Here’s a public service announcement we think could be a very helpful local learning resource – math tutoring for local students.
According to Malachy Horning from Central Assembly of God in Great Falls, “Central Assembly has a tutoring center with 10 computers and supervision. Our youth pastor is a math genius and we have a couple teachers that would help if we were to get the students to come.”
We think this is just dandy, help spread the word.
Today E-City Beat received the following letter written to the Great Falls Public Schools Board of Trustees. We are respecting the letter writer’s request to remain anonymous.
Windchill chart.
“To whom it may concern,
I have just called my son out of classes for today due to dangerously low temperatures. This is something I should not have to do. You, as the school board should have done so for the whole district. Many children are forced to walk through uncontrolled intersections and dangerous weather conditions to get to school simply because our school board and city doesn’t seem to care about protecting our kids in inclement weather.
I am begging you to reconsider your stance on snow days and let them happen. Also, when you consider the current temps outside and the fact that the main campus of GFH (where all of my sons classes are) has an inadequate heating system because you chose to ignore the fact that it needs YEARLY maintenance.
This is creating inadequate learning environments for the kids. Especially those with documented learning and physical disabilities. You can’t learn when you’re cold. GFPS should be ashamed of themselves for allowing our children to be in an unsafe learning environment.
——(Editor’s Note: Combine the inadequate heating system with the documented high levels of CO2, a condition that has been proven to diminish cognitive function, and existed at Great Falls High for over 50 years, it should come as no surprise that a safe and healthy learning environment has not been provided for students and staff.)——
To add insult to injury, lets also address the fact that NONE of the schools are locked during school hours. Get camera and buzzer systems installed because anyone can just walk into a school and cause problems. All they have to do is look like they know where they are going. Last year, at East, I had a meeting, and I stood in the hall outside the classroom for 10 minutes before anyone even noticed that someone was out of place. Class was still going, so the halls were pretty much empty except for myself. That scares me. Did you not see what happened at Sandyhook? School doors should be secured during school hours for the safety of our kids.
I would also like to ask why you thought that the very end of April was the best time for spring break? Did you know that 90% of schools DO NOT do Easter Break because the timing of that changes every year. They all go on break at the end of March. For a full week. (Btw, thanks for letting them have a week for once… Let’s try and get winter break up to 2 weeks like the rest of the nation.) I can send you some sample calendars from around the US so you can see for yourself.
E-City Beat has learned from several reliable sources close to the investigation into the Cascade County Sheriffs Office that the suspected wrongdoing is far more serious than “irregularities with regard to some purchases” as Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki stated in a recent press release.
According to our sources, there is a very high probability that a high ranking official at the sheriffs department will be formally charged with a felony, and soon. In addition, at least one other former CCSO employee will also soon be charged with theft of financial or other resources.
Our information and multiple confidential sources are very reliable and we believe the facts, when they are provided to the public, will prove them to be accurate. Stay tuned.
E-City Beat will continue to dig into this and all matters of local importance which for far too long have been glossed over, ignored and minimized by the so-called “news media” in this community.
Local public officials and institutions will be called out and held accountable. That is our promise and resolution for 2019.
We challenge our readers to take 4 minutes and watch the video we’ve linked below from the Open The Books website. It’s quite revealing and a little shocking.
And we would like to remind our readers how much money our Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent and top administrators are making, as we noted in an April, 2018 piece:
“As of June 30, 2017 Montana’s Governor’s salary was $108,167 – GFPS Superintendent Tammy Lacey’s salary is $150,000. The State of Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction earned a salary of $104,635 – GFPS Assistant Ruth Ueker’s salary is $122,020.”
Apparently $150,000 isn’t enough, because GFPS has advertised the salary for a new superintendent as follows “$160,000 – $175,000 plus competitive benefits”.
(The application period has closed so the closing date in the notice, Nov. 30, 2019, is apparently a typo.)
Below you will find the District provided list from earlier this year of Administrative positions and corresponding salaries totaling $4,593,558.00, including days contracted. From the total amount the District notes that $326,319.00 is not paid from the General Fund.
“TOPIC Proposed District Office and Warehouse Complex Study/Design
BACKGROUND On October 4, 2016, the elementary and high school bond elections were approved by the voters. As a part of the bond sale the district received a premium on the sale of the bonds. The district has also accrued interest on the bond funds that have not been expended for identified projects. Since the bond election, the District has identified additional facility needs that the bond premium and interest monies can fund. This proposal addresses three of those needs:
1. A relocation of the offices currently on the 2nd floor of the warehouse (School Food Service and Music/Art) in order to address ADA accessibility needs of their customers;
2. A relocation of the offices currently on the 2nd floor of the warehouse (School Food Service and Music/Art) in order to address safety egress issues; and
3. The relocation of a large piece of food packaging equipment that is used to package approximately 300,000 salads, sandwich combos and fresh fruit/vegetable servings annually. It is currently located at Longfellow. It is recommended to find a more suitable location for a variety of food service and warehouse efficiencies. An architectural study and resultant design would provide expertise in how to accomplish the objectives above in the most efficient and cost effective ways.
DISCUSSION The Board is requested to take action to approve the study to include the dissemination, as per Montana Codes Annotated, of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services to design a remodel and/or addition to the District Office Complex to address the needs above. The RFQ will be published in the Great Falls Tribune. The RFQ will be posted on the district website at http://www.gfps.k12.mt.us/content/facility-action.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS The architectural study and work will be completed by the selected professional and will be paid with bond premium and interest proceeds. The Board will be asked to approve the resultant design, estimated construction costs and fund sources of the remodel and/or addition at a later date.”
During the meeting and discussion Superintendent Tammy Lacey responded to a question about the amount of the premium and accrued interest saying it was $7-$9 million.
Keep in mind that by Montana statute, bond proceeds to be spent must be specifically identified in the ballot language.
Here are some questions we are going to attempt to get answers to in the coming days and weeks:
Were the new projects outlined in this agenda item identified in the original bond ballot language? If not, is it legal or right to use proceeds from the bond to pay for the projects?
Was there any discussion by anyone in the Administration or on the school board about the possibility of finding a mechanism to return the windfall of $7-$9 million to local taxpayers? If not, why not?
Did Superintendent Lacey or any of the school board trustees know about the likelihood or possibility of a multi-million dollar bonus as a result of the bond interest and premium?
Shouldn’t we wait to see if the already identified and approved projects are on budget before we spend taxpayer money on new projects? Shouldn’t we demand some accounting on current projects first?
If any of our readers have any information that may be helpful in answering these questions please contact us ASAP. Thank you.
With Election Day only a week away we are publishing what we hope will be some useful information for local voters about local and statewide candidates. We’re listing grades and endorsements for candidates from organizations which align with both the left and the right based on the most recent information detailed on the national Vote Smart website.
In addition, we’re adding our own grade based on whether a candidate responded to our questions regarding state and local issues. The criteria for our grade is simple – if a candidate responded they get an ‘A’, if not they get an ‘F’. We did not send questions to U.S. Senate or House candidates.
Montana Farmers Union to Hold 103rd State Convention
Great Falls, MT- “Moving agriculture forward” is the theme of the 2018 Montana Farmers Union State Convention to be held October 26-27 at the Great Falls Holiday Inn. Members from throughout the state will attend the event for policy work, educational workshops and entertainment. The convention will feature a unique lineup of keynote speakers, timely educational panels on estate planning, business management and Industrial Hemp. Convention goers can register online at www.montanafamersunion.com. Daily registration is also available. Register by October 19 to be eligible for the early bird registration.
Some convention highlights include:
Friday, October 26, 2018
· Cattle Handling workshop led by stockman Curt Pate: Montana ExpoPark Livestock Pavilion; sponsored by the Rural & Agriculture Council of America and DeBruycker Charolais
· Friday luncheon: Keynote: Keith Horton, Senior Trial Agronomist, Cargill Inc., Sponsored by Farmers Union Industries
· Promoting Awareness of Best Forage-Management Practices: Dr. Emily Meccage, MSU
· National Food Safety Collaborative
· Friday night entertainment: comedian Lyndy Phillips (open to the public at no charge); Sponsored by RBC Wealth Management /Amy Strom & BNSF
Saturday, October 27, 2018
· Industrial Hemp production in Montana: featuring a panel of Industrial Hemp growers
· Youth banquet: Videographer Riley Slivka will tell his story of his family’s farm through a series of short films., Sponsored by CHS
· Who is the Future of Your Business?: presented by Ryan Hughes of Alltech/Hubbard
· Hours of Service as it relates to livestock producers and the national campaign/approach surrounding ‘fake meat’; presented by Jess Peterson, USCA
· Estate planning andmediation: presented by the Montana Department of Agriculture
· Policy updates by Matt Perdue, National Farmers Union
Montana’s mining industry is a bright spot in our state economy. While our state has been facing growing concerns about declining tax revenue and budget shortfalls, mining continues to be one of the largest employers and taxpayers in our state—supporting over 12,000 jobs and generating nearly $200 million in revenue for Montana.
But environmental groups like the Montana Environmental Information Center have introduced a ballot initiative (I-186) that will effectively stop all new mining in Montana, as well as the jobs, tax revenue, and economic benefits that would come with it. Supporters of this initiative are trying to hide the negative impacts of I-186. They are deliberately misleading Montanans by claiming that this initiative is about fixing our mining regulations and promoting clean water—but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
But environmental groups like the Montana Environmental Information Center have introduced a ballot initiative (I-186) that will effectively stop all new mining in Montana, as well as the jobs, tax revenue, and economic benefits that would come with it.
Montana is home to some of the world’s most stringent and thorough environmental regulations when it comes to permitting mines. As I have followed the efforts of the Black Butte Copper Project and the proposed mining operations in Northwestern Montana, I have seen our permitting process in action. Not only have each of these companies spent years diligently working to meet and exceed every aspect of Montana’s environmental requirements and permitting regulations but they have spent millions of dollars in the process.
Despite the years of effort and large financial investment, a major mine hasn’t been permitted since the East Boulder Mine in 1992, which runs along the East Boulder River and whose sister mine, the Stillwater Mine (permitted in 1986), runs along the Stillwater River. Black Butte Copper would be the first copper mine permitted since the Troy Mine, which was first permitted in 1978.
Instead of looking to these mines as examples of the balance Montana has achieved between protecting our environment and developing our mineral resources, the supporters of I-186 point to bygone, gold-rush era mines that have been out of operation for decades. Our high standards for remediation and strict environmental protections ensure that mines operating in Montana leave our landscape and waterways in better condition than before mining took place.
If I-186 passes, the balance that currently exists will be upended and our opportunity to develop these resources in the future will be lost.
If I-186 passes, the balance that currently exists will be upended and our opportunity to develop these resources in the future will be lost.
In addition to the staggering economic impacts of I-186, it may also have repercussions for our national security. Our natural resources—especially mined minerals—play a key role in our ability to provide our military with the technology and equipment it needs to protect our troops. No one knows and appreciates this fact more than the members of our National Guard and Reserve and the residents of Great Falls—home of the Malmstrom Air Force Base.
In fact, the Department of Defense uses over 750,000 tons of mined minerals each year.
The proposed Black Butte Copper mine near White Sulphur Springs is home to a billion pounds of high-grade copper. The two proposed mines in Northwestern Montana have the potential to produce more than 500 million ounces of silver and 4 billion pounds of copper in their lifetime.
For the sake of our economy, and our national security, we simply cannot afford to let I-186 keep our mineral resources in the ground.
Vote NO on I-186 to protect the future of mining, and the future of Montana.
Roger A. Hagan is a retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Montana Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force and served as the State Representative for House District 19 in 2013. He currently represents veterans and military members as a lobbyist.
We just a call from the Montana Democratic Party informing us that the screenshots we provided of a fundraising email for Jon Tester do not match any fundraising email they have sent out.
We are triple checking with our source, the individual who sent us the email screenshots and text, to confirm what we were originally told as to the emails original source. We are also waiting for a statement from the Montana Democratic Party which we will publish as soon as we receive it.
In the meantime we have taken down the original post and offer our sincere apologies for posting the information we thought was accurate when indeed it may not have been.
As part of E-City Beat’s continuing effort to help our readers make informed decisions as voters we have sent questionnaires to all local candidates in the upcoming general election and will be publishing their responses starting today.
Today we feature the candidates for Cascade County Sheriff, Jesse Slaughter (D) and Bob Rosipal (R). Here are the three questions we asked each of them:
Why are you the best candidate for the position you’re running for?
Please identify three specific goals you want to achieve if you are elected and how those outcomes will benefit Cascade County citizens.
What is the biggest challenge facing Cascade County generally and the biggest challenge facing the specific department you are seeking to lead and how will you address that challenge?
1. Why are you the best candidate for the position you’re running for?
I am committed to Cascade County as both a community member and a Deputy. I have been a Deputy Sheriff with the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years. I set my career goal to become Sheriff when I was first hired. I gained the knowledge and experience in every area of the Office so when it came time for promotion, I was ready for that next position. I have led patrol shifts as a sergeant and lieutenant and have held every position on the SWAT team, from an operator to the current Commander. I was also assigned as the Chief Deputy Coroner and the training supervisor for the Office.
There will be a change in leadership in January. Those I work with know I will provide a great culture and climate for them to work in. I am supportive, I listen, and I am flexible when others bring ideas to the table. I recognize those that have done a good job. I take responsibility for my decisions and don’t point the blame somewhere else, and I expect that from others as well. I know our Office, the needs of the Office, and I will make sure it will continue to grow in a positive and productive manner. I can lead the 150 staff members into that positive change. I had several Deputies approach me and ask me to run for Sheriff, which is very humbling. I am supported by deputies and command staff in this campaign.
I have extensive budget experience. I began working with the budget in 2005 and I have been fiscally responsible for those budgets assigned to me.
2. Please identify three specific goals you want to achieve if you are elected and how those outcomes will benefit Cascade County citizens.
My goals for the Office are to build the Reserve Deputy program, form a citizen’s committees, and hire more deputies.
The Reserve Deputy would work along side a full time Deputy in functions around the County, such as; the fair, rodeos, etc. These positions would give experience to volunteers who are looking to pursue a career in law enforcement as well.
The citizen’s committees will be made up of various citizens from around the County. We would meet to discuss issues in their area and come up with solutions to problems. They would know what the Sheriff’s Office is doing, which shows transparency. These meetings could take place in a school, the fire stations, or senior centers. To go along with this, I would be attending monthly Townhall meetings in Belt and Cascade who we have contracts for service with.
I want to hire more deputies. Having more deputies on the road means better coverage of the County. I would like to assign another Deputy to the drug task force. I will have to work closely with the County Commissioners when it comes to any goal that has a cost.
3. What is the biggest challenge facing Cascade County generally and the biggest challenge facing the specific department you are seeking to lead and how will you address that challenge.
The biggest challenge Cascade County is facing right now is the jail. No one person can fix this issue. The Sheriff, Jail Commander, Judges, and County Attorneys are working everyday together to lower our population, with the safety of our citizens in mind.
Having a pre-trial screening process is a great idea, but it also comes with a financial cost. Hiring the right amount of people to review each offender, doing backgrounds on offenders, deciding what the appropriate alternative (GPS, 24/7, SCRAM, ect.) is and purchasing the equipment will be costly.
Rehabilitation programs for those addicted to drugs and alcohol are very important and can work, but we cannot change the criminal mindset in people. However, I believe drug and alcohol education for the youth in our schools needs to be a (Sheriff’s Office) continuing priority.
Why are you the best candidate for the position you’re running for?
The Sheriff is one of only a few law enforcement positions selected by the people. My desire to be Sheriff of Cascade County is not about me, its about our future…the future of your family, my family, and our community.
I am a public servant at heart and I care deeply for the people of this county. For 18 years I’ve had a very successful career serving the people of Montana. I started as a civilian coroner, then a deputy sheriff/coroner. I spent a decade protecting the residents of Great Falls as a police officer and Master Police Officer before I was appointed to my current position as a detective, specializing in protecting children.
The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office has been stagnant for many years, it is the right time for an infusion of new leadership and technology; I am excited to foster an environment of inclusion and empowerment. With members of the community, and the very talented men and women of the Office, we will work together to improve timeliness of law enforcement services, to integrate current technologies, to increase safety on the streets and within the detention center, and to plan the sensible spending of your tax dollars. We will look for new opportunities to serve the county, and we will provide the strength to do what’s right, even when it may not be popular.
This county is full of wonderful people who believe in putting up a hard day’s work, being a good neighbor, and enjoying what our beautiful state has to offer. Its important we are always moving forward while we protect our traditions and build upon our legacies.
It’s not a cliché, or a political catch line, when I say that I bring new perspective to the office. The time is right now, I am the right leader, and it will be my honor to be Sheriff of Cascade County, Montana.
Please identify three specific goals you want to achieve if you are elected and how those outcomes will benefit Cascade County citizens.
INCREASE THE SAFETY OF CASCADE COUNTY’S RURAL SCHOOLS – As a law enforcement officer I have spent a large portion of my career protecting children. I am proud to be part of the team who pioneered the first course teaching Great Falls’ emergency personnel how to respond to an active shooter incident.
I am already working with parents and faculty to introduce a comprehensive and affordable strategy to increase the safety and security of the seven schools in rural Cascade County. We will call on highly skilled and trained community members to serve as Reserve Deputies assigned to protect our most valuable resource every day.
FOSTER TRANSPARENCY WITHIN THE OFFICE – The Sheriff’s Office is an office of and for the people. We must be more transparent by opening our doors to the community. By providing you with a firsthand understanding of the office and our limitations, we may rally your support to help us push through the confines of “status quo” so we can far better serve the community.
We will improve the transparency of the internal hiring and promotion processes. The men and women of the Office deserve fair and consistent treatment.
BECAUSE OF YOU, FOR YOU – We work for the people of Cascade County. We must thrive on a culture of providing excellent law enforcement, detention, and coroner services. With an influx of innovation and a fresh perspective, we will use face-to-face interactions, and technology advancements, to honor our legacies, appreciate what’s happening now, and anticipate what the future needs of our community may be.
What is the biggest challenge facing Cascade County generally and the biggest challenge facing the specific department you are seeking to lead and how will you address that challenge?
JAIL OVERCROWDING – We must implement an innovative long-term solution to the overcrowding of the Cascade County Detention Center, the largest detention center in northcentral Montana.
When the jail can no longer house offenders effectively, the safety and vitality of our entire community suffers. Law enforcement officers, judges, and probation/parole officers must possess the option to incarcerate a suspect or offender when they determine it necessary.
I am already building a team to research the implementation of pre-trial programs that can aid in keeping low-risk offenders out of jail. When a low-risk offender can continue working, and contributing to our community, they maintain the ability to pay toward their fines and toward restitution to victims.
(The application period has closed so the closing date in the notice, Nov. 30, 2019, is apparently a typo.)
Bob Rosipal