Great Falls

GFPD Issued Press Release Last Week And Statement Last Night On Gun Store Raid

Rick Tryon on June 21, 2023

There have been a number of questions from the community about the IRS/ATF raid on a Great Falls gun store.

In response, here is some further information concerning the involvement of the Great Falls Police Department in that event.

First here is a a screenshot of the email that city commissioners received from GFPD Captain John Schaffer this morning showing the press press release concerning the incident sent out to local media on Thursday June 15 at 3:00 PM, the day after the raid. There has been no attempt to ‘cover up’, or ‘play mum’, or stall by GFPD.

Second, below is the transcript from last nights Great Falls City Commission meeting where Captain Schaffer laid out the basic facts. I then asked a few follow-up questions. You can view the statement and exchange here starting at 1:01:40 of the video.

Captain Schaffer: I just wanted to provide a little bit of background on what took place last week involving Highwood Creek Outfitters and the Great Falls Police Department’s involvement there.

We were notified last Friday by the Internal Revenue Service that they were requesting a standby to provide scene security on a search warrant that they were going to execute, and that’s search warrant was going to be done on last Wednesday. We were not told of the location, we were not told of the contents of the search warrant, we knew nothing about what the search warrant entailed, only that the IRS was asking us for standby assistance.

On the morning of the search warrant we were told where it was, we responded with 2 officers that were in uniform and in a marked squad car and we were there to provide scene security.

We were there for about a total of a half hour, and then released by the IRS.

That is about the extent of what the Great Falls Police Department knows what happened there.

Commissioner Tryon: The request for assistance for that raid, you guys get those once in a while from various other law enforcement agencies, is that correct?

Captain Schaffer: Yes, Commissioner. Whether it be at the state level the local level or the federal level we have partners at all of those.

Commissioner Tryon: I’m just asking these questions because I’m getting the questions as well, so are there state laws or other pertinent statutes that apply or that would be applicable to that situation?

Captain Schaffer: Well, not necessarily that situation, but depending on who asked us if it involves any federal firearms laws there’s Montana code annotated that we have to follow when it comes to whether not we’re gonna get involved.

Commissioner Tryon: But you didn’t know that there was a firearms store when you were…

Captain Schaffer: This was the IRS that asked us for help and we did not know the location where it was going to be.

Commissioner Tryon: And you weren’t providing ‘paddy wagon service’ for the IRS?

Captain Schaffer: No sir.

Commissioner Tryon: Thank you.

Great Falls Town Hall Meeting, Library Levy Passes, Child Hit By Car In GF, And More

ECB Staff on June 8, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

Public safety town hall meeting at the Civic Center Wednesday, June 14.
(2) It’s been more than 50… – City of Great Falls – Local Government | Facebook

Great Falls Public Library levy passes by 619 votes, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/reactions-to-great-falls-public-library-mill-levy-vote

Child run over by car at Great Falls ballpark, from ABC Fox Montana:
https://www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/child-run-over-at-centene-stadium-in-great-falls/article_87bb668c-0539-11ee-93d6-5fb0c5ee1cea.html

Cascade County Jail mugshots, from KMON:https://560kmon.com/the-latest-cascade-county-jail-mugshots-and-they-all-have-one-thing-in-common/

Great Falls Public Library Cancels Planned June ‘Pride Fest’ Events

Rick Tryon on May 30, 2023

Over the past week I have been contacted and asked by several Great Falls citizens whether or not the Great Falls Public Library is planning to host and sponsor events for ‘Pride Month’ this June, as they have in the past.

E-City Beat published a blog post last Thursday raising a similar question and as a result I received several more inquiries about the matter over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Just this afternoon I received an email in my City of Great Falls city commission mailbox from Library Director Susie McIntyre spelling out the library’s course of action on this issue.

All City emails are available to the public and in the interest of full transparency and as a response to public inquiry I am providing the text of McIntyre’s email below.

“Attached please find the Library Monthly Events list for June.

I apologize for the lateness in sending this document. Please see the Library’s statement about PRIDE activities below my signature.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Yours,

Susie

PRIDE 2023:

The Library was invited to participate in Pride Fest on June 24th. We have participated in Pride events in the past. We had planned to provide a craft activity and to promote reading and the Library through an informational table.

This year they are having a larger event and there will be Drag Queens in attendance.

Last week, Governor Gianforte signed HB 359 into law. HB 359 specifically prohibits Drag Queen Story Hour at public libraries. The wording of HB 359 is vague. It is a bit difficult to understand whether or not it would be illegal for the Library to participate in PRIDE given that there will be Drag Queens and minors present. After consulting with our community partners and the City Attorney, We have canceled the Great Falls Public Library’s participation in Pride this year.

It also seems unclear if the posting of our Mister Sisters video on the Library YouTube channel violates HB 359. On the advice of the City Attorney and out of an abundance of caution, the Library has set the Mister Sisters Video from Pride 2021 to private so it can longer be seen by the public (including minors).

The Library is for everyone. We are committed to providing a collection and programming that meets the rich and diverse needs of our community.

We will monitor how HB 359 is viewed by the courts so that we can both follow all Montana laws and ensure that we continue to serve all members of our community.
—

“There are still stories to tell.” HoidSusie McIntyre, Director (she/her)

Great Falls Public Library
301 2nd Avenue North
Great Falls, MT 59401
PHONE: 406-453-0349
FAX: 406-453-0181
smcintyre@greatfallslibrary.org “

Filth And Trash Filled Homeless Camp In Great Falls

ECB Staff on May 15, 2023

Great Falls City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Joe McKenney posted a video on Facebook over the weekend showing homeless camp next to a large mound of garbage under the Sun River bridge in Great Falls.

The situation was brought to the attention of the Great Falls city commission at their May 2 work session by a local citizen and described as a health, sanitation, and safety issue for the community.

You can view McKenney’s video post here.

Dead Man Downtown GF, Local Stabbing, Great Falls Public Library Threatens Legal Action, And More

ECB Staff on May 8, 2023

Our weekly feature highlighting a few of the latest and most interesting local and national news items from various sources.

A deceased 29 year old man found outside in downtown Great Falls, from KRTV:
https://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/mans-body-found-in-downtown-great-falls

Man arrested for Great Falls stabbing last week, from FOX NonStop Local:
https://www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/man-in-stable-condition-after-stabbing-wednesday-night-in-great-falls/article_dc325e0c-e53e-11ed-8a2b-f3072cfe9c91.html

Great Falls Public Library threatens to take legal action against Cascade County over upcoming mil levy election, from The Electric:
https://theelectricgf.com/2023/05/05/library-board-votes-to-authorize-potential-legal-action-for-upcoming-levy-election/

‘Yellowstone’ ends it’s run this fall, from USA Today:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/05/05/yellowstone-ending-season-5-sequel-coming-kevin-costner/70186390007/

Great Falls Local Budget Realities

Rick Tryon on April 10, 2023

With a new fiscal year and budget for the City of Great Falls right around the corner, FY24 starts July 1, 2023, I thought it would be a good idea to present a brief refresher on local budget realities.

The Great Falls City Commission is very limited by state law when it comes to raising taxes at the local level and in my opinion this is a good thing. But it does present challenges when it comes to funding city services every year.

There are only three ways the city commission can raise local tax revenue for the general fund:

The inflationary factor on property tax, which is a rate of half of the three year average rate of inflation, so it’s variable depending on the Consumer Price Index generated rate of inflation. By way of example, for FY22 the factor was 0.93 percent, or $157,843 total additional revenue.

The city commission voted unanimously to NOT utilize the inflationary factor in both 2020 and 2021 due to COVID’s financial impact on Great Falls citizens and businesses.
Permissive medical levy to fund rising health insurance costs for City employees. In 2022 it was a 1.43% local property tax increase.

And again, the city commission voted unanimously to NOT use this tax in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID.
A local option tax on recreational adult use marijuana sales countywide – 45% of the 3% tax collected by the County will be distributed by formula to the incorporated towns within Cascade County. I confirmed with City fiscal that the current estimate for Great Falls would be about $240,000 per year. This is a brand new revenue source and we have yet to see how it plays out going forward.

What About Fees and Permits

Generally speaking, the other revenue categories fall under special assessments – like Portage Meadows, boulevard districts, Park Maintenance District 1, etc., and enterprise funds that rely on fees, permits, and licenses.

For instance the Planning and Community Development Department funds itself, for the most part, through building permits, safety inspections etc.

An example of city services being paid for by fees would be your garbage collection rates or your water/sewer rates.

Not-So-Obvious Impacts of Inflation

When you go to the store and a dozen eggs costs three times more than it did a year ago you understand the direct impact of inflation.

When you turn on your water faucet or take out your trash for City pick up the impact of inflation may not be as obvious, but it’s still there because the rising cost of EVERYTHING hits EVERYONE EVERYWHERE – even the City of Great Falls and it’s services and operations.

So the City has two choices, either raise the fees for services to cover rising costs or reduce the level of City services.

Time For Citizens to Weigh In

Each and every time the Great Falls City Commission deliberates on raising fees or taxes there is a fully transparent vetting process and ample opportunity for public input.

Allow me to close with a couple of observations.

First, I’m looking forward to hearing from local taxpayers during the upcoming City budget discussions. If we need to cut services or City expenditures in order to balance our budget and still provide the level of service citizens demand then please be specific and factual with your suggestions. I’m listening.

Finally, in 2020 and 2021 I voted with my fellow commissioners against any tax raises or fee increases. I would like to be able to vote that same way every budget year so that Phyllis and I, and all of our fellow Great Fallsians, would never have to see our local taxes and fees go up while keeping the same level of City services, but unfortunately that isn’t reality and we all know it.

Sen. Daines Responds To ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ Hosted By MAFB

ECB Staff on March 30, 2023

In a Tweet on Thursday afternoon Montana Senator Steve Daines responded to the resurfaced accounts of a ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ for kids hosted by Malmstrom Air Force Base during Pride Week in 2021, calling the event “infuriating” and “distracting from the mission at Malmstrom”.

The story was originally reported on by The Western Journal in July, 2021.

The event at Malmstrom took place during the same approximate time period, Pride Week 2021, that the Great Falls Public Library hosted and promoted a ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ on their public YouTube Kids Place! channel.

Todays polls question is:

[poll id=”34″]

The Shrine Circus Returns to Great Falls April 14-15

ECB Staff on March 29, 2023

Press Release ——March 27, 2023—For Immediate Release

The Great Falls Tradition continues April 14-15 with three big rings and five big performances at the Pacific Steel and Recycling Arena at Montana ExpoPark.

This is a chance to see worldwide talents including Aerialists, Daredevils, Dig and Pony Acts, and Clowns (including a local performance by the Great Falls Jolly Rogues Clowns).

Every year the local Shrine Bagpipe Band puts on the Shrine Circus here in Great Falls to give families the opportunity to experience great family entertainment. Once again local businesses will be paying for children’s tickets which will be given away at both local Albertsons the week of the Shows. The Shrine Circus also helps by raising money for the Travel fund to get families to and from the Shrine Hospital.

There’s more to the Shrine Circus than meets the eye. For 72 years, the circus has come to town, entertaining and occupying residents of all ages. But looking beyond the acrobatics, animals, clowns and concessions, there is a rich tradition that touches everyone involved. Shriners, circus owners, performers, spectators, and local volunteers all play important roles in keeping this tradition alive. For many, it’s a role handed down over generations.

The local Shrine Circus will also offer a Commemorative Kids Program along with two FREE Plush Animal

Prizes to be given away at each performance.

Without an audience of area residents, the tradition of the Shrine Circus would not exist. Year after year the spectators come to see the show. For many, going to the circus is a family tradition. Shriners and the Circus—what a winning combination! A fraternity that is committed to children and families presenting the most complete form of family entertainment!

On behalf of all of the members of the local Shrine Circus, we thank all of you who have supported our circus through your advertising, your purchase of tickets, your encouragement year after year and your acceptance of our efforts throughout the communities in which we live, work and play with you—our friends, neighbors and co-workers. Without you, without the media support we get and without the effort of so many Shrine families and corporate supporters, we wouldn’t be here for our 61^st consecutive Shrine Circus year.

For more information Contact Hope Good at (406) 868-9649

Or Bob Kampfer at (406) 788-1959.

Great Falls Library Director Answers ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ Video Questions

Rick Tryon on March 9, 2023

At our Great Falls City Commission regular meeting on February 28 the Commission voted unanimously to put a levy request by the Great Falls Public Library on a June 6 special election ballot for Great Falls voters to decide.

During the meeting several citizens raised the issue of a ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ video promoted and sponsored by the GFPL.

In an article written by Jeni Dodd the video was referenced and a link provided. However no video appeared when the link was followed and it looked like the video had been deleted or was no longer available on the library’s YouTube channel.

It was subsequently discovered that the ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ video and other videos from the GFPL Kids’ Place ‘Family Pride Week 2021’ events and promotion were set to ‘private’ and not available for the public to see.

In her initial in 2/25 email response to a question from me about the timing and purpose of the videos being unavailable for public viewing on the library’s YouTube channel Director McIntyre wrote:

“I’ve been looking into the situation. The video was not removed. As with some other old Library videos, the 2021 Family Pride Week videos were set to private.

We are not exactly sure when that transition was made. They are set back to public for everyone to view if they wish.”

Consequently, because the library is a public resource and all of it’s online content, events, and promotions should be fully available for public viewing and scrutiny, I asked several other questions about the private settings place on the videos in question.

Here is the text of my emailed questions (in bold italics) and GFPL Director Susie McIntyre’s response:

Tryon: “Who originally authorized/requested that the Pride Week 2021 videos, including but not limited to the ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ video, be set to ‘private’? What is the library policy for setting the viewing status of it’s YouTube video content and who has administrative privileges?“

McIntyre: “The Pride Week 2021 were set to private after a miscommunication. Please see my answer to # 3. I take full responsibility for the videos being moved from public to private.

The Library follows the social media policy of the City of Great Falls (attached). All of the Library Staff who create and post Library videos have administrative privileges, including the privilege to place videos to private. Currently the staff with those administrative privileges are Aaron Kueffler, Sara Kegel, Susie McIntyre and Rae McFadden. We do not a formal policy for when videos should be set to private.

As required by City Ordinance, all Library social media, website content and email communication are archived and available for retrieval if needed.”

Tryon: “When were the videos set from public to private viewing?“

McIntyre: “The Library Pride Week videos were set from public to private viewing on January 27, 2023.

When I first asked staff when the videos were set to private, they couldn’t tell by looking at our YouTube channel when video status was changed. Lanni Klassner determined the exact date of the change by looking at the City’s social media archiving solution, Archive Social.”

Tryon: “Why were the videos set from public to private viewing?“

McIntyre: “After investigation, I determined that the videos were set from public to private after a miscommunication between myself and a staff person. I was invited to provide a presentation for the Great Falls Pachyderm club on January 26^th, 2023. After that presentation, I had a conversation with a staff member about my experience at the meeting. I expressed concern about Pachyderm club member attacks on the Library regarding LGBTQ issues. The staff member and I had a conversation about the national trends of some libraries being closed and some librarians receiving death threats over culture war fights centered on LGBTQ+ issues. During the course of that conversation a miscommunication took place. The staff member left the conversation understanding that in the interest of protecting staff and volunteers from threats, I had given permission to set our online Pride materials to private. I left the conversation with the understanding that we were both concerned that a minority of people using national anti-LGBTQ rhetoric were looking to fan a culture war in Great Falls.

I take full responsibility for the videos being moved from public to private.

I was unaware that the videos were set to private until I received the email from Commissioner Tryon on Friday February 24^th. As soon as it was brought to my attention that the videos had been set to private, I investigated the issue and then had staff set them back to public so that everyone could view them.”

Tryon: “Were there any other videos other than the Pride Week 2021 videos the set from public to private viewing or from private to public viewing? If so, which ones and why?“

McIntyre: “The Great Falls Public Library YouTube Channel has 7 total videos. They are all public.

We have an unused channel labeled Dewey Falls. We attempted to upload a drone video to YouTube and had many complications. It was set to private and never moved to a promoted Library YouTube Channel.

The GFPL Kids Place YouTube Chanel has 239 videos.

4 videos are unlisted. These are drafts who were started and never completed.
1 video is processing. We do not understand why this video is stuck and we have been unable to get it changed.
1 video is in draft. We are working on this video.
6 videos are private.
- Unedited-Maybe (a flawed video that isn’t appropriate for the public—sound and editing issues)
- Make Your Own Mask for Kids and Teens (a video that is no longer relevant)
- Census ST-1^st part (a video that is no longer relevant)
- Census ST-End (a video that is no longer relevant)
- WYBP2133 (a video that is no longer relevant)
- Something Happened In Our Town (a video that is no longer relevant)”

Great Falls Public Library 2023 City Mill Levy

ECB Staff on March 2, 2023

Editors note: in response to recent news and controversy concerning the Great Falls Public Library’s requested mill levy, Molly Beck, Chair of “VoteYes For Our Library”, submitted the following information to E-City Beat. We will be presenting all sides of the library mill issue.

The Great Falls Public Library is at a crossroads. The library is operating at the minimum Montana State Library Association standards and yet continues to be in a financial deficit. The community values the library, but it is not adequately supported to provide the quality library services that our growing community deserves.

Great Falls Public Library provides an essential community service!

The Library Provides Access: Libraries level the playing field. As a cornerstone democratic institution, people of every age, income, location, ethnicity, and physical ability are provided the full range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern, and work.

The Library Builds Community: Libraries are community hubs. They connect people to information and connect people to people. They are safe havens for kids and families. They offer computers and internet, allowing everyone to stay engaged in a digital world. Library bookmobiles and community outreach programs help those living in remote areas and those who are homebound to remain connected to the world.

The Library Promotes Literacy: Libraries are committed to helping children and adults develop the skills needed to survive and thrive in a global information society. Access to reading and resources improves the quality of life for everyone.

The Library Protects Our Freedoms: Libraries are advocates for everyone’s rights to read and think. Libraries protect the right to privacy and free speech.

Great Falls Public Library Goals

Continuing and expanding early literacy and after-school programs for children and parents: This will result in more children starting school ready to read and more parents empowered to be their child’s first teacher.

Expanding homebound services and programming for people who are disabled and seniors: This will result in decreased isolation and loneliness for seniors and persons with disabilities, increased access to social and recreational resources for those most in need, and improved health for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Providing computer and technology classes and expanding support for job seekers: This will result in increased workforce participation and improved placement for job seekers.

Providing a college readiness program for teens that includes literacy programs, test preparation, and application assistance: This will result in improved graduation rates and college acceptance rates.

Proposed Mill Levy

To accomplish the above goals and allow for sustainable services, the Great Falls Public Library Board has requested an increase of 15 mills. If passed, this levy will increase the annual tax on a $100,000 home by approximately $20.25 ($1.68 a month), or $40.50 on a $200,000 home ($3.38 a month).

Great Falls Public Library is currently funded at $19 per capita. Median library funding in Montana is $31 per capita, with a high end over $50. The proposed mill levy funding would bring the library to a state average level of $32.