On Thursday, November 1, three applicants vying for a Ward 2 position on the Stevensville Town Council were interviewed by Councilors Robin Holcomb and Stacie Barker. The Council will be appointing a new council member at their upcoming November 8 meeting to fill out the remaining term of former Councilor Ray Smith. Smith recently resigned his position, claiming that he could no longer work with Mayor Brandon Dewey because things he believed were said in confidence to the mayor were then shared with Police Chief James Marble. There are a little over two years left to serve in the remaining term.
Council President Bob Michalson has recused himself from the Council’s process of appointing a replacement, stating that it might be seen as a conflict of interest since one of the applicants, Jim Crews, is a close friend of his.
Following a closed-door discussion between Holcomb and Barker at a previous meeting, it was announced that only three out of the four applicants would be interviewed. They are Jim Crews, Jerry Phillips and Annemarie McCormack. Each applicant was asked the same list of seven questions.
McCormack has been a resident of Stevensville for 30 years. She is currently retired but worked for 40 years in the medical field. She characterized herself as “a problem solver and a doer” and someone who can “bridge gaps and facilitate conversations.” Now that she is retired, she said, “I’m ready to give back to the community. I am willing, and I have the time.”
McCormack said she was “a clean slate. I have no previous opinions about things. I am open to new ideas. I’m a fresh face.” She said that it was important for the council to work together and she was ready and qualified to help move things forward in a reasonable way in a reasonable amount of time. Her first task would be to familiarize herself with past and present budgets.
Most important, she said, is listening to the citizens at best in a one on one scenario, such as going door to door or setting up some meetings to solicit input. She is also able to communicate well via email and over the phone, she said.
“Talking one on one with people is probably the most important thing,” said McCormack.
Jerry Phillips moved back to Stevensville six years ago but has deep family roots here. “Stevensville is home to me,” he said. “My mother was born here. It’s just my home and I love being part of this community.”
He worked in the printing industry for 40 years, some of it in managerial positions, he said, and in charge of various departments. He also did some sales work for a while selling computers, TVs and other electronics.
“I have the skills to manage small groups,” he said. He said it was important for the council and mayor to get along. “I’ve read about the problems at the town and I feel sick about it,” he said. “In order to function properly we have to have order in our government.” He said that his hope, if appointed, would be to help bring order and help everyone get along.
Phillips said that his strong point was listening and listening to the public was his primary concern. He said that he would work hard to get citizens more directly involved on the town’s business.
Phillips said his first course of action would be to review prior budgets to see where the money was being spent and what the priorities were. “Then we can look at future plans and decide what’s needed most. Is it work on the streets? Is it sidewalks? Water and sewer?” he said he would be looking to the citizens of his ward for their ideas.
Applicant Jim Crews read a statement into the record before being interviewed in which he thanked Council President Bob Michalson for recusing himself from the interviews and voting on the applicants. He said he and Michalson are friends and have mutual hobbies and mutual friends. Having served as a councilperson and as mayor previously, he said he also knows Barker and Holcomb, but had been avoiding them and not speaking with them since submitting his application.
Crews served in Navy’s nuclear service for eight years, with six months of active duty. He then worked for twelve and a half years in the commercial nuclear industry. Afterward he was on the road for ten years teaching shooting and then worked for a time at Dish Network, then Direct TV and then Bresnan which became Charter Communications.
Crews served two and half years as a council member and then was appointed mayor. He lost to current Mayor Brandon Dewey in the last election. But he has remained active in town affairs, attending and commenting at most council meetings.
Crews said that his priority if appointed would be to take a close look at the town’s purchasing policy. He said that was the key to enforcing the budget. He said each department needed to be reviewed regularly to see if it was keeping within its adopted budget.
“As a council member we need to be active in these departments,” he said. He said his main aim would be to “keep the town solvent.” He said it meant being sure there are enough cash reserves and that investments are in place. He said a good plan to improve facilities and the money required in a CIP are necessary.
“We also need to train new workers,” he said. “We have an aging infrastructure of people.” He said you don’t see many young people applying for jobs like at the sewer treatment plant.
“I don’t know how much longer George [Thomas, Public Works Director] is going to be around,” said Crews. “But somebody needs to be trained to take his place.” He said one answer is to cross-train all the employees in everyone else’s job.
“That’s how it’s done in the Navy,” he said.
Asked how important is it to him that the whole council gets along and works together, Crews said the mayor, council and staff have to get along.
“I had a grievance filed against me and one of the biggest things that came out of that is for the inability of a person to communicate with another person. Communication occurs on a whole lot of different levels. In order for communication to be effective a person has to decide what they want to communicate. Then they have to encode that information in a way that another person can receive and understand and then that other person has to receive that information and de-code it and cogitate it and try to understand what was said. And if you don’t have that communication, the number one thing you’ve got to do is ask the question. The who, what, where, when, how, and huh?…and that huh? is a very big question,” said Crews.
He said he had training as a private detective at a national investigative training center and learned that you have to talk to different people in different ways. “I might communicate one way with you, but another way with Councilmember Holcomb,” said Crews. “Or another way with Mr. Mim Mack,” he said.
Crews said, “I’m rough around the edges. I’ve had to learn a little bit about tact. But I grew up in the Navy and learned the importance of following procedures and orders. That’s the way I am.” He said everyone had to work together and get along and help each other.
Town Clerk Audree Tribbensee has filed a grievance alleging harassment and bullying, and other unacceptable conduct by both Crews and Council President Bob Michalson. Those allegations are currently being investigated on behalf of the town by a Missoula law firm.
In the meantime, Town attorney Brian West did send a letter to Crews back in October, stating that the town had an “obligation to ensure that our workplace is free from bullying and harassment. After a meeting with the staff member, it is necessary to impose temporary restrictions, to ensure we meet those obligations.”
He goes on to state, “while the allegations within the complaint are under investigation we are directing you to refrain from in-person and direct telephonic contact with the staff at Town Hall during weekly business hours until the investigation is complete. This directive does not extend to contacting law enforcement or emergency services for assistance or to file any necessary complaints, contacting your elected officials, nor attendance at noticed public meetings or hearings.” Crews is advised that should he need to request any public records or information, he should utilize a written request to the Town via mail or email.
Tribbensee said on Monday that, to date, Mr. Crews was abiding by the attorney’s directions.
Tribbensee also stated, however, that despite getting pretty much the same directions from the town’s attorney verbally, Mr. Michalson was not abiding by those directions and had visited her in the office twice.
According to Tribbensee, Michalson came into her office on October 22 following the council meeting and apologized to her, saying that she was justified in her allegations and he was sorry. She said he added that it might be a blessing in disguise and said that sometimes something bad has to happen for something good to come out of it.
Then, she said, he came into the office again on the 24th of October and she thanked him for what he had said previously.
Then, she said, he told her that people were coming to him and wanting them to hold a closed door meeting and fire the clerk, but that he wasn’t going to do it. She said that she took it as a veiled threat, but that she doesn’t believe he has the power to fire her that way.
“But he thinks he does,” said Tribbensee,
Then she added, “And this isn’t a ‘he said-she said’ story, the Mayor and the Police Chief both heard this.”
Mayor Brandon Dewey confirmed her account. He also stated that the town’s attorney was currently working on some written directions for Mr. Michalson to follow similar to what he sent to Crews. He said it may not be exactly the same because of his position as a Council member but will afford the same protection for staff.
Michalson did not respond to the Bitterroot Star’s request for comment.