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Volume XXXVI, Number 7
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
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Election Administrator opts for full mail ballot elections By Michael Howell
Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder and Election Administrator Regina Plettenberg, who had been considering a single consolidated polling place for the coming general elections, came forward Tuesday morning and submitted a plan for full mail ballot instead. Plettenberg noted that the choice of in-person voting was still an option for voters, but no polling places would be established. Any
lenge for everyone. individual voter who wants can long and could lead to delays as After examining the logis“Now you have tasked me void their mail ballot and have an people have to spend so long in tics, she told the county commiswith an incredible challenge to get official ballot issued to them that the ballot booth. sioners, “With every fiber of my this done in one day,” she said. they may then file in-person at the Plettenberg said that, even being, I feel like it’s a mistake if She said holding a mail-out county administration buildballot election does not preing. “With every fiber of my being, I feel like it’s a mistake if we don’t clude individuals who desire Plettenberg, who had go with a mail ballot...” it from voting in person. recommended a full mail-only -- Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator There is a way for people to ballot, had tentatively agreed get a ballot and submit it in to the compromise solution of though some people disagreed, she person if that is their desire, she we don’t go with a mail ballot, the establishing a single polling still had to observe social distancespecially after having tried to said. She said she didn’t see much place at the Fairgrounds, until she ing requirements. She said large plan this over the last week.” She difference in driving down to the set about figuring out the logistics events have become a real chalsaid the ballot was exceptionally County Administration office in detail.
Public outcry
to vote rather than to the Fairgrounds. The opportunity to vote in person would be extended over a month so people don’t have to crowd in all at once. She said, for working people, the plan also provides for voting in person over the weekend prior to the November 3 election day. Plettenberg said that, since 35 counties in the state have already declared mail-out ballot See BALLOT, page 18
Forest withdraws approval of massive Gold Butterfly project
By Michael Howell
Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Matthew Anderson, on Friday, August 28, withdrew his Record of Decision approving the Gold Butterfly Project. The project area stretches over 10 miles in the Sapphire Mountains from Stevensville to Corvallis covering an area of 55,147 acres. The vegetative management component of the project included commercial logging on 5,461 acres, prescribed burning activities on 4,854 acres and non-commercial logging of smaller trees on 5,040 acres. It was approved on November 19, 2019, but on July 10, 2020,
two conservation organizations, Anderson said that the Friends of the Bitterroot and Alliobjectives of the project included ance for the Wild Rockies, filed improving forest resilience to suit to stop the project, alleging natural disturbances, such as several violations of the law, fire, insects, and diseases, reducincluding that the project did not ing chronic sediment sources follow the Forest Plan. in Willow Creek watershed to improve water quality and bull “I have decided it is in the trout habitat, restoring or improvbest interest of the public to withing key habitats including meaddraw the decision and direct my ows, aspen, and whitebark pine, staff to conduct additional review and analysis,” wrote Anderson. and managing timber to provide “Upon further review of the forest products, jobs, and income to local communities. The deciproject analysis, we recognized some deficiencies regarding Forest sion also included vegetation management activities, including Plan compliance.” He said any new decision will proceed through commercial timber harvests, nonthe required NEPA and public See GOLD BUTTERFLY, page 15 involvement procedures.
County Health Department: Demand high for public input wearing masks works! Stevensville residents demonstrated at town hall last week, calling for an end to virtual town council meetings.
at Stevi council meetings By Michael Howell
Dissatisfied with the way public input at Stevensville Town Council meetings has been handled or mishandled, depending on your point of view, over two dozen people, many carrying signs, gathered outside Stevensville’s Town Hall last Thursday as a Zoom meeting over the internet was being conducted by Mayor Brandon Dewey from his home. Although Dewey responded to criticism of the initial town meetings held on the Zoom platform by adding the option for members of the public to phone in and give real time comment, many people feel
that being excluded from attending meetings in person handicaps their ability to participate in the decision-making process. While public comment is being accepted over the phone under the new format, written comment submitted during the meeting may not necessarily be acknowledged at the time but will be included in the official minutes of the meeting when they are adopted. According to Mayor Dewey, after a lot of consultation it was determined that it was not necessary to read the written comment into the record aloud at the meeting so long as it was included in the final record of the meeting and the council members had time to read it before making their
decision. One of the protesters outside town hall the other evening, Jim Kalkofen, said he was “not real thrilled with the Mayor’s style of meetings lately.” “For how many years here in Stevensville have public comments been heard at meetings?” he asked. Kalkofen is head of a homeowners association that is contesting a recently proposed subdivision adjacent to the one he lives in. He said the mayor’s new process leaves him anxious that the public may not be able to have their voices heard in that process. He said that he wasn’t sure he could communicate in See PUBLIC, page 18
By Michael Howell
Aware that some people in the valley, even some influential public officials, are under the false impression that wearing masks in public is not an effective or otherwise essential way to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Ravalli County Health Department officials want to get the word out: wearing masks works! According to Joseph Hopkins, Public Information Officer for the Ravalli County Health Department, wearing masks when going out in public is absolutely one of the most important things a person can do to help the community stave off the worst impacts of this infection, especially once it has gotten a foothold in the community and begun to spread through asymptomatic carriers. As is the case in
Ravalli County. “Without a doubt,” said Hopkins, “and we want to get that information out to the community. One of the best ways you can ultimately protect your community and yourself is to wear a mask when out in public to protect other people. Our stance at the public health department has never wavered on that.” Hopkins said that one public official recently remarked to the press that “a face shield doesn’t do much for you,” but Hopkins adamantly disagrees. “It is very important,” he said, “to be able to cover all of your mucous membranes. This virus can enter your body through your eyes, nose and mouth and a mask only covers your nose and mouth. There is nothing wrong with wearing a face shield because
it will give you further protection for your eyes. “In no way, shape or form, would we ever advocate not wearing a facemask or a face shield,” he said. “It is an added layer of protection and in a lot of situations it’s probably a good idea if people have access to them.” Hopkins said that he had heard some people saying that masks don’t work after 15 minutes, but he said there was no truth in that. “It is one of the best ways that you can keep yourself and the people you love and your community safe from this infection. Wearing a mask reduces the amount of aerosolized particulates or droplet particulates that can emit from your mouth and infect someone else.”
State may purchase additional acreage at Ft. Owen State Park
By Michael Howell
Montana State Parks, a division of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), is seeking public review of its proposal to acquire fee-title acquisition to an approximately 0.9-acre parcel of property immediately south of its Fort Owen State Park located northwest of Stevensville. The parcel would be added to the existing state park and developed as a parking area. From the time Fort Owen was added to state ownership in the 1950s, the managing agencies, including the State Parks Department, have struggled to provide appropriate public access
and parking, while also protecting property rights and privacy for the neighboring private landowner. According to information contained in the Environmental Assessment of the proposal, the existing one-acre State Park is surrounded by a private ranch, with ranch traffic and public access along a shared road. This shared access road leading north from Highway 269 is a private road, but the Department holds a road easement along the road portion from the highway to the north end of the State Park, to allow the public and Department personnel to access the state park. “Given the current configu-
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ration, it is nearly impossible for a member of the public or Department staff to park at the site without trespassing on ranch property. In addition, the proximity of ranch buildings, including residences, to the park creates almost a daily privacy and security concern for the ranch residents and visitors,” it states in the EA. Conversations with owners of the ranch beginning in the 1980s (perhaps earlier) were never able to gain enough
Approximate boundaries of the proposed addition to existing Fort Owen State Park (red) and the portion of access easement to be abandoned.
traction to lead to a long-term solution. In late 2017, MGY Ranch, LLC purchased the private ranch, and discussions were initiated toward finding a solution that would provide consistent legal access for all members of the public, as well as create appropriate separation of public and private lands. The parties have reached agreement where the Department proposes to acquire approximately 0.9 acre of property in fee simple purchase. With this purchase, the Department would then work toward developing a parking area--once See FORT OWEN, page 2
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Page 2 -- Bitterroot Star
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Fort Owen continued
a cultural resources survey has been completed and any appropriate protections and mitigation measures have been developed and approved if needed to protect any identified historic resources on this new addition. Development of a parking lot would involve a later, separate project proposal, including a Draft EA and opportunity for public involvement and comment. As part of the acquisition, the Department would also abandon the portion of the roadway easement located east of and adjacent to the existing park boundary, to ensure the public parks in the new parking area and not on private ranch property. The Department would retain administrative and emergency access to this portion of the easement to allow for site maintenance and management. If the project is approved and the acquisition is completed (and no sooner than the end of the
A view of Fort Owen State Park from the south. If the proposed land acquisition is approved, this will become the entrance way to the park from the proposed parking lot. If the land acquisition is approved a separate proposal to construct the parking area will go through the public review process including an additional Environmental Assessment of the project proposal.
current “peak” visitor season on September 8, 2020), Fort Owen State Park would be closed to the public until a cultural resource survey is complete. Following a later, separate project proposal for development of a parking area and if the new parking area project were to be approved and built—then construction could be completed in time for a tentative re-opening date of May 1, 2021. A draft environmental assessment (EA) for this proposal is available for public review and comment. The EA may be obtained by mail from Region 2
Bitterroot Public Library goes fine free The Bitterroot Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their August board meeting to approve eliminating overdue fees for most items at the library effective Sept. 1, 2020. “Late fines are not effective in getting materials returned on time,” Mark Wetherington, library director, said, “and they can often create a barrier to library use.” “Eliminating late fines can have an immensely positive impact on our community by providing more equitable access to materials and library services for everyone,” Wetherington continued. “We’ve been looking at eliminating late fines for quite a while.” He also noted that fines are not a significant source of revenue for the library, accounting for less than half of one percent of the library’s total revenue. ”The amount of time it took for staff to process fines, answer lengthy questions related to fines of 10 and 20 cents, and so forth didn’t allow for any real profits from fines. It just kind of gummed up the works and wasn’t a productive use of time,” he continued. “The ben-
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FWP, 3201 Spurgin Rd., Missoula 59804; phoning 406-542-5540; or emailing shrose@mt.gov. The EA may also be viewed on FWP’s Internet website http://fwp.mt.gov (“News,” then “Recent Public Notices”) or on Montana State Parks’ Internet website http://stateparks.mt.gov/ (“Public Comment & Notices”). Comments may be made online on either of the EA’s webpages or submitted by mail or email to the addresses above. Comments must be received by FWP no later than September 4, 2020.
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Bitterroot Star -- Page 3
Special drone being used over Cinnabar Fire
By Michael Howell
For the first time on the Bitterroot National Forest a drone is being used to map and provide live surveillance of the Cinnabar Fire in the Welcome Creek Wilderness northeast of Stevensville. An Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team from Bozemanbased Bridger Aerospace (BA) arrived on Friday and set up a mobile ground station in the 3-mile area from which to launch and land a surveillance drone. The drone is also piloted from a mobile command center parked near the launching and landing pad, which looks like a large
rubber mat laid out upon the grass. Portable antennas and small satellite dishes are pulled out of the van and assembled. The whole unit is self-powered and four large computer screens are mounted on the wall of the van with room for a pilot and a co-pilot at the controls. This UAS is not one of those little drones used commonly by realtors, hunters and most other private citizens. This is a real aircraft, in comparison, in fact the plane is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration as a fixed-wing aircraft. It is a hybrid fixed-wing/Quadrotor plane with a wingspan of over 15 feet and, while the commonly marketed
Brent Thornhill, a military trained UAS pilot working for Bridger Aerospace, checks on the surveillance craft prior to take-off. Michael Howell photo. little quadrotor UASs can stay aloft for about 20 minutes, this plane can fly up to 12 hours with a payload of about 20 pounds and almost 24 hours without a load. The payload on this fire reconnaissance mission consists of two camera systems. One system in the shape of a small globe is mounted under the front nose of the plane. The other is mounted in the belly of the plane. Both systems have both daylight and infrared capability. According to BA team manager Weston Irr, the cameras in the belly are used for general surveillance. It can take still pictures on demand or they can fly a straight line and later stitch the still pictures together and make a ‘strip map’ of the flight path. Or they can fly over a large area taking pictures and stitch them all together into an ‘orthomosaic’ map and create a map of the whole area.
Taking off on its first flight from a mobile ground station on a hill in the Three Mile Creek area, this Unmanned Aircraft System (an HC-90C Hybrid Quadrotor,popularly called a drone) launches itself vertically by using four pop-up helicopter blades. Once it gains clear airspace, usually about 100 feet high, these blades retract and the plane is driven by a single rear-mounted propeller like other fixed-winged aircraft. Michael Howell photo.
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The cameras on the front are mobile and can be pointed in any direction and are manually controlled by the pilot back at the ground station. When permission to launch into a temporarily restricted air space was finally granted by the FAA, the UAS was launched Saturday morning. The plane can climb to about 18,000 feet. But the ceiling on the temporary flight restricted area was 12,000 feet, so the drone leveled itself out at 11,000 to 11,500 feet altitude to a series of parallel flight paths over the area. Back at the ground station we could see the tracking van and surrounding vehicles and the launch site from several thousand feet in the air. Dan Osterkamp, data specialist for the Bureau of Land Management, an agency cooperat-
ing in the fire surveillance effort, was excited about the prospect of using this real-time surveillance capability on forest fires. What the UAS sees through its cameras can be shared with teams of specialists in varying places over computers around the country and even with firefighters on the ground. “We can share the images of selected areas with Hot Shot crews on the ground using their cell-phones,” said Osterkamp. By using the Zoom platform on the internet, the live flight visuals can be shared among any number of individuals. According to Irr, the fire can probably be mapped in about two hours and after that the plane can visit any area of the fire upon request and help identify hot spots or provide closer visuals for making strategic decisions on the ground or in planning defense
lines.
“With a plane like this on a fire the firefighters have a fresh, up to date map of the fire every morning before going out,” said Irr. The drone may be seen in action over the fire in the coming week. Private drones, which are dangerous to operate in the vicinity of helicopters and planes, are restricted from flying in the area. The lightning-caused Cinnabar Fire started on August 19th. Currently is 0% contained. 268 personnel are currently assigned to the fire which, as of Monday, August 31, was listed at 2144 acres. Northern Rockies Team Seven, a Type II Incident Management Team, is currently managing the incident. Resources assigned to the incident include: two hotshot crews, three initial attack crews,
See DRONE, page 4
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
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Page 4 -- Bitterroot Star
Drone continued
two engines, one camp crew, seven helicopters and several pieces of heavy equipment. Sunday’s fire activity resulted in an increase of a couple hundred acres. Most of the growth occurred in Ferret Creek as the fire burned to the northeast towards Welcome Sawmill Saddle and the 2007 Sawmill Fire scar. On the western edge, the fire has neared Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 in some areas. Helicopters worked hot spots with bucket drops throughout the fire. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) collected additional data for fire staff to use in managing the fire. Line construction and improvement operations are ongoing. Masticators and heavy equipment are working along the 4268 road. Crews on the western edge will monitor and hold the fire at Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide Trail #313. Fire activity will likely be minimal with the incoming weather, but will continue to creep and smolder. Cooler weather arrived on Monday with temperatures in the 60’s over the fire area and a
50% chance of wetting rain. After Monday, warm and dry weather was expected to return. An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Missoula Ranger
District, Lolo National Forest, and Stevensville Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest. The closure includes the entire Welcome Creek Wilderness and additional roads and trails adjacent
Bridger Aerospace AUS Team leader Weston Irr and team member Brent Thornhill set up the antennas and satellite dishes used to connect the drone and its cameras to the mobile command post and beyond to specialists located around the state and the nation and to firefighters on the ground. Michael Howell photo.
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Bitterroot Star -- Page 5
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 to the Wilderness for public and firefighter safety. For the current closure and map visit Inciweb. The Rock Creek Road #102 corridor and recreation access remains open. Fire Information Line: 406356-6235 Fire Email: 2020.cinnabar@ firenet.gov Inciweb: https://inciweb. nwcg.gov/incident/7063/ Facebook: Lolo National Forest Twitter: @LoloNF
Bridger Aerospace AUS pilot Alex Logan is pictured here at the control station located inside the mobile command center. From here he guides the plane and the cameras that it carries in its surveillance and mapping operations. Michael Howell photo.
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Opinion
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Bitterroot Star Editorial Board Michael Howell Victoria Howell
Star Editorial
Importance of public comment
In our system of government, we elect people to represent us in the activities of setting and implementing policies. We entrust them with the responsibility to make the best decisions regarding the future of our community. However, we do have a chance to weigh in before any decisions are made, through the public comment process that is enshrined in Montana’s constitution. Montana’s laws on open meetings and the right to know and participate are some of the strongest in the nation. Even when meeting virtually, all comments should be read aloud so that the people watching or listening virtually can hear them, and so that the public knows for certain that their comments are being considered by the council members. So, we are baffled by what appears to be the Town’s recent stifling of public comment. For example, a recent council meeting had only two agenda items under new business, Discussion/Decision: Establishing a Local Board of Public Health for the Town of Stevensville and Discussion/Decision: Use of Face Coverings in Public Settings to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19. Just two items, but items of great interest to the citizenry. In fact, 20 businesses signed a letter regarding these agenda items. But shockingly, the letter was not read during either public comment or correspondence! There is no valid excuse for this. During the meeting, comments were apparently coming in by email but those, too, were not read out loud. One council member said she had received some emails from one of her constituents but she was not allowed to read those into the record. Another council member had citizens at his house who wanted to comment but they were not allowed to. There is no good reason not to initially allow public comment, and to also allow some latitude due to the challenges of meeting virtually. And in this case, time constraints were not an issue, since the agenda
was extremely short. Certainly profanity, repetitive comments, or overly lengthy comments could be reasons to curtail public comment. But in this case, public comment was never allowed to start! We were told that this oversight was due to the shortcomings of the Zoom software. But we have watched numerous meetings of other entities on Zoom and they were able to receive and hear public comment. (If there is a problem with this at the Town, most likely the cost of correcting it, if any, would be covered by CARES Act reimbursement.) The audience at that recent council meeting was assured that any public comments would be added to the record and distributed to council members and posted on the website after. The reason that is not sufficient is that the whole point of public comment is to allow for the potential to influence the council in its decision making. The council members need to hear from the public that they serve. It’s not just a formality; it’s a very significant part of our government process. Fortunately, there were no decisions made on those two agenda items, except perhaps the decision to do nothing at the time. That’s lucky, because if a decision had been made, without considering public comment and without actually letting the rest of the public hear that comment, the decision could be illegal. The mayor has now added a phone-in option for people to comment during real time. That should be a real improvement, as long as it works properly. Unfortunately, part of the reason the meetings went from in-person to virtual was because some members of the public refused to respect social distancing measures. But now that the meetings are virtual, it’s imperative that the mayor and council show the public that they are serious about hearing what the public has to say. The town may be meeting the letter of the law; they need to show us that they care about meeting the spirit of the law as well.
Masking
ness owners, worked to pass it. Montana was the first state in the nation to do that, even before the Federal government. Last session we moved legislation that would have put severe penalties on ANYONE selling tobacco or vaping products to minors, HB266. This is all on the record. Feel free to look it up at leg. mt.gov. If you would ever want to discuss education, affordable housing or healthcare, I’m all ears. I would also love to discuss taxes and the increases the Democrats want. Public lands and access to them. Bureaucratic overreach is another. Wasteful spending by state agencies that include things like first class airfare on the taxpayers’ dime. $600 a day at high-end coffee shops. Trips to SeaWorld and 4- and 5-star hotel stays. The people of Ravalli County and the people of HD 87 do not deserve this. They don’t deserve the environmental terrorism of the Friends of the Bitterroot stopping any Forrest management plan so that maybe, just maybe, we won’t have to watch our lands burn. My position? It’s way more than you know. Ron Marshall Victor
Letters
Mr. Daniel Rogers of Hamilton, in the August 26 edition of the Bitterroot Star excoriated the editor of the paper for publishing an OPINION letter from a reader objecting to face masks as the reader claimed that they inhibited 02 intake. Rogers claimed that is “obviously false” and says the editor should have made some editorial decisions before publishing the “rantings” of a delusional reader. Hmmm, I wonder who is delusional here? Could it be that Mr. Rogers is delusional because he is styling himself as an “EXPERT” on masks? YES, it’s possible, but a short time on the net results in many studies that contradict each other, it ends up that no one really knows what to do. Rogers chose his side and the original reader chose his. Thus, both men have their opinion and for them it is the right opinion. My opinion is that the editor was smart, decisive, and fair in publishing the opinion of the original reader and that of Mr. Rogers. Look below and you will see how information and opinions vary as to the harm or good masks do for us: Then YOU choose your own opinion and that’s all it can be at this point. Here’s one: https://jennifermargulis.net/wearing-mask-canharm-your-health/ Here’s another: https:// www.health.com/condition/ infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-
increase-co2-levels Here’s a third: https:// pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/megan-fox/2020/05/14/ neurosurgeon-says-face-maskspose-serious-risk-to-healthy-people-n392431 It’s enough to drive you crazy, isn’t it? Helen Sabin Corvallis
Mask thinking?
One thought out there: Having a mask on makes you safe, right? OK, then why does someone who doesn’t have a mask on make you feel unsafe? You are safe in your mask, aren’t you? Another thought out there: By wearing a mask you are protecting others from you. So, does that mean you’re sick? Think about it. Kathleen Rhodes Stevensville
Response to Linda Schmitt
Your Letter Response to Linda Schmitt In response to Linda Schmitt’s letter of Aug. 18, 2020: You state that “my only position is that he wants to sell candyflavored nicotine based addictive vaping substances to kids.” Where to begin with that? Let’s start with the facts. In 2015, I worked with the State legislature to pass SB66. That bill made it illegal to sell vaping products to minors. Yes, we, the busi-
Bitterroot Star
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Publishers - Michael & Victoria Howell Editors - Michael & Victoria Howell Sports Editor - Jean Schurman Advertising Sales Consultants Jean Schurman (239-4354) & Liz Cook (880-2007) Graphic Designer - Deven Monta TheBitterroot Bitterroot Star Starisispublished published weekly weekly at 115 115 W. 3rd 3rd,Street, Suite 108, The Suite 108, Stevensville,Montana. Montana.Subscriptions Subscriptionsare are$40 $50per peryear yearin inRavalli RavalliCounty, Stevensville, County, $60 per out ofand county, per year out of state. $50 per year out year of county, $60and out $70 of state. The Postal Service will no longer forward the Bitterroot Star. Address changes to our mailing list are made once a month and can be made by contacting the Star office at 777-3928.
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Zoom needs to end now!
There was a protest held at town hall last Thursday. Most of the signs held were against any
more Zoom meetings. There are several reasons to acknowledge the reasoning behind the protest. The Zoom meetings primarily have stifled the participation of in-person public involvement. If the concerned citizens of Stevensville have no voice in the process of local government, where else can they go? A Zoom meeting, no matter how well conceived and run, cannot take the place of interaction with the people attending an in-person meeting. This is not a hard concept to understand. In-person participation by the citizens is how we have interacted with the government for hundreds of years. In-person interaction allows the government to understand the issues the citizens are interested in bringing forth. Unfortunately, the Zoom meetings held in Stevensville seem to be a deliberate attempt to accomplish two objectives. One is to eliminate public disagreement with the current mayor. The other reason appears to keep the mayor from appearing before the public due to immense embarrassment due to the recall. The mayor seems to be in hiding. He has not officially emerged since Judge Recht’s damning decision against his lawsuit aimed to stop the recall. Whatever, the reasons, Zoom meetings need to end. There is simmering anger in Stevensville because of Zoom. There is no logical reason to continue. Other venues have offered their locations for public meetings. Venues with much more room. Venues with in place audio and visual equipment.
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Other towns have held public meetings. Other boards have held public meetings. It is time for the mayor to quit hiding, to quit denying the citizens the right to participate (one of the recall issues), and to quit controlling the town. It is time to quit putting the citizens through the discord and unhappiness now facing Stevensville. Leanna Rodebaugh Stevensville
The above mentioned meeting or hearings must abide by the Montana Open Meetings Law. MCA 2-3-201: “The law defines meeting as any gathering of a quorum of the members of a public body, including the use of electronic equipment, so as to deliberate and decide on public policy. If violated, a suit must be filed within 30 days. If a court finds a violation it may void any action taken at the meeting in violation.” Marilyn Wolff Stevensville
So everybody knows, here is the language exactly as written in the Subdivision Review Joint Application Form written by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Part II - Required Information for Approval of Subdivisions Under Sanitation in Subdivision Laws. Section B - Water Supply. Paragraph 3 - “Where a public water system is proposed or existing.” 3.a - “If an existing system will be used.” 2 - “Provide evidence that the system is approved by DEQ and is in compliance with the regulations.” Directly from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, dated Aug. 12, 2020, “This place of use, or service area, does not include the area proposed for the Burnt Fork Estates subdivision you are inquiring about.” Folks, the area proposed (corner of Logan Lane and Middle Burnt Fork Road) is NOT IN COMPLIANCE. The mayor wants you to believe this is no big deal and will be resolved by snapping his fingers. Well, the Town of Stevensville tried to do this and failed to comply with DNRC requirements and in November 2015, DNRC terminated the Town’s application. There have been minimal, if any, progress reports or updates to the Council or the public in the past five years. Is it possible this is more of an issue than the mayor may want us to believe? My two-cents worth is that this entire subdivision proposal should be put on hold until we know more about the water rights situation. Jim Kalkofen Stevensville
Cause for concern
These are the rules
Stevensville needs real public meetings now
If you saw the legal notice regarding the Burnt Fork Estates Subdivision in the Bitterroot Star, page 16 of the August 26, 2020 paper, you saw a meeting on 9/3 with the Planning and Zoning Board and three subsequent hearings with the Town Council. You may wonder why just a meeting and not a hearing with the Board on a major subdivision. Is the 9/3 meeting CLOSED to the public as I’ve heard? Could closed meetings and virtual meetings during a pandemic serve a less than honest purpose to prevent or limit public participation? Could that happen in Stevensville? If you’re following local news, the answer is yes. The Stevensville 2016 Growth Policy (town website) under Subdivision Review page 37 and 38 states, “Public hearings provide the opportunity for individuals who have an interest in or may be impacted by a proposed subdivision to express their concerns to Planning and Zoning Board and Town Council. Montana’s Subdivision and Platting Act requires public hearings for major and subsequent minor subdivisions. This section serves to outline how public hearings will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Board and Town Council for proposed subdivisions in Stevensville.”
Letters Policy
Kenneth Bransby www.bransbylaw.com
515 Main Street, Stevensville, MT
Bitterroot Star -- Page 7
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.
As a citizen of Stevensville, and a customer on the municipal water and sewer systems, I am becoming more alarmed about the proposed Burnt Fork Estates subdivision planned for the 57 acres bordered by Middle Burnt Fork and Logan Lane. I have reviewed sections of the proposal and little things keep jumping out at me. So much information about number of homes, number of daily car trips, amount of water/sewer connections seems to be inaccurate if you do the math. I have been aware this summer of a change already in my household water pressure; I believe this is the result of Twin Creeks being extensively developed, Creekside Meadows nearing full development and the infill we are seeing around town itself. How will 78 single family homes and 43 multifamily homes add to the situation? I sought some information from a town official about the bonds we pay for monthly on the water/sewer bill. Did you know or remember that these were 39 year bonds and that there is still an excess of 30 years on those bonds? What does the addition of all these new proposed connections do to the capacity of our sewer system? Where does the money come from when the sewer system has to be upgraded and enlarged? We citizens of Stevensville, of course! I can only see more bonds in the future. We already see some of the highest water/sewer rates in the county. Can you see a possibility of that expense ever going down? Burnt Fork Estates might tell you that they are creating 4.5 acres of park space and common areas. But…their plat map shows 3 retention ponds in one common area, with a depth of 2 feet and holding a volume of 95,000 cubic feet of water, another two retention ponds 2 feet deep with 22,000 cubic feet of volume. Also on their plat are “drainage swales” and sumps/drywells. There seems of be a site discharge going west from the subdivision and possible connections/additions through Creekside Meadows. Is all that anticipated water from acreage with a very high water table headed for our city sewer system? Be concerned, be aware! And be very concerned that the schedule of public meetings, where our voices can be heard and our questions asked face to face, are being denied and being blamed on Covid. If the City Planning and Zoning Board, the mayor and the council really want to answer what we are asking, they should be able to figure out a venue where that can happen. If these meetings are not truly open and public, they should not occur until that is possible! Nancy Kopszywa Stevensville
Worst thing
This is the worst thing we have ever faced. The degenerate LIAR CRIMINAL in the White House represents a certain kind of cretin person who is not able to comprehend higher ideals like: • Social responsibility to nourish a generative community as the sole carekeeper species • Contrary to common perception, you cannot do whatever the hell you want. All free choice comes with consequences such that responsible liberty means Do No Harm • Human obligation to protect all viable life kinds and vital life systems for all future generations • Virulent predator power schemes for self gain are degenerative and cause all decay, suffer-
Page 8 -- Bitterroot Star
ing, ruin and death. The party of tRump is a degenerative holdover kind of human descended from imbecile ancient pappies who barfed up the rudimentary animus junk principles of aggression for gain that have dominated all history like: “be strong to survive” - “tough guy asshole” - “women are inferior” - “white might is right” - and for the worse mighty smighty punisher god of Abraham. Just as no one can know if there is a god, this absurd punisher god of fear, of pain and suffering, promises eternal death to disbelievers and looks like nothing at all Divine. These are all degenerative power principles that survive because of perennial ignorance since we came out of the trees and codified around some stinky savanna dung fire in the waning sighs of the Pleistocene. There are two kinds of people: users and keepers. What will we be? Evolving beyond stone thrower means to reject the archaic animal ideas cherished and coddled for 50,000 years. Now is our time. We must rise now to raise the advanced dialogue of wisdom, truth, rational thought, science, sustainability and love. We must reject brute power. Vote blue. Lee Kierig Hamilton
I’m just sad …
… sad that so many people seem to believe everything they see on tv and social media; … sad that Christianity no longer seems to stand for love; … sad that so many people seem to think dirty tricks and cheating are a good thing, or at least necessary; … sad that so many people seem to think winning is more important than helping; … sad that a snake-oil salesman can still appeal to so many; … sad that so many people are afraid of change for the good of all; … sad that so many people value money over the health of the Earth that we live on and that has sustained us for so long; … sad that so many people seem to think life really is a soap opera of sex and violence; … sad that the founding principle of this country, that all people deserve equal respect and dignity, is still not understood or upheld; … sad that the great American Experiment may be proving a failure. Mary Fahnestock-Thomas Hamilton
Beware Amazon fraud
Amazon has a program called Amazon Cash, where you can purchase items from their web site using cash. It works by Amazon sending you a bar code by email. You print out the barcode and take it to Western Union and give them cash, in my case $400, and the money is wired
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 to Amazon and added to your Amazon account. I took the bar code to my local Western Union office, they scanned it and I gave them $400. I received a receipt from Western Union stating the amount and a statement on the receipt stating “Funds have been added to your Amazon Balance.” Well, Amazon says they never received the funds. I have called and spoke to both Amazon and Western Union several times; the last calls were 08-28-2020. Western Union says the money was sent and Amazon says they can’t find it and they are sorry but there is nothing they can do. I would like my $400 back. James D. Rochette Hamilton
Part of the community
Let me introduce myself. I am a local real estate broker based here in Stevensville. I am also a VA recognized caregiver for my husband: A combat Marine who served two tours in Iraq. The Bitterroot veteran population Ed Sperry mentioned in his latest letter to the editor on my real estate brokerage - it’s me and my family. We are a military family, and we were both born in Montana. Besides being a full-time caregiver, I am also a sounding board and a local resource to countless caregivers on navigating the VA system. When I’m not with my family, I am helping Veterans in “our” military community buy and sell real estate. Nothing is transactional for me as I guide them through all of the benefits and amazing things Montana can offer them. I have fought a VA appraisal when I was told it couldn’t be done and to give up. I couldn’t give up - I had a double amputee veteran who needed this handicap accessible home and his appraisal was unjust. I have guided and directed so many Veterans that I guarantee you do not speak for them in the invaluable level of service that was provided. When I am not helping a service connected veteran find housing, I am donating to K9 Care Montana, which I have over the years - adding into the thousands. Why? Because my husband has had a service dog and I understand and appreciate what a service dog can do for the mental and physical aspects of life. I’ve donated to Hero Sound Project because music heals. I have taught a first time VA home buyers class because education and knowledge is power. I have donated to Xsports4 Vets who offer adrenaline based activities to mimic the level of adrenaline that was required for survival during war. I have been a board member for a non-profit here in our valley that provided veterans with all expense paid hunting and fishing trips. You are correct, our brokerage’s brand is based out of Hamburg, Germany. Budweiser is headquartered in Belgium, Purina dog food is headquartered in Switzerland, 7-Eleven is based out of Japan (oh, so is Toyota and Sony), Nike and Adidas both manufacture
GET READY! GET READY! GET READY! The Holy Scripture says no one knows the day or hour when the Lord will come for His people (the rapture), but you can know the season. Apparently this is the season, now! If you watch youtube, you will see many testimonies of people experiencing dreams from God, saying the rapture is near. Some even say it will happen in the Fall of 2020. Never have so many said the same thing. There seems to be little doubt we’re nearing the end of the age if you look at the signs happening around the world. There are too many signs to mention, but one of the most impressive is so many dead birds falling from the sky all around the world. Scientist say we have lost about 1/3 of the birds worldwide. (Hosea 4:1-3) The unsaved people will experience the wrath of God during the tribulation period & it will be a horrible thing to experience. Bible says the wrath of God is not for His people. It’s time to get serious! If you are serious, you can accept the Lord now! SINNER’S PRAYER: Dear God in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus. I’m so sorry for my sins and for the life I have lived. I ask you for forgiveness and to cleanse me with your blood from all unrighteousness. You said in Your Holy Word Romans 10-9, if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved. Right now I confess Jesus Christ as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Him from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I’m saved. Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me and giving me eternal life. Amen
out of Vietnam... I would love an opportunity for the American Legion and any community member to come into our brokerage. Meet the amazing woman Dawn, who has brought this global franchise to Western Montana. She continues to pave the way for successful local women and men. Our real estate agents based out of this brokerage are all working parents, they live here and they work here. They have supported our community in unmeasurable ways. In the words of the American Legion Code of Ethics, the organization is to promote an environment that values fairness and has a commitment to the organizationʼs founding principles and demonstrates RESPECT for others. Let’s lift each other up and focus on how we can continue to be our best selves while serving our community. Heidi Stahl Real Estate Broker Engel & Volkers Western Frontier Stevensville
Logging public lands
The Bozeman Municipal Watershed logging project, the South Plateau Landscape logging project near West Yellowstone, and other plans to log public lands in Montana ignore the scientific fact that logging exposes soil to the sun and wind, to heat and drying. The drying out of the continent, particular in the West, is more than a matter of episodic droughts, more than lack of precipitation. Hotter climate extremes increase the drying, as does logging. The current trend is “progressively lower river flows, drier landscapes, higher forest mortality, and more severe and widespread wildfires—not year on year, but instead a clear longer-term trend toward greater aridification,” according to an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (June 2, 2020). A recent study on Missouri River’s vast watershed confirms that there has been “a general drying of the basin” in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, drying resulting in lower flows in the river (a fact not negated by seasonal floods, the damage of which often comes from human activity on and near the river). That article is also in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (May 26, 2020). The lumber industry captured the Forest Service at the beginning of its history, just as the livestock industry captured BLM. But such industry control of public agencies should be history, not present practice. The people of the nation own the public lands, not any industry privatizing profit from the public resources, be it timber or grass. The Forest Service should protect the public interests in national forests through conservation. Forests protect watersheds! They also protect wildlife, wildlife habitat and corridors, native flora, and nature’s carbon storage capability on those watersheds. Please conserve forests and thereby help to conserve our increasingly valuable watersheds, our quantity and quality of water. Anne Millbrooke Bozeman
What year is this?
I’m 92; an old veteran. Occasionally it is natural to look back and look at current events through the lens of experience. This letter reflects sincere concerns about our forthcoming national election and the choices our republic faces. I keep thinking that I’ve read this book or saw this movie before. The song with the lyrics “when will they ever learn” comes to mind. Let me explain what seems apparent to me. Is it 1946? That’s when Churchill expressed his concerns about the Soviet Union. He said an iron curtain had descended across Europe. I heard that speech while playing nickle poker in college. We didn’t understand; but knew it was not good news. How true! Churchill’s speech at Fullerton, Missouri which was followed in a couple of years by Truman’s cold war declaration affected my whole adult life and that of all the free world. Has an equivalent event just reoccurred? President Trump has made essentially the same declaration regarding the Chinese Communist State. Unfortunately, they are an even more formidable enemy and we now are entering a multigenerational conflict. Have our two political parties found any common ground upon which to engage the Commies? Hell no! One party didn’t even discuss it in their recent National Convention. A house divided cannot stand. This refusal to recognize and learn from the past is frightening. Are we having a cultural revolution? I’d say yes, we are experiencing our unique American version of what happened in Communist China in 1966-77. At that time, in order to cement control by the Mao Tse-tung Communists, all previous culture was attacked. Just what we are witnessing in our major cities today. Poor old Confucius was erased. Professors with conservative/democratic ideas were purged if not murdered. It raged nationwide. I studied the events when a student at the USAF Air War College. The purge reached throughout the entire Chinese society and was a major step in Communist Party control of the Chinese population. The final step in gaining total communist control was to follow up with the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989. Voices of democracy were then finally silenced. They had finally got rid of the population they deemed “deplorable.” Could this happen here? “Of course not,” said the good, now enslaved people of Venezuela some 20 years ago. Portland, just one of many examples, has had over 90 nights of riots and destruction. Riot leaders admit being trained Marxists. Yet these events have not until just recently warranted one iota of recognition by one party’s candidates for President and Vice President. Are we so naive that we believe such conduct will stay in the big cities and not touch our streets? God! I hope we know better. Remember one has to erase the old to implant the new. The chaos is predictable and organized. One presidential candidate has joined with a self proclaimed socialist in a manifesto to implement a socialist change in America. This is predictable in view of the influence of a group called The Squad which is dedicated to anti-Semitism and the total control of our lives through carbon/water control and socialism. They have even predicted
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the end of civilization if we don’t conform to their environmental extremes. Hey, surely some of you remember the seventies when the coming ice age was the boogeyman to fear. It seems much science nowadays has become ‘political science’. This is a real concern as fear is a tool of population control. As a tool, fear was finely honed in the last century. Socialists want to control production. But, all things are connected so they must also control consumption. But that requires control of education and finally total control of speech and police. It results in control of every facet of a citizen’s life. The exception being the small, all wise, ruling faction (maybe 6% in the Soviet example). It is the final success of slavery! Finally, let’s consider the Chinese Virus. It is a terrible worldwide plague, courtesy of the Chinese Communist Party. It is the current plague which follows polio, ebola, swine flu, the 1918 flu, bubonic and so on through history. It is hell; but it too will pass. On the other hand, loss of our republic will not be a passing event. With the technology available today for population control, any form of socialist regime will most likely be permanent. The proverbial camel’s nose in the tent door is always ‘Democratic Socialism’. Democratic Socialism has always been either rejected early on by the citizens or allowed to evolve into communism. This unpleasant evolution is certain as the retention of power while the political system fails depends upon it. The election facing us is not a publicity contest. Let’s not swat flies by arguing about face masks and social distancing while under alligator attack. Earthshaking events are involved. Think hard about the policy choices you make. Your progeny will either enjoy or suffer from it. I conclude as I started---when will they ever learn? Edward Sperry, Col USAF (ret) Stevensville
BLM agenda based on lies
As with previous causes célèbres, when the facts come out, the lies of Black Lives Matter and its enablers are shattered. The newly-leaked police body camera footage (posted at DailyMail. com) of the beginning of George Floyd’s arrest disprove the sacred narrative in which Floyd was the innocent victim of racist police officers. The nearly eight minutes of footage show the police officers’ encounter with Floyd between the time they first engaged him and the time they put him on the ground. During the entire time, Floyd was dishonest, uncooperative, and acted deranged and scary, while repeatedly refusing to comply with the officers’ instructions. Although acting like a lunatic, Floyd lied to the police about being on any drugs. The autopsy revealed that he had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death. The autopsy also found that Floyd had “severe” heart disease, that he died of a heart attack, and that the fentanyl and the meth might have contributed to his fatal heart attack. He didn’t die of asphyxiation and there was no damage to the tra-
chea or bruising to the neck. As the officers tried to get Floyd into the police car, he refused because he claimed to be “claustrophobic” even though he had no problem sitting in his own car. They ordered him four or five more times to get into the police car. He kept refusing and resisting. He claimed that he is afraid, that he’s claustrophobic, and that “I’m gonna die” and “I can’t breathe!” This is before he’s on the ground and when the only thing restraining him is handcuffs. The officers finally put Floyd on the ground while he continued to protest, “I can’t breathe!” That’s when the bodycam footage ended. The authorized knee-in-theneck procedure was only used after Floyd’s repeated refusal to get into the police car. The muscular 6-foot, 4-inch, 223 pound Floyd had been actively resisting arrest for at least eight minutes. The neck restraint that was used was permitted under Minneapolis police procedure to gain control of a subject who is exhibiting active resistance. That’s what one police officer did while they waited for the ambulance that they had called for Floyd because he expressed difficulty breathing. The officers look so casually indifferent in the video of Floyd’s death because they had nothing to do while they waited for the ambulance to arrive. After watching the bodycam footage, it is easy to see why the neck restraint was used and why the police officers believed Floyd was lying when he said, “I can’t breathe.” The police officers had been struggling for at least eight minutes with a hysterical and uncooperative suspect resisting arrest who had been yelling over and over that he couldn’t breathe as a way to convince the officers not to force him into the police car. Considering Floyd’s resistance and bizarre conduct, the behavior of the police officers seems appropriate and restrained. There is no indication in the bodycam footage that the police officers were motivated by Floyd’s black race. Moreover, there has never been any evidence that race played any role in Floyd’s death. He was not arrested because he was black, but because he committed a crime and was acting “drunk” and “not in control of himself” according to the 911 caller. He was not forcibly restrained because he was black, but because he was actively resisting arrest. Two of the four officers are non-white. The George Floyd case is not a race crime. And Floyd was not a victim of police brutality or injustice. He died from a stressand-drug-induced heart attack, not from asphyxiation. That means the narrative pushed by the media, BLM, and antifa, i.e., white cops torture black suspect to death, is a lie. All the protests and riots have been based on a lie. Because of this lie, America has been convulsed by three months of race riots, which have killed dozens, injured countless others, and destroyed billions of dollars in property and countless livelihoods. Just like the previous cases of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and Freddie Gray, a media-enabled lie was put forth to incite racial division and conflict, while the basic American legal principle that
Professional & Service Directorytt
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).
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.
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 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.
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
Wednesday, September 2, 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. 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 invasive 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
Fri, September 4 Pachyderm Club
The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, September 4 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be Nancy Jacobsen who will talk about an open cut mining operation in her neighborhood. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Elks Lodge dinners Enjoy food and companionship (while social distancing) at the Elks Lodge located at 203 State Street in downtown Hamilton. 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. Call 406 363 3031 for more info. Sept. 2, Weds. Dinner Green chili chicken enchilada, refried beans, rice Sept. 4: Friday Night Pub Night - Ruebens and Fries Sept. 9: Wednesday Dinner - Pork Chops, Stuffing, Gravy, Applesauce Sept. 11: Friday Night Pub Night - Burgers and Fries Sept. 16: Wednesday Dinner - Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread Sept. 18: Friday Night Pub Night - Franks and Fries Sept. 23: Weds. Dinner Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy Sept. 25: Friday Night Pub Night - Wings and Fries Sept 30: Wednesday Dinner
- Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad
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
The North Valley Public Library will present “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Laughin’ to Keep from Cryin’” onThursday, 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. If the weather is bad, the event will be held at the North Valley Public Library community room. Register by calling the North Valley Public Library at 777-5061 or on the library’s website at northvalleylibrary.org.
Mon, September 21 Self-employment presentation
“Is Self-Employment Right for You?” will be presented on Monday, September 21 from 6 to 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?
Bitterroot Star -- Page 9 • 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” 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 workshop 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 attend 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 attend in person, but masks will be required.
Sports
Page 10 -- Bitterroot Star
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
By Jean Schurman Sports Editor
Corvallis hosts cross country meet The first cross country meet of the season was held in Corvallis on Friday. Because of COVID19, the meets will be smaller with only teams from the same classification competing. Hamilton finished first in the boys’ team scoring while Corvallis won the girls’ team scoring. Corvallis coach Joanne Cleveland said she was very happy for her team to even be able to compete. Corvallis has about 30 runners out this year. The numbers are down a little because there wasn’t a spring season and Cleveland and her staff weren’t able to talk to incoming freshmen about signing up for cross country. Corvallis has a couple of girls that should be able to compete at the top and in fact, finished second and third in this meet. Olivia Buoy finished second with a time of 21:11 for the course. Teammate Katie Gleason was third with a time of 21:48. Laurie Davidson finished fourth with a time of 22:36. Anna Jessop and
Even at the beginning of the race, Hamilton’s Brynnli Poulsen is tough to catch. Jean Schurman photo. Kaitlyn Blatter finished eighth and ninth for the Blue Devils. Hamilton’s Brynnli Poulsen won the race with a time of 20:09. As the returning state champion, she is considered one of the top runners in all classes in the state
according her coach, Mark Albert. He said he has seven girls out and 19 boys racing. “It’s a good group,” he said. “Hardin and Columbia Falls are good but I think we have a shot at a title.”
Hamilton’s boys are led by junior Colter Kirkland. He finished second in the state last year. He ran a time of 18:08 and finished fourth in the race on Friday. His teammate, CJ Purcell won the race with a time of 17:11. Lane Cole was third with 17:29. Harrison Silverio finished eighth and Zachary Kunkel was ninth. Corvallis’ Yannis Jessop was the highest placer for the Blue Devils. He finished in sixth place with a tie of 18:35. Brandon Domsalla was 10th. Cleveland said that one of their best runners, Brinson Wyche, was out with a broken wrist but they hoped he would be able to run soon. Albert said his team had been working hard all summer, running and conditioning. “The hardest thing to get done was any team building activities. “With the social distancing, it’s been more difficult to do any games and activities,” he said. “The team has to wear masks and sit one to a seat on the bus.”
Football
Corvallis tops Stevensville The Corvallis Blue Devils opened their season with a win over valley rival Stevensville on Friday night in Stevensville. The win, 19-7, was the first for new coach Doug South, a veteran coach who has coached at all levels and in several states. “This was a tough team but our defense won the game for us,” said South. The Blue Devils are senior laden, listing 16 on their roster. Bryce Mayn, 6’3” and 190 pounds, is the quarterback and one of the team leaders. He connected with Mace Marshall for a 35 yard pass to score the first touchdown of the game. Luke Wolsky kicked the PAT. As with any first game of the season, there were a few penalties on both sides and sometimes the plays didn’t work quite right. But Corvallis managed to overcome these first game jitters and control much of the game. The Blue
Bryce Mayn of Corvallis drops back to pass as a Stevensville player hunts him down. Jean Schurman photo. sidelines as well. Williams is excited to have two veteran coaches on his staff. “They know a lot and can teach me, I am always ready to learn.” Corvallis will host Hamilton this Friday night. Stevensville travels to Dillon. Victor was host to the Clark Fork Mountain Cats who finished second in the state last year. Victor is a young team and only has one senior, Chris Smith, suited up, and he’s only played two years. They do, however have a strong class of underclassmen who cut their teeth last year and should make some waves this year. The Western C is a very tough conference but second year coach Darren Gossett has faith in his young team. Their confidence showed early on against Clark Fork when the Pirate defense caused back to back turnovers by the Mountain Cats. Sophomore Roan Jackson jumped on a loose ball for Victor early in the first quarter but the team didn’t capitalize on the turnover. A few minutes later, Robert Crosbie picked off a Clark Fork pass for a 52 yard touchdown. Victor’s Carson Varner makes a run against a Clark Fork player. Jean Schurman photo Crosbie also had the second Pirate touchdown, this time at the end of Devils held the Yellowjackets in into the second quarter. The PAT is experiencing some growing the game. He made a 10 yard scorthe center of the field or in their by Wolsky was again good. The pains but are beginning to come ing run. Final score: Clark Fork own backfield for much of the first Yellowjackets gave up a safety at together. 56, Victor 12. game. the end of the quarter. Corvallis “We have a balanced team “The kids were pretty Stevi quarterback Sahkaia didn’t score again until the end of this year,” said Williams. nervous,” said Gossett. “When Wehr, a sophomore, made some the game when Wolsky kicked a Joining Williams on the Carson (Varner) went out with an good plays in the first half, hitting 22 yard field goal. sidelines this year are two Corvalinjury, we had to use a freshman Kellen Beller to more the ball Stevensville was young last lis transplants. Clayton Curley, quarterback, Alex Rowan, and he down the field. However a penalty year and they are still young, only who graduated from Stevensville, was very nervous.” slowed their momentum and they a little more experienced accordleft the coaching position in Victor will travel to Seeley had turned over the ball on downs. ing to second year coach Trae Corvallis and is now an assistant. on Friday for this week’s game. Corvallis scored again when Williams. With seven sophomores Loren Hochhalter has been at Florence blanked Cut Bank, on the team and making up the Seth Stoker made a scoring run Curley’s side for several years 42-0, in non conference action nucleus of the team, the team from 12 yards out just seconds and will now be on Stevensville’s
Florence’s Gracie Houston makes a block on Stevensville’s Ella Hendrickson. Jean Schurman photo
Florence comes back to top Stevi in five games
The Florence Lady Falcons finished third in the state last year. But this year the Lady Falcons have a new look. They lost some of their core players to graduation and younger players are learning their new positions, especially the outside hitting positions. But one thing is for sure, the players may be learning their roles but the execution of the plays are much the same. “This was a needed challenge for the team,” said Florence coach Christy Duchein. “They have a lot of heart and desire.” Duchein went on to say that only Gracie Houston has had a lot of varsity experience. The team is working on blocking. A tenet of the team has always been that they are ‘gritty’. This is coming and Duchein was glad to see the team was tested right at the beginning of the season. Stevensville coach Kyla Paulsen was very pleased with her team’s performance. She told her players that they had to give everything they’ve got at every game because with the pandemic, each game may be their last. Paulsen said she has eight seniors and they are all strong players. Aliyah Anderson is tough at the net and has worked on her hitting skills in the off season. Maddie Weber is the main setter and her passing skills have improved. Florence took the first game with strong play at the net and built upon that. This year, there
is no switching sides at the end of each game. That didn’t bother either team for Game 2. The two battled back and forth. Anderson and Ella Hendrickson of Stevensville kept making kills and pulling Stevensville back into the game. A net ball and an out of bounds ball gave the 28-26 win to Florence. In Game 3, Stevensville took the lead and held on for the win. Again, it was Anderson and Hendrickson who made the big plays at the net. Florence got a little rattled and the Lady ‘Jackets moved in for the win. Stevensville continued to pressure the Lady Falcons in Game 4 and quickly built up a lead. For Game 5, the two teams went head-to-head for eight points before Florence pulled ahead. Stevensville made one rally at 12 all but Florence took the win. Florence 3, Stevensville 2 Florence - 25-19, 28-26, 21-25, 21-25, 15-13 Florence - Kills - 40 (Jaidyn Larson 11, Gracie Hinston 9); Digs - 68 (Kolbi Wood 22, Jayden Hendricksen 12); Blocks - 8 (Maddie Potter 3, Kasidy Yeoman 2); Assists - 30 (Yeoman 15, Hendrickson 13); Aces - 9 (Yeoman 3, Mackenzie Little 4, Hendrickson 2). Stevensville - Kills - 43 (Kennedi Praast 11, Aliyah Anderson 10, Ella Hendrickson 10); Blocks - 6 (Anderson 3, Hendrickson 2); Digs - 78 (Daphne Engel 20, Maddie Weber 15); Assists 37 (Weber 27, Engel 8); Aces 12 (Anderson 5, Weber 3, Praast 3).
Friday night. The Falcons used a balanced attack behind the throwing arm of Pat Duchien Jr. and a strong running game. Duchein threw for three touchdowns. He hit Blake Shoupe from 32 yards out for the first arial touchdown. Duchein’s next target was Levi Posey who caught a 40 yard touchdown pass. Luke Maki was also a target. Duchein hit him from 10 yards out. Tristan Pyette scored the first touchdown of the evening when he plunged eight yards into the end zone. Pyette also intercepted a Cut Bank pass for a pick six. Colton Rice finished off the Florence scoring with an eight
yard run. Caden Zaluski finished off all six touchdowns with a solid PAT kick.
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Page 6 -- Bitterroot Star
Celebrating 15 years of Bitterroot River Clean Up Since 2006 volunteers throughout the Valley have come together for an Annual Bitterroot River Clean Up. This year’s event was held Saturday, August 8th. Volunteers spread out from Painted Rocks and Sula all the way to Missoula to clean as much of the River as possible. The Bitter Root Water Forum, a local nonprofit that works to bring the community together to protect, enhance, and restore waterways in the Bitterroot, has been hosting the event for over 8 years. “We were excited to host the 15th year of this event,” said Katie Vennie the Communications and Outreach Manager for the Water Forum. Vennie said that participation was similar to previous years with 90 volunteers signing up for walking sites and floating stretches. “Most people reported finding less trash than
Aimee Kelley andAlex Hibala hold up their river findings. they’d seen in previous years, but even with that, volunteers still pulled out more than 2,000 pounds of trash.” The official total was 2,152 pounds of trash. Coming in as the “Best Trash” winner was a Bath Tub removed from the River between the Tucker Crossing to Bell Crossing put ins by the
Olwell Family. The event had to forgo their usual volunteer BBQ due to the COVID-19 pandemic but tried to still have a party atmosphere at the Trash Drop off at Anglers Roost. “We had volunteers with ‘Thank you’ signs to cheer our Clean Up participants,” said Vennie. “Although we couldn’t do
Eddie Olwell and Kyle Barber load “Best Trash” winner, a bath tub, into the dumpster.
Andrea Price and Allison with tires and a broken lawn chair pulled from the river, thank volunteers for thier time.
the big party we planned on doing we tried to still make it fun for everyone. We’re so grateful to this community for coming together for our River”. The Bitter Root Water Forum encourages cleaning up the River throughout the year not just for this one-day event. Their “Clean Up All Year” Program stocks reusable litter bags at fishing access sites throughout the Valley so people can keep a handle on their trash while recreating on or near the River. “It’s our first year having the stands mainly at Fishing Access Sites,” said Vennie. “That way people can grab them right as their heading out on the River. The bags have been flying of the stands.” Vennie wanted to remind folks that the bags are meant to collect the trash in but people
Executive Director of the Bitter Root Water Forum, Heather Barber, takes bags of trash to the dumpster. Photos courtesy of Bitter Root Water Forum. should dispose of the trash at home or a legal dumpsite and then reuse the bag the next time their out on the River. The local sponsors who make this event possible include – RAPP Family Foundation, Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association, Bitterroot Conservation District, Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot, Bitter Root Brewing, Freestone Fly Shop, ABC acres, Bitterroot Disposal, Runner’s Edge, Hamilton Dairy Queen, Bitterroot Trout Unlimited, Iron Horse Athletic Club, The Loose Caboose, Sharon Dedmon, Dr. James Olsen, Bob Heinzen & Shelly Robertson, Bill & Donna Wichers, Archie Thomas & Merry Schrumpf. For more information about this and the Bitter Root Water Forum’s other efforts visit their website www. brwaterforum.org or find them on Facebook.
Federal Recognition and The Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa Indians Thursday, September 10, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Presenter: Chris La Tray All courses and events are held remotely (406) 243-2905 UMT.EDU/MOLLI Don’t put off your healthcare! We are open for appointments. Telehealth appointments available.Visit with your provider from the comfort of your home. We are practicing social distancing and limiting the number of patients in the waiting area. We are sanitizing our office every 30 minutes. We provide hand sanitizer and a mask to all patients at their appointment.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Bitterroot Star -- Page 11
Late summer nymphs and streamers Rule changes bring increased hunting It’s no secret: the Bitterroot’s hatches are off this year. A prolonged runoff had a lot of rocks rolling along the bottom and with them, a lot of nymphs got dislodged and squished. The ensuing hatches have been thinned out as a result. There have been good days and good hatches, to be sure, but not what we’ve come to expect on this river. Add to that, we’ve
Flyfishing with Chuck Stranahan had uneven weather of late and that, too, has thrown things off. That’s not par for the Bitterroot. In most years it was enough to tie on a dry fly and fish it – knowing that the bugs would be there soon and the trout would be on the surface to take them. Some days, that strategy continues to work. It’s not as if the river has gone hatchless or fishless – but it takes the right combination of elements to pull it off. Still, the fish that are being taken are well-fed and healthy. They’re eating something. Good-sized trout don’t come to the surface aggressively during light hatches. They stay under, and eat the nymphs coming off in waves that don’t make it to the surface. Fishing emergers Before a hatch, or when the hatch is light and there are only a few small fish breaking the surface, I fish an emerger. An emerger is a fly tied and fished to represent a nymph coming to the surface. A cripple or a floating nymph is often called an emerger, but that’s not the same thing. Those flies float. I think of them as dry flies, and think of emergers as subsurface flies. Fish an original Sawyer Pheasant Tail nymph as a dropper, dead-drifted below a floating fly, and you’ll get some results. Fish it by itself, retrieving it on a slow-draw, pause rhythm, and it gets better. Those trout that don’t come to the surface will attack that moving nymph. Same for a caddis emerger at dusk.
A few years ago Alex Hibala and I floated the town stretch (last time, probably, in my lifetime) and I had one of my best nights ever on a caddis emerger – lost two big fish, and took countless others on a twitch-pause caddis emerger. The retrieve? Just like the name of the fly says: twitch-pause.
Fish streamers any time When there is no hatch, the trout still eat – leeches (yes, the Bitterroot has lots of them) baitfish, sculpins, crayfish, their children and grandchildren, whatever swims that they can get their mouth around. You don’t have to match the hatch to fish a streamer. On stormy or broken weather days I start thinking streamers. And some of my best streamer fishing has come in the middle of sweltering late August or early September days. I’d rather fish a streamer than dead-drift a pair of nymphs under a bobber; I enjoy the actual casting that comes with streamer fishing more than slinging a cumbersome nymph rig. As the steelheaders say, the tug is the drug. I’d rather feel the hit on a streamer than watch my bobber go under. That hit can come in the form of a ta-tap that demands a quick hook-set, a stoppage of the line that could be a fish and causes you to lift up automatically, or that unmistakable living thud that lets you know something just happened. There’s no difficulty detecting the strike with most streamer hits. That’s exciting by itself – and reason enough to fish streamers. Streamers – not just for experts A good number of dry fly anglers labor under the delusion that streamer fishing is for experts only. Not so. If you can cast reasonably well, you can fish streamers. You don’t need a whole pile of new expensive gear to get started. And while it is true that big fish eat streamers, it isn’t true that you need to be some sort of transcendentally empowered fishing guru to hook up with a big one – but you do need to have your fly in the water. Where to start with streamers? Use your floating line and tip out your dry fly leader to 4X. Tie on a #10 or #12 Wooly Bugger. Cast it where you think there are trout, let it sink for a two-count, then put your rod tip in the water and make a series of short and rapid pulls. Make the fly swim. For baitfish, go up a notch on the tippet to 3X, tie on a #6 J. J. and do the same thing – but let the fly sink a bit longer and make
the retrieve a series of nine-inch to two-foot pulls. Try different depths and retrieve speeds. If you’re an old spin fisherman, fish that streamer as you would a spoon or a spinner. Same thing – different set of tools. Those flies will get you started. You can refine the game from there. And chances are, after you’ve hooked up a few times, you’ll want to up your
game. Chuck’s tip for the week A dull hook can ruin a day of fishing. How to tell if a hook is dull? Gently hold the fly by the eye, and drag it at a forty-five degree angle over your thumbnail. If it scratches the surface, that hook is dull. If it wants to immediately grab and penetrate, it’s sharp. Don’t settle for anything less. Your thumbnail is a good index for the hardness of a big trout’s jaw – it’s the same material: cartilage. These days I check the sharpness of every hook as I tie it on my leader. I check it again every time I catch a fish. I check it every time I feel a back-cast hit a piece of brush or a rock behind me or see it do the same in front of me. And as did when I was guiding, I check it every time I miss two in a row – or sometimes just one. Most of the time when I check, I find that the hook is sharp. That’s what I want to find. If it’s dull, even a little bit, I sharpen it. If you don’t already have one, get a good hook hone and make using it a regular part of your routine. You’ll watch your hookup ratio improve, especially on those big fish with bony mouths – fish you were missing before you got into the sharp hook habit. Author and flytyer Chuck Stranahan can be reached at chuck@chuck-stranahan.com or visit his fly shop at 109 E. Main in Hamilton.
and fishing opportunities to Metcalf Refuge
By Michael Howell Following passage of the “Great American Outdoors Act,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has expanded access on 2.3 million acres of public land for sportsmen. The National Wildlife Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 568 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts that receives more than 59 million annual visits. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and paddling to nature watching, photography and environmental education. This rule change by the Service increases the number of units in the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System open to public hunting to 430 and those open to fishing to 360. The rule also formally brings the total number of National Fish Hatchery System units open to hunting or sport fishing to 21. In Montana, it means increased hunting opportunities on the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge. In the Metcalf Refuge, turkey hunting will be permitted and white-tailed deer hunting and sport fishing will be expanded. Black bear hunting will also be allowed in the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge. The approved changes will open hunting opportunities for
wild turkey on Metcalf NWR on approximately 40 acres west of the Bitterroot River in accordance with State of Montana seasons and regulations. White-tailed deer hunting would be expanded to include archery hunting on 40 acres west of the Bitterroot River. The use of Deer B License 260-20 (either sex white-tailed deer) would also be allowed on the refuge beginning in September 2020. Sport fishing would be opened on approximately 40 acres west of the Bitterroot River but does not include areas east of the Bitterroot River. Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Manager Tom Reed said that the new rules would not bring big changes to the Refuge so much as legitimize some areas of access that have been used but not regulated in the past. For instance, hunters using the state’s turkey hunting blocks on the Ruffatto ranch land will now be able to access the river by crossing refuge land. Other areas which were not regulated on the west side of the river will also now be legally accessible. Reed wanted to emphasize that the areas being opened to turkey hunting on the west do not extend to the east side of the river. Other changes across the nation include the opening of migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting and sport fishing at Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife
Refuge in Florida for the first time; the opening of Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming to upland game and big game hunting for the first time; and the opening of sport fishing for the first time and the expanding of existing migratory bird, upland game and big game hunting to new acres at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in West Virginia. Expansions of other refuge opportunities include expanding existing big game hunting onto new acres at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge in Washington State and Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Texas; season dates for existing pheasant hunting at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in California; and expansion of migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting and sport fishing to new acres at Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota. Changes at hatcheries include the formal opening of lands on Jordan River National Fish Hatchery in Michigan to migratory bird, upland game and big game hunting; the formal opening of lands on Berkshire National Fish Hatchery in Massachusetts to sport fishing; and the formal opening of lands at Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery in Washington State to migratory bird, upland game and big game hunting.
Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS DOWN 1. Father 1. Advertisement (abbr.) 5. Island 2. Soft cheese 9. Tired 3. Invited 11. Positive 4. Reverence 12. Movie 5. Choose 13. Weight of a container 6. “Remember the __” 14. Ball holder 7. Speed 15. Computer memory unit 8. Usages 17. Mr..’s wife 10. Official 18. Large cushioned liquid container 16. Animal types 20. Rule 18. Milliliter 22. Make lace 19. “To __ or not to __” 23. You 20. Country house 24. August (abbr.) 21. Anesthetic 27. Reverberate 22. Technical 29. Half-witted 24. Green Gables dweller 31. What a cow does to cud 25. Exploiter 32. Not as insane 26. Seed 33. Bunny 28. IOU part 34. Time in office 30. Ingest
© Feature Exchange
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Page 12 -- Bitterroot Star
Call
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
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in the district office for substitute positions. If you have questions, please contact Samantha at 406-7775481 x137 or Angela at 406-7775481 x133.
& Rubber Stamps
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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Following Days 9-12
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FARM & GARDEN
SUPER SWEET SWEET CORN, cucumbers, beets, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, zucchini, garlic and honey. Butcher hogs and alfalfa hay. Moeller’s Nursery, 3/4 mile south of Corvallis, Eastside Hwy. Open daily 10-6, 961-3389. MILL CRICK FARM STAND - 153 Dutch Hill Rd Hamilton 59840. Seasonal Certified Organic Produce. Always Open, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Mixed Greens, Kale, Chard, Broccoli and more WE HAVE DOZENS OF FRESH FARM EGGS from pastured hens, delivered daily to the Bitterroot Star, $4/doz. FRESH BATCH of Severson’s natural grass fed ground beef (1-lb packages, $5/lb). Call 777-3928 for availability or just stop by Bitterroot Star at 115 W. 3rd (blue door).
BUILDINGS AUTHENTIC TIMBER FRAMED BARNS. Residential and Commercial Timber Packages. Full Service Design - Build Since 1990, (406) 581 3014 brett@bitterrootgroup.com, www.bitterroottimberframes.com
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COME JOIN OUR TEAM! We are seeking a temporary Occupational Therapist at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital! POSITIONS HIGHLIGHTS: • Employee-centric: Familyoriented facility with small-town compassion; comparable wages and benefit package • Market Leadership: Continued growth to provide services to the Bitterroot Valley What will you do: • Providing Pediatric Occupational Therapy services in both the outpatient setting as well as in the school system. • This position will require 40 hrs/wk (four 10-hour days) that consist of 1.5 days working in the school and 2.5 days in hospital setting. This position is scheduled to begin November 2, 2020 and will provide needed coverage for approximately 12 weeks and is not eligible for the benefits package. What you will need: • Candidates will be a graduate of an accredited college or university with an approved Masters or Doctoral degree as required by the Montana Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. • Candidates must be certified through the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and have current licensure to practice in the State of Montana. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required. To apply, go to www.mdmh. org and complete an online application, or send your resume to humanresources@mdmh.org. For more information, give us a call at 406-375-4407. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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
ASST RANCH/FARM OPS MANAGER & FEEDLOT COORDINATOR *HAVRE, MT* Responsibilities include direct assistant to the Livestock and Farm Operations Managers, calving coordination, daily animal care, research data collection, and maintenance of facilities and equipment for the beef cattle research program at Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, MT. To apply : https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/21571 For more information call (406) 265-6115.
SERVICES MARIO’S YARD AND GARDEN SERVICE. Mowing, Tree and shrub planting, trimming, and sprinklers. Call (406) 360-8699. HANDYMAN SERVICES. 30+ years experience. 406-830-4446. FIELD MOWING & MORE. Other tractor services available, please see www.rockin-g-tractorservice.com. Call with questions, Steve Grant 406-363-8885.
WANTED WE BUY GUNS. Cash paid. New, used, antique or military. Call Rich, (406) 531-6702. Responsible and Married Couple in our 50s seek permission to Hunt Turkeys in the Spring on Private Property. Married 35 years, we are Safe Montana Hunters that respect private property. We call over Decoys, Ethical safe shots only. Please call or text 406-660-0279, thank you for any opportunity. LOOKING TO BUY A STEER for companion animal. Marley, 925-997-1673.
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LEGAL NOTICES
David H. Bjornson State Bar No. 3309 Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC 2809 Great Northern Loop, Ste
100
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/a Dean Steven Bitterman, Deceased. Dept. No.: 2 Cause No.: DP-20-83 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 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
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 Clerk of District Court Ravalli County District Court 205 Bedford St., Ste. D Hamilton, MT 59840 MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI
COUNTY ROBERT HART, D.O., LAURIE MORGAN, AMY·ODOM, Plaintiffs, vs. ANTHONY KOPKE, JOHN DOES 1-10, ABC CORPORATIONS 1-10, Defendants. Cause No.: DV-20-228/6 Hon. Jennifer B. Lint Dept.No.: 2 SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION FOR ANTHONY KOPKE The State of Montana Sends Greetings to Defendant Anthony Kopke: YOU, A DEFENDANT HEREIN, ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the First Amended Complaint & Jury Demand in this action, which is filed in the office of the above-named District Court, a copy of which is hereby served upon you; and to file your written answer and serve a copy thereof upon Plaintiff’s attorney within 21 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default, for the relief demanded in the Complaint. GIVEN under my hand this 25th day of August, 2020 at 4:35 p.m. Paige Trautwein, Clerk By: Janenne Sorenson Deputy Clerk of District Ravalli County District Court BS 9-2, 9-9, 9-16-20. 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 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,
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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 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.
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Wednesday, September 2,, 2020 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 convey-
ance 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. Citizens may consult the Town’s
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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 Administra-
Bitterroot Star -- Page 13
tive 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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We are glad to be back in Stevensville!
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Rapp Foundation grants available The Rapp Family Foundation regular quarterly grant with a maximum of $5,000 is available to qualified organizations this quarter. The deadline for completed applications is September11th. In an effort to encourage non-profits to work together the Foundation developed a Community Focus Multi Organizational Grant which is intended to demonstrate an effort by several non-profit organizations to share in a common project. This project proposal is structured so that a minimum of 4 non-profit organizations would each contribute their personnel, efforts and funds to create something that enhances the community and that would benefit a wide segment of the population. The second community grant is the Community Impact Grant, this grant is intended for an organization to work with others in the community to develop a project that has a community impact. This project proposal is structured so that a non-profit organization will collaborate with others to make a significant impact on a community need. In 2020 these two grants are the same concept as they have been in the past; however, both grants have revised questions or requirements so request a new form from rappffapp2014@gmail. com. The application deadline will be September 11, 2020. The funding for the Community Focus Multi Organizational Grant will be a maximum of $35,000 and the maximum for the Community Impact Grant will be $20,000. When you email rappffapp2014@gmail.com please indicate which grant application you would like sent; the names are Regular Quarterly Grant, Community Focus Multi Organizational Grant and Community Impact Grant. If you have questions, email rappffapp2014@gmail.com
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Gold Butterfly continued
commercial thinning, and prescribed burning on approximately 7,376 acres to improve forest health. The selected alternative was modified to retain old growth status in all treatment units. Anderson emphasized, “The Forest staff on the Bitterroot will be reviewing the procedural steps and analysis to date, and we will determine the best path to move the project forward. The Bitterroot National Forest is still committed to completing the important work in this project area.” Stevensville District Ranger Steve Brown said that the current Forest Plan was adopted in 1987 and defines old growth by certain measurements such as a certain number per acre that are 20” dbh or more. He said the Plan talks about a canopy closure of 75% of site potential. He called that “a very undefined measure” and “not a set standard.” He also noted that the Forest Plan doesn’t even consider the age of a tree in determining its status as old growth. According to Brown, a more “reasonable, repeatable way of measuring old growth” was developed in a document com-
monly referred to as “Green, et al…” after the lead author of the work, which “lays out very consistent repeatable measures of what constitutes old growth across the region by using habitat type. It’s exhaustive, comprehensive, and tied closely to data that we can check. So it’s simple to determine if it’s old growth or not.” He also said that in the Forest’s 1994 monitoring report, it states that the Forest Plan standards adopted in 1987 are not the best available science, making it difficult if not impossible to measure and that the Forest should be using ‘Green, et al’. “I believe the language used actually said that we should amend our Forest Plan to include Green, et al.,” said Brown. He said the Forest went on to use ‘Green, et al’ for the next 26 years but did not bother to amend the Forest Plan to say that Green, et al, would be used to define old growth. “Then these groups sued us, complaining that we were not following the Forest Plan,” said Brown. “We took a look at it and said, hey, they are right and I guess this is the long way of saying that we were doing our best, we were using the best available science, but our Forest Plan is
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not based on the best available science, so it’s really a technicality.” The solution, according to Brown, will be to adopt a project specific amendment to the Forest Plan for the Gold Butterfly Project. That means doing a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). He said it could take up to nine months to a year to go through that process. “We recognize that this is important work that needs to be done and we are going to do our best to get it turned around so that we can continue the good work,” he said. Jim Miller, President of Friends of the Bitterroot, said, “Gold Butterfly would have been the largest, most destructive timber sale in decades on the Bitterroot National Forest. We are very glad they withdrew the decision because it was an illegal project.” He said the project included old-growth logging, clearcutting, road building, destruction of wildlife habitat, and threatened spawning streams for endangered bull trout. “Although it was broadly opposed by the public, the Forest Service ignored citizen input and a viable alternative that would have achieved the purpose of the project without seriously disrupt-
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ing the ecological integrity of the area,” said Miller. Miller said that in the past Friends of the Bitterroot has been criticized by the timber industry and the U.S. Forest Service for stepping in at the last hour on their projects and making a legal issue of things. “We have been expressing our concerns about these issues in public comment and at public meetings for two years now,” said Miller. “In our comments at the meeting that the Forest Service held with objectors, we all but pleaded with them to change the project and protect these resources, but they refused to do so. So now here we are, two years into this project, and the Forest Service is finally admitting that they are violating their own Forest Plan and our environmental laws. They could have recognized this a long time ago and prevented a lawsuit and potentially had this project underway.” “We believe and I think most of the country believes that our environmental laws are here for a reason, to protect the national forests, the public’s forests,” said Miller. “When they do that, we expect the Forest Service to respect the laws and their own regulations, but when they don’t, our
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Bitterroot Star -- Page 15 only recourse is to go to court.” Miller said that there isn’t much old growth left on the national forests or in the country due to massive cutting at the turn of the century. “So it’s really important to protect those big old trees because they are critical to the forest ecosystem, to the wildlife and are such a rare part of our forest. I think everybody loves those big old trees and the Forest Service has plans to overcut the old growth as per its own forest plans and to even clear-cut some areas. I don’t think most people want that,” said Miller. He said there was an alternative in the EIS which was broadly supported by about 75% of the public comment and it included commercial logging. “They had an opportunity to choose an alternative that had community support, and to build bridges with the conservation community,” said Miller. “When they decided not to do that, it was a great lost opportunity.” Mike Garrity, Executive Director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, stated in a press release that it made absolutely no sense to go forward with this “enormously expensive and environmentally destructive project given the nation’s current economic condition.” “We are thrilled that the Forest Service came to its senses,” said Garrity. “As the Forest Service’s own data indicates — federal taxpayers would have lost a stunning $4.2 million on the project. Significantly, this information was buried in internal agency documents, and the agency did not honestly disclose this number to the public in the Environmental Impact Statement.” Garrity noted that 750 acres, more than one square mile of oldgrowth forest, has been saved by withdrawing this decision. “The Forest Service claimed it was going to conduct this logging under the provisions of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, but there’s a real legal problem with that since that law actually prohibits logging old-growth for-
ests -- and this project was going to chop down 750 acres of increasingly rare old growth forests,” he said. Regarding their claims about the elk habitat violation, he said the Forest Service admitted that the project did not comply with the standard for elk habitat and it proposed a new standard for the project. But that new standard, he said, requires at least 30% of the project area be maintained in “elk security blocks.” He said this project area is already woefully inadequate, with only 8.0% in elk security blocks and the extensive logging and roading from the project will further reduce that security. However, he said, the Forest Service chose not to disclose its non-compliance with the new standard to the public in the Environmental Impact Statement. “It’s no wonder the vast majority of the thousands of people who commented opposed the Gold Butterfly project, since it’s estimated to run 6,000 to 7,000 loaded logging trucks down Willow Creek Road,” Garrity concluded. “That’s a dirt road with people’s homes right next to it, which would significantly impact and endanger their lives and families. The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Friends of the Bitterroot were honored to stand with the thousands of citizens opposing this project and will continue to exercise our first amendment rights to challenge illegal Forest Service decisions in court in the future.”
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Burnt Fork Estates Subdivision
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Page 16 -- Bitterroot Star
NOTICE OF MEETING & PUBLIC HEARINGS Burnt Fork Estates Subdivision
Greetings!
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 BITTERROOT VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
INVITES YOU TO THEIR 22ND
MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION BBQ Thursday, September 3rd | 4:30 - 6:30pm @ The Daly Mansion Grounds All provided at no cost! Thank you for your support!
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
Mayor
Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 1st at 5pm to jodi@bvchamber.com or call 363-2400.
Committed to Community, Dedicated to Progress
Committed to Community, Dedicated to Progress
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Bitterroot Star -- Page 17
Lolo author issues book on outdoor legend ‘Tarzan the Mountain Man’
The publication of a new book about a Lolo area outdoorsman who was called “Tarzan The Mountain Man” because of his exploits in the mountainous wilds of Montana and Idaho west of Lolo has been made by Stoneydale Press of Stevensville. The book also features a section on the famous, and massive, 1934 Pete King forest fire in which the subject of Crawford’s book played an important role. Thus the title of Crawford’s book is “Tarzan The Mountain Man and The 1934 Pete King Fire.” The story takes place deep in the Selway Wilderness in 1934 and the experiences of a man named Ernie Bohn – or Tarzan The Mountain Man – who was not only the Forest Service lookout at the remote Otter Butte site caught up in the inferno, but who had been directed by the agency to build the lookout tower only to have it destroyed by the Pete King fire before it was completed. Bohn was chased off his new home by the raging fire, barely escaping alive, and later was labeled “Tarzan The Mountain Man” because of his adventures in fighting, and surviving, that forest fire but also subsequent exploits in the wilds of Montana and Idaho. Crawford, himself a volunteer Forest Service lookout for many years, became intrigued with stories he heard about Bohn and began an intensive research project years ago on Bohn’s exploits, which led directly to his writing a book about the man. In fact, at the time of the release of his new book, Crawford is currently serving as a volunteer at a lookout in Idaho west of Lolo. “I spent years personally looking over the old Otter Butte Lookout from my summer home at the Indian Hill Lookout, which led me to take the long hike to discover more about the mystery, and legend, behind the story of Ernie’s experience on that butte during the Pete King fire. There I found the
The annual Scout Camporee, when all the troops in the district come together for a weekend of fun, was held last weekend at Gilman Ranch in Missoula. Troop 1919, pictured, took the second place award for Archway. Meline and Fabie Gardner of Stevensville were inducted into the Order of the Arrow. Scoutmaster Misti Krause of Frenchtown received the Rocking Chair Award (for “just letting the Scouts take over.”) Misti Krause photo.
remains of the tower and scattered items from the old lookout.” That experience led John to actually go meet with Ernie Bohn, who was living in his later years along the Selway River near the Fenn Ranger Station – which at the time was Crawford’s employer. John’s account of “Tarzan’s” fateful summer of 1934 experiences was taken from Ernie Bohn’s journals and firsthand taped interviews with the famous man, who had become a legend in the Selway area. “After many years and a promise to Ernie to tell his story, this book has made it to
publication to keep alive one small part of the Forest Service’s colorful history in this area,” Crawford said. “It also enabled me to keep a promise I made to Ernie, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 91, to tell his story.” This is Crawford’s third published book, two of which have been issued by Stoneydale Press – “Lewis and Clark and Me” and “Tarzan The Mountain Man” – and a now out-ofprint book about “The Woodman Echo – 1892-1992” and the influence of that small school for a hundred years of educating stu-
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Bitteroot Library roof project scheduled to begin Thursday A building maintenance project to replace the Bitterroot Public Library’s roof is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 3. Visitors to the library should expect some construction noise inside the library and on the library grounds, parking and access disruptions, and possible
dents in the area just west of Lolo. “Tarzan The Mountain Man” was issued in 5 ½- by 8 ½-inch softcover format and features a number of black and white photographs of historical significance to Ernie Bohn’s story. The color cover of the book is of the vast Selway Wilderness area in Idaho to the west of Lolo where Ernie Bohn spent most of his time developing a reputation as a true mountain man. The book retails for $9.95 and copies of “Tarzan The Mountain Man and the 1934 Pete King Fire” are available in bookstores and gifts shops in the area with autographed copies on hand at Lolo Harvest Foods and the Sweets Barn in Lolo, as well as at Valley Drug in Stevensville. The book also can be obtained direct from Stoneydale Press, 523 Main, Stevenville MT 59870, website www.stoneydale.com.
delays and temporary library closures as work proceeds. The library will make every reasonable effort to provide services and accommodate patrons while ensuring the facility is safe and usable. The entire process should take 7 to 10 days total to complete, depending on weather and
other factors. The project may be completed in separate stages. The library’s Facebook page will have updates for when work commences and information about any disruptions to library service. For more information, call the library at 363-1670 or visit the BPL Facebook page.
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Page 18-- Bitterroot Star
Ballot
continued elections, including Missoula County, opening a polling place here could be confusing to voters who will be seeing all the Missoula promotion concerning a mail-out election. While some people claim that in-person voting is a constitutional right, she said, voting is a constitutional right, “but I haven’t found anywhere in the constitution where it says anything about polling or mailing.” Nonetheless, she said, the explicit instructions for casting a ballot in person will be printed on the back of the envelope containing the mail-in ballot. Plettenberg said that the mail-out ballot elections in the primary in Ravalli County went well. She said the Post Office handled it well. She said mail-out ballots are not forwardable, the process was safe, and that it was a proven effective way of holding an election. Plettenberg said that she was not looking for the commissioners’ approval, she was simply putting forth the best possible plan for the elections given the very unique circumstances of this pandemic. She said her decision to present this plan for a full mail-out election was an administrative decision and not a political one. “Nothing about this year has been easy,” she said, “but what I’d
Letters continued
a person is innocent until proven guilty was ignored. In all of these cases, there were either no criminal charges because there was no evidence of a crime or a verdict of not guilty. As the riots continued, Floyd was turned into a culture hero and buried in a golden casket, while his (recognized) family was showered with gifts and praise. All this despite being a drug addict and a sometime drug-dealer who had four criminal convictions and spent five years in prison for assault and an armed robbery in which he held a gun to the stomach of a pregnant woman. He also sired and abandoned multiple children, playing no part in their support or upbringing. Worse still, this BLM lie has been turned into a war on law enforcement – e.g., “defund the police,” the cold-blooded murder of at least five police officers, and resulting rise in black shootings in the inner cities – and a war on America with its destruction of statues of anybody who doesn’t meet today’s “woke” standards and its call to “dismantle” any institution and to “cancel” any part of American history and culture that the “woke” mob considers “racist.” Many Democrats have joined the bandwagon and become supporters and enablers of this anarchic destruction by their pandering and bending of the knee (some even wearing Kente cloth in the Capitol), while almost every Republican has shamefully remained silent. Only Tucker Carlson has had the courage to call out
like to do is turn in the mail ballot plan. I’m not going to ask you to support my plan or even like it. But I am asking that you respect and let me move forward with it.” “I have 22 years of experience and I don’t think I have ever led this county wrong… I’ve always tried to use the best knowledge and do what’s right. For me this is an administrative issue, not a political issue,” said Plettenberg. “I’m sorry. But I feel this is the way I have to go.” Terry Nelson, Chairman of the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee, said that he was personally against mail elections due to chances of fraud and coercion and error. But he is also “adamant” for fair elections. Nelson said that due to the circumstances there may be a lawsuit to stop it, but “if that doesn’t prevail then there must be a full mail-out ballot in Ravalli County to keep things fair.” Nelson said in 2016, 48% of registered voters voted in Ravalli County and 44% in Missoula. In 2020, due to using mail-out ballots in the primary elections, 58% of registered voters turned out in Ravalli county and 53% in Missoula, a 20% increase. “That means in vote by mail in the next election Missoula may have 14,000 more voters, in a county that votes 60% Democratic.” He said in Ravalli County where the vote is approximately
70% Republican, the increase will only be 5,000. He said with Missoula going full mail-out and potentially increasing the votes in a Democratic dominated county, that it was necessary for Ravalli County to go mail-out only as well to keep things fair. Commissioner Jeff Burrows said that no action by the commissioners is necessary for the Election Administrator’s plan to go forward and that he had a lot of trust in the Election Administrator and that he felt those who opposed the mail-out ballot trusted her as well and he was willing to let the plan move forward. Commission Chair Chris Hoffman said that he echoed Burrows’ feelings and was willing to along with the plan due to the very unusual circumstances and the need for fair elections. He said the commissioners could hold a meeting to gather public comment on the plan. By law the County Commissioners have the authority to officially object to the plan submitted by the Election Administrator up to five days before the election. Plettenberg said that due to the extreme challenge of putting this plan into action under the current circumstances that she would very much like some notification of their intention to object before the five-days-before-election-day deadline.
the “woke” mob. If the Democrats win in November, they will destroy the country by legislating into law the BLM grievance agenda – an agenda based on lies. Henry Fowler Stevensville
religious freedom and is in the Constitution. The Democrats have stated that they think nothing of taking away personal freedoms for the so called common good aka communism. Personally, I don’t want any of my freedoms taken away! Why would anyone vote for such an evil party as the Democrats? If you want to have a place to raise your family and be free and have the American dream then vote Republican. If you don’t you will live to regret your decision when you see just how evil the Democrats can become. Dee Gibney Hamilton
Response to ‘political parties’
You seem to be down on capitalism, and if you are not for it, you must be in favor of socialism. This is why capitalism works, it attributes to an incentive structure based on three parts: 1) prices are determined by the market forces; 2) profit-and-loss; 3) private property rights. The failure of socialism is traced to all three of these incentives. Capitalism works because it nurtures the human spirit, inspires, is creative and promotes the spirit of enterprise. It also provides incentive that promotes thrift, hard work, efficiency, and creates wealth. I prefer to vote for a party that does not want to take away my freedoms. Biden has said he will start dismantling our Constitution by first taking away our rights to have guns. This will lead to government tyranny as the population will have no way to defend itself. He is also in favor of abortion rights, which is nothing more than murdering a human. If he wants to kill a precious child, he and his fellow Democrats will think nothing of getting rid of the elderly or handicapped. They want to force homosexuality and transgender, which takes away rights of many to believe how they wish to believe, and government has no right to do that. It is called
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Public continued
an effective manner if restricted to talking over the phone. He said he needs eye contact and a visual presence to communicate well and would probably feel handicapped in delivering his message over the phone, especially if they should ask him a question. “The bottom line for us is, if you are going to have this style of meeting, how many important recommendations and comments are being missed in the process?” he asked indirectly, referring to the letter that 20 business owners submitted at a previous meeting that was not disclosed or discussed at the meeting and when the business owners tried to make public comment they were denied because one of them blurted out a profanity. “We are just afraid that our voices are not going to be heard,” he said. Mayor Dewey said in a phone interview, “I understand everyone’s frustration for sure. We are in an impossible situation in the virtual meetings where no matter what decision we make we stand to alienate or upset some faction of the community.” Dewey said that the safety of the community and the town staff and the council members was of paramount importance and that he was consulting with lawyers
and other experts on government affairs, taking advice from the government health agencies, consulting with town staff and with the council members over the issue as well as listening to the public. He said the discussions with the town council members are emblematic of the problems that the community has with these issues. Half object to the use of Zoom meetings and half express concerns for the town staff and others who must attend these meetings and insist that they will only attend virtually if it cannot be assured that they and the staff are protected. He said even his board chairpersons were hesitant to give any recommendation in the face of such a divided issue. “My hope would be that we will get to a place where we can have in-person meetings sooner rather than later,” he said, maybe by the September 10 meeting. Dewey said that the town tried to hold in-person meetings but that it was unsuccessful because too many people were adamantly opposed to following those types of rules. Dewey said it was such an emotional issue that part of the rationale to go to virtual meetings was meant to avoid the types of encounters that were occurring where social distancing and masking were being required. He said they probably fell short on the enforcement side and had
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trouble keeping the line and it made staff and others uncomfortable about attending the meetings. “At the time, we just felt that enforcement was going to precipitate an even more difficult situation. It is not out of the question that we are going to consider this again, it’s just going to take us some time to get there. It is not something that we can implement overnight.” “My hope is that on September 10 at our next scheduled council meeting, we can get back to in-person meetings even if it requires social distancing and masking,” said Dewey. He said the technical limitation for hosting a virtual meeting which people could also attend in-person was complicated and demanding. He said other than town hall, the North Valley Public Library community room was usable and could double the number of people that could be accommodated. He said moving to any larger venue such as a gym or something like that would present technical difficulties that they may not be able to meet at this time due to lack of resources. “This is not a done deal,” said Dewey. “We are going to continue working on this issue and make it right. I don’t think COVID-19 is going away anytime soon and so we have to figure out a way to move forward and be adaptable.”
Suicide deaths and attempts are an epidemic in Montana. The state’s youth suicide rates are nearly double the national average, and Montana has ranked in the top five for suicide rates in the nation for the past forty years. Source: www.natechutefoundation.org/ suicide-montana.html
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