Great Falls Citizens Complaint Form Now Online

Rick Tryon on November 20, 2020

As a Great Falls City Commissioner I am always open to and interested in hearing suggestions, criticisms, and plain ol’ complaints from my fellow citizens about how City employees and officials are performing or how City policy is working, or not working.

I do my best to bring citizen’s concerns to the attention of the appropriate personnel or to bring them forward in a public forum, with the goal being to get answers and solutions.

Developing a more transparent, responsive City government is one of the top concerns I continue to hear from local folks. And it remains one of my top priorities, along with crime reduction and economic development, as a City Commissioner.

That’s why I was happy to see the following press release this week from the City’s Communications Specialist, Lanni Klasner, announcing an online complaint and request form.

This helps make your local government more accessible, responsive, and accountable. I encourage my fellow citizens to access this new tool to help build a greater Great Falls.

“The Citizen Complaint & Request Form is now available as an online form. This format will make it easier for people to submit their requests with a mobile device. For people who need or prefer the pdf/print version, it is still available.

Here are the two ways to submit the form:

  1. Fill out and submit the Online Complaint & Request Form.
  2. Fill out the Print/Submit Complaint & Request Form. (The form can be completed electronically with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free of charge from the Adobe web site.) Print and mail forms to: City of Great Falls – ATTN: Citizen Complaint/Request, PO Box 5021,  Great Falls, MT 59403 OR drop off at any City Office.”

Lanni M. Klasner
Communications Specialist
City of Great Falls
2 Park Drive South
Great Falls, MT 59403
406-455-8496
lklasner@greatfallsmt.net

Foot In The Door: More Great Falls Cronyism?

Philip M. Faccenda on November 12, 2020

THE GREAT FALLS AQUATIC CENTER – BOON, OR BOONDOGGLE?

In 2018, Great Falls’ only indoor swimming pool, the Morony Natatorium, or Nat as it was affectionately known, was closed after 52 years of service to the community. It replaced an older Natatorium which was demolished in 1963. You may be reminded of the original Nat with frozen haired students walking back from swimming class to Paris Gibson Junior High.

Both structures were plagued with structural problems resulting from poor soils conditions at the site.

A 2016 Park and Recreation Master Plan identified the need for a new aquatics and recreational facility and earlier this year the city learned of a possible grant that could bring the dream to reality. The Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program administered by the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) provided the opportunity.

In short, the facility would also fill unmet training needs for Malmstrom and MANG airmen and contribute to the quality of life for airmen and their families. The pool and recreation center would be owned and operated by the City Park and Recreation Department and located on City property.

The City would fund 50% ($10M) of the project cost ($20M) using a portion of Park District One funding, and the Federal grant would provide another $10M.

As reported by The Electric, in May, City Manager Greg Doyon informed City commissioners that to complete the 18-page grant pre-application and develop early concept designs, a professional consultant would be needed to make a competitive application and that Park District money could be used to fund those services.

On June 16, in collaboration with MAFB, the City Commission authorized Mr. Doyon to submit a proposal to construct a new aquatics facility to the OEA.

Subsequent to the June 2, commission meeting where the City Manager was quoted as saying, “There’s a lot of hoops to jump through” relative to the Federal grant pre-application, City Park and Recreation Director Steve Herrig solicited proposals to complete the pre-application from three hand-picked architectural firms. A fourth invitation was made to a firm who contacted the Mayor.

Since the project was initiated without a public notice being issued, several local architectural firms were excluded from consideration.

By June 16, a joint venture firm and been chosen to complete the pre-application, and by the deadline of June 26, it was completed.

On August 10, the City of Great Falls was invited to submit a complete grant application due August 26.

Late in August the City advertised the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the architectural and engineering services for the $20M Aquatics and Recreation Center. Proposals were due September 21.

Ten firms submitted proposals, one was chosen by the selection committee and approved by the City Commission with a 4 – 1 vote on October 13. Ironically, the firm chosen was the same firm who was selected to complete the grant pre-application in June. At the meeting, two local architectural firms raised concerns about the City’s selection process.

Questions that need to be addressed:

  • Did the winning firm have an unfair advantage by having been awarded the unpublished pre-application commission in June?
  • Did the winning firm benefit from a longer time period to work on their design?
  • Why didn’t the only woman owned architectural firm receive affirmative consideration as required by Federal, and City requirements?
  • Why is the new facility planned to be located on a site with the worst soil conditions in the City?
  • Why did the City trade city park property for a swamp owned by the school district when a more centrally located city owned site with ideal soil conditions was available?
  • Why weren’t City Commissioners allowed to see the other nine design solutions?

Is the result that a “Foot in the Door” is good strategy, or is it just the “Good Ol’ Boys” at work again?

Montana Red Tsunami, Cascade County Red Wave

Rick Tryon on November 5, 2020

As of today, the U.S. presidential election is undecided with four states, North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania, still counting ballots and their corresponding electoral votes still up for grabs.

One thing is certain though – the oft-predicted national blue wave sweeping Republicans from office didn’t happen.

There wasn’t even a blue splash. In fact the GOP appears certain to retain control of the U.S. Senate and they even picked up 5 seats in the House after many media prognosticators expected dozens of Republicans to be sent packing.

There was a wave in Montana however. In fact it was a tsunami at the statewide level. And it was all red.

Every Republican on the statewide ballot won. Every Democrat lost. Every single one.

  • Gianforte beat Cooney in the gubernatorial race by 12 percentage points.
  • Knudsen beat Graybill for AG by 16 points.
  • Downing beat Morigeau for Auditor by 16 points.
  • Bennett lost to Jacobsen for SOS by 20 points.
  • Romano lost to Arntzen by 12 points in the state School Superintendent race.

In addition, Rosendale won Montana’s lone House seat by beating Williams by 12 points and President Trump carried the state by 16 points.

Perhaps most surprising is the margin of Governor Bullock’s loss to Steve Daines in the Senate race – 10 points.

And the red wave also washed over Cascade County, which was once considered a Democrat stronghold.

Cascade County Republican candidates for the state legislature completely swept the field and defeated every Democrat on the ballot.

The red wave in Great Falls/Cascade County even carried away three incumbent Democrat legislators including Jasmine Krotkov, Barbara Bessette, and surprisingly even Brad Hamlett. All three lost to relatively unknown local political newcomers.

This GOP sweep in Great Falls is unprecedented in the last 40 years or so.

In my opinion it can be explained, at least in part, by the extreme liberal positions of three of the Democrat local candidates: Melissa Smith, Jasmine Taylor and Helena Lovick.

These three were very outspoken and very public about items in their collective agenda, items which included defunding local police, climate change extremism, and anti-Second Amendment positions.

You can read more about those positions here.

These ‘progressive’ positions and far-left policy ideas are well outside of the Great Falls/Cascade County political mainstream and I believe they hurt ALL of the local Democrat candidates by association.

Could that dynamic be extrapolated to the state and national election results as well? Maybe.

But I feel pretty certain that the very liberal and very public profiles of Smith, Taylor and Lovick pulled other local Democrats under with them as the red wave washed over this state and local election.

Racism Or Protecting Customers From COVID-19 In Great Falls?

Rick Tryon on October 28, 2020

This morning I received several ‘heads up’ messages concerning a Facebook post from Sharen Kickingwoman about an incident at the Great Falls Wingate by Wyndham Hotel.

Here is the part of the post which outlines the incident:

‘My mom booked his room at the Wingate Hotel here in Great Falls. When he arrived and checked in with his ID, the worker told him “we don’t serve people from Browning”. When pushed further as to why, she said it was their policy “because of Covid”…

…I asked the new hotel clerk if they served Natives and specifically people from Browning and she was so confused because she was like “of course we do, but lots of people keep calling and asking me that, do you know why?” So this has obviously been happening for some time.So if you’re in Great Falls, or honestly anywhere, don’t support Wingate Hotels! They are completely fine with racist policies that target Native folks.’

You can read Kickingwoman’s entire post here.

After reading it a couple of times I shared the post along with my own comment and reaction:

“I am at a loss for words after reading this. In fact I am shocked and angry. I will be asking some very serious questions and making some pointed inquiries.

To my Native American brothers and sisters: speaking as a community leader I can assure you that if this is as it appears to be it will not be ignored or swept under the rug. We are better than this, Great Falls. We have to be.”

Just a little while ago, Wednesday afternoon, I had a lengthy conversation with Larry Gooldy, the General Manager of the hotel and asked him to provide a statement with their side of the story. He did so promptly and here is the statement in full:

“The incident with Kickingwoman started when I saw the reservation pop up during my afternoon front desk shift. I let my afternoon employee know that we may have a stay at home notice for one of her reservations and to let me know if she had any problem.

Guest checked in at 5:12p local time and presented a Browning ID for residence. At that time my front desk employee advised that the area Kickingwoman was from was under a lock down from the Blackfeet Nation( https://blackfeetnation.com/covid19/ ) ( https://www.krtv.com/news/coronavirus/stay-at-home-order-extended-again-on-the-blackfeet-reservation )and they would not be able to stay without a Doctors note for medical procedure or travel notice as indicated for reasons to travel.

The guest was unaware and had no note with them and had a note sent to the front desk. So my employee let me know and I advised ok to stay and I would follow up in the morning with the guest when I came in on the note.

The guest stayed and checked into room 119. The guest had a pet that they wanted to stay in hotel as well and was advised of service animal only property. Guest stated that he should be allowed to have the pet stay with him due the fact he is a veteran. My desk employee advised that would not be possible. They stated they would leave dog in car overnight.

Later the guest came back to front desk and began to call the my employee a racist for not letting people from Browning stay, even though we checked said guest and was allowing them to stay since they provided paperwork for the doctor.

The guest was advised of stay at home order issued by Blackfeet nation tribal council again and presented copy of Stay at home order from the nation’s website. The said guest decided to leave under their own accord. We did not ask, or force said guest to leave the hotel.

The guests then left the hotel.

Following Heath department guides to prevent the spread of COVID 19 the hotel has a policy for the protection of all guests that occupy a room, that it is safe and free of contamination spread. Guests that present a health risk/safe risk to guests or employees in the hotel would not be allowed to stay. I.e Quarantine, Stay at home, Lockdown, or indicate they are sick/Symptomatic.

In a side note while doing an interview this morning with Nora Mabie at the hotel, we had two Native American ladies with us that checked in yesterday from a different area not under a Quarantine restriction. They got breakfast from the front desk and returned to the room to eat. When asking Nora if should could account for the validity of a racist hotel claim when I have two ladies walking before you, that have just stayed in our hotel on the same day of this claim. She would not comment.”

Mr. Gooldy also informed me in our conversation that the hotel reservation was made through an online travel site and that site, as well as all of Wingate by Wyndham’s web sites, carry an explicit disclaimer informing customers to personally check with the hotel and inquire about local COVID-19 restrictions.

To be fair, it appears that the Kickingwoman family did not check with the Great Falls Wingate Hotel to ask about specific COVID restrictions prior to checking in.

So was this incident an example of racism, or a common sense health precaution? Readers can make up their own minds.

My takeaway is that we all need to do a better job of informing ourselves and communicating clearly in these confusing times.

GFPD Dealt With Two Attempted Suicides In One Afternoon In Great Falls

Rick Tryon on October 23, 2020

On Thursday, October 15 I did a ride-along in a Great Falls Police Department patrol car with Master Police Officer Pat Brinkman.

It was a real eye-opener for me to witness first-hand what our local law-enforcement officers deal with, even though I only caught a brief glimpse of what they do and see every single day, day in and day out.

In the course of my ride-along I saw how our police officers deal with white, black, and brown folks here in Great Falls, and how they maintained a level of courtesy, professionalism, awareness, and genuine human empathy in every interaction.

Also that afternoon I personally witnessed our police officers and other first responders deal with two attempted suicides. Right here in Great Falls. Two. In a span of about four hours.

In the first incident the person’s life was quite literally saved by two GFPD officers working in tandem and using their training to prevent a life from being forfeited.

In the second case I saw up close and personal how our police and other first responders worked to get an almost-successful suicide to the emergency room just in time. Thanks to Great Falls Fire Rescue, Great Falls Emergency Services and GFPD.

We can be proud of our Great Falls Police Department. Very proud, and very confident in their abilities to serve and protect ALL of our citizens.

Thanks to Captain John Schaffer for allowing me to ride along and to MPO Brinkman for showing me the ropes and giving me a fresh perspective.

As long as I am a Great Falls City Commissioner I will do everything I can to make sure that we’re not going down the road of “defunding” or “reimagining” our amazing GFPD.

Are ‘Carol’s List’ Great Falls Candidates In The Mainstream?

ECB Staff on October 19, 2020

One of our readers sent us an email with a screenshot of a Political Action Committee’s Facebook page announcing an event in Great Falls from a week ago called “Rally at the Sign”.

The reader had never heard of the PAC or the event so we did a little digging.

The political action committee is called Carol’s List and is based in Bozeman. Here’s how they describe themselves on their website:

“Carol’s List recruits, trains, supports progressive, pro-choice Democratic women to run for elected office in Montana and win — to increase women’s political power in the state…

…Founding members Christine Kaufmann and Diane Sands were the first openly lesbian state Senator and state Representative, respectively. Former board member Denise Juneau is the first Native American woman ever elected to a statewide office in the United States. Founding co-chair Carol Juneau carried the bill making Montana the first state to implement Indian Education for All. 

Our current board is a mix of former legislators and current activists who work every day to identify and support talented women to run for office and win.”

As for the “Rally at the Sign” here’s the screenshot and description from the Carol’s List FB page.

“About a dozen people turned out for the Oct. 6 rally, where all three candidates — Melissa Smith (House District 20), Jasmine Taylor (House District 22), and Helena Lovick (House District 26) — took the mic.

You probably already know we don’t have enough women in public office. Women are vastly underrepresented in all of our public offices, and that includes in our public offices in Montana as well,”

Jasmine Taylor said at the rally, adding that queer people and pro-choice advocates like herself, scientists like Helena Lovick, and environmentalists like Melissa Smith are also underrepresented.

Melissa Smith is a global warming alarmist who has stated that the value of your children can be reduced to the amount of carbon they consume.

Jasmine Taylor has advocated for defunding local law enforcement and has personally attacked Great Falls City Attorney, Sara Sexe, because of her legal analysis on Taylor’s attempt to pass a Great Falls nondiscrimination ordinance.

Helena Lovick has spoken at defund police, Black Lives Matter rallies in Great Falls and has been part of the anti Second Amendment Moms Demand Action movement here.

Carol’s List, the Political Action Committee that is helping to fund and promote these three Great Falls candidates, is a far left, pro-abortion feminist organization which is publicly opposing the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court Justice.

As an example, the Carol’s List Facebook page endorsed and featured this quote from Great Falls HD 22 candidate Jasmine Taylor:

“My opponent could say that I’m a Queer, liberal feminist — all of which is entirely true.” Jasmine Taylor for HD22 shared a stage with top-of-the-ticket Dems in Great Falls over the weekend, and — as is always the case with this RAD candidate — used her platform and privilege to speak out against racism and discrimination, and for science, choice, and health care.

So here’s our poll question:

[poll id=”27″]

Great Falls Candidate Says Having 4 Kids Is “…A Lot Of Carbon”

ECB Staff on October 7, 2020

After reading the E-City Beat profile on the candidates running for state legislature in Great Falls House District 20, a reader sent us the following screenshots of Facebook posts made by Democrat candidate Melissa Smith:

We checked Smith’s Facebook page and found that the comments have subsequently been scrubbed. We double checked the page and have confirmed that the profile picture in the comments on the screenshots included here matches a profile picture previously used by Smith and still available on her page.

Great Falls Event To Support Local Law Enforcement Called ‘KKK Rally’

Rick Tryon on October 5, 2020

This past Saturday we held a Ride and Rally to show support for local law enforcement in Great Falls.

One of the reasons that the ride and rally resonated here is because there are many local law enforcement folks and their families who feel like they’ve been left out of the conversation the last several months.

Saturday’s rally and ride was not a statement against Black Lives Matter or any other organization, but rather a way to show support for the Great Falls Police Department, MHP and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.

I am proud to be a part of this community because of the love, appreciation and support we show on a daily basis for our law enforcement, and all of our great first responders here.

But I am also greatly disappointed and troubled by comments on local social media about the events on Saturday. Here’s an example from the Great Falls Tribune Facebook page on a post about their story before the rally – https://www.facebook.com/greatfallstribune/posts/3340175392685603

Cops don’t deserve a parade?

Our police are ‘nothing but a bunch of murderous thugs’?

Citizens showing up to support our law enforcement is a KKK rally?

Here are a couple of more from a Tribune FB post after the rally – https://www.facebook.com/greatfallstribune/posts/3344495405586935

A White Supremacist Rally? Stupid? Creeping Authoritarianism?

Oh, and here’s one from a charming and intelligent young lady on the KFBB Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/abcfoxmt/posts/3169340393192860

Thankfully these idiotic, hateful, and yes, evil comments and memes do not represent the majority of our citizens sentiments.

But my message to those who spew out this kind of garbage is simple – we don’t want your vile hate in our community.

Candidate Profiles – Great Falls HD 23

ECB Staff on October 2, 2020

In House District 23 GOP candidate Scot Kerns is running against Democrat Brad Hamlett. Here is Kerns’ response and profile. Hamlett did not respond to our request.

Background Information

My name is Scot Kerns. I am 33 years old, not married and no kids. In my free time, I definitely enjoy spending time cycling. I am currently a member of the Great Falls Bicycling Club. Time spent on the River’s Edge Trail both on a bicycle and walking my little beagle, her name is Auggie, is some of the best time! Currently, I serve two Christian Congregations as their Pastor in both Power and Fairfield Montana. Also, I am in midst of going back to College for a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Montana – College of Business. I voluntarily separated (Honorable Discharge) from the Air Force at Malmstrom AFB in January, where prior to that, I served as an Air Force Officer.

Why are you running for the office?

I made the big jump into the political waters in order to make a difference in our Great Falls community. I saw that we need someone to speak up on relevant issues and stand the line. One example would be access to quality on-going mental health care, for both our active military, veterans, and for all others in our local community. This is something that desperately needs someone who is willing to speak the truth, and call out the suicide epidemic that Montana faces. Montana, currently has the highest rate of suicides among all U.S. States. More has got to be done!

Why are you running as a Republican?

I am running as a Republican. More than that, I am an American! When I joined the Military, I raised my right hand and swore that “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” This oath did not have an expiration date nor do I feel any different today. I believe in our Constitution. I believe in our country! In these uncertain times especially with all the virus craziness, I believe that we can together endure and rebuild! America has had her fair share of struggles along the way, sure, but we as Americans have continued on and continued to grow into the greatest nation in the world. A Great Nation that holds life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the highest of ideals. This I will continue to defend!

What are a couple of issues in the state legislature that you could work on to help Great Falls and Cascade County grow and prosper?

I have been going to door to door in this campaign, asking what are the important issues that are actually on the minds of people. It is been very telling, as education, healthcare and job loss are three that stand out. These are issues that the state legislature should address. Great Falls and Cascade County are not absolved from responsibility, as well and we need local representatives who will continue to make our community better. On the state level, I believe that we need to empower our local communities rather than dictating from Helena what has to be done. I believe we can keep government and legislative bureaucracy (red tape) to bear minimum. This includes fighting against a state sales tax!

What makes you the best candidate in the race?

I believe in America. I believe in Montana. I believe that we need to preserve the great treasures that we have here! As a Veteran, Clergy, and Conservative Montanan; I believe that I can speak and fight for all Great Falls and Cascade County! Elect Kerns!

Sally Demarais-Smith Still Missing

ECB Staff on October 1, 2020

Editors note – as a public service E-City Beat is publishing the following information bulletin from GFPD concerning the missing woman, Sally Smith.

Great Falls MT Police Department

September 29 at 12:35 PM  · MISSING ENDAGERED PERSON ALERT! We are concerned for the welfare of Sally Demarais-Smith. Smith was last seen on the afternoon of Friday, September 25th, 2020 in Great Falls. Smith may have traveled to the Malta area and is likely driving a 2005 gold Toyota Corolla bearing Montana license plate 231335B. If you have any information regarding Sally Smith’s whereabouts please call 911 or Detective Taylor at 406-564-8718, or leave a private message here.

SALLY DEMARAIS – SMITH- 52 year old white female- Brown hair and brown eyes- 5’7” tall, 140 lbs- Unknown clothing description- Driving a 2005 gold Toyota Corolla with plate MT 231335B

***Post corrected – Smith is 52 years old not 53***