Commissioners recommend speed limits
The Pondera County Commissioners, in earlier action, had requested a speed study on the Conrad-Dupuyer Road from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDoT).
That study has been completed and recommendations made for the commission to review and respond to.
Commissioner Joe Christiaens made the motion to recommend to the MDoT to have the paved portion of the Conrad-Dupuyer Road posted at 70 mph during the day, 65 mph night/trucks, from the end of the 45 mph transition zone outside the city of Conrad and continuing west to mile marker 23.2.
This would make that section of the road consistent with other rural paved secondary roads, and to request that the gravel portion of the road from the transition zone east of Dupuyer to the commencement of payment at mile post 23.2 be posted at 65 mph with perhaps a 60 mph night/trucks designations.
The commission also supports the recommendation of the City of Conrad for the 25-35-and 45 mph zones that transition into the city. That motion passed on a 3-0 vote.
On Sept. 30, 10 a.m. in the commissioner’s office there will be a public hearing on the county budget. The public is encouraged to attend and make comments.
In other business, Commissioner Cyndi Johnson moved to designate the Secure Rural Schools funding at 85 percent to Title I of the program and 15 percent to Title III.
The Title I funding is available to the schools each year and the Title III funding is held by the federal government until used by the counties.
Commissioners are still looking into allowable uses of the Title III funding and have until FY-2011-12 to use the funds and request reimbursement from the federal government. The motion passed.
An excavation agreement requested by Sun River Electric to engage in excavation on and under the intersection of Kelly Road and Pondera Coulee Road for the purpose of installing a low voltage service wire across 60 feet or road was OK’ed.
Commissioners accepted the proposal of SimplexGrinnell for removal and replacement of the fire sprinklers in the jail.
The project will cost $3,454 and will take about two days to complete.
In the aftermath of the public hearing on library funding, commissioners met with representatives on Wednesday morning concerning information given out at the public meeting.
A library delegation, led by Carolyn Donath gave the commissioners information supporting their numbers and a request for increased funding.
The group from Valier invited the Conrad Library Foundation to a meeting in Valier on Sept.15 to discuss a resolution to the funding formula issue and then make a presentation for the commissioners.
That study has been completed and recommendations made for the commission to review and respond to.
Commissioner Joe Christiaens made the motion to recommend to the MDoT to have the paved portion of the Conrad-Dupuyer Road posted at 70 mph during the day, 65 mph night/trucks, from the end of the 45 mph transition zone outside the city of Conrad and continuing west to mile marker 23.2.
This would make that section of the road consistent with other rural paved secondary roads, and to request that the gravel portion of the road from the transition zone east of Dupuyer to the commencement of payment at mile post 23.2 be posted at 65 mph with perhaps a 60 mph night/trucks designations.
The commission also supports the recommendation of the City of Conrad for the 25-35-and 45 mph zones that transition into the city. That motion passed on a 3-0 vote.
On Sept. 30, 10 a.m. in the commissioner’s office there will be a public hearing on the county budget. The public is encouraged to attend and make comments.
In other business, Commissioner Cyndi Johnson moved to designate the Secure Rural Schools funding at 85 percent to Title I of the program and 15 percent to Title III.
The Title I funding is available to the schools each year and the Title III funding is held by the federal government until used by the counties.
Commissioners are still looking into allowable uses of the Title III funding and have until FY-2011-12 to use the funds and request reimbursement from the federal government. The motion passed.
An excavation agreement requested by Sun River Electric to engage in excavation on and under the intersection of Kelly Road and Pondera Coulee Road for the purpose of installing a low voltage service wire across 60 feet or road was OK’ed.
Commissioners accepted the proposal of SimplexGrinnell for removal and replacement of the fire sprinklers in the jail.
The project will cost $3,454 and will take about two days to complete.
In the aftermath of the public hearing on library funding, commissioners met with representatives on Wednesday morning concerning information given out at the public meeting.
A library delegation, led by Carolyn Donath gave the commissioners information supporting their numbers and a request for increased funding.
The group from Valier invited the Conrad Library Foundation to a meeting in Valier on Sept.15 to discuss a resolution to the funding formula issue and then make a presentation for the commissioners.
Cowgirls take 5th place at Chinook
GO FOR THE BLOCK Two Highwood players try to block a shot by senior outside hitter Bethany Grubb during action at the Chinook tournament over the weekend. Jenny Silvernale looks on from the back. Photo courtesy of Jason Silvernale
On Friday, playing in Pool A, the team breezed to five wins, downing Highwood 30-26, Simms 30-21, Shelby 30-22, the host squad Chinook 32-30, and then stopping the Malta Mustangs 30-22.
Saturday the Cowgirls suffered their first loss, that coming from the Lady Wolves of Cut Bank, by scores of 20-25, 9-25. They rallied back against C-JI, winning that match in three games by scores of 25-14, 23-25, and 15-5.
Conrad came on once again to punish the Mustangs 25-9, 25-19 and then lost a tough match to the Glasgow Scotties by scores of 22-25, 19-25.
Coach Dale Janzen said that only scores were recorded for the tournament, no individual statistics.
He noted, “We placed fifth out of 12 teams and played great the first day.” There were a lot of games and floor time and he felt that maybe the legs were getting a little tired on Saturday.
Coach Janzen also noted that senior Jenny Silvernale and junior Olivia Campbell played well in the Chinook tourney.
This was the first leg of a four game road trip for the Cowgirls. Next up is Rocky Boy on Friday followed by visits to Cut Bank and Chinook before they get to have four straight home games.
The Lady Eagles of Fairfield swoop into town on Sept. 19 to open the home stretch.
Library funding hearing produces no answers
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
Thursday evening close to 70 people poured into the courthouse for a public hearing. The purpose of the hearing was to gather, if any, public input on funding for the libraries in Conrad and Valier.
Over the past few weeks the funding mechanism for the two public entities has become a contentious topic. The history of the funding was reviewed by Country Attorney Mary Ann Ries and Clerk and Recorder Janis Hoppes.
The meeting was chaired by the county commissioners. Sandy Broesder, county chairman told those in the courtroom, “We’re here tonight because we care about our libraries. Whatever we do tonight, half of this room is going to be disappointed. We can’t, at this time, make any decisions.”
In reviewing the funding, Hoppes found that the current levy for the two libraries began about 1961 when there was a county library board. Apparently it was determined then to split county funding at 57 percent for the Conrad library and 43 percent for the Valier library. The decision was based on the two cemetery districts.
In her research, Hoppes found that the old board decided the split by dividing the market value of land in the Valier Cemetery District by the market value of land in the Conrad Cemetery District.
Hoppes believes the right way to calculate a pro-rate percentage is to add the value of the market value of the two cemetery districts and then divide the Valier Cemetery District value by the total and the Conrad Cemetery District by the total.
Doing that, there is a pro-rate of 70 percent for Conrad and 30 percent for Valier.
It was found that, for whatever reason, the county library board that was in place in the 1960s disbanded or went away in the late 1970s. Commissioners since way back then and to date have used the 57/43 percent funding split.
Carolyn Donath has been the director of the Conrad library for the last five years and read an impassioned statement at the hearing.
She, in part, said that the funding issue is about, “the future of our library, not the past. I’m asking for a split of levy funds based on simple population and usage of our facility.”
She noted that the library averages 91 patrons a day, computer usage is one the rise, 250 users per week compared to 27 and 50 respectively for the Valier library.
The Conrad library also delivers books and serves the Pondera Medical Center nursing home, the Horizon Lodge, Beehive Homes, the area Hutterite colonies, Head Start and the public schools in Conrad.
Donath touched on a number of other items, noting the higher number of patrons, 4,060 to Valier’s’ 664 and a higher general population base and much larger building size that equates to higher utility bills and more area to clean.
“Our situation is such that one bad winter could blow our budget; it is that tight and has been for years. I think it’s time for a change,” she added.
Amber Malinak, a volunteer at the Valier library also had a prepared statement to read.
Malinak noted the library hours have been increased, four computers have been added for public use, resources and books have been expanded for the school system not to mention classes, speakers, and entertainment to the community takes place.
“With our economy in a slump, money is a touchy subject. We understand that the Conrad library is concerned with the shortage of their budget, but we feel that shortening our budget is not the answer.”
In her statement, she also noted that in 2002 the taxpayers voted in favor of a mill levy for additional funding for the two libraries. It passed, but the Valier library did not actively participate in the move to make so because it was felt the levy would fail at the time. A second levy for continued funding passed in 2006.
Malinak noted that the Valier library had not received town funding for four years and the Conrad library has seen the council cut their funding in half. “Perhaps our discussions regarding our funding should be with them and not each other.”
A large number of people praised both libraries, stressing their community importance and services.
However, one individual had a different point of view, Dan McIntyre, made the rafters ring, berating everyone in the courtroom, including the commissioners saying, “Shame on all of you and shame on the commissioners for letting this come down to a partisan fight, I’m appalled!” Then he left the courtroom.
There was no action taken by the commissioners at the meeting. They can’t do anything until the county budget is set which they are currently working on.
Thursday evening close to 70 people poured into the courthouse for a public hearing. The purpose of the hearing was to gather, if any, public input on funding for the libraries in Conrad and Valier.
Over the past few weeks the funding mechanism for the two public entities has become a contentious topic. The history of the funding was reviewed by Country Attorney Mary Ann Ries and Clerk and Recorder Janis Hoppes.
The meeting was chaired by the county commissioners. Sandy Broesder, county chairman told those in the courtroom, “We’re here tonight because we care about our libraries. Whatever we do tonight, half of this room is going to be disappointed. We can’t, at this time, make any decisions.”
In reviewing the funding, Hoppes found that the current levy for the two libraries began about 1961 when there was a county library board. Apparently it was determined then to split county funding at 57 percent for the Conrad library and 43 percent for the Valier library. The decision was based on the two cemetery districts.
In her research, Hoppes found that the old board decided the split by dividing the market value of land in the Valier Cemetery District by the market value of land in the Conrad Cemetery District.
Hoppes believes the right way to calculate a pro-rate percentage is to add the value of the market value of the two cemetery districts and then divide the Valier Cemetery District value by the total and the Conrad Cemetery District by the total.
Doing that, there is a pro-rate of 70 percent for Conrad and 30 percent for Valier.
It was found that, for whatever reason, the county library board that was in place in the 1960s disbanded or went away in the late 1970s. Commissioners since way back then and to date have used the 57/43 percent funding split.
Carolyn Donath has been the director of the Conrad library for the last five years and read an impassioned statement at the hearing.
She, in part, said that the funding issue is about, “the future of our library, not the past. I’m asking for a split of levy funds based on simple population and usage of our facility.”
She noted that the library averages 91 patrons a day, computer usage is one the rise, 250 users per week compared to 27 and 50 respectively for the Valier library.
The Conrad library also delivers books and serves the Pondera Medical Center nursing home, the Horizon Lodge, Beehive Homes, the area Hutterite colonies, Head Start and the public schools in Conrad.
Donath touched on a number of other items, noting the higher number of patrons, 4,060 to Valier’s’ 664 and a higher general population base and much larger building size that equates to higher utility bills and more area to clean.
“Our situation is such that one bad winter could blow our budget; it is that tight and has been for years. I think it’s time for a change,” she added.
Amber Malinak, a volunteer at the Valier library also had a prepared statement to read.
Malinak noted the library hours have been increased, four computers have been added for public use, resources and books have been expanded for the school system not to mention classes, speakers, and entertainment to the community takes place.
“With our economy in a slump, money is a touchy subject. We understand that the Conrad library is concerned with the shortage of their budget, but we feel that shortening our budget is not the answer.”
In her statement, she also noted that in 2002 the taxpayers voted in favor of a mill levy for additional funding for the two libraries. It passed, but the Valier library did not actively participate in the move to make so because it was felt the levy would fail at the time. A second levy for continued funding passed in 2006.
Malinak noted that the Valier library had not received town funding for four years and the Conrad library has seen the council cut their funding in half. “Perhaps our discussions regarding our funding should be with them and not each other.”
A large number of people praised both libraries, stressing their community importance and services.
However, one individual had a different point of view, Dan McIntyre, made the rafters ring, berating everyone in the courtroom, including the commissioners saying, “Shame on all of you and shame on the commissioners for letting this come down to a partisan fight, I’m appalled!” Then he left the courtroom.
There was no action taken by the commissioners at the meeting. They can’t do anything until the county budget is set which they are currently working on.