City and County Government
What does a Missoula City Council committee do when faced with an ordinance calling for inclusion? Makes it more inclusive, it appears.
Yesterday, the Public Safety and Health Committee set a public hearing for April 12 on the ordinance protecting people including LGBT folks in the areas of employment, housing and hangouts. (Ice cream parlors, [...]
Every once in a while, someone accuses the city of out-of-control spending. Here’s part of one comment from a weekend story about companies that owe back taxes in Missoula.
“I don’t see the city or county helping any by cutting back.”
Here’s some help with the view. Last year, Mayor John Engen asked city departments to shave [...]
… on the city budget. Finance director Brentt Ramharter said it looks like the mayor will give a mid-year budget report to the Missoula City Council around January 25. That’s what Councilwoman Lyn Hellegaard has asked for.
The state surplus level seems to change all the time, but that’s not the case with the city. Ramharter [...]
Councilman John Hendrickson passes on the microphone to Roy Houseman. That’s official. His unofficial role as a budget watchdog also will be filled.
Councilwoman Lyn Hellegaard, who worked as a banker for 20 years, said Hendrickson passed her the torch. (This photo from her City of Missoula Web page.)
“I was a banker for many years, [...]
Former councilman Jerry Ballas said the state High Court’s decision in the Roe case shows that the councilors who started taking on petitions for lot line adjustments were in the right.
“I just think that the Supreme Court ruling pretty much vindicated the position of eight people on the City Council at that time who [...]
Pronounce the “h” just for fun.
“Herb.” “Herbicide.”
When Montana Rail Link sprays to keep down weeds as the law requires, here’s the amount of stuff that’s mixed up, according to MRL spokeswoman Lynda Frost.
“When they mix a tank of herbicide, they mix a 3,000 gallon tank that takes them from Missoula to Hamilton,” Frost said. “It [...]
You know you do. They didn’t meet this week, and you miss the action. Don’t you?
Well, just in case, I’ve got some extra notes from last week’s meeting, and I hope they quell your shakes.
So Councilman Bob Jaffe has a YouTube campaign video* up, with cartoon pictures of blueberry pie and compliments from Ward mate Stacy Rye.
“He actually has social skills now,” says Councilwoman Rye.
Jaffe, trying to hang onto his seat in Ward 3, also uses the video to remind people to vote and not take a win [...]
… on the judge’s decision about the zoning lawsuit.
City attorney Jim Nugent said the case was an extra one on the judge’s docket, and a ruling may not come out until next week.
“He could easily need this weekend to work on it and not issue it until Monday,” Nugent said.
It’s expected sometime before 7 p.m. [...]
In Ward 3, candidate John Quandt’s got $1,744.85 in the bank. Councilors Dick Haines and Lyn Hellegaard gave him money. Opponent and Councilman Bob Jaffe said he’s raised roughly a couple thousand.
In Ward 5, the newcomer is outraising the incumbent. Councilman Dick Haines took in $2,070, including $800 from the GOP. He’s got $1,982 left. [...]
