Raises and ‘No’ raises
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 10:57
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
Raises and ‘No’ raises
HOT WORK – City crews, using Interlocal equipment, have begun the process of milling and oiling Front St. Public Works Director Rich Anderson reports it will be a long process with some of the crew going on vacation and being short handed. “We’ll have Front St. torn up for a long time,” he said. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
    City council members, on a 4-0 vote, approved 40-cent across the board COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) raises for all city employees Monday night.
    The move also included the swimming pool manager and head lifeguards. Other life guards will receive the minimum wage plus 20-cents.
    Employees at the library elected to receive an insurance stipend instead of a pay raise.
    City council members, including Mayor John Shevlin, moved not to accept a pay raise. Alderman Wally McHenry simply said, “I don’t need a raise.” The other members of the administration echoed that sentiment.
    In other news, the mayor will set up interviews with four engineering firms for the planning of the new I-15 overpass project in addition to a new rest stop, industrial park and running in sewer and water lines.
    The four firms are Stahly and Associates from Helena; Thomas, Dean and Associates, Helena and Kalispell; Robert Peecin and Associates, Helena and Kalispell; and Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson out of Helena.
    Two building permits were approved; one at 607 Sunset Blvd. for a patio and new steps and the other at 215 4th Ave. SE for a chain link fence.
    In an update on the dead pine tree in Keil Park, Mark Gage has offered to take it down for the wood. Council members had no problem with that, although there was no official vote.
    Rich Anderson, Public Works Director noted that other trees in the park may make a comeback. There was no charge to the city for digital samples sent to the MSU-Bozeman to see why the pine tree died.
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Sheriff’s office gets thermal imaging
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 10:53
Sheriff’s office gets thermal imaging
THERMO UNIT – Deputy Carl Suta shows the new Thermo unit that the Pondera County Sheriff’s Department received through a homeland grant. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
    The Pondera County Sheriff’ Department (PCSD) recently received a grant through the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CDEAP), for the purchase of a Thermal Image system.
    This program was created by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
    “Eligibility for the CEDAP grant is limited to law enforcement agencies, fire, and other emergency responder organizations with specific financial and capability needs,” said Deputy Jeff Pruttis of the PCSD.
    The cost of the Thermal Imager, valued at $18,000, and the training provided in operating the imager, was covered through the grant.
    Equipment and training awards are offered in five categories: personal protective equipment, thermal imaging, night vision, and video surveillance tools, chemical and biological detection tools, information technology and risk management tools, and interoperable communications equipment.
    The Thermal Imager can be used for many applications including: Search and Rescue, fugitive searches, vehicle pursuits, perimeter surveillance, officer safety, disturbed surface scenarios, environmental concerns, hidden compartments in vehicles and accident investigations.
    “This will be a very useful tool that has been added to the PCSD,” says Pruttis.
 
Elings wins State 4-H award
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 10:51
Elings wins State 4-H award    Pondera County 4-H member Dirk Elings was honored with a State Project Award for leadership in the area of Teen Leadership during the Montana 4-H Congress award banquet at MSU-Bozeman on July 12.  
    Elings was one of only six youth in the entire state to receive one of these prestigious awards this year, and competition was at a very high level.
    The application for these awards is a rigorous process covering all of their achievements and areas of growth for the past three years. In addition to several pages of narrative, youth also submitted a creative digital presentation.
    A few of the achievements that helped Elings earn this coveted award were serving as a Teen Leader and Ambassador, teaching dog members how to train and show their dogs; giving many leadership workshops at the county, district, and state levels; helping organize and lead several 4-H camps; and generally helping out anytime and every time he was asked.
    In addition to working at a high level of achievement and service for the past three years, Elings needed to communicate well through his narrative, his video presentation, and his written application.
    The seven criteria upon which the awards is based are communications, project goals, learning, leadership, citizenship, the applicant’s 4-H story, photo pages, and creative work. Within these categories, applicants explained their participation in regard to their project area, within 4-H and outside 4-H. The few successful applicants needed to demonstrate that they had a broad spectrum of service and learning.
    Elings has worked hard to serve and promote 4-H in Pondera County and throughout the state.      
    The Extension staff in the county was thrilled to learn that the young man whom they knew deserved to be recognized received this honor at a state level. This award earns Elings the right to attend the National 4-H Congress.
Elings also, was one of nine candidates who participated in a rigorous two-day selection process for State Ambassador Officer Team.   
    He was one of five selected to represent the Montana 4-H Ambassadors on a state level. Elings will serve on the Montana Extension Advisory Council (MEAC) as part of his office responsibilities.
    He is the son of Gordon and Maria Elings of Conrad.
 
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