The Corvallis School Board has offered a contract to Monte Silk for the position of superintendent. The board conducted interviews that included an ice cream social with the candidates, tours of the school, and a formal interview conducted in open session.

"We were pleased we had the opportunity to interview four quality candidates," said Wilbur Nisly, Corvallis board chair. “Our current superintendent has done a wonderful job and so we were looking for someone who could guide us in moving ahead even further as a school. Mr. Silk seems to be just the right individual to do that and to also be a good fit in our school and community." Nisly said.

"We are excited about the future with Mr. Silk as our leader. He demonstrated a very strong, well rounded background complimented by a great blend of passion for public education and students, and enthusiasm for serving as our Superintendent here at Corvallis. We have a great staff here and we know that Mr. Silk will compliment them and our interest in continuing the tradition of quality education that we are proud of, " Nisly said.

"The Board appreciated having the help and advice of the staff and some community members in making our selection… It was great to have a strong consensus to hire Mr. Silk from all those involved in the process. He comes to us with high recommendations and very strong references," said Nisly.

Silk currently serves as Superintendent in Snowflake, Arizona. He served as Superintendent in Bullhead City, Arizona, and Assistant Superintendent in the Bullhead Elementary School District. He served as the Staff Development Coordinator/Trainer, Curriculum Coordinator, and Principal in Green River, Wyoming. He served as Alternative School Principal at Missoula Sentinel Alternative High School and Assistant Principal at Missoula Sentinel. He was an Assistant Principal and teacher at Park High School in Livingston, Montana, and a teacher at Clarke County High School in Osceola, Iowa. Silk earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Westmar College, LeMars, Iowa. He holds a Secondary Teaching Certificate in History-Government from Iowa State University. He earned his Masters of Education in Education Administration from Montana State University-Bozeman, and his Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Wyoming-Laramie.

The other finalists interviewed by the board included Danny Johnston of Victor, David Morris of Petersburg, Alaska and Jim Whealon of Anaconda.

Public hearing scheduled on stream/ditch determination

At its January 13 regular board meeting, the Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) accepted a petition from Diane Thomas-Rupert, Richard Smith, Ellison Cattle Company, Dan Clagett, Jay Meyer, and Water Rights, Inc. requesting a declaratory ruling pertaining to BCD’s jurisdiction on Spring (Little) Creek, aka Woods Ditch.

The BCD claims jurisdiction on Spring (Little) Creek, aka Woods Ditch, and requires anyone doing work on it to comply with the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act (310 Law). The 310 Law applies to projects that alter or modify natural perennial flowing streams. The petitioners question whether the watercourse fits within the jurisdictional definitions.

If the BCD determines the watercourse is a stream, the petitioners have asked BCD to assess whether the waterway has aquatic ecosystems worthy of protection under the 310 Law. Since the BCD must make this determination under another statutory authority, the BCD will not address this question at this time.

In addition, the petitioners asked the BCD to address whether the water commissioner may turn off the headgate supplying water to the watercourse. Since this question is outside the BCD authority, the BCD will not address this question either.

The BCD determined the issue of whether the watercourse is a natural perennial-flowing stream to be of significant public interest at its January 13 meeting. The district is carrying out a public process, which includes a schedule to submit written statements, data, and information and a public hearing to gather information on the matter. The BCD has appointed Laurie Zeller, Resources Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, as the hearings officer.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, April 27 at the American Legion Hall on Middle Burnt Fork Road, at 7 p.m. Prior to the hearing, interested persons may submit written statements, data, and information, including rebuttal information, and view the watercourse from public access sites, according to the following schedule:

• February 24 - public access site visit. Interested persons should meet at the Legion Hall, corner of Meyer Lane and Middle Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville, 12 p.m.
• March 16 - all written statements, data, and information must be submitted to BCD (submit original and 3 copies)
• March 23 - written materials submitted to BCD will be available for public inspection.
• April 20 - all written rebuttal statements, data, and information must be submitted to BCD (original and 3 copies)
• April 27 - Public Hearing. Public comments to be heard at the Legion Hall, corner of Meyer Lane and Middle Burnt Fork Road, Stevensville, at 7 p.m.

All written statements, data, and information must be verified. A copy of the verification form is available from the BCD office and on the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation?s website: www.dnrc.mt.gov. All oral statements must be under oath or affirmation.

An original and three copies of all written statements, data, and information, along with the verification form, must be submitted to the BCD by the above deadlines at 1709 N. First Street, Hamilton MT 59840, 363-5010.

All materials will be available for public inspection at the BCD office and Stevensville Library, from March 23 to April 27.

MDT reschedules Eastside Highway meeting

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has rescheduled a meeting to discuss proposed improvement for Secondary 203 (Eastside Highway). The new meeting date is Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Carlton School old gym. The meeting is being held for the purpose of discussing and receiving public input on the proposal to reconstruct and rehabilitate a segment of Secondary 203 (Eastside Highway) between Stevensville and Florence from approximately milepost 4.3 (0.2 miles south of the first sharp right-hand curve for northbound motorists) to approximately milepost 10.0 (roughly 300 feet north of Bull Run Road). The meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday, February 19, at the Lone Rock Elementary School. For more information, contact Shane Stack, Missoula District Preconstruction Engineer, (406) 523-5830 or Bill Squires, Project Design Manager, (406) 444-6228.

Old cars and trailers being removed from North Burnt Fork - By Michael Howell

Over 700 old car bodies and an untold number of old trailers that have been stored on a few acres of land up North Burnt Fork Road for several years are now all being removed from the property. Some of the neighbors, who asked not to be identified, said everyone else living in the area was elated. Many had considered it an eyesore.

But landmark or eyesore, it’s soon to be history according to an employee for the current property owner, Legal Resources Agency. Refusing to give his full name, the employee said that he would be glad to talk on the record once he was certain that all the legal issues had been completely settled.

Legal Resources Agency obtained title to the property when it was sold at auction to pay for back taxes. After an eight-year court battle that recently culminated in a ruling by the Montana Supreme Court, the company has begun cleaning up the property. Most of the old cars are being crushed on site with strict environmental precautions being taken.

The employee, when asked, agreed to allow the reporter to take photographs of the clean-up activities. He shrugged, saying, “Go ahead. I guess people are seeing all the activity and are wondering what’s going on. What’s going on is all the old cars and the trailers are being removed from the property and its being done in an environmentally safe manner.” He pointed out the impermeable liner that the crushed car bodies were being stacked on.

“That will catch any oil or other fluids that may leak from the crushed cars and keep it from polluting the soil,” he said. He said that the car crushing machine itself also was designed to catch and contain any fluids released in the crushing process.

Scholarly news

Colleen M. Buck and Kristine Marie Keeney of Stevensville have been named to the Fall Dean’s List at the University of Wyoming,

RMC Dean’s List

The following local students made the Dean's List for academic honors achieved in the fall semester 2008 at Rocky Mountain College. Rocky Mountain College is a private, residential, liberal arts college founded in 1878. Students are challenged by an ethically-based, interdisciplinary academic program, and benefit from individual attention both in and out of the classroom. The college offers majors and minors in 40 programs of study, including the liberal arts, plus pre-professional and professional specialties such as earth and environmental sciences, equestrian studies, aviation, and physician assistant.

Corvallis: Kevin David Keegan
Hamilton: Ryle Lee Evanoff
Lolo: Daniel Gene Compton
Stevensville: Rachel Ann Ludington

WSU President’s Honor Roll

Washington State University’s President’s Honor Roll for Fall 2008 includes a number of local students.

To be eligible for the WSU President’s Honor Roll, an undergraduate student must earn a grade point average of 3.75 in at least nine graded hours in a single term at WSU or a GPA of 3.50 based on at least 15 cumulative hours of graded work.

Local students listed for Fall 2008 include:

Corvallis: Kayla Christine Gingerich and Brett Andrew Henry.
Hamilton: Casey Alaina Burnette and Keeley Marie McKay.
Stevensville: Amber Christine Davis.
Victor: Sunni Lynn Bleibtrey.

Gonzaga University President’s List

Katherine A. McNulty, a senior, and William P. Nalls, a sophomore, both from Stevensville, have been listed on the Gonzaga University President’s List for fall semester 2008. Students must earn a 3.7 or better grade-point average to be listed. One of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S., Gonzaga has grown and matured into one of the west’s premier universities. Gonzaga has a student enrollment of approximately 6,900 and offers 16 undergraduate degrees in 53 majors, 19 master’s programs, a Ph.D. program in leadership studies and a juris doctorate through the School of Law.

FFA update

The Stevensville FFA Chapter recently attended KMON in Great Falls. They competed in Livestock, Agronomy, and Sales and Service. The Livestock team placed 8th overall and Sterling Veltkamp took 9th place as an individual. District results were calculated and the team was awarded 3rd place, which means that they will advance to the State level later in the year. The Agronomy team placed 12th. Sales and Service took 5th as a team. Riley Leingang placed 10th as an individual and Emily Dicken placed 9th. As individuals competing at the district level, Justin Bedford placed 13th, Quinn Bassett placed 12th, Riley Leingang placed 4th, and Emily Dicken placed 3rd. As a team they placed 2nd, meaning that they will also be given the opportunity to compete at State.

Stevensville FFA attended the Beaverhead Invitational Mechanics and Horse Judging competition on January 31. Two mechanics teams competed. The greenhand team, consisting of Nathan Marsh, George Sharbono, and Nadeea Jackson, placed second. Nathan Marsh was awarded third place as an individual and George Sharbono took 8th. The senior team, Quinn Bassett, Sterling Veltkamp, and Jon Conner, placed third. Sterling took 4th place in the individual competition. The FFA Chapter is gearing up for a busy two months with National FFA Week February 16-20 and numerous district and state competitions across the state.

--Submitted by Emily Dicken, Chapter Reporter

Polanchek named Presidential Scholars candidate

Carolynn Polanchek, a senior at Stevensville High School, has been named one of more than 3,000 candidates in the 2009 Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 2.8 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2009.

Inclusion in the Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 45th year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The 3,000 candidates were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. Further consideration is based on students' essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts. A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 500 semifinalists in early April.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of some 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will make final selection of the Scholars. They will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. students living abroad; 15 students at-large; and up to 20 students from the creative and performing arts. The U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.

Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities with their elected representatives, educators, and other leading individuals in public life.

Carolynn is the daughter of Arnie and Jan Polanchek of Stevensville.

Proposed fee increase at Rock Creek Horse Camp

The Darby Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest is proposing to increase the fee at the Rock Creek Horse Camp located to the east of Lake Como. The current camping fee of $4.00 would be increased to $8.00. The fee at Rock Creek Horse Camp has not been changed since first implemented in 1998. In 2007, fee increases were implemented in all the campgrounds and day use sites within the Lake Como Recreation Area except for the Rock Creek Horse Camp. The current fees at Lake Como are as follows: the lower Como campground is $14.00/night plus $2.00 for power and water; the upper Como campground is $8.00/night; day use parking is $5.00/vehicle or $30.00/vehicle season pass.

The proposed fee increase at the Rock Creek Horse Camp maintains consistency throughout Lake Como Recreation Area. Fees are based on the amenities at the site. Rock Creek Horse Camp provides trailer space, picnic tables, garbage collection, toilet facilities, campfire rings, feed bunks, hitching rails, accessible stock ramp, and visitor protection.

Ninety-five percent of the fees at Lake Como are kept on site and used for upkeep and maintenance of the recreation area. The Bitterroot National Forest has made numerous improvements at Lake Como over the years with fee receipts, including reconstruction at the boat launch and boat parking last spring.

For more information or to submit a comment on the proposal, visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/recreation or call Erica Strayer at 821-4298.

Naval Academy Summer Seminar

If you are a Junior in high school and think that you may be interested in pursuing an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and serving your country as an officer, consider the Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar. The Naval Academy Summer Seminar is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers that provides a view of life at the Naval Academy. The application period is now open. Information and the application are available at www.usna.edu/Admissions/nass.htm.

Relay For Life participants to 'Step Up To the Plate' to find a cure for cancer

While major league pitchers and catchers are still packing their bags to head down to spring training, volunteers, sponsors and local teams are already making plans for this summer's American Cancer Society Ravalli County Relay For Life, set for June 27-28, at Haynes Field in Hamilton.

The Relay's planning committee hopes to hit another home run this year with its "Step Up To the Plate" theme. This year's rally is set for Friday, February 20, 5 to 7 p.m., at Washington School in Hamilton.

"Baseball has all sorts of records: most home runs, no-hitters, highest batting average," says Bonnie Wickham, chair of the Ravalli County Relay For Life. "Our Ravalli Relay is hoping to make the record books this summer by recruiting more teams and raising more money than ever before."

This summer's goal is to recruit 25 teams and raise $40,000. "Raising more money than the previous year is always the very serious goal of every Relay," says Wickham. "It takes a great deal of money to staff and outfit a cancer research lab, and that's the only way we're ever going to find a cure. However, we always want our teams and volunteers to have a little fun along the way. That's why we've chosen the baseball theme for the coming year."

The kick-off rally will give past and present teams, sponsors, cancer survivors and volunteers the opportunity to learn about the improvements and innovations planned for this summer's Relay, and will give those new to Relay the chance to get a flavor for the event before they decide to get involved.

As an added incentive to attend the rally, the planning committee is offering all teams an "early bird" registration fee of only $50 if they register their teams at the rally. After Feb. 20, the fee will go back up to $100. To add to the festive atmosphere of the rally, door prizes, food and refreshments will be offered.

For more information about the American Cancer Society Ravalli County Relay For Life Kick-off Rally or to learn more about this summer's event, contact Bonnie Wickham at 360-4373 or Jessica Murphy at 381-0247.

Leadership classes set for Stevi and Darby

A series of leadership classes will start in February. Area residents have the opportunity to take part in a nationally recognized civic leadership development program called LeadershipPlenty being implemented by MSU Extension in Stevensville and Darby.

“We wanted to increase the community’s capacity to work together and solve tough problems,” said Katelyn Andersen, MSU Extension Agent and Stevensville community coach. “The LeadershipPlenty training program is known for the positive changes its graduates have made in their communities. We’re excited to begin this training and see the results.”

LeadershipPlenty was researched, developed, and implemented by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change (www.pew-partnership.org). The program is a comprehensive, nine-module curriculum focusing on how groups can work together on common problems in their community. The curriculum teaches vital civic skills including conflict management, strategic planning, media relations, and other skills that will enhance the leadership ability in their existing community service programs, or prepare them to start new organizations to tackle pressing problems.

“There is no shortage of citizens wanting to take a leadership role in their communities,”

said Suzanne Morse, president of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change. “The challenge is to help those who want to make a difference be as effective as they possibly can be. LeadershipPlenty gives these dedicated individuals the tools, skills, and relationships they need.”

Local community members from Stevensville and Darby will be trained in the LeadershipPlenty techniques. These classes are open to all Ravalli County residents but geared for Stevensville and Darby areas. The classes are free and college and OPI credit is available for those who are interested in the opportunity.

There are two options for the series. Classes will be held the third Saturday of each month beginning February 21 and running through May16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Another option is every Monday from 9 a.m. to noon from February 23 through April 20, with breakfast provided. Registration is available through the MSU/Ravalli County Extension Office, 375-6611.

St. Mary’s Mission gets Indian education grant

Historic St. Mary’s Mission in Stevensville has received a $7,500 grant from the Montana Historical Society to help further education about Native Americans.

The Montana Historical Society is working hard with the Office of Public Education and local museums and schools to make Native American education for all a reality across Montana.

In addition to public programs that have brought students together with Native Americans to share culture and ideas, the Society has also worked with the Indian Education Program of OPI to provide $80,000 to 20 communities so far to involve museums, schools and communities in the cause of Indian education.

“Important documents and photographs are getting archived, valuable American Indian materials are being preserved, new exhibits are being developed, new events are taking place in museums and schools, and Indian artists and craftspeople are making artifact replicas for hands-on use by school children,” Society Director Richard Sims said.

The Society works hard to serve the entire state, Sims said, and Indian education is a prime example of what can be done working together with local museums and communities. The Society Press also published the new history of Fort Peck Reservation as well as a Montana history book that includes Native American perspectives in every chapter that is being used in schools across the state.

“We look forward to many years of Indian Education grant awards, as Montana’s small museums step up and use the funds to engage in continuing professional practices, and in innovative public education related to Montana’s tribal cultures,” he said.

Americanism Essay Contest scheduled

Each year, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) sponsors an Americanism Essay Contest for students in grades 3-12. Grade levels are divided into five Classes. Five Division winners, one from each class, will be chosen and one National winner, one from each class, will be chosen. Division winners receive $100 and a citation; National winners receive $500 and a citation plaque.

This year’s theme is "Soldiers, Past and Present... America, Honor Your Veterans." For more information contact Kathy Frazier, Auxiliary Unit 94, 777-7269.

Girls State delegates wanted

Attention: Florence and Stevensville eleventh grade girls. The American Legion Auxiliary is looking for applicants for Girls State. Deadline has been extended to Monday, February 23. See your high school guidance counselor for an application. Girls State is a terrific opportunity for girls to participate in a mock government and learn leadership skills and it is also a great credential on your resume.

Lutheran preschool openings

Our Savior Lutheran Preschool of Stevensville has openings in its four-year-old class. Mature three-year-olds may also be accepted for the spring term after an interview. Call 777-5625 Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings to schedule an interview or class observation or for detailed information. Our Savior, affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is located at 184 Pine Hollow Road.

Stevi students collecting ‘Pennies for Patients’

Students at Stevensville Junior High School are participating the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program which raises funds to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma research, and for patient services. Pennies for Patients is one of the Society’s National School & Youth Programs. It has a double benefit in that it allows students to develop compassion and learn the value of helping others while they are working for a good cause.

Pennies for Patients will run until the end of March. The top fundraising classroom in the school will receive a pizza party courtesy of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Dominos Pizza. Gift certificates for school supplies will be presented to top schools.

During the 2007-2008 school year, over 10 million students across the country raised over $19 million through the Pennies for Patients Program.

For more information contact Vickie Vernon at Stevensville Junior High School, 777-5481.

Obituaries

George Henry Holman
1911-2009

George H. Holman, 97, passed away January 24, 2009 at Riverview Retirement Community, Spokane, Washington. He is survived by his son William of Fairbanks Alaska; four grandchildren: Kim Moors of Athol, Idaho, William Holman Jr. of Pullman, Washington, Karen Holman of West Hollywood, California and Susan Scott of Bellingham, Washington; seven great grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Mr. Holman was born in Humboldt, Michigan on February 8, 1911. He graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1929. He then went on to receive a Bachelors of Science degree from Northern Michigan Collage and a Masters degree in Education from the University of Michigan. He married his high school sweetheart Evelyn Burgeson in 1934. Following their marriage, they lived in various communities in Michigan, including Ishpeming, Gladstone, Grosse Isle, Ferndale, and St. Clair Shores. He had a career as a high school science teacher that spanned 38 years when he retired from teaching at Grosse Point High School in 1966. They then moved to Hamilton, Montana where he was involved with the Historical Society, chaired the road naming committee that resulted in a name for each of the roads in the county and the assignment of numbered addresses. He was also very active in forming a new environmental organization called "Friends of the Bitterroot." In 1994 they moved to Riverview Retirement Community to enjoy the activities the area had to offer and to be near several of his grandchildren and their offspring.

For most of his life George enjoyed teaching, hunting, fishing, RV traveling, visiting with friends and relatives, playing bridge and cribbage, and reading. His favorite sport to watch is basketball as he was a member of his high school basketball team when they won the Michigan State tournament in their class.

A memorial service will be held at the Riverview Retirement Center in Spokane on March 21 at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the scholarship fund George set up in the names of his parents, the "Captain William and Carolyn (Staples) Holman Scholarship", Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.

Page One •	Valley News •	Op/Ed •	Sports •	Calendar •	Classifieds •	Legals •	Links •	About Us •	Back Issues •	Email Us •	Home
©2009 Bitterroot Star This site was Done By Dooney