News briefs, Aug. 5

Newgard appointed to METAC

HELENA — Kathy Newgard has been selected as the Lake County representative by Secretary of State and Chief Elections Officer Linda McCulloch to the Montana Elections and Technology Advisory Council (METAC).

The advisory council meets quarterly at the state capitol in Helena to analyze and test the statewide voter database and also guide the Secretary of State’s office on the needs of counties as they relate to elections systems. Board members are appointed by the Secretary of State, and serve as either county election administrators or clerks and recorders.

2010 METAC members: Vickie Zeier, Missoula County; Bonnie Ramey, Jefferson County; Sandra Boardman, Blaine County; Bret Rutherford, Yellowstone County; Geraldine Custer, Rosebud County; Charlotte Mills, Gallatin County; Janice Hoppes, Pondera County; Kathie Newgard, Lake County.

-Courtesy of Terri Knapp

Polson city council

POLSON — There will be two public hearings at the Polson City Commission meeting on Aug. 16.

The first hearing will start at 6 p.m. and will pertain to the fiscal year 2010-2011 preliminary budget and notice of an increase in permissive medical mills. The second hearing will start at 6:30 p.m., or as soon as the first hearing is over, and will pertain to the extension of the medical marijuana moratorium.

At the commission meeting on Monday, the commissioners requested more information on the building next door to the current city hall. They discussed buying and leasing the building, which has five apartments on the second story.

City manager Todd Crossett said that the apartments, which are not handicap accessible, could be used for evidence storage by the police.

“What they have now is extremely insufficient,” he said. “It meets all of the federal requirements, but they could use more.”

Buying the building could add more to the commission’s already full plate, Mayor Pat Devries said. The asking price is somewhere between $275,000 and $315,000, depending on the different appraisals that have been done.

“It is a recession and it’s tough to talk about buying things,” Crossett said. “Do we need space right now? No. Down the road 10 years, there will be a need.”

“The location is good and it is a buyers market,” commissioner John Campbell said.

The next Polson commissioners meeting will be on Aug. 16 after the two scheduled public hearings.

-Editor Heidi Hanse

McDonald to receive Lifetime Achievement award

Former SKC President, Joe McDonald has been selected by the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to an exceptional individual recommended by their peers based on career achievement, lifetime effort of advocacy and inspiration to others to follow their lead.

Joe McDonald, President Emeritus, will be recognized for his respected achievements and service to Native education during the 41st Annual NIEA Convention, San Diego, California, at the Gala Banquet to be held on Saturday, Oct. 9.

-Courtesy of Juan Perez