Commissioners hold two public meetings
Wednesday morning during their regular business session, county commissioners conducted a pair of public hearings.
The first was conducted on the preliminary budget and the second followed on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
At the preliminary budget hearing were representatives from the Conrad Public Library; Carolyn Donath, Nancy Bruner, Wendy Judisch and Mayor John Shevlin and Cheryl Curry.
Janis Hoppes, Clerk and Recorder, reviewed the budget and noted that expenditures needed to be cut, particularly in the general fund and public safety fund.
Head Librarian Donath noted that she, Bruner and Judisch were in attendance regarding the appropriations for the libraries and made her request for the Conrad library to receive more funding.
The commissioners have not yet made a determination on library funding.
To date, they are still conducting research with the State of Montanan Library Association regarding the state’s formula for distribution.
There were no other comments on budget funding. No action on the library was taken. Commissioners will work on the budget until its final adoption.
Regarding the public hearing on the NSP, Curry, representing the Pondera Regional Port Authority (PA) and Mayor Shevlin were in attendance.
Curry presented an overview of the NSP and the PA’s role in the program.
The intent of the program is to procure and rehabilitate foreclosed residential property and offer it for sale to parties meeting specific financial criteria.
The purpose of the public hearing was to hear from the public regarding any objections and or affirmations of the program. There were no objections and no written comments received.
In further discussion, Curry noted that the PA has determined it will not pursue any properties located in a flood plain or flood prone areas.
There is one home under consideration at this time, located in Brady. The mayor wanted to know if a mobile home was located in a flood plain or flood prone area could it be procured and moved from that area. Curry said she would have to research that option.
Commissioner Cynthia Johnson moved and Commissioner Joe Christiaens seconded to approve the NSP management program. This passed on 3-0, with chairman Sandy Broesder adding the third vote.
In other business, Johnson noted that Pondera County is one of the counties in Montana granted additional bonding authority under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The first was conducted on the preliminary budget and the second followed on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
At the preliminary budget hearing were representatives from the Conrad Public Library; Carolyn Donath, Nancy Bruner, Wendy Judisch and Mayor John Shevlin and Cheryl Curry.
Janis Hoppes, Clerk and Recorder, reviewed the budget and noted that expenditures needed to be cut, particularly in the general fund and public safety fund.
Head Librarian Donath noted that she, Bruner and Judisch were in attendance regarding the appropriations for the libraries and made her request for the Conrad library to receive more funding.
The commissioners have not yet made a determination on library funding.
To date, they are still conducting research with the State of Montanan Library Association regarding the state’s formula for distribution.
There were no other comments on budget funding. No action on the library was taken. Commissioners will work on the budget until its final adoption.
Regarding the public hearing on the NSP, Curry, representing the Pondera Regional Port Authority (PA) and Mayor Shevlin were in attendance.
Curry presented an overview of the NSP and the PA’s role in the program.
The intent of the program is to procure and rehabilitate foreclosed residential property and offer it for sale to parties meeting specific financial criteria.
The purpose of the public hearing was to hear from the public regarding any objections and or affirmations of the program. There were no objections and no written comments received.
In further discussion, Curry noted that the PA has determined it will not pursue any properties located in a flood plain or flood prone areas.
There is one home under consideration at this time, located in Brady. The mayor wanted to know if a mobile home was located in a flood plain or flood prone area could it be procured and moved from that area. Curry said she would have to research that option.
Commissioner Cynthia Johnson moved and Commissioner Joe Christiaens seconded to approve the NSP management program. This passed on 3-0, with chairman Sandy Broesder adding the third vote.
In other business, Johnson noted that Pondera County is one of the counties in Montana granted additional bonding authority under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Punt Pass & Kick results
LAYING THE BOOTS TO IT On Sunday, Conrad youth were able to participate in the Punt, Pass & Kick competition at the high school football field. In this shot Justin Ratzburg kicks the ball off the tee in the kick portion of the competition. Ratzburg placed second in his section with a total score of 151 4. I-O Photo by Adam Jerome
Fifteen kids showed up for the competition despite the poor weather conditions which included wind and rain. Each child had a chance to show off their abilities in passing, punting, and kicking, with the kid at the top of each age group earning a trip to Lewistown for Sectionals on Oct. 11 at noon.
Individual scored are as follows:
8/9 year old Boys
Colten Curry 137’2”, Jette Pruttis 101’6”, Richard Ratzburg 99’10”, Nolan Taule 86’1”, Blake Larson 70’5”, Colt Parocai 48’7”.
10/11 year old Boys
Garrett Fritz 184’10”, Bert Paulson 181’7”, Hunter Mycke 122’3”, Clint Judisch 120’5”.
12/13 year old Boys
Tyler Tharp 208’5”, Trace Jochems 153’6”.
14/15 year old Boys
Justin Fritz 270’6”, Justin Ratzburg 151’4”.
14/15 year old Girls
Tori Fladstol 166’6”.
Original town clock back up; Centennial Celebration set
By I-O Editor, Buck Traxler
On Jan. 9, 1958 a Conrad landmark, the town clock mounted on Production Credit Association building at the corner of Main St. and 4th Ave. was taken down.
The original clock was purchased for $1,800 in 1910 when the First National Bank building went up.
In 1939 the Conrad Production Credit Association (PCA) moved into the building and kept the old clock running.
Nevertheless, time and elements took their toll and a hail storm in August of 1958 damaged the clock.
Despite attempts to fix the clock, it didn’t work and no longer kept accurate time. The relic time piece was hauled down and went to the farm of Steve Preputin.
Through the effort of many dedicated folks, the original timepiece has been restored and Thursday afternoon, it was once again hung in its original place. History has come back alive!
Thursday when the first section of the clock was installed, a crowd who had gathered to watch cheered, whistled and yelled their approval.
The clock weighs in at over 500 pounds and a core of 15 volunteers spent over 1,200 hours restoring a big part of Conrad’s history. There are over 660 pieces of glass on the four sides of the clock which is some 12-feet high.
Technology can be a wonderful thing and today, the clock has been wired so that it can be programmed to change time from a keyboard at the Wiegand Auditorium/Orpheum Theatre. It can also be programmed to play seasonal music.
Following is a schedule of events for the Centennial Celebration.
On Friday, the opening ceremony takes place at the corner of 4th Ave. and Main St. with a formal dedication of the clock, from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
The Shooting Sport Club is having a pulled pork dinner with two sides and dessert at the Meadowlark School, 17 3rd SW from 5-7 p.m. The dinner is only $5 and proceeds go to the Shooting Sports Club.
Bingo will be played at the Horizon Lodge from 7-9 p.m. and at the other side of town, from 8-9 p.m. in Norley Hall, the Pondera History Association will have a special Happy Hour with hors d’oeuvres and great piano music by Bernice Paisley who will be wearing an original, we are told, “flapper” dress.
From 9-midnight, there will be 100 of music and dance. It is $15 a single and $20 per couple and everyone is asked to dress up in a decade garb of their choice.
TOP SECTION With the main section of the clock installed, the bottom part put on, the top section was next for Phil Broesder and George Tornga to attach. Driving the front end fork lift they are standing on is Jimmy Greer which was donated by Front Line Ag to assist in the project of putting up the clock. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler.
The original clock was purchased for $1,800 in 1910 when the First National Bank building went up.
In 1939 the Conrad Production Credit Association (PCA) moved into the building and kept the old clock running.
Nevertheless, time and elements took their toll and a hail storm in August of 1958 damaged the clock.
Despite attempts to fix the clock, it didn’t work and no longer kept accurate time. The relic time piece was hauled down and went to the farm of Steve Preputin.
Through the effort of many dedicated folks, the original timepiece has been restored and Thursday afternoon, it was once again hung in its original place. History has come back alive!
Thursday when the first section of the clock was installed, a crowd who had gathered to watch cheered, whistled and yelled their approval.
The clock weighs in at over 500 pounds and a core of 15 volunteers spent over 1,200 hours restoring a big part of Conrad’s history. There are over 660 pieces of glass on the four sides of the clock which is some 12-feet high.
Technology can be a wonderful thing and today, the clock has been wired so that it can be programmed to change time from a keyboard at the Wiegand Auditorium/Orpheum Theatre. It can also be programmed to play seasonal music.
Following is a schedule of events for the Centennial Celebration.
On Friday, the opening ceremony takes place at the corner of 4th Ave. and Main St. with a formal dedication of the clock, from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
The Shooting Sport Club is having a pulled pork dinner with two sides and dessert at the Meadowlark School, 17 3rd SW from 5-7 p.m. The dinner is only $5 and proceeds go to the Shooting Sports Club.
Bingo will be played at the Horizon Lodge from 7-9 p.m. and at the other side of town, from 8-9 p.m. in Norley Hall, the Pondera History Association will have a special Happy Hour with hors d’oeuvres and great piano music by Bernice Paisley who will be wearing an original, we are told, “flapper” dress.
From 9-midnight, there will be 100 of music and dance. It is $15 a single and $20 per couple and everyone is asked to dress up in a decade garb of their choice.