Tears, passion and
patience: Dascher reflects on FWP Commission tenure (Posted Friday,
February 28, 2003 8:09 AM)
by Andrew McKean, Region 6 Information
Officer
|
Darlyne Dascher
can make sense of 4-inch-thick environmental documents. She
can articulate the arguments for regulating river access. She
can frame the issues of modern elk management as well as any
wildlife biologist.
Not bad for a cowgirl from McCone County.
Dascher’s education has been highly public. Her teachers have ranged
from professors to poachers, and her tests have involved some of the most
controversial issues in Montana. She finished in January an 8-year hitch
as Fish, Wildlife & Parks commissioner, representing much of eastern
Montana.
Those 8 years were among the most satisfying of her life, says Dascher,
who ranches along Rock Creek. But they were also the most excruciating.
“ Right off the bat, after I was initially appointed by Gov. Racicot, we
were dealing with mule deer declines,” said Dascher recently, keeping one
eye on expectant heifers in the corral outside. |
Darlene Sascher with her dog Skip. |
“It was an all-consuming
issue, both locally and across the state, and the pressure
to do something about deer was intense. I could see the issue
playing out on our own ranch. We went from over 100 deer right
here on Rock Creek to just a handful. After a few weeks of
that issue, seeing how passionate people are about wildlife,
I wondered how in the world we could ever resolve this issue.”
The outcome of the controversy was a harvest management plan that accounts
for deer population variation, reducing hunting pressure when populations
are low and increasing pressure as they’re rising. It’s an
example, says Dascher, of the work people can do when they put aside their
animosities and pull together to create a lasting solution. That sort of
cooperative work was Dascher’s hallmark on the commission.
“ The commission taught me patience,” she says. “I’m
the sort of person who wants immediate results, but I learned how to listen to
all sides, to take the long view of many issues, and to come up with a solution
that everybody could live with.”
That’s not an easy balance to strike when dealing with issues that
have deep economic, biological, and even cultural implications.
“
In my first year on the commission, I didn’t have
the first clue that people hold their hunting and fishing
experiences with such religious fervor,” says Dascher. “I
had always heard that you never argue religion or politics,
but I’d add hunting and fishing to that category.”
But as a commissioner, Dascher was required to argue hunting and fishing.
She was appointed as a representative of landowners and stockgrowers, but
Dascher says she quickly learned that her constituency included hunters,
anglers, merchants and bureaucrats.
“
I always looked after landowner concerns, but I always
thought my biggest job was to bridge the gulf between
landowners and sportsmen,” she says.
Jim Satterfield, the Region 6 supervisor who worked closely with Dascher,
praised her ability to work cooperatively with a variety of interests.
“
Darlyne is able to talk to anyone and everyone, and she
has a special ability to find common ground,” says
Satterfield. “She conveyed the interests and priorities
of the department to the community, and vice versa, as
well as anyone I’ve seen.”
That sentiment is echoed by Duane Meidinger, a Glasgow sportsman who worked
with Dascher on a number of issues.
“
The remarkable thing about Darlyne is that she always
checked into things,” says Meidinger. “She
never just went to a meeting or met with a group. She
would make calls and visit with folks who might be on
the other side of an issue. She always made decisions
based on the whole picture, and that’s something
that’s pretty rare. Even if you didn’t agree
with her, you knew she made a decision based on all the
facts.”
Some of Dascher’s biggest accomplishments were fighting for a parks
program in northeastern Montana, ensuring that the Region 6 staff was funded
and supported at the same level as other regions, and developing the framework
for the enhanced Block Management Program. Other issues that Dascher tackled
as a FWP commissioner included river crowding on the Beaverhead and Big
Hole rivers of southwest Montana, the Missouri River Breaks elk management
plan, the pursuit of conservation easements as a tool to enhance wildlife
habitat, formation of the Fort Peck Lake fisheries management plan, and
planning for prairie dogs, wolves and the Fort Peck Fish Hatchery.
Many of those issues are redefining wildlife management and recreational
access not only in Montana, but across the West.
“
The river-crowding issue is one that we’ll have
to deal with on the Missouri right here in eastern Montana,” says
Dascher. “Eventually, every river in the state
will have to have a recreation management plan. And we
need to do something different with our elk management
in this state. We have places with too many elk and not
enough hunting access. This whole issue of hunting access,
and the conflict between sportsmen and landowners, is
not getting better. Block Management is a good start,
but it can’t be the only tool in the box.”
Dascher plans to stay involved with those issues, serving as a bridge between
various interests. She also hopes to catch up on recreational reading,
and plans to spend more time on the ranch, and less on the road to Helena.
But her tenure on the commission has deepened her understanding of local
issues.
“
I understand the wildlife cycles right here on the ranch
much better,” she says, “and I understand
sportsmen’s issues better. It was an experience
I wouldn’t trade for anything. There have been
tears and anger, but in the end, we accomplished a lot.
Not everybody gets such an honor and privilege to serve,
and it’s a time I’ll always remember fondly.” |
March 11 public meeting
will detail FWP programs and progress (Posted Friday, February
28, 2003 8:06 AM)
If you have questions about development of
a state park in northeast Montana, wildlife trends in the area,
or the status of your favorite fishing hole, plan to attend a
public meeting on March 11 in Glasgow’s Cottonwood Inn.
The meeting, scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m., is Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ annual
report to the community regarding a wide variety of programs. This overview
is designed to inform the public about specific programs, accomplishments over
the previous year, and progress in the context of the department’s six-year
plan.
Each program manager will briefly describe goals and accomplishments, and be
available for questions.
The public is also invited to come to the meeting to thank former FWP Commissioner
Darlyne Dascher for her 8 years of service to the community. Light refreshments
will be served.
Fort Peck Man Sentenced In
Rape Case (Posted Friday, February 28, 2003 8:03 AM)
(AP) Federal Judge Sam Haddon, saying he sees no
sign of remorse, has sentenced Victor Charles Fourstar Junior to
almost 16 years in in prison for raping a woman on the Fort Peck
Indian Reservation last March.
Haddon noted that Fourstar has a history of violent sexual assaults, including
the rape of a 4-year-old girl in 1992.Fourstar was sentenced to ten years in
prison for that. A jury convicted him last October of raping the 18-year-old
woman. His attorney says he will appeal. (Copyright 2003 by The Associated
Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Major Changes Discussed At
School Board Meeting (Posted Wednesday, February 26, 2003 9:30 AM)
The Glasgow School District continues to be plagued
by declining enrollment and faces budget cuts of over $200,000 for
the 2003-2004 school year.
The school board met in special session Tuesday and several ideas were presented
on how to cut over $200,000 from the next budget.
The idea that brought out the most discussion is a plan to move 7th and 8th
graders to the high school. They are currently educated at the Glasgow Middle
School along with the 5th and 6th grades. Glasgow Superintendent Glenn Monson
told the board that the high school is being underutilized with only 229 students
in the building. The building was built to house. 600 students.
If the 7th and 8th grades were moved to the high school the district would
save the salary of one principal plus reduction in teaching staff needs. Monson
estimated the savings could total $150,000 to $200,000.
The Glasgow School Board will also consider the possibility of moving the school
administration office to the Middle School. Also under consideration is a mill
levy election which would bring in extra money to the district by raising taxes
and also offering an retirement-incentive plan encouraging some of the veteran
teachers to retire.
The school board is laying the groundwork for these potential plans and they
are encouraging any input the public might have.
The next school board meeting is set for March 19th.
Volunteers Needed For Fossil
Preparation (Posted Saturday, February 22, 2003 11:15 PM)
Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center & Museum,
Inc. (to be called Fort Peck Paleontology, Inc. in the near
future) has an urgent need for volunteers who would like to be trained
in the preparation of the fossils for molding and casting. If you
are interested please call Todd Hoelmer at the Field Station of Paleontology
at 406-526-3539 during the day or 526-3676 in the evening.
Kiwanis Moments
(Posted Saturday, February 22, 2003 11:12 PM) |
|
|
Rachel Erickson, Secretary-Treasurer for Valley
Public Television, spoke recently to members and guests at a
noon luncheon meeting of the Glasgow Kiwanis Club. Ms. Erickson,
along with Alec Adolphson, gave a slide presentation and encouraged
everyone to get involved with this volunteer television station
dedicated to bringing PBS and local information to Northeast
Montana. The station is located in Glasgow High School..
For sponsorship information or to learn how you can volunteer,
log on to www.vptv.org. |
Charles Wilson, Secretary of Glasgow Kiwanis Club,
presented Bill Pattison a pin reflecting 50 continuous years
of perfect attendance. Mr. Pattison, a life-long member of the
community service organization, serves on the membership committee
and is very active in fund raising activities which contribute
to the goal of the organization, serving the children of the
world.
|
|
|
Guest speaker at a recent Glasgow Kiwanis noon
luncheon was Glasgow High School basketball coach Ryan Rebson.
For Kiwanis membership information, please call Lila at 228-4346
or Bill at 228-9225. |
Glasgow Kiwanis Club President Delvin Hackwith
(right) welcomes Paul Wetz as a new member of the community
service organization. Mr. Wetz, an employee of Valley View
Home, was sponsored into membership by Skip Erickson. |
Phillips County
5th graders enjoy a day of pike fishing on Ester Lake (Posted
Friday, February 21, 2003 7:39 PM)
By Andrew McKean, Region 6 Information
Officer |
|
Want to test the speed of a 5th grader? Forget recess
football games or springtime field days. Instead, let them sprint
on ice toward a tip-up flag, and the promise of a fish on the end
of the line.
That race was repeated a couple dozen times last week as 60 5th graders from
across Phillips County converged on Ester Lake for a day of ice fishing for
northern pike. It was the fourth year that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
has teamed up with Walleyes Unlimited to give elementary students a taste of
fishing, and talk to them about ice safety, fishing tactics and fish identification.
Students from Malta, Dodson and Tallow Creek, the rural school in southeast
Phillips County, participated in the event. Previously, the outing has been
held in Nelson Reservoir, but because fishing success has declined over the
last couple of years, organizer Steve Jones opted to fish Ester Lake this year.
“
It was a good day,” says Jones, an FWP game warden who
has patrolled Phillips County for nearly 6 years. Jones was recently
promoted to sergeant and will be moving to Glasgow. “The
kids caught 25 fish, all northern pike. Members of the Malta
chapter of Walleyes Unlimited were a huge help. They provided
lunch and many of their members provided tip-ups. They all help
kids bait hooks and show them how to ice fish.”
Evidence of their success as teachers was easy to find.
“
This is cool!” said David Score, a Malta student who pulled a 16-inch
northern through the ice, and paused to admire the fish before running off
to show his classmates. “He just inhaled that minnow!”
Jones says the annual outing is designed to introduce students to fishing,
and he hopes the experience ignites long-term interest in the activity.
“
We’re losing a large percentage of our youth to other activities
besides hunting or fishing,” says Jones. “I hope
we can show kids that this is a fun thing. That’s the age
when people develop life-long interests, so we’re hoping
that fishing becomes something they enjoy and do for the rest
of their lives.”
Montana
Governor, Noaa Commend Glasgow Meteorologist (Posted Friday,
February 21, 2003 7:36 PM) |
|
Montana Governor Judy Martz, and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA
National Weather Service) joined more than 300 emergency managers
and county commissioners in recognizing NOAA meteorologist Tanja
Fransen of Glasgow, Mont., for her leadership and service to the
citizens of the state. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.
Governor Martz presented Fransen, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the
NOAA National Weather Service office in Glasgow, with a letter of commendation
yesterday during the 36th Annual Montana Disaster and Emergency Services Conference.
Fransen was also one of eight national winners of the NOAA National Weather
Service_s highest honor, the Issac M. Cline Award.
In citing Fransen's accomplishments, Governor Martz said, "Particularly
noteworthy has been your close coordination with Montana customers in the emergency
management profession. You have clearly demonstrated the excellent service
that all Montana citizens receive from the weather service. Your achievement
reflects great credit on you, the Glasgow office of the NOAA National Weather
Service and all your cooperators in the emergency management profession."
"Tanja Fransen's effort to improve our services for the American people
is a testament to her selfless dedication," said retired Air Force Brig.
Gen. Jack Kelly, director of the NOAA National Weather Service. "National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists, along with private and public
meteorological organizations, will benefit from this work."
Glasgow's Meteorologist in Charge, Julie Adolphson said, "Employees selected
for Cline awards have clearly demonstrated excellence in both their operational
skills and in the delivery of products and services in support of the NOAA
National Weather Service mission. Tanja was recognized for her exceptional
leadership efforts. She has improved our outreach activities with external
customers through multiple local, regional, and national NOAA National Weather
Service programs. We are pleased that Governor Martz and our partners, the
Montana emergency management community, has chosen today to also recognize
her dedication to providing outstanding service to them."
Montana Director of Disaster and Emergency Service, Jim Greene, added, "The
NOAA National Weather Service has always been an excellent partner in Montana.
Tanja exemplifies the professionalism and personal commitment that have made
a difference in our State. We are excited that she has received this award."
The Cline Awards are highly competitive and recipients are first selected within
the local weather forecast office and through subsequent regional and national
competitions. The award is named in honor of Isaac M. Cline, one of the most
recognized employees in the weather service history. His heroic forecasts and
hurricane warnings, are credited with savings thousands of lives during the
Galveston, Texas, hurricane of September 8, 1900 when the seaport was struck
by the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The death toll exceeded
8,000, but could have been much higher if not for Cline's understanding of
the weather and his initiative in warning the public.
" As a meteorologist, I know the importance of accurate and timely warnings.
Our team in Glasgow, as well as my peers throughout the NOAA National Weather
Service, take pride in fulfilling our agency_s mission to protect lives and property.
To be recognized by my peers and our agency, and now by our customers in the
disaster and emergency services in Montana, is a highlight in my career," added
Fransen.
"We work closely with our partners, such as the Montana state and local
emergency managers to ensure our forecasts and warnings are available to the
greatest number of people,_ Fransen said. "I am honored and humbled to be
recognized for this award and hope to continue to bring the NOAA National Weather
Service to the forefront in the community, just like Isaac Cline did decades
ago," said Fransen.
Fransen was instrumental in forming several public-private partnerships that
brought several new NOAA weather radio transmitter sites to rural Montana.
She has worked with officials from many counties as they deal with the state's
drought situation. Her other projects include special programs to educate customers
about various NOAA National Weather Service resources, weather safety and services
available to land management agencies during wildfires .
NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts
and warnings for the United States and its territories and operates the most
advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping
to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.
NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through
the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing
environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.
Police Searching For Car Thieves
(Posted Friday, February 21, 2003 8:02 AM)
The Glasgow Police Department is searching for
the person or persons who stole a car from the Glasgow High School
Parking lot on Saturday evening.
The Police Department told Kltz/Klan that the care was found Monday morning
near Pacific Hide and Fur in Glasgow. The car had no damage and nothing was
stolen from the vehicle.
The Police believe this might be a prank but are still investigating the incident
and plan to file charges if the person or persons are found whole stole the
car.
If you have any information about this crime please contact Crimestoppers at
1-800-222-2226.
Two Buildings Demolished (Posted
Friday, February 21, 2003 7:45 AM)
Fossum Ready-Mix demolished two downtown buildings
this week. The Shepherd Music Store and the former Valley County
Abstract Building were destroyed Tuesday and cleanup continued on
Wednesday and Thursday. This demolition forced the closure of 5th
Street South for most of the week.
The two buildings were vacant and were causing a safety risk to the public.
The Glasgow City Council started the process of getting the buildings torn
down after many complaints from the public.
Carlyle Garsjo purchased the two buildings and plans to build a parking lot
on the property. Garsjo owns the Oasis Lounge and Eatery which is located across
the street from the two buildings that were demolished.
St. Marie Phone Service Out
Tonight (Posted Wednesday, February 19, 2003 5:41 PM)
Nemont Telephone Cooperative will be doing a fiber
splice beginning at 12:30 tonite (Feb. 19) which will affect phone
service for St. Marie residents.
Residents of St. Marie will be able to call each
other but will NOT be able to dial 911 or make calls outside their
community or use the Internet and ADSL.
However, St. Marie residents can use cell phones
to make needed calls outside of their community. Regular phone service
should be restored by 3 a.m. Thursday morning, Feb. 20. We apologize
for any inconvenience this may cause.
Jack Reiner Big Band To Perform
March 2 (Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2003 10:20 AM)
With favorites such as In The Mood, The Johnson Rag,
Tuxedo Junction and Stardust, the Jack Reiner Big Band takes to the
stage of the Glasgow High School on March 2. The concert begins at
2 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door, priced at $8 adults,
$6 seniors and $5 students.
The Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Inc. and the Big Band will host the event.
The groups will divide proceeds, with the Council’s portion used for
Summer Theatre projects. The Big Band has allocated their portion to the Jack
Reiner Band Camp Music Scholarship Fund. Music students in grade 7 to 12 from
Glasgow, Nashua and Opheim are among the students who may apply for the scholarship,
explained Lee Cook, a member of the Big Band.
Perfecting the big band sound since 1986, the band has given many concerts
over the years. It was the inspiration of Jack Reiner, a longtime Flaxville-Scobey
music educator.
He started his musical career at the age of 5 playing dances with the family
band around Bourbon, Missouri. In the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Bourbon
sits on the famous thoroughfare Route 66, which saw a lot of big name entertainers
going from the east to west coasts. While playing with the family band, Jack
learned all the instruments and filled in where ever needed the most. The trumpet
has always been his true love. These two influences sprouted the love and musical
abilities that Jack has shared with so many others.
He came to the Scobey area to help an uncle farm and in his spare time, became
the Flaxville band instructor. He played with a musical group known as the
StarDusters. They played many a dance and prom in the area and their reed player,
Sylvan White, had played with Skitch Henderson and the Tonight Show Band.
Over the years, Jack has given thousands of free musical lessons to anyone
who wanted to learn. Many of the times, students who could not afford instruments
used one of Reiner’s. He would always find a way to listen past what
was coming out of those learning hands and encourage them onward, according
to information from the Big Band. In addition, he has singled-handedly developed
about half of the string players in the Prairie Symphonette.
In 1986, Jack decided the country had been without the big band sound long
enough. Using local talent, the Scobey Lutheran Church, a former lumberyard
building, his house and the Scobey School as practice sights and many dance
pieces from his family band, the Jack Reiner Big Band was born.
The musicians learned 20 tunes and put on their first concert, A Saturday Night
of Jazz at the Scobey High School. A number of concerts have been held since,
raising money for groups such as the Scobey Food Bank, 4-H, fuel assistance
and the Prairie Symphonette. Their focus in the last number of years has been
the Daniels County Beacon Community Foundation, which provides funding for
worthy projects in Daniels County.
As a way to thank and honor their founder, the Big Band decided to start the
Jack Reiner Band Camp Music Scholarship Fund within the Beacon Community Foundation.
The band guaranteed $10,000 within three years to endow the scholarship. The
2002 concert with matching funds from the Aid Association for Lutherans raised
$4,500, and in 2003, the Foundation offered $1,000 as matching funds. The recent
concert and dance in Scobey made $850 and they hope to make $1,000 in the Glasgow
concert.
It is noteworthy that some members of the Big Band also perform with the Dixieland
Jazz Band, which will perform in the Fort Peck Summer Theatre production of
Chicago in July.
Disaster Mitigation
Plan Public Meetings Scheduled (Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2003
10:18 AM)
Wildfires, flooding, severe winter storms,
high winds, drought, terrorism or human–caused hazards -
all disasters that we’ve either experienced or heard about.
Residents of Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley Counties
and the Fort Peck Tribes have an opportunity to develop Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Plans designed to reduce the loss of life and property,
human suffering, and economic disruption if a disaster strikes.
Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinators for the Counties and the Tribes
have scheduled meetings in 10 communities to ask the public for information
on developing this plan. The meetings will last approximately 90 minutes and
will cover three major topics.
The first phase of developing a Pre-Diaster Mitigation Plan involves a “risk
assessment.” Planners will ask the public questions like: What disasters
have occurred previously in the area? Where? When? What damage occurred? How
likely is it that this disaster could occur again? What damage would it cause
now? What’s the most serious hazard in the community?
Understanding the community’s “vulnerability” is the second
phase of the planning process, and planners at the public meetings will ask
questions like: What facilities are located in the hazard area – hospitals,
schools, fire halls, police stations, public works facilities, bridges, shelters?
How much would it cost to replace those facilities? Are new facilities being
planned in the area? How much would it cost to replace them?
The final part of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan meetings will be devoted
to finding specific projects that will reduce the effect of hazards. We need
to identify projects such as removing dead and dry brush and leaves to reduce
wildfire potential, maintaining flood control/diversion channels to control
flooding, developing strategies for reaching families or animals stranded by
severe winter storms, developing strategies for managing overhead utility lines
to minimize danger during windstorms, and establishing a hay hotline during
drought conditions. FEMA can fund up to 75% of the eligible costs of hazard
mitigation projects for Counties and Tribes that have approved Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Plans. The remaining 25% is a local match that does not need to
be cash; in kind services or materials may be used.
Please plan to attend and share your ideas with the planning team.
MEETING SCHEDULE
Tues. Feb 25
Wolf Point Council Chambers - 7pm
Mon. March 10
Opheim City Hall - 6pm
Wed. Feb 26
Fort Peck Tribal Cultural Building
Poplar – 1pm
Tues. March 11
Fort Peck Rec Hall - 6pm
Wed. Feb 26
Glasgow Courthouse Community Room – 7pm
Wed. March 12
Scobey City Council Chambers – 7pm
Thurs. Feb 27
Culbertson Town Hall Senior Center – 7pm
Thurs. March 13
Plentywood Jubilee Room – 7pm
Thurs. Feb 27
Medicine Lake Fire Hall – 7pm
Bill Approved That Includes
Hatchery Funding (Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2003 6:27 AM)
The United States Congress have approved a $397
billion dollar spending package that includes money for the Fort
Peck Warm Water Fish Hatchery.
Earlier this month the Senate approved a spending plan that would provide $8
million dollars for the construction of the hatchery but when House and Senate
negotiators compromised on the new spending package the funding had been reduced
to $6 million dollars.
The hatchery is a $20 million dollar project that will be located near the
Dredge Cuts at Fort Peck. Congress has approved the hatchery for the full $20
million but will appropriate the money over the next several years.
Ground breaking for the hatchery occured last summer and work on the water
intake structure is expected to begin this summer.
School Board Must Cut Another
$200,000 From Budget (Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2003 6:24 AM)
Glasgow School Superintendent Glenn Monson had
bad news for the Glasgow School Board at their regular monthly meeting
on Wednesday. He told the school board that budget cuts of over $200,000
could be expected for the school district in the 2003-2004 school
year.
Glasgow has been the victim of falling enrollments for the past several years
and this year is no different. The district's enrollment is down 26 students
from last year and this means big budget cuts for next year.
Monson told the board that every program and activity will have to be considered
for budget cuts when the school board prepares the school budget. The board
will also have to look at the possibility of running a mill levy election to
increase revenues for the school district.
The board will have a work meeting later this month to go over possible budget
cuts and discuss the possibility of putting a mill levy to the vote of the
people.
Rehberg And Baucus To Conduct
Water Management Forum (Posted Saturday, February 15, 2003 10:39
AM)
Montana’s Congressman, U.S. Representative
Denny Rehberg (R), and Senator Max Baucus (D) will conduct an informational
forum with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers General David Fastabend in
Rehberg’s Billings District Office at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February
17, 2003.
The discussion will focus on the Corps’ management
of Fort Peck Lake as a part of the Missouri River System, where the
river’s downstream barge industry often competes for water
with upstream recreation.
“ A big part of Montana’s economy and quality of life relies on the
great recreational opportunities found in our landscapes,” Rehberg said. “While
Fort Peck Lake plays a vital role in the Missouri River System, it’s value
to eastern Montana is immeasurable, and it’s important that Montanans come
together on the crucial issue of preserving Fort Peck’s lake levels,” stated
Rehberg.
“ I’m very glad to join Denny and Montanans in pushing to keep more
water in Fort Peck Lake,” Baucus said. “For too long, Montanans have
been treated unfairly. The current system isn’t working. There’s
no reason we should have to give up our water, our jobs, and our recreational
opportunities. I’m looking forward to bending the General’s ear and
working together to strike a common-sense balance to managing the Missouri River.”balance
to managing the Missouri River.”
Rehberg To Visit Glasgow Monday
(Posted Saturday, February 15, 2003 10:37 AM)
Montana’s Congressman, U.S. Representative Denny
Rehberg (R), today released his Montana travel schedule for the House
of Representatives’ President’s Day district work period.
Glasgow Valley County Chamber of Commerce 23 Hwy. 2
E. 9:00 am
Valley County Sheriff Glen Meier County Courthouse -- 501 Court Square 11:00
am
Lunch w/ Constituents Johnnie Cafe -- 433 1st Ave. South 12:00 pm
Valley County Long Run Volunteer Fire Dept. 2nd Ave. S. 1:00 pm
Malta Malt Chamber of Commerce Phillips County
Economic Growth Council First St. Bank Comm. Room -- 130 S. 1st
E. 3:00 pm
Phillips County Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner Tin Cup Marion Hills Golf Course
-- 100 Dural Lane 7:00 pm
DNRC Announces Dan
Dobler as New Havre Unit Manager (Posted Saturday, February 15,
2003 10:33 AM)
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
(DNRC) is pleased to announce Dan Dobler as the new DNRC Havre Unit
Manager. The Havre Unit Office had previously been closed due to
a staffing shortfall.
However, with the assignment of a new Unit Manager,
the office is once again staffed and open for business. The Havre
Unit Office's primary function is the management of state school
trust land in both Hill and Blaine Counties. The office is co-located
with the DNRC Regional Water Office at 210 Sixth Ave in Havre.
One change that residents need to be aware of, according
to DNRC Northeastern Land Office Area Manager Clive Rooney, is that
all Liberty County state land users, which previously worked through
the Havre Unit Office of DNRC, are now directing their inquiries
to the Conrad Unit Office of DNRC. The reasons for the change that
occurred in November, according to Rooney, were two-fold.
"First, the transfer was completed to better serve
our state land lessee's and the general public. The Havre Office
had too large of an area to cover for one person. The Conrad Office
currently has 2 permanent full-time field employees and 1 part time
office manager, whereas Havre only has only the one employee. This
change balances the workload out, making DNRC local field offices
more efficient. Secondly, it means more efficient administration
and management of DNRC's land based resources and programs for the
folks in Liberty County. It is a good change for everyone involved."
For those folks in Liberty County that need to contact
the Conrad Unit Office, please call 406-278-7869. Dobler previously
worked as the Land Use Specialist in the DNRC Glasgow Unit office
before accepting the Havre Unit Manager position.
"Dan will be a great asset to the folks in those two
counties," Rooney explained. "He has a great deal of experience and
common sense in dealing with issues and the public." If you would
like to speak to Dan, he can be reached by calling him at 406-265-5236,
by fax at 406-265-5236 or via email at ddobler@state.mt.us
School Board Starts Over In
Superintendent Search (Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2003 7:41 AM)
The Glasgow School Board has decided to start all
over in the search for a new superintendent.
In December the board advertised the position for a month and received just
four applicants for the job. A search committee was formed and narrowed down
the list of applicants to two and interviews were scheduled to begin next week.The
two finalists were Carl Somers and Blake Rahman. The board met in special session
on Thursday and decided that they didn't get enough interest in the job and
wanted to reopen the search.
Current Superintendent Glenn Monson advised the board to have a professional
search conducted by the Montana School Boards Association at a cost of $4500.
This organization will advertise the position nationwide, screen the applicants
and help the school district narrow down the list to four finalists.
Monson also told the board the reason that they
had such few applicants was because of the low pay and small benefit
package currently paid to the superintendent. He told the board that
Glasgow is third from the bottom for Class B schools in pay for the
superintendent. The current pay is in the mid-$60,000 range with
a small benefit package. The average salary for a superintendent
in a school the size of Glasgow is anywhere from $75,000 to $80,000
per year.
The board voted to hire the MSBA to conduct a search for a superintendent at
a cost of $4500. The job will be advertised for 6 weeks nationwide. The board
also voted to offer a starting salary at $70,000 with the pay negotiable.
The two current finalists for the job will have their applications forwarded
to the search company for their consideration.
Low flow expected on
Missouri River again (Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2003 7:14 AM)
(AP) The Army Corps of Engineers says lower
reservoirs and water flows are expected on the Missouri River again
this year, because of the low level of mountain snowpack and continuing
drought.
As a result, boaters could have problems entering
and exiting the river and marinas this summer. Also, barges on the
lower Missouri will carry lighter loads; and hydropower plants on
the Missouri dams will produce 25 percent less electricity compared
with a normal year.
The mountain snowpacks as of February first was
73-to-80 percent of normal in Montana, which is where the Missouri
River begins.
Normally, 60 percent of the peak snow in the mountains
is accumulated by early February. (Copyright 2003 by The Associated
Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Burns To Hold Public Meeting
On Water Levels (Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2003 7:09 AM)
Montana Senator Conrad Burns is inviting citizens
concerned with the water level of Fort Peck Reservoir to a public
meeting with him, and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Northwestern Division, General David Fastabend.
Burns wrote a letter to Gen. Fastabend in January about the critical levels
at Fort Peck Lake. "If the Corps proceeds with its current intentions,
irrigators will be forced to make major changes in their operations, marinas
at Fort Peck will not be functional, every boat launch and public use area
will be out of use, and Montanans will be the ones who are hurt economically."
Senator Burns wanted Gen. Fastabend to hear directly from those that will be
affected by the drawdowns, and invites concerned Montanans to join him on Sunday,
February 16 at the Recreational Center in Fort Peck at 1:00pm.
Fort Peck to lure visitors
with history (Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2003 7:37 AM)
(AP) As population declines in rural northeastern
Montana, Fort Peck hopes to revive its economy, by luring up to 400-thousand
travelers to visit a new six-point-seven million dollar interpretive
center and museum.
Sletten Construction of Great Falls will finish
work at the 18-thousand-square-foot Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center
and Museum this spring. The doors are set to open in May 2004.
The Army Corps of Engineers' interpretive center
may attract as many as 400-thousand visitors from around the world,
providing them with a glimpse into the birth of the Fort Peck Dam
and the area's rich history.
The museum will feature fossils, dam construction,
eastern Montana history, Indian culture, homesteaders and the nearby
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. (Copyright 2003 Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or redistributed. )
Baucus to fight cuts to Essential
Air Service (Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2003 7:35 AM)
(AP) Senator Max Baucus says he will fight proposed
cuts to the rural air service program that serves seven Montana cities.
The Bush administration has proposed cutting more than 50 percent
for Essential Air Service, a federal program that serves rural and
remote locations.
The Bush budget wants to spend 50 million dollars
for essential air across the country. Baucus says Montana received
more than four (m) million dollars from the program in fiscal year
2002, when 113 million was available nationwide. The Administration
also proposed requiring states more than 210 miles from a major hub,
like Denver or Salt Lake City, to match ten percent of the cost of
service.
Under the Essential Air Service program, Big Sky
Airlines provides service to Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown.
Miles City, Sidney and Wolf Point. (Copyright 2003 Associated Press.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or redistributed. )
Glasgow Man Charged In Bar
Incident (Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2003 9:33 AM)
24-year old Glasgow resident Gary Nordloh has been
charged with one felony and two misdemeanors as the result of an
incident that took place on Friday, January 31st.
According to the Glasgow Police Department, two officers with the department
were called to a Glasgow bar to remove Nordloh who had become out of control
at the establishment.
Nordloh became combative with the officers and they had to use reasonable force
to remove him from the establishment. While they were removing him, one of
the police officers was assaulted by Nordloh and was injured and had to seek
medical attention.
The officers transported Nordloh to the Valley County Jail and charged him
with felony assault on a police officer, misdemeanor resisting arrest and misdemeanor
assault.
Nordloh is still in jail and bond has been set at $15,000 on the felony charge
and $1000 on the misdemeanor charges.
Nordloh is listed on the State of Montana Sexual and Violent Offender Web Site
as a violent offender. He was sentenced in 1996 to the Montana State Prison
on the charge of felony aggravated assault.
New FWP license year takes
effect March 1 (Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2003 6:37 AM
The calendar may have said 2003 for more than a
month, but for Montana hunters and anglers, New Years Day is March
1. The hunting and fishing licenses you’ve been using for a
year expire on Feb. 28, and the new license year begins March 1.
Fish, Wildlife & Parks licenses are on sale now at license providers throughout
Region 6, and some licenses will be available via the internet later this year.
Resident license costs remain the same as last year: Conservation License,
$4; Fishing, $13; Deer A License, $13; Elk, $16; Upland Bird, $6; Bear,
$15; and Lion, $15. Combination licenses, which include fishing and upland
birds, are $66 with a bear license, $56 without a bear license, and $27 for
youth aged 12-17. These combination prices include the Hunter Access Enhancement
(HAE) fee of $2. If you buy individual hunting licenses, as opposed to combination
licenses, you’ll pay that $2 HAE fee on the first hunting license you
buy. The fee helps fund access on both public and private lands.
Those who took and passed the bear identification test last year are on the
computerized system and need not worry about presenting their certification
again this year. But for those who did not purchase a bear license last year,
a certification showing you passed the bear ID test will be requested at the
time you purchase your license this year. You may take the test either in person
at any FWP office or online at the department’s web site (fwp.state.mt.us).
Remember, to hunt in the spring black bear season you must purchase your license
on or before April 14th. Licenses purchased after that date can only be used
during the fall black bear season. Only one black bear license per year is
issued to a person.
Youth 12 through 14, persons 62 years of age and older, and disabled persons
pay less for fishing
and hunting licenses. All can fish and hunt upland game birds for the price
of a Conservation License: $4, and can purchase deer and elk licenses for half
price. Those 15 through 17 pay only $3 for an Upland Bird License, and $6.50
for a fishing license, so they get a bit of a bargain too, even though they
pay full price for elk and deer licenses
You can also buy Parks Passports when you buy your hunting and fishing licenses,
but early purchasers won’t get any bargain this year. The Passports cost
$30 for the first vehicle, $20 for each additional vehicle in a household,
but note that only 2 additional Passports may be purchased. The early-bird
discount for Passport purchases is not available this year.
Call FWP’s Region 6 headquarters in Glasgow at 228-3700 for information
on license agents in your community. |
William Thomas Joyce
William Thomas Joyce, 83, passed away from natural
causes on Tuesday, February 25, at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital
in Glasgow. Services will be Friday, February 28, at 1 p.m. at the
Bell Chapel in Glasgow with Jerry Meyers officiating. The burial
will be at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Bell Mortuary
in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.
William Thomas Joyce was born on August 31, 1919 to
Thomas J. Joyce and Margaret (Lowe) Joyce. William was born in Bureau,
Illinois the son of a Railroad Engineer of Rock Island Railroad from
Irish descendents. He was the valedictorian of St. Beads Catholic
School and was a distinguished World War II Veteran and enjoyed a
successful military career. On October 3, 1945 William married Illene
Brandt at Boca Raton, Florida. They lived in Helena, Great Falls,
Grass Range, Missoula, Nova Scotia and California while he served
in the United States Air Force. Illene served in the WAC. She passed
away on April 17, 1978.
William moved to St. Marie in 1986 and was the first
buyer of the St. Marie Condo Association. On June 2, 1989 William
married Helen Mahrer in Glasgow. An avid walker, he enjoyed music,
especially taping old recordings onto tapes for his friends, and
performing arts, was active in the St. Marie Condominium Association
and enjoyed being a silent partner in Alpha Promotions. He loved
Montana outdoors and beautiful wildlife, the prairie, fishing and
rafting on the Snake River, crossword puzzles and reading. He kept
a journal of all his travels.
Survivors include: wife, Helen Joyce of St. Marie;
daughters, Mary Houghton and Tim of Honolulu, Hawaii, Kathleen Joyce
of Morristown, New Jersey, Illene Hathaway of St. Marie and Margaret
Crawford of St. Marie; 5 grandchildren, Brian Hathaway and Gillian
of New York City, New York, Nancy Mellon and Jonathon of San Diego,
California, Katie Crawford of San Diego, California, Jennifer Kuzmik
of Morristown, New Jersey and Heather Kuzmik of Morristown, New Jersey;
brother, Edmund and Dorothy Joyce of Florida; step-children, Gilbert
Mahrer of South Dakota, Clifford Mahrer of Kansas, Donal Mahrer of
Kansas and Steven Mahrer of Kansas.
William was preceded in death by a sister, Marion Charles
and a brother, Thomas Joyce.
Barbara Stough
Barbara Stough, 76, passed away from natural causes
on Friday, February 21, at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in
Glasgow. Services will be Monday, February 24, at 11am at the Hinsdale
Legion Hall with Darla-Rae Amundson. The burial will be in the Hillview
Cemetery in Hinsdale. Bell Mortuary in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Stough was born on March 12, 1926 in Chicago,
Illinois to Roy Hilton Andrews and Helen (Worth) Andrews. Barbara
was raised and attended schools in Chicago. After high school she
worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago. On September 14,
1946 Barbara married Gene C. Stough in Chicago, Illinois. Gene worked
for General Mills and Barbara developed her own catering business
in Chicago, supplying a deli with her famous fancy hors d' euvres.
In 1971 they retired and moved to Wisconsin and in 1994 they moved
to Hinsdale.
She enjoyed needle point and loved fishing, bingo and
Las Vegas. She was a prolific reader and also enjoyed gardening and
flowers. She was active in her church in Chicago and Hinsdale. Her
husband Gene preceded her in death on November 26, 1994. Memorials
are suggested to the Lance Eugene Stough Memorial Fund in care of
the First Community Bank.
Survivors include: son, Ron Stogh and Sue Lander of
Hinsdale; daughters, Ellen Miliauskas and John of Houston, Texas,
Julie and John Yonker of Chicago, Illinois; 7 grandchildren; 1 great
granchild; honorary grandchildren, Jennifer Dull and Kristi Dull
of Hinsdale.
Pallbearers include: Kent Kirby, Paul Dull, Bob Olson,
Jim McColly, Bob Knoke and David Hillman.
Aganetha "Agnes" Wall
Aganetha "Agnes" Wall went to be with her
Lord Tuesday morning, February 4, at Northeast Montana Health Services
in Wolf Point. Visitations will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday,
February 7, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Clayton Memorial
Chapel in Wolf Point. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, February 8, at the E.M.B. Church in Lustre with Pastor
John Skillman and Pastor Bruce Bogar officiating. Interment will
be in the E.M.B. Church Cemetery in Lustre.
Agnes was born to Henry H. Unrau and Katherian (Fast)
Unrau May 22, 1917 in Chinook. Eight daughters were born to the Unrau
family before moving to the Lustre community, north of Wolf Point
in 1925.
Agnes married David A. Wall on April 8, 1936 and together
they farmed in the Lustre community for sixty-four years, where she
was an active member of the E.M.B. Church. The couple adopted five
children; Allen in 1945, Ronald, Nancy and Patricia in 1948 and Stephen
in 1953. Agnes and her husband enjoyed traveling, having visited
Western Europe and the Middle East and most states in the US. She
loved sewing and was an accomplished cook. A loving, caring wife,
mother, and grandmother, Agnes's family will miss her intercessory
prayers and her playful sense of humor. All who knew her will remember
her wonderful sweet smile and kind words of encouragement. Because
of her failing health, Agnes moved with her husband to the Faith
Home apartments in June of 2000.
Survivors include: her husband, David of 66 years;
a son, Allen and his wife, Barbara of Wolf Point; daughters, Nancy
Speas of Gillette, WY, Pat and her husband, Vern of Wolf Point; daughter-in-law,
Paulette Wall of Talequah, OK; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five
great-grandchildren; three sisters, Helen Wall, Susie Toews and Nellie
Rauch all of Wolf Point.
Agnes is preceded in death by her parents; four sisters,
Katherine Thiessen, Anna Becker, Marie Wedal and Sarah Wall; two
sons, Ronald and Stephen and three grandchildren.
Andor Landeraaen
Andor Landeraaen, 83, died Thursday, January 30 at
St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula of natural causes. Memorial services
will be held on Saturday, February 8 at 1 p.m. at the Scobey Lutheran
Church with Pastor Mark Koonz officiating. Interment will take place
at a later date. Arrangments are under the direction of Garden City
Funeral Home in Missoula and Waller Funeral Home in Scobey.
Andy was born on August 10, 1919 in Uggdal Parish in
Soreide, Norway. He lived in Tysnes, Norway until 1938 when he joined
the Norwegian Merchant Marines and shipped out on voyages to different
ports around the world. He immigrated to New York State in 1941,
where he joined the U.S. Army. He saw more of the world while stationed
in Luzon, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged
from the service in 1946 and later became a U.S. Citizen in 1952.
He began working as a carpenter in New York and eventually
landed in California. There he met Evelyn Hoydar on a blind date
and they were later married in 1956. He continued work as a carpenter
and began raising their family in California. Upon retirement, he
and his wife moved to the coast of Oregon where they enjoyed whale
watching and walking on the port. Having been born on an island and
spending many years sailing, he felt very much at home there. Shortly
after his wife's death, he lived with his daughter and son-in-law
in Glasgow where he enjoyed visits from his two granddaughters who
live in Scobey. Only recently, he moved with his daughter and son-in-law
to Missoula where he was making new friends at Missoula Manor. He
remarked often that when the fog rolled in over the mountains it
reminded him of the fog rolling in over the fjords back home.
Survivors include: 1 son, Pastor Paul Landeraaen and
daughter-in-law, Valerie and 2 grandchildren, Morgan and Hannah of
Scobey; daughter and son-in-law, Nadeen and Pastor Chris Flohr of
Missoula; cousin and long-time childhood friend, Ingvald Farevagg
and Johannes Sandvik of Norway.
Honorary pallbearers include: Mark Tighe, Kevin McPherson,
Cal Kellogg, Jr., Eric Kellogg and Jon Washam.
Sandra Diane Holter
Sandra Diane Holter, 57, passed away from cancer on
Saturday, February 1, at her home in Glasgow. Services will be Monday,
February 10, at 1 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Glasgow with
Reverand Dave Rogenes officiating. The burial will be at the Highland
Cemetery in Glasgow. Bell Mortuary in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.
Sandra Diane Holter was born on April 1, 1945 in Richmond,
California to Hal Halvorson and Lorraine (Watterud) Halverson. At
the age of 5, she moved to Glasgow and she attended schools and graduated
from Glasgow High School. Sandy worked in Philadelphia for 8 years
and in Denver for 8 years before coming back to Glasgow. She worked
as a waitress and has owned and managed Sandy's Kennels for the past
21 years. Sandy excelled in grooming, boarding, obedience training
and she raised Collies. Sandy enjoyed fishing, hunting and horses
were a big thing to her. She was a barrel racer when she was in high
school.
Survivors include: father, Hal Halverson of Glasgow;
sons, Shaw Halverson of Minneapolis and Shane Everard of Apple Valley,
California; sister, Carolyn Halverson of St. Marie;and brother, Michael
Halverson of Spokane, WA. She was preceded in death by her sister,
Shelly Jo Halverson in 1979 and her mother, Lorraine Halverson in
1991.
Sara Kirk Owen Bell
Sara Kirk Owen Bell, 54, passed away on Sunday, February
2, from inflammatory breast cancer at her home surrounded by her
family and friends. She was a remarkably talented woman, beautiful
to the core, and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Sara's
ability to rise above the specter of cancer, live to her utmost,
and bring joy and love to those around her was simply astounding.
Servies will be Wednesday, February 5 at the Glasgow High School
Auditorium at 7 p.m. with Reverand Emory Robotham officiating. Bell
Morturay in Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.
She was born December 18, 1948, to Dr. James Griffith
and Lois Marion Owen. She lived in Vacouver, Washington through her
graduation from Hudson Bay High School in 1967. She graduated from
the University of Washington School of Nursing with a BSRN in 1971.
She married Dr. Gordon Lynn Bell on July 1, 1978, in Eugene, Oregon,
and moved to Glasgow to begin a prarie life as a wife, mother and
nurse. They were blessed with three daughters Katharine, Amy and
Margaret. All three are very successfully involved with higher education.
Her busy life also involved many hobbies especially singing, writing
and cooking, plus volunteer positions with the Hospital Guild, the
City-County Library and endless support to her children's activities.
Sara is survived by her father, Dr. James Owen (Vancouver,
WA); her husband, Dr. Gordon Bell; three daughters, Katharine Lynn
(senior in nursing in Missoula), Amy Elizabeth (senior pre-med in
Bozeman) and Margaret Ann (freshman in Bozeman); cousins, nieces
and friends who have become so close as to feel like immediate family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Lois Margaret; and her sister,
Lynn Margaret Owen Balz.
During her last days, Sara exhibited the poise, compassion,
and concern for others for which she has always been known. Her illness
could not detract from her beauty and spirituality and for this she
will always be remembered.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the FMDH
foundation, the American Cancer Society, or a favorite charity. |