By Janet Pruitt, Stevensville
I am writing to express my deep concerns over my first experience in attending a town hall council meeting here in Stevensville, MT last Thursday evening (6/25/20) at the Stevensville public library. I had never attended a community meeting before and I was shocked and appalled when my husband and I first entered the doors and had to be frisked by local police officers. I felt like I was actually at the airport being frisked by TSA! I later learned that the police officers were there at the request of the town hall council members and the mayor, which also baffled me.
I then sat and listened to two council members bash another council member about Facebook posts and texts, which I had no idea what they were talking about. I felt like I was back in high school with the town bully (the mayor) and these other two council members (unknown names) pushing out another council member. Talk about a hostile environment!
I was also surprised to see the local news at this meeting? I later learned that the council member on the offense was recently voted in by the residents of Stevensville on two occasions. What is happening to our country when people that are voted into a position by the residents can be thrown out by the mayor?! I would expect this type of conduct in a school yard, but not at what was supposed to be a public “PROFESSIONAL” meeting? I watched as the mayor, who appeared to be power hungry, voted with his two side kicks to oust this other individual, but failed to show that he had the power to do so.
I then proceeded to speak about a fireworks permit, which was my primary reason for being there, and the mayor’s first response was to tell me that “this was not a question and answer forum.” Talk about being on a power trip! He then stated that although he did not have to answer my question, he did sign the fireworks permit. I thought, “Not a question and answer forum!” Then why have a meeting at all.
Aren’t leaders (mayors) supposed to engage with their residents and have an open dialogue about resolving issues together? Why even have a meeting or even elected officials if there is no open communication?
I came away from this one time meeting feeling very sad about the community. The mean spirited attitudes displayed by these council members shocked me and caused me to lose hope in our country and our community leaders. I didn’t expect this type of behavior and sabotage in such a small town like Stevensville, MT. This country that I love is being torn apart town by town, which saddens me.
I only recently moved to Montana from a large city and was hoping to find things different here, sadly they are not. Witnessing the behavior of the mayor and him allowing his two town council members to behave in such a mean spirited, unprofessional and attacking manner toward another member has made a lasting impression on me, a negative impression. In my brief observation of the mayor, I see that his only concern is for power and control, which is not an admirable trait for someone in a position of authority. And for these reasons, I will be voting to recall the mayor in August.