Gotta Question
Baker FFA
The Times, many residents posed questions asking about the newly hired County Development Advisor.
Baker FFA chapter traveled to Mile City MT for the Eastern District Fall Career Development Event.
See Page 10
See Page 9
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 40
TIMES
FALLON County
fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344
BAKER, MONTANA 59313
$1.00
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
New face in county government By Sherry Vogel Editor’s Note: In light of the Times attending the annual Fallon County budget adoption public hearing on Aug 29, and then asking the County Development Advisor to write an article for the newspaper (Sept 16, Issue # 38), it was apparent that the public sector, at large, had no idea who Mr. Rittal is, as many questions came into the Times office, addressed to the Gotta Question column. So it is pivotal to introduce the latest hired county administrator. Jason Rittal began his position as the Fallon County Development Advisor on June 1 of this year. Rittal, a native of Terry, Mont, received his Bachelors of Business Administration in 1994 from Montana State University in Bozeman. After graduation he worked in the private sector, for a Montana firm, doing project management for six years. Then he ventured out taking on his own contracts for five years. Later, moving to Miles City, he worked in the insurance industry where he was an agent for a couple of years. In 2008, he accepted a job with Eastern Plains Economic Regional Development Corp (EPEDC) as their first Executive Director. Rittal spent eight years in that
position prior to accepting his present job as Fallon County Development Advisor. EPEDC is a public benefit, regional economic development corporation, established in 2006. It is a 501c(3) non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of Montana. EPEDC derives its money partly from Federal, partly from state and other funds from the public sector. The corp is presided over by a 19member board of directors representing both the private and public sector. EPEDC serves the five counties of Carter, Dawson, Fallon, Prairie and Wibaux, along with the communities of Baker, Ekalaka, Glendive, Plevna, Richey, Terry, and Wibaux. Although Rittal enjoyed his job with EPEDC, he was looking for a change. He loves eastern Montana and was not keen on moving elsewhere. So when the Fallon County Commission approached him to consider the new position that they were developing, he applied. When the Times asked Rittal to give an informal recap of the duties of County Development Advisor, the list is lengthy: grant writing/administration, lobbying and advocating, advising the commission on economic development issues / regional issues, capital
Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney (l) listens as Jason Rittal (r), County Developer explains the scope of destruction after the June the 11 tornado in Fallon County. Photo by Sherry Vogel
project coordination/monitoring, participating in groups that would have an economic impact on Fallon County. Rittal has ventured out into unknown territory, in one respect, seeing as the county position has just been newly created. The Fallon County Times sat down with Mr. Rittal presenting him with a questioner.
Times: “What do you see as the biggest challenges of being the County Development Advisor? Rittal: ”The fact that the position is new and community expectations are high. Proving the value will take time and require identifiable results. The FCWSD and Baker Lake projects
See Rittal, Page 6
2016
Homecoming Royalty
Baker High School grad wins national honors Dennis, Center, delivers remarks with colleagues Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paul McGann (l) and Deputy Director, Jean D. Moody-Williams (r). Photo Credit: Aaron Clamage/www.clamagephoto.com
Wagner receives Federal Employee of the Year
Luke Gonsioroski was crowned 2016 Homecoming King and Melissa Breitbach was crowned queen during cornonation held Monday, September 26. Photo by Sherry Vogel
By Sherry Vogel The Sammie awards are to Washington D.C., as the Grammy Awards are to Hollywood. News had caught up with the Fallon County Times on September 20 that a former Baker High School graduate was being awarded a prestigious Service to America Medal. In an effort to get a press release, it was discovered that an entire division of federal government offices was already closed as federal em-
ployees were gearing up for one of the biggest events on the east coast. Dennis Wagner, Director, Quality Improvement and Innovation Group, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD was one distinguished recipient waiting to receive an award. He, with two of his colleagues, was receiving Federal Employee of the Year. Dennis Wagner, Baker High School – Class of 1980, is the son of Linda Wagner Hanley and the late Stanley Wagner
of Baker. He is the brother of Jake Wagner and Penny (Wagner) Dodge. Each year, it’s estimated that tens of thousands of people die in hospitals as a result of medical errors and avoidable infections. These preventable events not only result in the tragic loss of life, but also cost the nation’s hospitals billions of dollars annually and lead to patients losing trust in the health care system.
See Wagner, Page 10
Nelson vs. City of Baker lawsuit settled By Sherry Vogel Martin and Susan Nelson, Plaintiffs vs. City of Baker, Defendant came before the 16th Judicial Court in Fallon County with the honorable Judge Nicholas C. Murnion presiding on September 6, 2016. In a final pre-trial conference a Declaration Judgment was made to offer immediate means to resolve legal uncertainty for the litigants. Both parties agreed it is in their mutual interest to resolve their dispute by stipulation in order to avoid the continued costs, expenses and de-
The Biggest And Best Parties Happen At The Corner!
lays of continued protracted litigation. The City of Baker agreed to tender the sum of $5,000 to the Nelsons within 30 days of execution of this agreement. A Complaint for Declaratory Judgment was filed on April 10, 2015, in the 16th Judicial Court with Honorable George W. Hess presiding. The complaint stemmed from a dispute that arose when the Nelson’s received notice that their property “benefitted by” Special Im-
provement District (SID) No. 34. This SID was passed, approved and adopted by the City on April 2, 2014. The SID that was created for the purpose of making improvements to the District’s sanitary sewer collection system was then revised on October 15, 2014 for the purpose of updating the estimated costs of improvements. The Nelson’s filed a timely protest against the Revised Notice of Resolution, which was overridden by the City Council.
Welcome HUNTERS
Monday Night Football
Thanks LANDOWNERS!
Hot Wings
At the time the City Council adopted Resolution No. 635, and at all times since, the Nelsons’ property was being adequately served by existing sewer and water services. The Nelsons’ protested that the District’s sewer system did not cause an increase in the Nelsons’ property value or otherwise benefit their property. To the contrary, The Nelsons argued they suffered physical damage to their home in connection with construction of the SID sewer system.
22° Beer from our
Chill Chamber
Visit Our Website at www.FallonCountyExtra.com