi e nc lia mp co o int me co to t departmen tside of the current service ou as are to ter wa ly pp su to d an use of the new wells e department’s desire that the th is It . 26 on cti Se of /2 E1 e th area, such as and reapply, however, s ue iss ese th ess dr ad ily tar lun Town of Stevensville vo supplying water to any subbe t no ld ou sh ey th , do ey th as until such time ter the place of use listed on their wa in th wi d ate loc t no e ar at th s division rights. ponse to your inquiry. Please accept this email as my res Sincerely, Jim Nave Regional Manager

Email to: Lizzie Stoos, DM&L Law Offices, Missoula From: Jim Nave, Regional Water Bureau Manager, Montana DNRC, Missoula Date: Aug. 12, 2020

Until this water issue is resolved, the Town of Stevensville Planning & Zoning Board and Town Council meetings and hearings about this proposed subdivision should be terminated. Your Valley Neighbors have been sharing numerous issues that could jeopardize traffic safety, water, sewer and much more – to the detriment of the community. Let your voices be heard.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Page 4 -- Bitterroot Star

It's Not too Late to Remove Your Name from the Stevensville Recall Mayor Dewey Petition! Did you sign the petition under pressure or on impulse? Did you sign the petition and have since changed your mind about signing? Did you sign the petition by mistake or accident? Do you have a different opinion based on new information? Do you no longer support the cause of the petition? Are you now against the recall petition? Did you sign the petition and now regret signing it? Where you misled into signing the petition? Did you receive inaccurate or misleading information?

If you answered yes to any of these questions or have other reasons, you may wish to consider officially removing your name from the recall petition. Ms. Plettenberg, Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder, indicated that her office has forms that are available to remove your name from the recall petition. Your signature must be notarized, which is also available at the Clerk’s Office. You may print your own form at https://mtcares.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Request-for-Withdrawal-of-Petition-Signature-1. pdf?fbclid=IwAR3Cp8JInQUBOHfwn8qDskdf87_Cb9Opl2XkMwsvN7UWjmiC21BY1k0AGOs Paid for by Shey Joy

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Bitterroot Star -- Page 5

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Mill Creek Trail repairs completed County

COVID-19 update

The Bitterroot National Forest has rebuilt a section of the damaged Mill Creek Trail #364 on the Stevensville Ranger District. The work took place from August 17-25th. This spring, high water from runoff eroded sections of the streambank and trail. Near milepost 0.5, a section of the trail was washed out into the creek. Crews were able to construct a temporary bypass around the failure for hikers, but the trail had been impassable to horses. Repairs to the trail included building a 20 foot wide by 10 foot tall retaining wall, weighing approximately 96,000 lbs. The trail had been temporarily closed to the public during construction but is now fully open.

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As of 2 p.m. Monday, August 24, Ravalli County Public Health has received three new cases of COVID-19. Ravalli County currently has eight active cases of COVID-19. • One new active case is a child under the age of 15; this case is related to travel. • One new active case is a female in her thirties; this case is also related to travel. • Each of these travel related cases is independent of the other. • The final new case is a female under the age of 20 and is likely due to community spread. • One active case remains hospitalized. • Public Health nurses continue to release active cases from isolation once they recover from symptoms. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your provider. If you have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, Public Health recommends self-quarantine and to call Public Health at 375-6672 for further guidance.

Photo shows a major washout on the Mill Creek Trail caused by spring runoff. Crews have built a retaining wall to prevent this from happening in the future. Forest Service photo.

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Opinion

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Bitterroot Star Editorial Board Michael Howell Victoria Howell

Guest Comment

Thoughts on Jim Posewitz, conservation giant By Dale Burk, Stevensville

In coming to the task of writing a commentary about my late friend, the conservation giant Jim Posewitz, one’s thoughts are immediately hamstrung by the fact that in thinking about Jim Posewitz you can only deal in superlatives. He, indeed, was that sort of person. There was nothing mediocre or ordinary about him; whatever he did, it was done to the utmost level of insight, of knowledge, of conviction, and, yes, personal dedication and satisfaction plus a sense of being involved in a shared mission. And yet when you came to relate to him on a personal level, you never got the sense that he thought of himself in that same elevated manner even though any time he spoke on any issue you knew you were dealing with someone who was the consummate professional in every dimension of his being. In other words, what you saw was what you got. Jim Posewitz was the real thing! You never got from him anything other than the best that he could do, which, of course, was light years beyond what most of us could have accomplished. Now I must confess at the outset that over the years Jim and I played a game of forced politeness with each other in one regard: he, after all, came to Montana from Wisconsin originally not only to study at a college in Bozeman to become a fisheries biologist but also to play football for the MSU Bobcats. And he was good at it: All-American end and defensive linebacker on the Bobcat team that won the national football championship in his senior year! Wow, even as a UM Grizzly myself, I had to be impressed with that. And I remember very clearly the one word he used to describe the modus operandi, the elan, if you will, of that team: commitment to a goal, tenacity. It was a trait of positive commitment that Jim would demonstrate as a centerpiece to his own inner being all his life: tenacity. Commit to something and stick to it, even when it, on occasion, hurt to do so. Just be there! Get something done! Which brings me back to the notion of dealing in superlatives. Whatever he set out to do, Jim was motivated by an intense inner conviction that what he did mattered, that it was important, and that he would stick with whatever assignment was in front of him with – that word again – the tenacity to see things through whatever it took to get the right thing done. And examples from his career as a biologist and leader within the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks or his second career in his so-called retirement years as the – yes, the – philosophical and practical leader of the conservation movement in Montana are profound. To wit, consider please just these few: • A long and storied career with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. From his first position as a fisheries biologist, he rose to that, in 1969, of the first and only administrator of FWP’s Ecological Services Division, after which he served as Special Assistant to the Director of FWP. • Under his leadership, major accomplishments included the development of in-stream flows for fish and wildlife in Montana’s streams and rivers, and passage of the Montana Water Use Act in 1973, which was critical to Montana’s fisheries resources, improvement of Montana’s Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation standards that are still in use today, and his advocacy over the years for Montanans to develop inclusive, philosophically and scientifically sound approaches to conservation issues. • Through his steadfast leadership and his writing, including several major books, he was a driving force articulating the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation that defines wildlife as a public trust. • Among many state and national awards received by Jim, three of the most prominent are his being named the National Conservationist of the Year in 2015 by the National Wildlife Federation and his induc-

Our country

tion into the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2016, plus the Alumni Blue & Gold Award from Montana State University “for distinguished services which have contributed to the benefit of mankind.” Now add to those the unspoken but, at least to those of us who have stayed conversant with the conservation ethic in Montana over the past generation, the countless upon countless of times involving one issue or another across the state – water quality protection, streamflow protection, strip mining issues, wilderness, quality wildlife habitat, citizen involvement at all levels of government, the development of and involvement of young people in conservation issues, our outdoor heritage in America, etc. – Jim Posewitz was there to help get things done, either to lead or to help you in your efforts. And he was that kind of leader! Help get things done. Working with you, with people all over this state, to encourage, to support, to educate, to enable, to enlist you to share in the effort to do what was right for our natural environment. Show up and be counted. Be tenacious. Be as best you could the superlative kind of volunteer he was! Two crowning examples of his great vision in this regard must be mentioned: one, it was through his vision and leadership that a program to recognize and honor those whose contributions to Montana’s natural world, the environment that sustains us and all life, should be given special recognition through the establishing of the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame Program. In 2013 that program was instituted under the auspices of the Montana Historical Society and the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation and other groups – and though he should have been in the initial class of those inducted into that Hall of Fame, like he often said, the “pool of those who should be recognized is historically so deep that many among us will have to wait for their turn to become an inductee.” He was formally inducted in the second class of that program. Then Jim must be also given credit for joining with seven other of us “old-time Montana conservationists” in the establishment of a group whose sole purpose is to inform, educate and motivate conservation activism in Montana, the Montana Conservation Elders. Yes, when the eight of us “old folks” met in Smoke Elser’s barn up Rattlesnake Creek out of Missoula in 2018 to talk over the founding of the MCE, once again, as it seemed as had always been the case when it concerned environmental/conservation activism in Montana, Jim Posewitz was there to lead the discussion and make sure we would be a group that reached out to all Montanans, but in particular be active in terms of the education of our youth in regard to such matters. And in which, as you might guess, the word “tenacious” came up. And our ears rang with this admonition from Jim: either create the MCE with a framework within which it could get something positive done or don’t bother forming it at all! And that’s one reason why it has been so gratifying to see, in the wake of Jim’s recent death, that his legacy as both a constant presence and a philosophical leader in the conservation field is both known of and celebrated by fellow Montanans across the state. It’s a legacy I know he was aware of, and in which he took great pride. And, not coincidentally but purposefully, we who walked side-by-side with him these many, many years could only marvel, across the time he was granted to be among us, that we were privileged to share with him the joys of the battle for good things. And to have, on many occasions, let him know that we appreciated and cherished him as a person, as a friend, as a fellow fighter for the natural world and all the aspects of life found within it. He was a giant among us and all we have to do to honor his legacy is to continue his work. Jim Posewitz’s legacy is alive and well everywhere you look in, or at, this place called Montana. It bespeaks the legacy of a superlative person who I cherished as a friend and colleague, and whose name was Jim Posewitz!

Letters

Time for me to again express my opinion on the current state of national affairs. First, it should be obvious to anyone willing to view current events with an open mind that a vote for a Democrat candidate at the national level or state level in many states, is a vote for Socialism at the least or Communism at the worst. Lawlessness is continued to be allowed in Democratic run states by not stopping riots (nightly in some cities), passing “no bail” type laws so that criminals are allowed right back on the

streets when arrested, and continued movement in these same states toward “defunding” the police. How else can one explain this other than an attempt to disrupt the current society structure in order to implement a new order? By the way, did you hear any of the Democratic Convention speakers bring up the current lawlessness? Second, it should also be obvious that the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement currently has no real direct connection to the suggested concept. BLM has now simply become the excuse used to carry out lawlessness as noted previously.

Bitterroot Star

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Unfortunately, we continue to be bombarded by the national news media about the importance of stopping racism toward the “Black” race. Folks, the real racism occurring is against the “White” race. Stop and think about that. Third, embedded in this organized disruption of our society is the destruction of our Constitution. These anarchists are trying to enforce “no-free” speech. That is, you are not allowed to say anything that is counter to their propaganda – a direct threat to our 1st Amendment. Additionally, they have implemented a concerted

effort to eliminate our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. It was just recently announced that the New York District Attorney has filed a suit to eliminate the NRA. You can rest assured that if the Democrats win the Presidency and take over the Senate, their first order of business will be to eliminate your right to own firearms. Finally, I pray that the “silent majority” wakes up and votes this time around. Even in the Bitterroot Valley, one can come away with the impression that everyone is being swayed toward the Democratic socialist propaganda, however, the wife and I

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Do your part

Open letter to America, via Montana: A quote from John F. Kennedy’s book, “Profiles in Courage”: “In a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his politics, ‘holds office’; every one of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends on how we fulfill those responsibilities. We the people are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.” Being an American citizen is a responsibility. It requires effort, attention and personal courage. This means you have to expend a certain amount of time and energy to be a good citizen, in other words, if you are not registered to vote, get registered, go do it yourself, in person, sign the form and DO IT. Don’t expect someone to do this for you, get up and take the time to be a Citizen. Next, it is your responsibility to VOTE. Get off your butt, got to the polls or arrange to have an absentee ballot delivered to you and put your dot in the circle or the X in the box and VOTE. If you want to put on your mask, don your PPE, dress in HAZMAT gear or whatever you feel you need, just VOTE. It is your right and your RESPONSIBILITY. My mother took it upon herself since she turned 21 to vote in EVERY election in which she was eligible to vote for her entire life. She never failed to vote in a national, state or local election in her precinct, regardless of her location of residence in over 70 years. In her early years of voting she followed my father around the country during WW2 while he served in the US Navy. It took a concerted effort to vote during that time, but she did it and it’s possible for anyone to do the same today and it should the MUCH easier now. She would get out of a sick bed in order to vote. She took her responsibility as a citizen seriously, just as President Kennedy reminds us. When she got too ill to get out much, she made sure an absentee ballot arrived on her doorstep and she voted. America should be this responsible, this dedicated to our Constitutional Republic, make it work by doing your job as a citizen, don’t expect people to do it for you, don’t expect it to be easy. Being a citizen of the United States isn’t easy. Do your part. Mark Brown Stevensville

Editor - do your job!

Why do you publish opinion letters that are so obviously false? Do some research before publishing this nonsense. You recently published a rant by someone who opposed masks, ostensibly because they captured CO2 thus inhibiting O2 intake by the mask wearer. This is completely false! The respiratory droplets captured by mask are thousands of times larger than the gas molecules that we inhale. Are the masks uncomfortable and annoying, yes - but not dangerous to your health. Unless the BS wants to become a social media outlet, I suggest that you make some editorial decisions before publishing the ranting of

Letters Policy

Although it is solely at the discretion of the owners/ editors, in the interest of promoting free speech it is the policy of the Bitterroot Star to print all letters as space permits, with very few exceptions. If you don’t see yours, call Victoria at 777-3928.

Bitterroot Star -- Page 7

some of your delusional readers. Daniel Rogers Hamilton

Progress in the Bitterroot!

Let’s vote for the candidate who shows up to work for our Stevensville community - Margaret Gorski for SD 44. 25 years ago, when I made my home in Stevensville, Hwy 93 was the most dangerous highway in Montana. The community had just completed the bike/walking trail to the Bitterroot River, and were working to have trees planted and irrigation installed. I’ve made working for my community and charitable causes a part of my life and civic duty since my college days in the 70’s. Not everyone has this as a priority, and we need leaders who are dedicated to action and results in our community rather than those who just talk and promote themselves. Many know me, as the highway dept. liaison for Stevi during the Hwy 93 planning and construction, working to get the bike path included and the culvert under Hwy 93 so bikers, walkers and seniors can cross under Hwy 93 to visit Super One rather than crossing at the busy intersection. Others know me as the photography director of the Bitterroot Winter Special Olympics at Lost Trail. When we built the children’s play park at Lewis & Clark Park, I was there helping too. Because life continues, and I must now care for my 96-year-old mother, we need reliable local community leaders who want to work to improve our community for those who don’t have the time or opportunity. Margaret Gorski is that kind of leader. Last year, during a meeting about the status of the Bitterroot River boat launch area, near the Stevensville Park at the bridge, this situation had come to a head when the prior owner of Fort Owen Ranch blocked the river launch access with concrete barriers. The meeting disclosed that the new owner was planning to gift it to Stevi, and would work with the community and Parks Department to develop a few camping spots, parking, and do some bank repair to prevent erosion. I was there asking questions, making recommendations along with so many movers and shakers that I consider stewards of our community. Margaret Gorski was there. I didn’t know at the time who she was, but she was asking questions about process that no one even knew to ask. She was engaged and an impressive voice in the meeting. I later learned she has a lifetime of experience protecting our natural resources. When I saw that she was running for office, I had to voice my support. I’ve seen her in action, and we need her to represent us in SD 44. She is working FOR US, the Stevensville community. Let’s all get behind her to make our community better. Please join me in supporting Margaret Gorski for SD 44. Ray Niesslein Stevensville

Problem with mayor

I feel badly that I have never met my mayor, Brandon Dewey. Not that I haven’t tried. I have met my Ravalli County Commissioners, our peace officers. They have each allowed me to shake their hands and actively engage in face-to-face conversations. I have found that all my local elected officials are cordial, they listen, and seem interested in the people of Ravalli County. Some may feel safer wearing masks, like our Ravalli County Health Board members, and even though they are appointed and not elected, they engage, act, and react to constituents of Ravalli County. Unfortunately, all I can do is observe what Mayor Dewey has done from afar and read what he writes from behind the locked doors in my Stevensville Town building complex I was among the 30 or so business owners who were rejected from the “Zoom” meeting my mayor hosted. It gave me the opportunity to speak face-to-face with my Police Chief, Jim Marble, and a few of his deputies while

Page 8 -- Bitterroot Star

standing 20 feet from my mayor. Unfortunately, he had pulled the blind to his window and his door was locked or I might have actually met my mayor. I have determined that my mayor is a frightened little boy, and truly does not know what to do. I have suggested that he contact the Ravalli County Commissioners for guidance. Ever the optimist, I can only hope that my mayor takes the Romans 12:10 biblical quote he used in the August 12 Bitterroot Star opinion section to “Be devoted to one another in love…” because he did the exact opposite from behind locked doors and pulled blinds. The biblical definition of love is focused favor. The opposite of biblical love is God turning His back ignoring and saying, “I never knew you.” I have come to believe my mayor is ignorant, and like many of the grey-haired business owners who gathered at his door, we make up a vast pool of wisdom available to him if he would just listen - not with his computer, face-to-face in focused favor love. TC Richardson TC’s RV Service Stevensville

Confused

We have been advised by California developers that they have purchased 57 acres of land adjacent to Creekside Meadow, Logan Lane and the Middle Burnt Fork Road for the purpose of building a subdivision consisting of 78 single family homes, 43 multi-family units, and numerous commercial establishments. Our confusion began when we questioned town officials regarding the possible effects of this development on existing water, sewage treatment and traffic. As we are already on water restrictions and low water pressure, we are concerned that the additional demands to be made from said development will further lower our water pressure to an unacceptable level. The responses from the town, depending on who you asked, were confusing, in that we

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 were assured that water would not be an issue by some, and that water could become a major issue by others. Confusion on our part! We then wanted to know if 78 single family homes built on slabs, because of ground water issues, would direct more ground water north towards Creekside Meadows homes built with crawl spaces? We were assured it would not, as all the ground water flows west. I wonder if the ground water knows that? Additional confusion. We are also concerned about the town being able to absorb the additional demands this development will make on the existing sewage treatment system, and once again, depending on who you asked, the system will be able to handle the anticipated demands, and from others, the existing system would have to be updated to handle the anticipated additional demands. More confusion! Traffic is also a major concern as we have been advised by the developers that the majority of the traffic from the new subdivision will be directed through Creekside Meadows to access Logan Lane. This will result in a major increase in traffic through our quiet, sleepy little area. Why would they not have their own access roads to Logan Lane? Total confusion! Finally, we wonder why anyone would want to develop a commercial area on the Middle Burnt Fork Road in competition with the downtown area of Stevensville? Final confusion! This proposed development is going to put major new financial demands on the town regarding water, sewage, street maintenance, law enforcement, fire protection, and schools. Are you prepared to pay for them? Tony and Lynell Norman Stevensville

Political parties

In 1860, Trump would have been a Democrat. So would McConnell, Daines, Gianforte, etc., because then cotton was “king” and most men after big

money wanted to own cotton plantations and lots of free slave labor. Between 1900 and 1936, the two platforms switched. Our country’s founders didn’t want there to be parties -- so they are not mentioned in the Constitution -- but turns out that’s the way it had to work. So basically there have been two major parties since the 1850s, one that appeals to wealthier people who want to maintain the status quo, and one that wants the government to use its power to help improve the lives of society as a whole. In 1860, only about a quarter of the American population lived in the South, but that included the plantation owners. The North was more traditionally industrial and depended on paid labor -- however poorly paid. The slaveowners called themselves Democrats; the industrialists called themselves Republicans. So yes, it was the Democrats who seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy and keep their slaves. Decades passed and Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR; 18821945) also called himself a Democrat. He was certainly among the wealthy, but World War I (19141918), the stock market crash of 1929, and the resulting Great Depression in the 1930s made clear to the US population that it would take some major social programs to help the economy and everyday folks recover. Hence FDR’s New Deal, including the Social Security Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Federal Reserve System, and so on. That helped us all and continues to do so in ways, but gradually the wealthy began to object to so much government interference in who got the power and the money, and since about 1936 they have call themselves Republicans. They also tend to take pride in calling themselves capitalists -- as opposed to communists, and they have worked and worked since the 1930s to make sure you never forget that they are saving you from such a fate. They also fail to point out

Your Valley Neighbors - Want you to be Aware The proposed subdivision at the intersection of Logan Lane and Middle Burnt Fork Road on Stevi’s Eastside does NOT make sense. WHY? Traffic will double or triple. As many as 2,146 more

cars/trucks will be back and forth daily according to the subdivision application. The only access to this high-density residential area will be onto Logan Lane.

WHY? Can Logan Lane handle this volume without major reconstruction, turn lanes, shoulders, etc?

WHY? With so many multi-family 2, 3 or 4 plex units, it could mean as many as 250 families in this space.

WHY? Stevensville water is limited. Is there really enough water for 250 more families?

WHY? The proposed developers do not factor lawn

irrigation or the actual number of families. They do not consider any water usage for a proposed commercial section.

WHY? 16 businesses/shops/offices on this corner would draw shoppers away from historic downtown Stevi.

WHY? Could the Town wastewater treatment facilities handle or be maxxed out with all these families?

WHY? What happens when roads, water, sewer facilities need upgrading? Are your future taxes the solution?

When the Town Planning & Zoning board meets to review the subdivision application, these questions and many more NEED answers. This plan does NOT fit Stevensville

Watch this space for more info weekly. Paid for by Jim Kalkofen and Valley Neighbors, Stevensville

that many capitalists exploit their workers, the object being to optimize profits, not the well-being of anyone but themselves. So if you and your family and friends have “always” voted for one party or the other, take a step back from the name. Look at the candidates and look at what programs they support that would actually help YOU. Then vote. (Sources available on request.) Mary Fahnestock-Thomas Hamilton

Another holocaust

I would like to thank Dennis Hicks for his thoughtful letter in the August 12, 2020 issue of the Bitterroot Star largely addressing the issue of abortion. In this time of “Black Lives Matter” is anyone drawing attention to the fact that unborn black lives matter? Among black women, more pregnancies are aborted than actually come to term, thanks in part to the efforts of Planned Parenthood which targets black and other minorities for abortion (a huge revenue stream for the organization). It’s time the media and BLM protesters bring some attention to this holocaust of black lives. Teresa Larsen Victor

A realtor with different values?

I’m an old veteran and I’m flat angry. Stevenville’s newest realtor with offices across the street from the Forest Service Office has managed to offend veterans across this valley. Veterans, not including their family members, make up over 10% of the Bitterroot population and I think I speak for most of them when I deplore how they have defaced the mural overlooking the Stevensville Veterans Park. We worked hard about 10 years ago to upgrade the park. The Garden Club supported us. Many of the Stevi merchants freely contributed. At present, we are upgrading the monument, once again with the support of a cross section of our community. The mural set the stage for the park; it was a theme setter. The mural has been violated with the realtor’s large wall advertisement. The American Legion asked them to be respectful of our community effort. Our arguments were in vain. We now see the mural defaced while out in front a large unused professional sign holder protrudes over the sidewalk. I repeat -- empty and unused! I suggest that our new, global realtor headquartered in Hamburg, Germany and New York did inadequate market research. They obviously do not respect our patriotic values. Perhaps it would have been better if they had just continued on their way over ‘flyover country’. We have enough professional, capable realtors without them; realtors that share our values. Comrades, friends I suggest we deal elsewhere when it’s our time to sell or buy real estate. Could their attitude be a harbinger of the nature of rapid changes underway in our beautiful valley? Are we doomed to be another Vail, Colorado? Ed Sperry Col USAF (ret) Stevensville

Individual choice and stop signs

While getting blood drawn I spoke with a Hamilton nurse about the efficacy of wearing a facemask during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The nurse wore a facemask but felt that masks provide little protection and, even more importantly, mask-wearing should be an individual’s choice. Point taken. So, I’ve decided to apply this ethic to stopping at stop signs. Over the years I’ve inadvertently driven past stop signs without stopping and suffered no ill effect. Therefore, I see stops signs providing little protection. But even more importantly, stopping at a stop sign should be an individual’s choice. Nowhere in the Constitution will you find a mandate requiring us to stop at stops signs. From now on, unless moved by personal choice, I will no longer stop at stop signs. You’ll know who I am; I’ll be the guy who T-bones you. Bruce Weide Hamilton

People of Belarus deserve our support

The contested election in the Eastern European country of Belarus has been in the news recently. I would like to give my perspective on this important development. The current President, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in control of the country for the past 26 years. He is known as “the last Dictator of Europe.” My wife and I lived in Minsk, Belarus for three years, from 2009-2012. I was the Director of the International School of Minsk (ISM) and Alene was our Grade 4 teacher. I am writing this letter in an attempt to make people aware of the wonderful country Belarus could be were it not for the “last Dictator in Europe,” Mr. Lukashenko. Our school served as the only school in Belarus with an American-type education. We served students from about 30 different countries whose parents were stationed there for one reason or another, but we were never allowed to enroll any students of Belarussian citizenship. The Government did not want their children to be influenced by American teachers and other students from “free” countries around the world. One-half (15) of our teachers were from “abroad” (US) and the rest were Belarussian citizens. The “local” teachers were graduates of local Universities and all had studied English to a great extent. They were excellent teachers: intelligent, inquisitive, goodnatured, caring, and well-versed in their subject matter. They taught computers, art, music, physical education, as well as various grade levels. Many of them were recognized professionals in their own fields. Having them on staff was the one concession the local government gave us, but since we did not have local children in the school, that threat did not exist. We trained the teachers in the American curriculum, style of learning, and classroom decorum and routines since most of them had come out of traditional Belarussian schools. The local teachers were great fun and we all mixed

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together quite well. My wife and I always said that the worst countries had the best schools and staffs and this was undoubtedly true in Minsk. Alene and I lived and worked in such countries as Venezuela, Pakistan, Burma (now Myanmar), Brazil, and the Republic of Georgia. These were all, in their own way, dangerous countries but the local people were consistently kind and supportive. The one thing our Belarussian teachers missed was the freedom that came with living in a democracy! They had lived under the dictatorship of Lukashenko for many years and prior to that under Soviet control. The people of Belarus deserve our support and our help as they strive for their freedom. People in the US think of them as “communists” because of their Soviet past but that is not the case. They love and want the freedom that they see in other parts of the world. Let’s help them achieve their goals. Tom Tunny Hamilton

‘Mail-in’ ballots

After attending multiple County Commissioner meetings recently about “mail-in ballots,” it has become blatantly evident that there are vast misunderstandings on both sides of the aisle about how different mail-in voting is from the “Absentee ballot” so many of us have participated in. In fact, the ONLY thing these two processes have in common is the U.S. Post Office. That’s it! The process to obtain an absentee ballot is the same as if you had gone to the election office to vote in person. You must appear, show proof of I.D. with address matching your address on record with the election office, fill out a request for absentee ballot and sign the request which the election office then compares to the signature on your voter registration form. If your elections office does not follow this process it’s your fault. You allowed apathy to steal the integrity from your election process. Sorry, but sometimes the truth sucks. IF you move or incur any other changes you must notify the elections office immediately of those changes. This is the opportunity crooked people take advantage of if it is not done. But getting the signatures to match is the tough part. On the other hand, to obtain a “Mail-in” ballot you simply had to vote in the last General Election. That’s it, simply had voted. The last General Election could have been up to four years ago. The election office mass-mails ballots to EVERY registered voter at their last known address on the rolls that IS NOT REGISTERED FOR ABSENTEE. This is how for instance, my neighbor, who is renting what had been the guest house, received seven ballots in the mail during the June primary vote cycle. Only one was her legitimate absentee ballot. The other SIX were for the owner and family, whose home had burned down three years ago and he did not bother to notify the elections office when he moved out of state. Fortunately, my friend did the right thing and returned the wayward ballots to the elections office, explaining the scenario, allowing the records to be corrected. You gotta ask yourself, how many people would actually do that right thing. In addition, I live in a very sparsely populated county in a pretty sparsely populated state. How many of these scenarios occur in heavily populated areas and states? I trust you understand now that “mail-in” voting IS NOT “what you’ve been doing for years.” Doug Bohn Victor

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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

Stevensville Al-Anon Family Group meets each Thursday at 7:15 p.m. in or near the picnic shelter north of the parking lot at Lewis and Clark Park. Anyone who is affected by the compulsive drinking of a relative or friend is invited. For more information call 239-0878.

Narcotics Anon

Narcotics Anonymous meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Parish Center, 411 S. 5th, Hamilton (north entrance).

Free Indeed

Free Indeed is a faith-based addiction support group. Contact Donald Layman at 203-8579 or Pastor Jim Landis at 642-9849.

Gamblers Anon

Gamblers Anonymous meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 411 S. 5th Street in Hamilton.

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/ Ravalli-County-WIC.

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.

Three Mile Coffee Club Three Mile Coffee Club meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at 1064 Three Mile Creek Road. 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.

WiFi hotspots at library

Do you need internet at your house to look for a job, apply for unemployment or a fishing license, fill out the 2020 Census? North Valley Library now has internet hotspots to check out. A hotspot is a small box that brings a WiFi signal into your home so you can use the internet. Hotspots can be checked out for seven days only. The overdue charge for each day is $1.00. There must be a cell tower within range. Your computer, tablet, or smart phone must be WiFi compatible. Hotspots are filtered for content. Please conserve data usage for the next patron. Director Denise Ard says, “Hotspots are easy to use and we have included simple instructions to help you get connected. We are happy to be able to offer hotspots to our patrons that do not have internet at home.” NVPL can only check out hotspots to its card holders but other libraries will have hotspots as well, thanks to the Montana State Library. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For a list of current library services check the website at northvalleylibrary.org.

St. Mary’s Mission, Museum open Historic St. Mary’s Mission and Museum is open for the 2020 season. COVID-19 health guidelines for the safety of the staff and the public are in place. You’re invited to visit the Mission for a guided tour of the historic buildings. The museum and art gallery in the Visitor Center are free for you to browse. A featured exhibit is an antique toy display. The gift shop has many new Made in Montana gift items. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 3 with the last tour at 2 p.m. Call 777-5734 for information.

Child care help available

Are you earning less right now due to reduced work hours? If you were previously over income, you may now qualify for child care assistance through the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. We encourage you

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

ST. STEPHENS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 203 Stevensville •• 777-0028 360-2661 203Main MainSt.• Stevensville

Worship at 12:0011p.m. Sunday Worship AM In this Church there shall be no outcasts. In this Church there shall be no outcasts. to call us today to find out if you are eligible! Eligibility is for 12 months, so if you qualify now, you will be eligible for the whole year, even if your hours increase again. Contact Child Care Resources today to see if you qualify at 406728-6446 or go to childcareresources.org.

Wed, August 26 Elks Lodge dinners Enjoy food and companionship (while social distancing) at the Elks Lodge in Downtown Hamilton, located at 203 State Street. No host bar opens at 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Food is served at 6 p.m. Wednesday night dinners are $11.00 for members, $ 12.00 for guests. Friday Night Pub Night (open until 8 p.m.) food is $ 6.00. Weds Dinner and Pub food is served at 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 26th Dinner: Fish and Chips (Fries) Friday, August 28th Pub Night: Braised Meatballs and Macaroni Salad. Call 406 363 3031 for more info.

Tues, September 1 Sons of Norway

Bitterrootdalen Lodge, Sons of Norway, will hold a picnic on Tuesday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Park, just south of Bitterroot College on South 10th Street in Hamilton. The Lodge will furnish a main dish of pizza, drinks, and service. Members and guests may bring a snack. This is a chance to plan for the winter meetings, visit, and play Norwegian games, while people can be outside. The public is invited. For more information contact Jackie Bjergo, Publicity Director, 9614538. Kiwanis Park is reached by turning south on S. 9th in Hamilton.

Thurs, September 3 Montana Invasive Species Council

The Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC) will hold its next meeting Thursday, September 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. virtually via Zoom. MISC members will review final expenditures for fiscal year 2020 and vote on budget allocations for the current fiscal year. The budget topic will include a discussion about how to deliver invasive species education and outreach in light of Covid-19, travel restrictions, and events taking place virtually. The Council will also review and take action on the final version of All-Taxa Rapid Response Guidelines that serve as a blueprint for developing speciesspecific response guidelines. Presentations from program leads will be provided for feral swine, white-nose syndrome, aquatic invasive species, and terrestrial weeds. Other agenda items include MISC program updates on MISC sponsorship for the North American Invasive Species Management Conference and the Eastern Heath Snail Science Advisory Panel. MISC is a statewide partnership working to protect Montana’s economy, natural resources and public health through a coordinated approach to combat inva-

sive species. All MISC meetings are open to the public. For more information about the meeting and to access meeting materials, visit misc.mt.gov or contact Stephanie Criswell, Council Coordinator. To participate via Zoom, email shawna.swanz@mt.gov with your name and a request, and instructions will be sent for joining and participating in the meeting by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to staff and forwarded to the committee. A copy of the meeting agenda can be found at http:// dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/docs/ misac-docs/misc_agenda-sept-32020-final.pdf

Sat, September 5 Rumble in the Root The BitterRodders Car Club will sponsor the Rumble in the Root on Saturday, September 5th. Seven fun-filled stops. Poker Run with chip drawing at each stop. Best poker hands $200-$100$50-$25-$15 plus 50/50. All cars, trucks, motorcycles are welcome for the Fun Run. Parade travel to each stop. $15 each participant. For more information call 406631-5315 or email: bclif896@ gmail.com.

Tues, September 8 Stevi school board

The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, September 8 at 7 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.

Sat, September 12 NVPL Craft event Adult Maker-Kit “Cute and Warm Yarn Craft.” Have fun with Yarn in this Cute and Warm Yarn Craft. Pick up an Adult Maker Kit at the library, with necessary items to create your own Cute and Warm Yarn Craft. Must register online by Saturday, September 12 at 5 p.m. for pick up the following week, Tuesday through Friday, September 14-19. Supplies limited. Instructions with images included.

Mon, September 14 The Writers’ Circle The Writers’ Circle will be held Monday, September 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the North Valley Public Library community room. “Almost every writer I’ve ever known has been able to find someone who could be both a friend and a critic.” Anne Lamott. Here is a writer’s prompt: How have you “rebelled” against Covid? A paragraph or so; fiction (make up a character) or non-fiction. Join your friends and fellow writers on the Second Monday of the Month at 6 p.m. to share ideas about each other’s

work as time permits. Reading from your own work or others’, motivating tidbits, writing lessons, words of wisdom or inspiration from our published author friends. Questions answered. Registration required on the Library’s calendar system. A Zoom link will be sent to your email box. If you come in person you must wear a mask.

Thurs, September 17 Music & Stories

“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Laughin’ to Keep from Cryin’” will be presented Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 100 Main Street, Stevensville with music and storytelling by Montana Humanities Scholar, Bill Rossiter. The Great Depression of the “Dirty Thirties” left Americans with a wicked gallows humor, a sense that if they could keep laughing, they wouldn’t have to start crying. This program shows that spit-in-the-demon’s-eye spirit, not through history and literature, but through folklore and “illiterature.” Americans survived a disaster by using a great national resource: their sense of humor. Montana newspapers from the ’20s tell of bank failures, crop losses, and deserted homesteads— issues not widely reported in the rest of the nation until a decade later. This “bareknuckle” musical report is accompanied by banjo, guitar and autoharp. Participants are encouraged to share recollections, family lore, stories and songs from the Depression. Bring your lawn chair and please register so there is a head count. Bill Rossiter has been playing traditional finger-style guitar, autoharp and old-time “clawhammer” banjo music in bars, concert halls and back rooms for a reeeeelly long time. About his singing, reviewers have raved, “Yikes!” as well as “Hmmmm!” and “What the. . . ?” Bill has been a farm laborer, brakeman, Capuchin friar, factory worker, newspaper columnist, carpenter, public relations flack, disk jockey, ghostwriter and bartender. He is a 2015 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Service to the Humanities in Montana. Bill chaired the Humanities Division and taught literature andilliterature (folklore) for 25 years at Flathead Valley Community College and as an adjunct at the University of Montana, retiring in 1999. He currently rambles around Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado singing songs of the railroad, heroes and outlaws, the Irish immigration, the Western frontier, the Civil War, cowboys and sodbusters, mines and miners, the Great Depression, and other eras of American history. He says he learned most of his songs at his mother’s knee and other low joints.

Mon, September 21 Self-employment presentation

“Is Self-Employment Right for You?” will be presented on Monday, September 21 from 6 to

Bitterroot Star -- Page 9 7 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. Transitions in the Time of Pandemic, including Resources Available from the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA). Presenter: John Schneeberger, CPP Economic Development Specialist. Registration required at www.northvalleylibrary.org. The purpose of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority is to promote, stimulate, develop and advance the general welfare, commerce, economic development and prosperity of our local citizens, Ravalli County, and the State of Montana. A primary goal of the RCEDA is to create the foundation and infrastructure for knowledgebased businesses in the Bitterroot Valley to thrive. They provide cost free business and financial planning and entrepreneurial support services which includes grants, loans, technical expertise, relocation assistance, quality workforce and more.

Sat, September 26 Wilderness presentation

“Into the Wild with Muir and Pinchot” will be presented on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This is a Walk & Talk at Stevensville River Park, 100 Stevensville Cutoff Road. Register at www.northvalleylibrary.org for headcount and location updates. Presented by Humanities Montana scholars John Clayton and Marisa Diaz-Waian. How do we relate to nature? Preservation-based philosophies – associated with author and wanderer John Muir – celebrate the spiritual benefits of holistic, unimpaired natural systems. Conservation-based philosophies – associated with US Forest Service founder Gifford Pinchot – highlight management and sustainability of natural resources for all. In 1896, Muir and Pinchot met in what is now Glacier National Park and discussed these philosophies. What happened next changed the course of history. In this program, biographer John Clayton and philosopher Marisa Diaz-Waian co-lead a discussion about the unique lives of Muir and Pinchot and the questions their contrasting philosophies raise about “the wild” and our place in it. Some of the questions to be explored include: • Are people part of nature, or separate (and inferior)? • How do we balance holistic spiritual benefits with specific resource-based ones? • What’s more important, individualism or fairness and sustainability? • Can contrasting philosophies come together for a common good? Conducted on a on a walkabout — going into the wild with Muir and Pinchot. John Clayton is a nonfiction writer who is particularly drawn to the intersection of history, nature, and culture. His book “Wonderlandscape: Yellowstone National Park and the Evolution of an American Cultural Icon” continued on next page

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Sports

Page 10 -- Bitterroot Star

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

By Jean Schurman Sports Editor

Plans for fans

This Friday night, football players will take to the gridiron for the first game of the season. Corvallis will travel to Stevensville to battle the Yellowjackets. Volleyball will feature Stevensville hosting Florence and Hamilton hosting Dillon. There will be a cross country meet in Corvallis on Friday. All of the teams in the valley have been practicing for the past two weeks under COVID-19 protocol set down by the Montana High School Association. This includes each athlete bringing their own water bottle and towel. For football, the players still need to social distance when not on the field. Pods of players have been working out together to limit their exposure. If they need to practice against other players outside of their pod, the coaches need to make the switch the following day. In volleyball, the players will not switch benches at the end of a game. Sanitation is a must! The ball should be cleaned and sanitized throughout the practices or the game. This applies to football and volleyball. Players are required to wear masks while on the sidelines. They may also wear

Calendar continued

won the High Plains Book Award. His previous books include “The Cowboy Girl: The Life of Caroline Lockhart” and “Stories from Montana’s Enduring Frontier.” He often writes for the Montana Quarterly and Big Sky Journal, among other magazines. This presentation draws from his latest book, “Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of America’s Public Lands.” Marisa Diaz-Waian is the founder and director of Merlin CCC, a public philosophy non-profit based out of Helena. A member of the Mellon Philosophy as a Way of Life Network, the 2020 Ethics Initiative Project “Connecting Generations through Ethics,” and the Philosophy Learning & Teaching Organization, she presents and contributes regularly on ways in which philosophy can help to enrich lives and strengthen our communities and environment.

Mon, September 28 Computer confidence class

Computer Confidence Business class will be held Monday, September 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Bitterroot College. Course is designed to give students the skills required for navigating Windows 10. Material is presented in a friendly and supportive format. Students learn basic computer concepts, develop mouse and keyboard skills, and explore and practice using the Internet and email all within the Windows 10 environment. John Swallow, Bitterroot College Faculty.

Tuesday, October 6 Small business planning class

“Introduction to Small Business Planning” will be presented on Tuesday, October 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This free work-

It’s unknown if the stands will ever be filled this season with the new COVID-19 standards in place. Star file photo. gloves while playing, especially football. Masks are a must for coaches and officials, as well as the crowd. Stevensville’s plan for football includes restricted seating for the home crowd and the visitors. Visitors will be on the east side of the field and may enter from ALC Way off of Middle Burnt Fork Road (at Pantry Partners). There will be a ticket booth there. The home crowd may sit in the bleachers and socially distance, or stand along the fence, again socially distancing and wearing masks. There will be no pep band or concessions. When the game is over, fans will be delayed until the teams exit the field with the visiting team boarding their bus and leaving. shop is designed to get you over the hurdle of getting started on the critical ongoing planning that is essential to business success. There will also be a short presentation on how to get some helpful market size information from free government websites. John Schneeberger, RCEDA, will be the presenter. Class will follow the same COVID-19 protocols as the Bitterroot College. All of the courses will be by Virtual Classrooms; 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.

Thurs October 8 Google class

“Google My Business” will be presented Thursday, October 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Learn how to optimize your business listing on Google to help your business be noticed. Class covers the importance of business photos, 360° imagery, responding to reviews, viewing insights, how to use the free app, and more. Instructor: Cody Edwards, Touch Point Designs. Participants will follow the same COVID19 protocols as the Bitterroot College. The course will be by Virtual Classrooms; 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.

When Corvallis has a home football game, they will also have two ticket booths. Visitors will enter through the North ticket gate while home fans will enter through the West ticket gate. Visiting fans can park along the north fence or in the soccer parking lot. Visitors will be restricted to their own bleachers and sidelines for the entire game. The bleachers will be marked off to encourage socially distancing. The students in the student section will be required to wear a mask throughout the game. For soccer, the Corvallis home crowd will be seated on the north end of the field and the visitors on the south end. Masks are required if not socially distancing. Stevensville soccer fans must socially distance and wear masks

if they are not. Again, no concessions will be sold. Fans will be allowed to watch volleyball at both schools. In Corvallis, the visitors will sit behind their team and are encouraged to only stay for their student’s game. Stevensville’s fans will have similar guidelines. Both Chance Edman, Stevensville’s activities director, and Tyson Tucker, Corvallis’ activities director, stressed that these guidelines for spectators are subject to change and will change as the COVID-19 pandemic changes here in Montana. Scott Stiegler, the activities director at Florence, said that two tickets per player and one ticket per coach would be issued for both volleyball and football. He said

Stevensville selects Edman as new AD

Chance Edman is the new activities director at Stevensville. A native, Edman came on board this summer to take over the program at Stevensville after a decade abroad, and an unexpected trip home. Raised in Stevensville, Edman played baseball for the Bitterroot Bucs and soccer for the Stevi Sabres. After graduating from Gonzaga University with a Journalism degree, he and his wife Valerie took positions at an American international school in Malaysia. Edman built the athletic program as the Athletic Director and co-founded the international sports conference Asia Christian Schools Conference. After nine years in Malaysia, and with three young children in tow, the family decided to take a year off to travel and work online. From Indonesia to Spain, Ireland to Scotland, their travels landed them in Germany as the COVID pandemic began to take hold in Europe. The U.S. Embassy in Berlin contacted them in March to recommend they leave the country, or plan to stay indefinitely. Edman decided returning to Montana was the best decision, and the family left for London two days later. Soon after arriving in Stevensville, the activities director position at Stevensville School District became available. The school is moving to a grades 7-12 AD position for the first time in years to make strides to improve the athletic program.

that the Western B Division voted to have no visiting fans for either football or volleyball. Florence is looking at ways to prepackage food so they may have a concession stand. The school is not selling family activity passes this year in hopes that families would then spend that money to subscribe to

Edman remembered the impact the local sports teams had on the community in years past and felt compelled to take the opportunity to invest back into the community that gave him so much. The activities program at Stevensville is on the brink of greatness, in Edman’s opinion. With a massive facilities overhaul on campus, a solid core of coaches and enthusiasm from the community on the rise, Edman hopes to recapture some of the greatness in previous SHS sports teams. “It will require a team effort,” Edman said. “One that extends beyond the campus. I want to think bigger. Our sports program will reflect the positive values of our community, and in turn inspire our community to be the best version of itself.” With uncertainty surrounding high school sports this fall, Edman plans to offer a steady hand of leadership through this year. Top priority is allowing students to play the game they love in the safest manner possible. the NFHS where all the games will be streamed. Games will also be streamed for Corvallis and Stevensville. According to Travis Blome, activities director at Hamilton, the plans for fans have not been finalized as of press time.

Golf teams hit the courses The Class A high school golf season began with a bang last week with three tournaments in three days. Hamilton went to Butte on August 17, Dillon on the 18th, and Anaconda on the 19th. Corvallis golfers Macee Greenwood and Luke Schlimgen took top honors at the Butte Central tournament on the 17th. Greenwood shot a 67 to take the win. That was 17 strokes lower than Hamilton’s Ali Rose who finished second. Jasmine Oyler of Stevensville was third with an 88. Sami Knapp was fourth with 93, and Signee Storrud was sixth with 100. Both are from Corvallis. Hamilton’s Fern Stewart and Brooklyn Brown shot a 109 and a 110 respectively for seventh and eighth place and Morgan Gurney rounded out Hamilton’s scoring with a 124. Schlimgen finished with a 72, one stroke better than Hamilton’s Tanner Hanson. Mason Anderson of Corvallis was third with a 79. Ashton Pintok, another Blue Devil, finished in 10th with a score of 91. Hamilton’s Max Cianflone and Jackson Heath each shot an 82 to tie for fourth place. Carson Richie tied with Trace Gardner of Dillon for sixth with an 82 and Cole Dickamore was ninety with a 90. On Wednesday, Hamilton traveled to Anaconda to play on the Old Works Course. Laurel took the boys team scoring with a 329 while Hamilton had 344 and Frenchtown shot a 351. Hanson and Carson Hackmann of Laurel tied for first with a score of 75. The Hamilton girls won the team scoring by 10

Macee Greenwood of Corvallis is starting off strongly in her quest for a championship this year. She finished second at state last year. Star file photo.

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strokes. They finished with 421 strokes while Laurel had 431. Rose finished second with a score of 87. Boys Team scores: 1, Laurel 329; 2, Hamilton 344; 3, Frenchtown 351. Top 10 individuals: Carson Hackmann, Laurel, 75; Tanner Hansen, Hamilton, 75; Landen Gradwohl, Laurel, 82; Jackson Heath, Hamilton, 82; Kade Ewalt, Laurel, 84; Dylon Kominic, Frenchtown, 85; Komas Romney, Frenchtown, 87; Eli Weisenberger, Laurel, 88; Cole Dickamore, Hamilton, 92; Ben Duhame, Frenchtown, 94. Girls Team scores: 1, Hamilton 421; 2, Frenchtown 431. Top 10 individuals: Alivia Webinger, Laurel, 82; Ali Rose, Hamilton, 87; Harper Armitage, Frenchtown, 92; Molly Cooney, Laurel, 102; Hayley Bender, Hamilton, 103; McKinley Murray, Hamilton, 106; Catherine Gustin, Frenchtown, 106; Grace Bintz, Frenchtown, 109; Kyla Stark, Frenchtown, 124; Brooklyn Brown, Hamilton, 125; Fern Stewart, Hamilton, 125.

Looking for the Bitterroot Star? It’s FREE on more than 100 newsstands from Lolo to Conner. Or call us at 777-3928 and we’ll let you know where the closest stand is.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Page 6 -- Bitterroot Star

Obituaries Susan Anders

Stevensville - Sue was born on September 13, 1954, and passed away peacefully into the loving arms of the Lord on July 23, 2020. The great love of her life, Burr Anders, along with her daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Gabe, were at her side as they enjoyed their last moments together on this side of heaven. Sue was born in Missoula, Montana to Gerald and Joyce Hudson, along with three brothers, Larry, Jim, and Don. She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Larry and Jim, and a dear friend and best man at her wedding, Scott Greimann. As a young woman, she cherished time spent gardening with her grandfather, riding horses and time spent in the mountains of Montana. She graduated from Hellgate High School where she excelled academically. Sue was a natural caregiver and pursued a career in nursing, attending nursing school at St. Patrick Hospital

School of Nursing in Missoula. She met a lifelong friend, Dianne, while in nursing school. Dianne initially believed Sue to be overly assertive, over time that quality propelled Sue up the administrative ladder to eventually lead her to the position of CEO. She would eventually return to the bedside as an ICU and NICU nurse, her most treasured role in her career. Being a Mother was Sue’s greatest joy, her daughters were

her greatest accomplishment. She loved all children, always appreciating their curiosity and simplicity of play. Sue loved nature, running water always brought her peace and her dedicated and loving husband Burr would go to great lengths to produce running water in her yard at each home they had. She spent her last days enjoying the stunning view of the Bitterroot Mountains from her deck, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped yard she had created over the years, like a painting adding to her canvas each year. She loved animals, surrounding herself with animals throughout her life. She especially enjoyed their sounds; during her last evening on earth, the bulls were bellowing next door, she reached up and stroked Burr’s mustache and said, “Listen to that music.” Sue loved all things western. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to listen to cowboy poetry, to see rodeos, to listen to

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music and more than anything to dance. Sue loved to dance; she and Burr spent many hours and tracked many miles on the dance floor. Always the teacher, she never missed an opportunity to teach a fellow dancer the Cotton Eye Joe. Sue left behind a daughter Sarah (Gabe) Murphy of Whitefish, Montana; a daughter Kirstin (Christopher) Schmidt and three grandchildren of Alexandria, Virginia; a daughter Michelle (Darren) Schwieger of Fairmont, Minnesota and their children Justin and Allison; a son Michael (Ann) Anders of Dennison, Minnesota and their children Brittney (Trevor) Hubbard and their daughter Brooklyn and Aaron Laue and Nicole Laue; a daughter Marci (Jon) Splinter of Chisholm, Minnesota and their children Dillon and Nathan; as well as other extended family and friends. If Sue had an epitaph it would read, “She always left things better than when she got there.” That was true of relationships, hospitals, and places where she lived. The family will conduct private memorial services as her ashes are scattered to the winds in some of the places she loved the most. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

Bryan Wayne Whitlock

Corvallis - Bryan Wayne Whitlock, 57, died of natural causes at his Corvallis home on August 9, 2020. Born in Hamilton, MT, October 18, 1962, to Jim and JoAnn (Jack) Whitlock, Bryan was a 1981 Hamilton High School graduate and attended Northern Montana College. An expert welder, machinist and an all-around handy man, he worked for 32 years at Turner Engineering and Timber Edge Machine, jobs he loved. Bryan enjoyed his home, watching the deer in his yard, skiing with his two sons and his brother, watching the night sky, time with his many friends and helping people. Bryan is survived by his sons Ely (wife: Taylor), and Riley Whitlock and their mother, Tammie Mart, grandsons Jesse James and Tanner Donn Whitlock, his parents, sister Trudy Dickerson, brother Randy Whitlock, nieces Sierra and Sidney Whitlock and nephew Matthew Dickerson and his family. He will also be missed

Death Notices Julianne Shoush

Corvallis - Julianne M. “Julie” Shoush, 77, passed away in the afternoon, Thursday, August 20, 2020, at the St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.

by his many friends. Preceding him in death was his nephew Allen Dickerson. Due to COVID-19 there will be a private celebration of life. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel. com.

Kenneth ‘Gene’ Buroker

Stevensville - Kenneth E. “Gene” Buroker, 91, passed away Saturday, August 22 at St. Patrick Hospital. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 27 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stevensville. Interment will follow at

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Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Bitterroot Star -- Page 11

Double the fun – 2-fly systems Hopper-dropper fishing is standard fare on the Bitterroot from the time grasshoppers first appear until they’re long gone. There are plenty of reasons for that: This combination is dependable and catches a lot of fish. The window of opportunity is wide open most of the summer. Hoppers are big enough to bring fish to the surface that won’t expend the energy to rise to a

Flyfishing with Chuck Stranahan smaller fly. And trout often eat nymphs when they don’t feel like coming to the surface. This summer, with sparse hatches as the norm, the subsurface fly is often the difference between a good day’s fishing and disappointment. When to go subsurface I recently talked to a couple of anglers who visited a piece of water they had fished in the past, and were disappointed. They had planned their trip to coincide with the excellent dry fly fishing they had experienced the year before. This year it was not to be. They fished the same flies in the same places where they had seen steady rises through the day, and good fish rolling on their flies every four or five casts when the action was at its peak. Instead, the fish simply weren’t coming to the surface at the times and places they had anticipated. They had planned their trip with high expectations for a year, and hour by hour on the stream they watched it fold. They really didn’t want to nymph fish; they preferred dry flies. And I can hardly blame them. I know I’ve passed on my share of good fishing because I was too stubborn or too lazy to re-rig at times and stuck with dry flies too long. There are times when bouncing a lead-heavy nymph rig along the bottom might be the only way to catch fish, and when I go out with that expectation in mind, I’ll do it willingly - but not often. I got pretty good at it, in the days when I drifted roe clusters or single eggs for steelhead and large trout when I

lived along the banks of one of the west’s finest trout and steelhead fisheries. The switch to doing the same thing with a fly rod came easy. But it’s not my favorite way to fish. I think that’s what the anglers I talked to thought of as nymph fishing. Dredging with heavy nymphs will bring hookups, but it seems crudely out-ofplace on an idyllic mountain trout stream. And on the beautiful, idyllic stretch of river where they fished, I’d rather get skunked on dries than go dredging with nymphs. In late summer, it’s an aesthetic thing. Still, as I asked them, when the hatch is scarce and the fish won’t take the naturals on the surface, why would they take my artificial? The fish that won’t take an occasional small dry fly on the surface might willingly take the underwater form of that same fly underneath. For a trout it’s less work, the bugs are more plentiful, and moreso than most anglers, even, trout are lazy. A dry-and-dropper setup is enough like dry fly fishing that it doesn’t lose all of the dry fly’s appeal. And when the fish are taking the nymph, seeing the dry fly suddenly dip under is at least a little bit like seeing a rise. And when the action switches to the top, you can take that nymph off, lengthen your tippet, and get serious about fishing the dry fly.

The hopper-dropper rig There are several ways to go about rigging a dry-dropper setup. The traditional dry-dropper rig, or hopper-dropper rig, might go like this: The top fly is a foam-bodied grasshopper imitation, typically about a #8. A nymph, often a #8 Pat’s Rubberlegs, is suspended beneath it, tied off th bend of the hook. That combination is a favorite with the Bitterroot’s floater brigade. You can float that rig for hours, casting to one good lie after another, and usually find customers. The foam dry fly floats forever, and the nymph wiggles underwater and looks like a familiar food-form to the trout. The stonefly nymphs that the Pat’s Rubberlegs represents are in the system for three or four years before hatching. Some of them get active late in the summer and early fall. This hopper-dropper rig gives you two chances at each fish, and the bottom fly will often produce when things are skinny on top. And you’re always watching that dry fly. Just about the

time you expect it to go under again, signaling another take underneath, a burly broad-shouldered cutthroat rolls on the dry. Sometimes it’s a bit of a shock, and always a pleasant surprise. You’re legitimately dry fly fishing again.

Other dry-dropper rigs As I talked to the guys who didn’t do so well on single dries,

I told them of several combinations they might try next time the fishing on top is a little slow. One is to match two stages of the hatch they’re seeing, or go with a fish-catching searching parachute pattern on top and a similar-sized heavy nymph underneath. To do this, run the tip of a fresh 8’ leader through the eye parachute-style dry fly, and then tie about three to five feet, depending on water conditions, of same-sized tippet with a triple surgeon’s knot. The dry fly is free to run on the tapered leader but will settle at the knot when cast. It will swivel there and drift free when fished. The nymph, meanwhile, is free to search the depth. The dry might creep up the leader as the nymph follows the roll of the current. The whole system looks more natural to the trout than a dry tethered fore-and-aft above, and a nymph suspended at a set depth below. Good combinations to try are a #14 or #16 Sawyer’s Pheasant Tail or Beadhead Pheasant Tail nymph below a similar-sized PMD parachute, Purple Haze, Spectral, or Brindle ‘Chute; a Brindle ‘Chute on top with a Bird of Prey or 3P’s underneath; or toward evening try running one of Rick Lester’s Czech nymphs under the Brindle ‘Chute. The fish take the Czech nymphs for drifting caddis up to five hours before they hatch in the evening. Author and flytyer Chuck Stranahan can be reached at chuck@chuck-stranahan.com or visit his fly shop at 109 E. Main in Hamilton.

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Page 12 -- Bitterroot Star

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EXPERIENCED BARTENDER needed at Hamilton Eagles Club. Apply in person at 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton, 1-9 p.m. STEVENSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Four full-time custodians. Two part-time kitchen staff. One full-time High School Art Teacher One full-time High School Social Studies Teacher. One Elementary Title 1 Paraprofessional. Substitute bus drivers Substitute custodians Substitute kitchen Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals All positions require a background check. Applications are available at www.stevensvilleschools. org<http://www.stevensvilleschools.org> for the custodial, kitchen and teaching positions. Applications are available in the district office for substitute positions. If you have questions, please contact Samantha at 406-7775481 x137 or Angela at 406-7775481 x133. FULL TIME CUSTODIAN NEEDED: Day shift needed to help sanitize and clean during the school day. Rate: $11.46/Hour. If interested please apply at the district website https://www.lonerockschool.org/home or contact Robert DoBell, Superintendent/Principal at 406-370-0053.

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LEGAL NOTICES

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 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT W. TREZONA, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20-80 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 Sean G. Jones, 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 4th day of August 2020. /s/ Sean G. Jones, Personal Representative BS 8-12, 8-19, 9-2-20. MNAXLP

100

David H. Bjornson State Bar No. 3309 Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC 2809 Great Northern Loop, Ste

Missoula, Montana 59808 Telephone: 406-721-8896 Telefax: 406-541-8037 Email: david@bjornsonlaw.com Attorneys for Sonya G. Bitterman, Personal Representative MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DEAN S. BITTERMAN, a/k/aADVERTISING Dean Steven Bitterman, Deceased. Dept. No.: 2 Cause No.: DP-20-83 NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been

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 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELIZABETH M. LYONS, Deceased. Case No.: DP-20-84 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 Elizabeth M. Watkins, 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 18th day of August 2020. /s/ Elizabeth M. Watkins, Personal Representative BS 8-26, 9-2, 9-9-20. MNAXLP REQUEST FOR BIDS CLEANING OF AIR HANDLING DUCT WORK AT RAVALLI COUNTY COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 205 BEDFORD STREET, HAMILTON, MONTANA 59840 The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners are calling for bids for the cleaning of air handling duct work for the Ravalli County Courthouse located at 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, Montana 59840. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a Contract for Services with Ravalli County. The bid submittal deadline shall be BY Wednesday. September 16. 2020 by 4:00 PM to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office located at 215 S. 4th Street (second floor). The bid opening date is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Commissioners’ Meeting Room), with an intended Notice of Contract award scheduled for Monday September 21, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Commissioners’ Meeting Room). For a full Request for Bid Package, which includes Bid timeline, Scope of Services, Date of Pre-Bid walk through, Bid submittal and award process, please contact the Ravalli County Commissioners’ Office (Chris Taggart) at 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A (third floor) or via email at ctaggart@

rc.mt.gov or call ( 406) 375-6500. Chris Taggart, Commissioners’ Administrative Assistant BS 8-19, 8-26-20. MNAXLP REQUEST FOR BIDS CLEANING OF AIR HANDLING DUCT WORK AT RAVALLI COUNTY DETENTION CENTER LOCATED AT 205 BEDFORD STREET, HAMILTON, MONTANA 59840 The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners are calling for bids for the cleaning of air handling duct work for the Ravalli County Detention Center located at 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, Montana 59840. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a Contract for Services with Ravalli County. The bid submittal deadline shall be BY Wednesday, September 16, 2020 by 4:00 PM to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office located at 215 S. 4th Street (second floor). The bid opening date is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Commissioners’ Meeting Room), with an intended Notice of Contract award scheduled for Monday September 21, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Commissioners’ Meeting Room). For a full Request for Bid Package, which includes Bid timeline, Scope of Services, Date of Pre-Bid walk through, Bid submittal and award process, please contact the Ravalli County Commissioners’ Office (Chris Taggart) at 215 S. 4th Street, Suite A (third floor) or via email at ctaggart@ rc.mt.gov or call (406) 375-6500. Chris Taggart, Commissioners’ Administrative Assistant BS 8-19, 8-26-20. MNAXLP REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NEW DUMP TRUCK The Board of Ravalli County Commissioners is soliciting Request for Proposals for one dump trucks. Proposals will be received by the Ravalli County Clerk & Recorder, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite C, (Second floor) Hamilton, Montana 59840 until September 9, 2020 by 4:00 p.m. Proposals will then be opened by the Ravalli County Commissioners on September 10,2020 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room (Third Floor) at 21 5 S. 4th Street,

Hamilton, Montana. For a copy of the Full Request for Proposal and Specifications for the new dump truck, contact the Ravalli County Road & Bridge Department a t 244 Fairgrounds Road , Hamilton, MT. during regular business hours or by calling 406-363-2733. For questions concerning the Request for Proposal Process, contact Chris Taggart at the Ravalli County Commissioners Office - 406-375-6500. Chris Taggart Commissioners Administrative Assistant BS 8-19, 8-26-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BUDGET ADOPTION FY 2021 The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS have completed its final budget for fiscal year July 01, 2020 – June 30, 2021. The Board will take comment on the final budget on Thursday, September 03, 2020 at 2:30 PM, at which time the Board will hold a public hearing, then adopt the final budget and fix the tax levies. Any taxpayer or resident of the county may appear for or against any part of the budget. This public hearing will be held in the Commissioner’s conference room (3rd floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Commissioner’s Office at 375-6500. Chris Taggart Commissioners’ Administrative Assistant BS 8-19, 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 03, 2020 at 2:15 PM in the Commissioners’ Conference Room (3rd floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT . The purpose of this public hearing is to take public comment and pass a Resolution regarding the proposed Elected Officials Salaries for Fiscal Year 2021. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Commissioner’s office at 375-6500. Chris Taggart Adm. Assistant

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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 SONYA G. BITTERMAN, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at c/o Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC, 2809 Great Northern Loop, Suite 100, Missoula, MT 59808, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court. DATED this 26th day of August, 2020. /s/ Sonya G. Bitterman Personal Representative Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC By: David H. Bjornson Attorneys for Sonya G. Bitterman, Personal Representative BS 8-26, 9-2, 9-9-20. MNAXLP

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Commissioner’s Office BS 8-19, 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR SHERIFF’S RETIREMENT PERMISSIVE LEVY The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 03, 2020 at 2:00 PM in the Commissioners’ Conference Room (3rd floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT . The purpose of this public hearing is to take public comment and pass a Resolution regarding the proposed Sheriff’s Retirement Permissive Levy for Fiscal Year 2021. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Commissioner’s office at 375-6500. Chris Taggart Adm. Assistant Commissioner’s Office BS 8-19, 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PERMISSIVE MEDICAL LEVY The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 03, 2020 at 1:45 PM in the Commissioners’ Conference Room (3rd floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT . The purpose of this public hearing is to take public comment and pass a Resolution regarding the proposed Permissive Medical Levy for health care premiums for Fiscal Year 2021. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Commissioner’s office at 375-6500. Chris Taggart Adm. Assistant Commissioner’s Office BS 8-19, 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR LIGHTING DISTRICTS The BOARD OF RAVALLI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 03, 2020 at 1:30 PM in the Commissioners’ Conference Room (3rd floor) at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, MT . The purpose of this public hearing is to take public comment and pass a Resolution regarding the proposed Lighting Districts for Fiscal Year 2021. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Commissioner’s office at 375-6500. Chris Taggart Adm. Assistant Commissioner’s Office BS 8-19, 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LIBRARY BUDGET ADOPTION FY 2021 North Valley Public Library District Board of Trustees will complete the final budget for fiscal year July 1,

2020 - June 30, 2021 at the August 26, 2020 board meeting. The Board will hold an online public hearing on the final budget on Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 3:15 PM, at which time the Board will take comment, then adopt the final budget. Any taxpayer or resident of the Library District may appear for or against any part of the budget. A copy of the budget is available at the Library. Taxpayers may join my phone by calling in or use a Wi-Fi capable device to join. Join Zoom Meeting https://mt-gov.zoom. us/j/96276704289 Meeting ID: 962 7670 4289 Dial by Telephone +1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999 Meeting ID: 962 7670 4289 Find your local number: https:// mt-gov.zoom.us/u/a9Si4pSM If you have any questions, please call the Library Director Denise Ard at 777-5061. BS 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PERMISSIVE MEDICAL LEVY North Valley Public Library District Board of Trustees will hold an online public hearing on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 3PM. Taxpayers may join my phone by calling in or use a Wi-Fi capable device to join. The purpose of this hearing it to take public comment and pass a Resolution regarding the proposed permissive medical levy for health care premium increases for Fiscal Year 2021. Join Zoom Meeting https://mt-gov.zoom. us/j/96276704289 Meeting ID: 962 7670 4289 Dial by Telephone +1 646 558 8656 or +1 406 444 9999 Meeting ID: 962 7670 4289 Find your local number: https:// mt-gov.zoom.us/u/a9Si4pSM If you have any questions, please call the Library Director Denise Ard at 777-5061. BS 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP LEGAL NOTICE The Ravalli County Board of Health (BOH) will conduct a Public Meeting to receive citizen comment on an appeal requested by Bessie Evans, for the Property known as NHN Hannaford Ave, Florence, Parcel # 1415200. The request is to appeal the decision of the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department to deny the issuance of a replacement septic system for the Property. Located in FLORENCE W 27’ LOT 9 BLK 2, LOTS 10 & 11 BLK 2, 23,370 SQ FT. Information describing the

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Wednesday, August 26,, 2020 appeal request will be available for inspection on September 2, 2020, at the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department, in the Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 1 p.m., in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the Administrative Center. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting will be considered in the decision on said Appeal. BS 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP 31-20 / 912486 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TO BE SOLD FOR CASH AT TRUSTEE’S SALE on December 17, 2020, at 10:00 o’clock A.M. (recognized local time) at the Bedford Entrance of the Ravalli County Judicial Building, located at, 205 Bedford Street, Hamilton, MT 59840, the following described real property, situated in Ravalli County, Montana: Lot 1, North Bear Creek Tracts, Ravalli County, Montana, according to the official plat recorded March 18, 2010 as Instrument No. 628951. Commonly known as: 2172 US Highway 93, aka 195 Pine DR., Victor, MT 59875 Patriot Land Development, LLC, as Grantor(s), conveyed said real property to First American Title Company of Montana, Inc., as Trustee, to secure an obligation owed to Farmers State Bank, as Beneficiary, by Deed of Trust dated May 18, 2017, and recorded May 19, 2017, as Document No. 709883. The Beneficial interest is currently held by Farmers State Bank. Patriot Land Development, LLC has defaulted in the performance of said Deed of Trust by failing to 1) comply with the Taxes and Liens section of said Deed of Trust to pay when due (and in all events prior to delinquency) all taxes, special taxes and assessments, specifically, the second half of 2018 and all of 2019 taxes are delinquent 2) the make the annual payment of $41,257.22 due for the 15th day of December, 2019 and a like sum of $41,257.22 due each and every year thereafter, which installments would have been applied on the principal and interest due on said obligation, and other charges against the property or loan. As of August 4, 2020 there is due and owing on the loan an unpaid principal balance of $409,063.02, accrued

interest in the amount of $45,897.40 plus late fees in the amount of $300.00, for a total amount due of $455,260.42. Interest accrues on the Note at the variable rate of 6.25% per annum with a per diem rate of $71.02 after August 4, 2020. Interest continues to accrue. All delinquencies are now due together with any late charges, advances to protect the security, and fees and costs associated with this foreclosure. The Beneficiary anticipates and may disperse such amounts as may be required to preserve and protect the property and for real property taxes that may become due or delinquent, unless such amounts of taxes are paid by the Grantors. if such amounts are paid by the Beneficiary, the amounts or taxes will be added to the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust. Other expenses to be charged against the proceeds of this sale include the Trustee’s fees and attorney’s fees, costs and expenses of the sale, and late charges, if any. Beneficiary has elected and has directed the Trustee to sell the above described property to satisfy the obligation. The sale is a public sale and any person, including the Beneficiary, excepting only the Trustee, may bid at the sale. The bid price must be paid in cash at the time of sale. The conveyance will be made by Trustee’s Deed. The sale purchaser shall be entitled to possession of the property on the 10th day following the sale. The Grantor, successor in interest to the Grantor, or any other person having an interest in the property, at any time prior to the Trustee’s Sale, may pay to the Beneficiary to the successor in interest to the Beneficiary the entire amount then due under the Deed of Trust and the obligation secured thereby (including costs and expenses actually incurred and attorney’s fees) other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred and thereby cure the default. The scheduled Trustee’s sale may be postponed by public proclamation up to fifteen (15) days for any reason, and in the event of a bankruptcy filing, the sale may be postponed by the Trustee for up to onehundred twenty (120) days by public proclamation at least every thirty (30) days. DATED: August 10, 2020 By: /s/ Rae Albert, Assistant

Secretary for First American Title Company of Montana, Inc. c/o Title Financial Specialty Services PO Box 339, Blackfoot, ID 83221 STATE OF Idaho ) SS. COUNTY OF Bingham ) On this August 10, 2020, before me, a Notary Public in and for said State, personally appeared Rae Albert, known or identified to me, to be the Assistant Secretary of First American Title Company of Montana, Inc, who is named as the Trustee in the above described Deed of Trust and executed the instrument on behalf of said Trustee, and acknowledged to me that said Trustee executed the same. /s/ Shannon Gavin Notary Public of Idaho Residing at: Blackfoot, Idaho Commission Expires: 01/19/2024 BS 8-19, 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP NOTICE OF MEETING Thursday, September 3, 2020 7:00 p.m. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town of Stevensville Planning & Zoning Board will hold a meeting on Thursday , September 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via electronic means, for the purpose of reviewing and providing a recommendation to the Town Council on an application for a major subdivision known as Burnt Fork Estates. The proposed development is adjacent to and located immediately south of the existing Creekside Meadows Subdivision. Additional information, including the application for subdivision, can be found on the Town’s website: https:// www.townofstevensville.com/planning/ The meeting will be held by electronic means, and live-streamed on the Town’s website and Facebook page. Written comments may be mailed to the Clerk of the Town of Stevensville, 206 Buck Street, P .0. Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870, on or before 5:00 p.m. September 3, 2020 or may be emailed to publiccomment@ townofstevensville.com.

Bitterroot Star -- Page 13

Citizens may consult the Town’s website for further information about how to participate in this meeting, including via phone . Questions may be asked or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at406-777-5271. ATTEST: Jenelle S. Berthoud, Town Clerk BS 8-26, 9-2-2020. MNAXLP

LEGAL NOTICE The Ravalli County Board of Health (BOH) will conduct a Public Meeting to receive citizen comment on a variance request by Joseph Claxton, for the Property known as 618 Grantsdale Road, Hamilton, Parcel # 708210, Lot 1 of the Munoz Subdivision. The request is a variance from the Ravalli County Subsurface Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Regulations. Information describing the variance request will be available for inspection on September 2, 2020, at the Ravalli County Environmental Health Department, in the Administrative Center, 215 S. 4th Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 1 p.m., in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room at the Administrative Center. The public may comment verbally, or in writing, at the meeting. Comments and information submitted at the public meeting will be considered in the decision on said Appeal. BS 8-26, 9-2-20. MNAXLP

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Page 14--Bitterroot Star

ENDLESS SUMMER

Victor Fire Department practiced their fire fighting skills on an old house earlier this spring. Victor Fire Department photo.

SAVINGS

Busy day for Victor firefighters By Jean Schurman

Victor Fire Department had a busy 24 hours last Wednesday after the huge lightning storm hit the valley. Actually, their run of calls began on Tuesday when they were called to provide assistance to Stevensville Fire Department on a structure fire on Mission Street in Stevensville. Victor Fire initially sent two trucks to help fight that fire. They cleared the fire later in the evening but were then called back at 3:30 a.m. when that fire rekindled, according to Fire Chief Scott Hackett. Hackett said that at night, almost all of the volunteers who make up Victor Fire Department

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are available but most have to work during the day. So, when the lightning storm went through early Wednesday morning and ignited some fires, the department was somewhat shorthanded. As the crew was returning from their second call to Stevensville, the alarm sounded for a small lightning strike up on White’s Ranch at the base of the Bald Hill, west of Victor. Five trucks responded to that. And then they received a call of another lightning strike almost at the trailhead on Fred Burr on Deer Ridge Road. Hackett said that when he arrived at that one, there were flames about two feet tall and the fire was beginning to travel.

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The Forest Service was also called and then assisted on that fire. “We were running out of people,” said Hackett. “In the middle of the day, it’s a struggle.” Their next call was on Bell Crossing where there was a controlled burn. There is no open burning right now because of the high fire danger and so, the department put the fire out. “It was contained but we didn’t want or need that burning,” said Hackett. “It’s too dry.” But the calls kept coming. About 3:30 p.m., they were dispatched to a small fire on Highway 93 near Parts Unlimited. Hackett said they thought someone flicked a cigarette out. That fire was very small. Their final call of the 24 hour period was to a traffic accident at Bell Crossing and Highway 93. The road was blocked. Both vehicles were totaled and the occupants were transported to the hospital. The department was able to handle these calls because of the dedication and training of their members, according to Hackett. He reminded everyone that open burning is closed.

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Page 16 -- Bitterroot Star

Fire danger raised to ‘very high’ Fire danger on the Bitterroot National Forest was raised to “Very High” on August 19. In the last several weeks, Bitterroot fire and recreation crews have found numerous abandoned campfires on the forest along with an increase in humancaused fires. “Unfortunately, we are seeing at least two or three of these a week,” said Mark Wilson, Fire Management Officer. “We really need all our resources available right now for initial attack and quick response to new starts, instead of being called away to douse abandoned campfires. We are asking for the public’s help to stop this continuing problem.” Leaving a fire without completely extinguishing it is prohibited, and violators face substantial fines including potentially paying fire suppression costs -- which can easily run into the thousands if an unattended fire starts a wildfire. Lower elevation fuels have

Burnt Fork Estates Subdivision

dried to the point that fires will spread quickly. Fire managers are reminding visitors and recreationists to be extremely careful while visiting the forest. Pay attention to those items that can cause a spark, such as chains on a trailer. Ensure that all campfires are dead out by adding water and stirring dirt into hot coals until cold. If your campfire is too hot to touch, then it’s too hot to leave. Cigarette butts should never be thrown from vehicle windows and refrain from smoking in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas. Firewood cutters should operate chainsaws equipped with spark arresters in the cool morning hours and keep a shovel and fire extinguisher nearby. Keep vehicles on established roads and trails and avoid driving over dry grass and brush that could be ignited by hot exhaust systems. One less spark, one less wildfire! Open burning is currently

NOTICE OF MEETING & PUBLIC HEARINGS Burnt Fork Estates Subdivision

Greetings!

prohibited in Ravalli County. Camp and cooking fires are still allowed. Visit www.firerestrictions.us/mt to learn more about fire restrictions that are in place throughout Montana. When fire danger is “Very High” fires will start from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirls. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires. To date, there have been 28 small wildfires on the Forest this summer; 11 human-caused and 17 lightning fires. For more information about fires in Montana and other fires across the country, visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Fax: 406-777-4284

August 26, 2020

The Town of Stevensville is in receipt of an application for a major subdivision known as Burnt Fork26, Estates. August 2020 The proposed development is adjacent to and located immediately south of the existing Creekside Meadows Greetings! Subdivision. The Town will be hosting a series of meetings to review the application and gather public comment. the Townisisinrequired holdapplication only one public hearing, we haveknown scheduled threeFork hearings on The Town While of Stevensville receipt to of an for a major subdivision as Burnt Estates. The proposed is adjacenthas to and immediately south ofThe the meeting existing Creekside Meadows separate datesdevelopment to ensure everyone an located opportunity to comment. schedule has been Subdivision. The Town will be hosting a series of meetings to review the application and gather public established as follows: comment. While the Town is required to hold only one public hearing, we have scheduled three hearings on separate dates to ensure everyone has an opportunity to comment. The meeting schedule has been • September 3, 2020 @ 7:00pm – Planning & Zoning Board Meeting established as follows:

• •• • ••

September 10, 2020 @ 7:00pm – Town Council Public Hearing September 2020@@7:00pm 7:00pm––Planning Town Council Public Hearing September 15, 3, 2020 & Zoning Board Meeting 10, 2020 @ 7:00pm – Town Council Public Hearing September 17, September 15, 2020 2020 @ @ 7:00pm 7:00pm –– Town September 24, Town Council Council Public MeetingHearing

• September 17, 2020 @ 7:00pm – Town Council Public Hearing • September 2020 @ the 7:00pm – Town Council Meeting can be found on the Town’s website: Additional information,24,including application for subdivision,

https://www.townofstevensville.com/planning/

Additional information, including the application for subdivision, can be found on the Town’s website: https://www.townofstevensville.com/planning/

Due to the risks associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, meetings will be held by electronic means, and livestreamed theassociated Town’s website andCOVID-19 FacebookPandemic, page. Written comments may by be electronic mailed tomeans, the Clerk the Due to theonrisks with the meetings will be held andofliveTown of onStevensville, 206 Buck Street, P.O. 30, comments Stevensville, 59870,to the or Clerk emailed streamed the Town’s website and Facebook page.Box Written may MT be mailed of theto Town of Stevensville, 206 Buck Street, P.O. Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870, or emailed to publiccomment@townofstevensville.com. publiccomment@townofstevensville.com.

Citizens may consult the Town’s website for further information about how to participate in this meeting, Citizens may consult the Town’s website for further information about how to participate in this meeting, including via phone. including via phone.

THE CHANGING. NO NO LESS LESS THAN THAN 48 48 HOURS HOURS NOTICE NOTICE WILL WILL BE BE THE COVID-19 COVID-19 SITUATION SITUATION IS IS RAPIDLY RAPIDLY CHANGING. GIVEN HELD IN IN LIEU LIEU OF OF AN AN ELECTRONIC ELECTRONIC MEETING. MEETING. GIVEN IF IF AA PHYSICAL PHYSICAL MEETING MEETING MAY MAY BE BE HELD Questions may be asked or more information may be obtained by contacting Town Hall Hall atat 406-777-5271. 406-777-5271. Sincerely, Sincerely,

Brandon E. Dewey

Brandon Mayor E. Dewey

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Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Bitterroot Star -- Page 17

Sapphire Community Health Welcomes Chief Medical Officer Dr. Johanna Dreiling

• • • • • • • •

• •

Originally from western Montana BA from University of Montana in Missoula Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala Medical School at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota Family Medicine Residency in Grand Junction, Colorado For the past ten years, has been practicing Family Medicine in the Bitterroot Valley Preceptor for the Family Medicine Residency in Missoula Prior to employment with Sapphire, has been on the Board of Directors for Sapphire Community Health for the past five years Clinical interests and specialized training in pediatrics, women’s health and whole family care Lives in Hamilton and enjoys traveling, hiking, floating and skiing with husband and 2 sons

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Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Page 18-- Bitterroot Star

Everyone is invited to our

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