By Michael Howell
At the September 25 meeting of the Stevensville Town Council, Police Chief James Marble reported that some arrests have been made following a rash of vehicle thefts in the North Valley that kept Ravalli County Sheriff’s Officers and Stevensville Police busy for a few days. Five vehicles were stolen in the course of one day and a few others were burglarized.
Two of the stolen vehicles were taken from inside the Stevensville town limits. One of those was found demolished outside of town. Chief Marble said that a group was involved in the crime spree but that a 17 year old who was “primarily responsible” for the wrecked car and other crimes was arrested.
“It was definitely a collective effort,” Marble said of the investigation leading to the arrest. He said it was not easy to find out who was involved and finding all the victims.
“I know there were a lot of people affected by this, a lot of people were very upset. Unfortunately all of these were crimes of opportunity where people left their keys in the car, vehicles unlocked, and valuables left in the car. Some of the stolen items have been returned to their owners but unclaimed items suggest that there were other victims that perhaps have not realized they are missing anything yet.” Marble said anyone who does discover that something is missing from a vehicle can call the Stevensville Police Department to see if it has been recovered.
Mayor Gene Mim Mack apologized to members of the 2004 Stevensville Government Study Commission for incorrectly stating at a meeting last February that the 2004 Study Commission had spent over $42,000 in carrying out its duties. The matter was brought to his attention by a letter from Susan Evans, the chairman of that commission, signed by all the members of the commission.
Evans points out that $15,000 was budgeted for the 2004 Study Commission but only $13,337.78 was actually received. She notes that only $2,375.92 was spent and in the end $10,802.06 was returned to the General Fund. The commission asked that the funds be earmarked for sidewalk improvements.
“It was clearly my mistake,” said the Mayor.
Councilor Jim Crews asked if the mistake could have affected the vote when the residents recently rejected the proposal to establish another Government Study commission.
Mim Mack said that the Council set $20,000 as the budget for the proposed Study Commission so the mistaken cost figure was not used.
The Council established an ad hoc Executive Compensation Advisory Committee to study and make recommendations concerning the mayor’s pay. The mayor is currently getting a $400 per month honorarium and a salary of $1,200 per month. Members of the committee are Ray Smith, Eddie Olwell, Bobby Summers, Bill Anderson, and Councilors Tim Hunter and Jim Crews.
The Town will have to fork over another $2,256.12 to former Municipal Court Judge Martha Birkeneder, according to a determination made concerning a wage claim complaint that was submitted by her to the Depart6ment of Labor and Industry’s wage and hour unit. Birkeneder made wage claims totaling $9,896.80 but most of the claims were dismissed. The one claim that was upheld was that she was due vacation pay based on all her years of government work, not just the years she worked at the Town of Stevensville.
Police Chief James Marble lobbied for a change in the Town’s curfew for juveniles but no action was taken. The current curfew prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from being on the streets after 10 p.m. on weekdays and after 12 midnight on weekends. Marble wants to make it a 10 p.m. curfew every day of the week.
In a letter to the Town, Marble states that there is an ongoing issue in the Town with misdemeanor thefts and vandalism taking place at night. He said the bulk of the activities are being committed by juveniles. He said that a change in scheduling of officers did not yield favorable results so he is proposing a revision of the curfew hours.
“I believe it is incumbent upon us as parents and community leaders,” Marble wrote, “to ensure the safety of our children and to ensure that our properties and possessions are not affected by juvenile offenders that are afforded the opportunity to violate the peace and tranquility of our residential areas due to an 18 year old ordinance that has not changed with community needs.”
Councilor Crews said that he would like to see some statistics about curfews in other jurisdictions in the state and the related crime rates before making any decision. The matter will be discussed at the next COW meeting.
The Council also considered a purchasing policy that would allow discretionary spending by departments for anything under $500. For purchases that cost between $500 and $1,500, a supervisor’s approval is needed. Purchases between $1,500 and $4,999 would need quotes and approval.