Buying local has its rewards
By Liz Cook
It’s time again for Daly Days in downtown Hamilton. This year’s event promotes shopping local. On November 1, 2010, businesses in downtown Hamilton came together to get the community involved in shopping local. For every receipt saved, from November 1 to July 22, that dollar amount will be matched dollar for dollar at this year’s Daly Days Auction that is to take place Friday, July 22 at 6 p.m. on Main Street.
The idea is to keep the money local. The best way to do so is to shop at a local business. This keeps the money spent in the community, which in return keeps the community strong economically.
Over 50 local businesses are taking part in this year’s auction. The value of all the items donated varies. There is everything from a year’s worth of balloons, gift certificates to the grocery store, and a year of desserts, along with many other items. With this many business participating, there is sure to be something for everyone.
The local business owners in Hamilton would like to stress to the community that people do not have to go out of town to shop. You can get what you need and for around the same price as you might pay at a big box store. In addition to carrying the everyday products people are looking for, the local shop owners want to remind the community of the exceptional customer service they offer. They enjoy getting to know their customers and look forward to them coming in.
Another fun event this year, in addition to the auction, is the Dutch Oven Competition. There are two categories, Professional and Backyard. This is to take place on Saturday, with first prize taking home $250, second prize $100 and third prize winning $50.
Daly Days will take place Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23. Everyone is invited to come to Hamilton and enjoy the festivities!
West Fork Road improvements discussed
By Michael Howell
The Ravalli County Commissioners discussed a draft proposal outlining the scope and nature of the improvements proposed for the West Fork Road Safety Enhancement Pavement Preservation project last week.
The estimated cost of the improvements totals over $350,633 and is 100 percent reimbursable by federal road funds, according to Ravalli County Road and Bridge Department Supervisor David Ohnstad. One part of the project, involving replacement and updating of traffic signs, mile markers and other object markers along the 23-mile stretch of West Fork Road is estimated to cost $153,643.20. The other part of the project, which involves placing durable and reflective pavement markings with a seven-year life span, is estimated to cost another $196,990.
The initial draft of the project that was being considered included some speed limit changes along the road. In one short stretch the speed limit was proposed to go up from the current 30 mph limit to 35 mph. In other stretches the speed limit was going to be lowered from 50 to 45.
Charles Scripps from the Painted Rocks Fire District, Frank Kucera from the West Fork Fire District and Dick Barnett of the West Fork Quick Response Unit all spoke against lowering the speed limit along the road and argued for raising it along the road past the dam where it is currently set at 35 mph.
Scripps said that the reduced speed limits were not warranted. He said there had been only one accident that he knew of on that stretch of road in the last five years. He noted that emergency vehicles are required by law to follow the speed limits. He said it also adds to commuter time. He argued that it didn’t make sense to lower speed limits in an area where the accident rate is close to none based solely on the complaints of a few individuals who live in homes close to the road.
Kucera agreed, saying he had worked for the West Fork Fire Department for 11 years and has yet to respond to an accident.
“The accident issue doesn’t exist,” he said.
Barnett from the West Fork QRU said he looked at the records and in the last three years there have only been two vehicular accidents on the road. He said to inconvenience everyone that uses West Fork Road and increase emergency response times was not warranted by any facts and was only based on a few complaints.
The commissioners were in agreement. Commissioner Matt Kanenwisher said it looked like lowering the speed limit was trying to solve a problem that didn’t exist.
Commissioner Ron Stoltz recalled that the commissioners recently declined to lower the speed limit across the board on unpaved county roads, deciding instead to leave it up to the residents along each road to seek changes if they are desired.
“We need to make sure that the people on the road want this,” said Stoltz.
The Commissioners passed one motion directing the Road Department to do a speed study on the stretch of road above the lake that is currently set at 35 mph. The commission also approved a resolution putting the contracts for the improvements out to bid leaving the speed limits to be decided at an as yet unscheduled public hearing. Bid closing is set for mid-August.
Hamilton hires Mahar as city attorney
The City of Hamilton hired Deputy County Attorney Karen Mahar to replace retiring City Attorney Ken Bell. Mahar, who has worked for the county for the last 11 years, is excited about her new job. She has been working as civil counsel for the County Commissioners for the last few years and said she will enjoy being able to do some criminal work as well as civil work in the new job. She is slated to begin work for the city on August 15 at a salary in the range of $60,000.
County hires new school superintendent
Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg has hired Mike Williams to replace outgoing County School Superintendent Ernie Jean. Williams once served as superintendent for the Lone Rock School District and most recently worked in Missoula. His contract is for 23 months and pays about $1,000 per month.
Stevensville Class of ’71 reunion
The Stevensville High School Class of 1971 will hold its 40th class reunion August 5 and 6. Contact Debbie Severson at 406-777-3576 or email dseverson@rmbank.com for more information.
Stevensville Class of ’81 reunion
The Stevensville High School Class of 1981 will hold its 30th class reunion August 5 and 6. Planning is underway for all classmates to have a great time, whether you graduated with the class in May of 1981 or not. Help is needed in finding classmates and if you know of one who hasn’t been contacted or need additional information, contact Dawn Lujan at ddlujan@hotmail.com or call Brian Potton at 406-369-1128.
Gas prices continue to rise
Average retail gasoline prices in Montana have risen 3.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.65/g on July 17. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.67/g, according to gasoline price website MontanaGasPrices.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Montana during the past week, prices yesterday were 84.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 7.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 0.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 94.6 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
GasBuddy operates GasBuddy.com, MontanaGasPrices.com, and over 225 other local gasoline price-tracking websites that follow prices at over 125,000 gasoline stations in the United States and Canada. GasBuddy also uses Facebook (facebook.com/gasbuddy) Twitter (twitter.com/gasbuddy), and phone apps to keep motorists ahead of changing gasoline prices. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine’s 50 best websites and to PC World’s 100 most useful websites of 2008.