Scott reinstated to Hamilton City Council

By Michael Howell

The way seems clear, as of last Wednesday, March 1, for ousted Hamilton's Bob Scott to be reinstated as Councilor for Ward 2. Scott and the Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance (BHRA) filed a lawsuit contesting the legality of Scott's expulsion from the council December, 20, 2005. Mayor Jessica Randazzo, City Attorney Ken Bell, and Missoula Attorney Jack Jenks negotiated a 10-point settlement agreement on behalf of the City and presented it to the Council at a special meeting last Wednesday. The Council considered the settlement proposal behind closed doors and then emerged to vote in favor of adopting it by a 4 to 1 vote. Councilor Laurel Frankenfield, who was appointed to the Council as Scott's replacement, did not vote. Councilor Michael LaSalle, who spearheaded the effort to oust Scott, lodged the sole vote against the settlement agreement. The very first item in the settlement agreement calls for Scott's full reinstatement, with back pay. To become effective, it now only requires Missoula District Court Judge Douglas Harkin, who is trying the case, to sign an order to that effect. More...

Grand prize photo - This photo by Anthony Rizzo of nesting osprey received a first place in the Color Animal category and a Best of Show in the 14th Annual Ernst Peterson Photographic Contest sponsored by the Ravalli County Museum. For complete results, click here.

Petitions filed for moratorium on subdivision approval, enactment of impact fees

By Michael Howell

Two citizen petitions have recently been filed at the Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder's office that, if approved as to form and content and enough signatures are gathered, would place two ordinances before the voters. One provides for a temporary moratorium on preliminary plat approvals of subdivisions. The other requires the County Commissioners to adopt an impact fee ordinance to pay for the cost of new growth. More...

Hamilton considers impact fees and a neighborhood plan

By Michael Howell

The City of Hamilton is working with a Citizens Advisory Board and consultants to examine the need for enacting impact fees and to determine a realistic estimate of what those fees would have to be to offset costs of growth due to new construction. More...

Stevi School Board discusses state of the district regarding female athletics

By Michael Howell

The Stevensville School Board held a special work/informational session on Tuesday, February 28, to "Discuss the State of the District, regarding Female Athletics." More...

Ordinary citizen has no standing in case against school board

By Michael Howell

The Montana Supreme Court recently upheld the decision by Ravalli County District Court Judge Jeffrey Langton to throw out a case filed against the Darby School District because the woman filing the lawsuit, Bruceen "Peanut" Fleenor, of Darby, did not have legal standing to file the suit in the first place. More...

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