I do not understand why the fine citizens of Stevensville are not mad or just are not aware of what is happening in our local Town Government.
We have a mayor who is being paid very well for his services. All previous mayor salaries in the past were $400 a month. Now, our latest mayor, Mr. Mim Mack, is receiving a salary (not honorarium) of $1200 a month, plus his $400 honorarium, which gives him a total of $1600 a month. Nice little stipend!
Let’s see, since December of 2013, he has overseen the Water and Sewer Project that is now almost complete. (The Water Project is completely done). These two major projects already had two college degree engineers but our mayor felt that he needed to oversee both projects for unknown reasons. This was brought up at numerous Town Council meetings as to how long this $1200 a month (“honorarium”) would be paid. His words were “until the job is done.” Well, the so called $1200 a month “honorarium” is now a monthly salary! And his honorarium is $400 a month.
My question to our mayor is, what makes him worth so much more than the previous mayors? I have asked this to Mr. Mim Mack in person at a Council meeting, but before he could get a word out, our fellow councilman Bill Perrin would say what a fine job he was doing working 24/7 (which he has stated a few times).
I have asked him at every council meeting I have been to as to how long this will last. Well, I got my answer in today’s Bitterroot Star. (September 3, 2014). It looks like it will be at least until April of next year. I am wondering what he is doing now that he deserves $1200 a month plus his $400.00.
He’s so busy breaking tie-breaker votes at meetings (that benefit him) that I cannot help but think something’s wrong with the way our Council works. It seems to me that Mr. Hunter and Mr. Perrin always vote in favor of what Mr. Mim Mack’s agenda is. Mr. Cruz and Mrs. Holcomb seem to ask and question things that don’t seem quite right.
For instance, the so called honorarium that is now a salary or the permissive levy that is being shoved down every tax-payer’s throat. It’s not in the final budget yet but since it is already voted on, it will have to be eventually paid for by you, me, and all of us who struggle every day to make ends meet!
Our mayor managed somehow to have his hotel paved nicely thanks to grant and tax-payer dollars. Hmmm, I wasn’t aware a grant could be used for personal businesses!
Our mayor is also very good at calling someone and verbally telling her that she was not qualified to be on the City’s Park Board (even though there were not enough applicants for the positions). Puzzling, to say the least. I would be puzzled to if I got a call saying I was not qualified for a position without even an interview.
When it came to appointing a City Judge, Mr. Mim Mack along with council member Bill Perrin and Stacy Bartlett (City Clerk) did the interviews to narrow down the field of appointees. When asked by council members Jim Crews and Robin Holcomb to be part of the process, they got the ol’ it’s done with and we have the most qualified person. (Former council member Ron K.)
Mr. Mayor, when past mayors only received $400 a month, why do you and a couple council members feel that you are worth an extra $1200 a month? When Stevensville’s past mayors were paid $400 a month somehow they managed to do their job! Mr. Mayor, you said yourself our town is in trouble as far as our dollars go. How do you sleep at night getting an extra $1200 a month that our town needs desperately just to operate each month? Note: the Town Council members took a pay cut from $200 to $175 per month, kudos to them all!
Basically, it comes down to this folks – we elected a Mayor and Town Council to represent us and listen to our comments and make the right choices! For example, at the last meeting not one, and I mean not one, person was in favor of the permissive levy except for the mayor and two town council members. Guess what happened? It was voted in favor of it!
This is only one example of what is happening at numerous council meetings. It seems that our mayor does in fact have his own agenda. Special note: If the people living in the rural area think the airport situation is over, think again, it is not over for the mayor! His agenda is not over when it comes to permits, buildings, trees, etc.
I am well aware that the mayor will dispute this and write a rebuttal letter. After all, this is a free country we live in. He has his opinions, I have mine. You all have yours also. Let’s get involved folks, Time is of the essence here and I’m sure our mayor has more of his agendas brewing.
If you can’t attend a meeting, at the very least talk to your council person in your ward, ask questions, get a copy of the minutes of the council meetings, or attend a meeting when you can. Be pro-active, get involved when you can, and we can all make a difference. At the end of the day, it is your tax money!
Bob Michalson
Stevensville