Having served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years and having been frequently involved with the awarding of contracts, I am well aware that contracts can be awarded to other than the lowest bidder. It appears to me, however, that our County Commissioners threw the process totally out the window with virtually no justification while deciding contract awards for legal notices.
Clearly the Bitterroot Star was the lowest bidder for the legal advertising contract. If two complaints, one of which appears to be from an individual who waited until the last minute, is justification for selecting the high bidder, I have to wonder how many complaints the Ravalli Republic has had in their advertising sales. Perhaps the commissioners should be subject to removal upon receipt of two complaints just to be consistent.
With regard to placing legal ads, the justification to select the highest bidder is flat out ridiculous and there is no justification for their decision. It would seem to me, in addition to reducing costs, the objective should be to reach the maximum distribution. Are you trying to restrict distribution?
Commissioners, get your act together and stop wasting our tax dollars.
Mel Walters
Stevensville