by Victoria Howell
Two complaints have been filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, Chris Gallus, following a Stevensville incident involving campaign signs. The complaints are against Stevensville resident Sue McCreary and Stevensville Mayor Bob Michalson.
The complaints result from an April incident in front of CJ’s Den restaurant on Main Street in Stevensville during which McCreary allegedly put someone else’s campaign sign in her truck and also moved another sign. The incident was videotaped and a complaint against McCreary was filed with the Stevensville Police Department by Kim Dailey. Dailey is a Republican candidate for House District 88.
Mayor Bob Michalson brought up the incident during his executive report at the April 25th town council meeting. He told the council that an 81-year-old woman had been cited for theft of a political sign. However, the mayor decided to “pardon” the woman and he believed he had the authority to do so under Montana code. He told the council that the issue was between people in the same political party.
“This is an 81-year old lady we’re talking about…,” said Michalson. “Yeah, she took a sign. Shame on her. But the other side, to have the audacity to go down to the police department and have her charged with theft. It’s just appalling to me, just appalling. When they could have walked 15 feet into that cafe and worked out their differences… In my opinion it’s gotten ugly, real ugly. I say shame on the lady that took the signs and double shame on the lady that went down and had her charged… nobody wins with this.”
The mayor said he used his authority as the mayor under MCA 7-4-4305 to grant a pardon, and that he was required to report to the council whenever he pardoned someone.
Council member Wally Smith said, “You can’t pardon someone who has not been convicted,” but the mayor responded, “Yes, you can.”
However, that was not the end of the story.
Subsequently, two COPP complaints were filed by Dave Kesler III, of Philipsburg, who happens to be a candidate for House District 76. In his complaint, Kesler accuses McCreary of “stealing campaign signs” and he accuses Stevensville Mayor Michalson of official misconduct in his handling of the incident.
When contacted by the Star, Kesler said he filed the complaints because he’s running on a platform of “cleaning up government.” When asked how he found out about the sign incident, he said it was “all over Facebook,” and he also said, “but I’m not going to comment on how I found out about this… I saw something wrong and I’m going to try to correct it. I’m running to clean up government… It doesn’t matter how nice the old lady is. She was out there trying to silence free speech. The only remorse she had was when she got caught.” He also said it wouldn’t have mattered to him if Dailey was the one who had moved the signs. “It doesn’t matter who did it,” said Kesler. “It was wrong… and for the mayor to chew out the victim just burned me up,” he added.
In the complaint against McCreary, Kesler claims that “Susan McCreary was videoed in the act, admitted to and was cited for stealing Kim Daily’s [sic] campaign signs on two occasions… As the Campaign Manager for Wayne Rusk I feel that Mr. Rusk is also culpable as it is his ‘Campaign,’ as his representative committing the crime.”
Rusk, a Republican, currently serves as state representative for House District 88 and is running for Senate District 44.
In the complaint against Michalson, Kesler writes, “Mayor Bob Michelson [sic] of Stevensville took it upon himself to Pardon Sue McCreary for her theft of the political signs and proceeded to shame Kim Dailey for reporting the signs stolen along with pictures and videos of the crime… Michelson [sic] way overstepped his bounds in this action and disregarded the legal process… The Mayor’s [sic] may be charged under MCA 13-35-204 (2) and 45-7-401 (a) (c) and in calling the Sheriff to his house ‘to discuss it’…”
In a supporting document, Kesler also wrote: “…I have known Kim Dailey personally for several years and have known her to be a lady of the highest, most impeccable integrity and honesty. Kim is one of the sweetest, kindest ladies you’d ever meet and did nothing willful or otherwise to instigate the theft and subversion of her 1st Amendment rights that she’s fallen victim to…”
As requested, McCreary sent a detailed response to the COPP. In it, she says she has never been a campaign manager for Wayne Rusk. She writes that when headed into CJ’s restaurant one day she noticed that Dailey’s campaign sign was obstructing another candidate’s sign. She asked the restaurant owner if she could remove the sign and he told her she could.
“On the same date I witnessed another political sign of Ms. Dailey’s, again placed directly in front of, and completely obstructing, the political sign of Wayne Rusk,” wrote McCreary. “I left a written note for Jon [the owner] stating that I had removed Ms. Dailey’s second sign, but that I would return it if she had consent to place the sign where it was.”
McCreary recounts that she was confronted outside the restaurant by Dailey and a friend about McCreary’s removal of Dailey’s sign. According to McCreary’s account, they “were shouting at me and filming my actions.”
“I now realize I should not have removed the first sign from the lawn area at C.J.’s Restaurant,” wrote McCreary. “I meant no malice by my actions, I only wanted to remove the obstruction of another candidate’s sign. I have since personally delivered the sign to Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fullbright [sic].
“Other political signs have since been removed or moved by a person or persons unknown to me. I… attempted to report the thefts to the new Chief of Police, John Boe, but he was in conference with Ms. Dailey. A deputy took my statement.”
Mayor Michalson also sent a response to the COPP complaint. He wrote: “…I did in fact Pardon a Sue McCreary on April 25th and read her pardon in front of the council on my executive report. After much thought and a legal opinion, I realized I did NOT have the authority to do so. At a special Town Council meeting on May 2nd, 2024, I had our Clerk read a prepared statement by me to the council stating that I did not have the authority to Pardon the said person for a theft of a political sign. I returned the original citation to our Chief of Police, and he served the citation to the person who allegedly took the sign… I realize I do not have the authority to pardon anyone except for local ordinances and misdemeanors and learned a valuable lesson. After being a Council member for 8+yrs and now a Mayor for 6 months I am realizing the responsibility and role I have is huge and bears much more responsibility. I have learned from my action, and I hope by giving the citation back to the Police Chief and the person going before a judge on the 22nd, closes this matter…”
According to Michalson’s statement, McCreary was scheduled to appear in city court on May 22nd.
Patriot says
Don’t let it get liberal over there; you’ll be sorry –
Bill Lacroix says
These Bitterroot wing nuts love their freedom. They just LOVE their freedom. But they don’t love yours. Circular firing squad? I’mall for it! Just make sure you go down to Jason Ellsworth “Gun Garage” and get your machine guns. Don’t want to be inefficient, do we? Jeezus H. (himself) Christ. The Bitterroot’s better than this? It’s been this bad for 1/4 century. where you people been??!!
T Lackey says
I must say the local GOP is super toxic. I attended one of their meetings and the first order of business was reading a letter from a couple who sold their house & moved because of how poorly they were treated by the committee. I didn’t know until later the local chair Terry Nelson worked for local govt. Our house was on the market for months which was unusual. Turns out the solution was to meet Mr. Nelson behind the courthouse and write him a personal check for hundreds of dollars for a piece of plastic and suddenly our house was sold! Nitpicky angry paranoid Boomers who could barely get thru 15 minutes without a fight. All their election crap is based on events from other states. They consolidate power by having couples occupy the voting roles. They misuse committee funds for their own campaigns. They are so disorganized and incompetent. I bet no Republican even got a call or reminder to return their ballot, WHICH IS THEIR #1 JOB, but you sure as heck got mailers promoting them and their spouses over actual elected Republicans. No wonder Rosendale quit running for Senate after 6 days. No way he would beat Sheehy with these people on his side.
Super petty childish little tyrants ruling over nothing but animosity and self-righteous sloth. No wonder Tester keeps winning. The state GOP keeps phoning it in thru DC while locals have to watch these horror shows unfold. Quite sickening! They should all be embarrassed. Tester is awful but looks sane next to their behavior.
Lee says
Oh Lord. Bob Michalson has for the last 8 plus years as a very questionable councilman repeatedly chanted “the law is the law” and then proceeds to admittedly break it. This follows on the heals of Michalson aggressively and publicly criticizing and demanding that the former mayor be prosecuted. Oh but when he becomes the lawbreaker it’s all okay. The hypocrisy is strong in this one.
While we can all agree that Michalson broke the law and this is by itself sad and disturbing, what is truly shocking is the glaring fact that he does not understand his position, the limits of his authority, what a pardon is, when it should be applied, when it can be applied and who has the authority to perform one and under what circumstances. – scary.
Bottomline, he needs to be held accountable.
Mike Miller says
Agreed.
Tracy says
Good Lord!
Hobo Hilton says
And… so goes America.
Several times each day, American’s are bombarded with with stories like this.
On the last page of the news for today are short articles on inflation, illegals flooding across the border and the National Debt, to name a few. I would much rather hear all candidates give views on these 3 things rather than address signage.
Hobo
helen sabin says
Kim Dailey, the candidate for HD88, has displayed values and ethics that align more with the inner city Democrats of New York rather than the proud Montanans of Stevensville.
Her actions regarding the campaign sign incident reveal her true character and lack of understanding of Montana values.
Dailey had an opportunity to demonstrate grace and understanding when an elderly woman moved her sign, which was placed very close to Wayne Rusks’ sign. Instead of explaining the law and asking the woman to simply put the sign down, Dailey opted to sign a police complaint, forcing the elderly woman to go to court over a $10 sign. This decision resulted in a significant cost to Stevensville taxpayers, including the salaries of a judge, city attorney, and bailiff for the day.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to voters in Stevensville and shows Dailey’s willingness to go to any length to win, including filing a complaint against a senior citizen. This calls her integrity into question. Her association with Theresa Manzella should also raise concerns about her true intentions.
Stevensville deserves a better representative in the legislature. Greg Overstreet, who has actively contributed to the community by calling football games at the school, helping the high school Moot court to a third-place win, and serving as the attorney for the city of Stevensville, is a far more suitable choice.
Dailey’s actions in the sign incident reveal her antagonistic behavior and lack of ethical decision-making.
Stevensville voters must ask themselves if they want a representative who resorts to such tactics in order to win. If you haven’t voted yet, make your voice heard and vote for a candidate who truly embodies Montana values and has the best interests of Stevensville at heart. Vote Overstreet!
WMA says
Has anyone noticed how toxic the Republican party in Ravalli County has become? There is a simple solution, you know.
Gomez says
They have formed a circular firing squad.
Leanna Rodabaugh says
I don’t believe you can equate Mr. Michalson’s actions with the criminal behavior of the former mayor Dewey.
However, the rancid political antics in the Bitterroot Valkey are of concern. Where is all the anger coming from?
If Ms. Mcquery erred, move on folks. She is responsible for her actions and must deal with the consequences.
The mayor has admitted his mistake. Move on from this, also.
This valley is better than this brouhaha.
helen sabin says
Well said Leanna – I know that the Republican brand can be rescued from the likes of Kim Dailey and all the other followers of the John Birch ideology – vote for Overstreet, Rusk, Binkley and Bedey and watch things change. They are true conservatives and do not resort to actions like that of Dailey. Thank you for saying what we are all thinking.
Rankin Holmes says
“Vote for Overstreet, Rusk, Binkley and Bedey and watch things change”…LOL! These folks are the same ole same ole and what we’re seeing today is a result of their leadership and “values”. What if a Democrat had done what this 81 year old law breaker did? Or the Mayor? What a joke these elected officials and candidates are…
If you want real change don’t vote for any of these folks.
Nonya says
Stupid. I just wasted 5 minutes of my life reading this petty bs.
Mike Miller says
I got a flier in the mail about this. Reading many of Susan McCreary’s opinion pieces where she is preaching for justice, Righteousness, and religion, and slandering those who don’t do that, and then here we are, with her actions in full view. All for Rusk, who has (not that I’ve seen) tried to smooth this out in any way, and certainly brings a wheelbarrow full of his own violations he seems to be trying to hide (easily seen on the Ravalli detention bookings site).
Then there’s Mayor Michalson, just making up the rules as he goes along with his special favors. Just like that other recent mayor who got a shiny set of matching bracelets, a few public photos, and a big fine for doing the exact same thing.
Representatives who do those actions, all while in the name of “law and order” are the worst criminals… like Manzella did when she verbally presented false evidence and tried to get the County Board people to break laws. I submit they do not need to represent us, ever, no matter the party.