VOLUME 99
ISSUE 5
TIMES
FALLON County
BAKER, MONTANA 59313
fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344 $1.00
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Landowners join together for property rights
Back row: (l-r) Jase Rost, Dustan Davis and Wyatt Perry. Middle: Moriah Kesinger, Savannah Davis, Taiken Goerndt, Jaden Miller, Tannon Dukart, Isaac Rost and Emalee Thurlow. Front: Taylyn Dukart, Megan Greiff, Brianna Rambur, MaKenzy Shipstead and Bo Rost. Photo by Terry Curry
Speech, Drama and debate team heads to state competition By Lori Kesinger Members of the Baker High School speech, drama and debate team have been fine-tuning their skills for the past three months. Their hard work has paid off with repeat wins throughout the regular competitive season. Their successful performances at the Class B divisional meet in Plentywood Jan. 24 earned them a spot at the state tournament for Class B and C schools in Ennis Jan. 30 and 31. Brianna Rambur and Olivia Mahon walked away as the division champions in the serious
duo category. Taiken Goerndt and Megan Greiff finished close behind in second. There were others who contributed to the team’s overall success including Isaac Rost and Bo Rost in classical duo, Jase Rost and Dustan Davis in humorous duo, and Savannah Davis in serious solo. The joint effort won the Spartan team an overall first place ranking in the Class B divisional for drama. Other members also qualifying for state were Jaden Miller, original oratory; Moriah Kesinger, humorous oral interpretation; Tan-
non Dukart, extemporaneous; MaKenzy Shipstead, memorized public address; Taylyn Dukart, Lincoln Douglas Debate; Emalee Thurlow, Lincoln Douglas Debate; Wyatt Perry, alternate. “I’m very pleased and proud of them,” head coach Alyson Lineback said. “The state competition will be a long, fun weekend against some really good competition.” The team will compete at the Ennis High School beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, and finish Saturday, Jan. 31, with finals at 2:30 p.m.
Baker City Council considers Urban Renewal District By Lori Kesinger
The City of Baker is considering the creation of an Urban Renewal District (URD) without increasing property taxes. The Eastern Montana Economic Development Authority (EMEDA) presented the concept to the City Council Jan. 21. “The Urban Renewal District is a way to continue with the priorities brought forth at the vision meetings held several years ago,” said Mona Madler, EMEDA/SMART Director. “It is also based on the information the MSU Community Design Center gave to us last Summer.” An Urban Renewal District is a program
authorized by the statutes of the State of Montana. It is intended to assist communities in improving and redeveloping “blighted” areas. The program provides critical funding for planning, policy changes, and public infrastructure such as land acquisition, demolition and removal of structures and general redevelopment activities. The URD sets up a special taxation district to essentially revitalize an area. The taxes gained from the increase of property values over time within the district are redirected to the URD fund. Property taxes for residents inside and outside the URD remain the same. What changes is how
those tax revenues are allocated to the different districts. “The EMEDA would like to pursue an URD as an economic development tool for the City to address blighted structures and general redevelopment activities. There are many under-utilized properties in the community and public infrastructure needs as well - needs an URD can ultimately address,” Madler said. EMEDA will hire a consultant for the feasibility study and planning stages. The study will take several months to complete before being brought back to the Council for review.
Many participate in March for Life
By Lori Kesinger Numerous landowners attended the organizational meeting of the Property Rights Organization (PRO) Jan. 14 in Baker. PRO was able to formally organize and elect a board of directors to begin advocating for property rights. Mark and Deanna Robins, leaders of United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM), were guest speakers at the meeting. Deanna shared the reasons UPOM was created and the accomplishments the group has had in defending and legislating property rights. Chuck Denowh, UPOM lobbyist, has agreed to work with PRO in its efforts. The board of directors elected includes Kevin Braun, Vern (Turk) Stark, Steve Kreitinger, Tom Jardee, and Todd Barkley. Sharon Gookin is secretary and treasurer. The board will meet at least four times a year. PRO will have an annual meeting the first Wednesday of each new year. PRO was formed in an effort to unify property owners when issues occur affecting property rights. The group is not against development, but seeks equal and just compensation and protection of property rights and ownerships. It also plans to work on changing property rights bills or enacting new legislation that will give property owners more protection. Property owners are encouraged to contact any board member if contacted by a company wanting to obtain an easement affecting property rights. PRO can present a unified front to such companies ensuring fair and equal treatment. Any taxable real property owner interested in joining PRO can also contact a board member or the secretary: Kevin Braun 406-778-2703, Vern (Turk) Stark 406-588-3591, Steve Kreitinger 406-7962613, Tom Jardee 406-775-8868, Todd Barkley 406-772-5659, or Sharon Gookin 406-778-2766.
County unemployment rate remains steady By Lori Kesinger Fallon County’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 1.7 percent in December, according to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. November’s rate was 1.4 percent. The estimated number of those in the civilian labor force rose to 2,128 with 2,091 employed and 37 unemployed, according to the Department. Fallon County is one of two counties in Montana with unemployment rates at the lowest rate between 1.9 and 1 percent on non-seasonally adjusted data. The state’s unemployment rate declined by 1.1 percent over the year. Nationally, the unemployment rate declined to 5.4 percent from the December 2013 rate of 6.5 percent.
By Lori Kesinger About 40 people participated in a march Jan. 22 to bring awareness to the sanctity of life. The group gathered on Railroad Avenue in Baker and walked to St. John’s Catholic Church on Center Avenue. Lunch was served by the St. John’s Catholic women when they arrived and a pro-life program was held. Thousands rally across the nation every year against the decision that established a woman’s right to an abortion in the U.S. The annual March for Life coincides with the ruling made on Jan. 22, 1973, and this year marked the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. It was estimated to be about the 12th year for the March for Life in Baker.
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