Havre Cell Phone Ban Now in Effect

Well the big cell phone ban goes into effect tomorrow, October 1st. The Havre City council voted on a 5-3 vote back on June 6 to make the use of a cell phone while driving a primary offence. Council people Trethewey, Veis and Brekke voted against implementation of the ordinance. City Police, Firemen and certain city employees were given an exemption and can continue to dial, yak, text or fiddle with their phones without worry and the people driving around with dogs in their laps or applying makeup on their way to work are also still ok.

City officials said back on June 6th that they would be erecting signs alerting motorists and especially out of town visitors that we have a cell phone ban in place. Now that October 1st has rolled around and the ban is in effect it seems nobody bothered to order the signs in a timely manner so no signs have been erected. Four months lead time and they can’t even get that right. Good thing we have all that “administration” down at city hall but doing what we may never know.

Beware of a “Sting” operation in the near future to get us acclimated to this change.  I am going to Radio shack in the morning to see about a hands free device.

Nearly naked PETA member protests in Billings | KTVQ.com | Q2 | Billings, Montana

I was just reading the news over at Northern Ag network and came across this interesting little article.  Apparently it has been hot enough in Billings to parade around in your skimpys. 

After reading the story and hearing about the poor creatures blight perhaps the cowboys should consider apologizing to the cows for the trama they have caused and get them some professional counseling

Nearly naked PETA member protests in Billings KTVQ.com Q2 Billings, Montana

Commissioners Continue to Depend on the Gullibility of their Constituents

Apparently the “Top-Secret” vote taken by the commissioners last week to replace Senator Hutton with Havre businessman Craig Tilleman continues to bite a couple of our commissioners in the butt. The Corrector has received a couple of e-mails telling us the writers asked the commissioners why they voted for the guy that wasn’t even at the public hearing and who had told them he didn’t want to be considered. Both people said that they were told the vote was by secret ballot and no one knows for sure just who voted for Tilleman and who voted for Richman. Just for the record let’s do the math to see if this “Secret” vote is such a secret after all.

• The Havre Daily “News” reported that the Hill County Commissioners each had a weighted vote of 26.04 votes and the Blaine County Commissioners each had a weighted vote of 7.29 votes.
• There are 3 Hill County Commissioners and 3 Blaine County Commissioners
• The HDN reported that the vote cast for Tilleman was 52.08 votes which coincidently is the same amount as would be cast by two Hill County Commissioners
• The vote for Richman was 47.91 votes which would equal the votes of three Blaine County Commissioners and one Hill County Commissioner
• All three Blaine County Commissioners voting together only had the capacity to cast 21.87 votes
• Just judging by the math it is a fact that the winning votes were cast by just two of the Hill County Commissioners
• So who were they you say? Since Commissioner LaVoi reportedly has stated publically on several occasions he cast his vote for Richman I would venture to guess that the other two that have been telling everyone their vote was secret were in fact the two that voted for Tilleman

Why does it matter? It really doesn’t other than to confirm that these two voted strictly because of party politics because they thought they would never be found out because of the secret ballot.  On the bright side at least we all now know that they aren’t above a dirty trick or a little lie being told to deceive those they are supposed to represent.

So much for another “Top-Secret” dealing in little Havre Montana

ATF Cracks Down on Gun Dealers that Sell Ammo to Medical Marijuana Users

The ATF sent out this clarification letter last week to all Federal Firearms Licensees to assist them in complying with Federal firearms laws and regulations. The subject of the letter is to remind federally licensed firearms dealers that an unlawful user of any controlled substance is prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition. The letter further points out that Marijuana is listed in the Controlled Substances Act and there are no exceptions for medical marijuana even if a State has passed laws allowing the use of medical marijuana. So to make a long story short it is unlawful for a firearms dealer to sell firearms or even ammunition to any person knowing or even having reasonable cause to believe a person is a medical marijuana user.

It sure seems like local Montana gun dealers will have to be on the lookout for any of those medical marijuana users with a hankering to shoot some gophers or go deer hunting. They better not get caught selling any of these guys some 22 shells or heaven forbid some sort of gun or they will be losing their license. Leave it to the government to further muddy the waters when it comes to interpreting current laws. I wonder if this administration has looked into a Czar to head up this problem of medical marijuana users wanting some ammo for can plinking or some other undetermined dastardly deed? Will the clerk at Big R be arrested if he or she knowingly sells some off the shelf ammo to one of these people?

Seems to me we are going a little overboard.

The letter is posted in a PDF file over at the National Shooting Sports Foundation website

POINTS OF INTEREST - EAST

ROAD FROM THE NEW LANDFILL  HEADING NORTH

I don’t know if you have been east lately but the newly completed section of road east of Havre is quite an improvement from the old “danger trail” we have all come to know as the highway to Chinook. The big hill east of town has been taken down quite a few feet to allow for a more gradual incline and the distance you can see oncoming traffic has also been enhanced. If I was to get into my arm-chair engineering mode I would point out that in my opinion they are still lacking in some passing lanes but I will leave that to the guys with the actual knowledge and expertise in High-way construction. All in all it is one heck of an improvement over the old deathtrap we have had to endure all these years.

One thing I did notice as I crested the big hill east of town is that the road to the dump looked like it had been paved. I didn’t realize this was in the plans but the easement issues with the road were resolved only a week or so ago so I was surprised to see this done already. Curiosity got the best of me so I took off down the new road only to discover that the paving ended just over the rise so it was probably about a ¼ mile or so and the rest of the road had been graveled with millings. When I got to the new landfill it looked like the new building was ready but no one was home. Apparently there are still some problems with getting the new landfill up to snuff in order for us to have that spring of 2011 opening like was in the original plan. Anyone know what is going on with the permit and the recent dump violations?

NEW LANDFILL HEADQUARTERS

Havre Gal Marie Gibson to be Inducted into the Cowgirls Hall of Fame

Marie Gibson

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame recently announced that Marie Gibson, a cowgirl with Havre roots, will be inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame during the 36^th Annual Induction Luncheon Ceremony to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth Texas on October 26, 2011.

Marie was born in Holland Manitoba on August 18, 1894 to Belgium immigrants.  When Marie’s parents moved to the Havre area Marie stayed behind to marry Joe Dumont and her first of three children was born to her at the age of 16.  Three years later Marie’s family moved to Burnham Montana which is about 10 miles west of Havre.  Marie’s husband left the marriage and returned to Canada leaving her with three small children.  Marie’s neighbor was Long George Francis who encouraged Marie to ride the bucking broncs he was breaking for saddle horses.

Marie Gibson- Chicago

Marie first rodeo as a bronc and trick rider began in Havre in 1917 at the Great Northern Stampede where she placed third in the horseracing event.  She meet Englishman Tom Gibson at this rodeo who she would later become her husband.  After that first rodeo Marie continued on in the North American Rodeo Circuit and she won the Best Woman Bronc Rider award at the Saskatoon rodeo in 1919 where she met the Prince of Wales who later was crowned King Edward the VIII.  By 1992 Marie was considered one of the” best of the best” and was invited to participate in the very first Tex Austin rodeo in New York City.  The next year Austin’s performers were on London performing at Wembly Stadium.

Marie Gibson- Chicago

Marie continued earning top-dollar on the rodeo circuit until September 23, 1933 when her horse collided with the pickup man’s horse and she died of head injuries at the age of 39.

“She died as she lived, hearing the applause of the people.”

If you find Marie’s story interesting the following sources were used for this article
Photo collection from the University of Wyoming
Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame
History of Marie Gibson created by Havre’s own Danielle Barton
Cowgirl Hall of Fame Inductees
Montana Cowgirl Marie Gibson by Heidi Thomas

Marie Gibson - Trick Rider

Marie Gibson on "Silvertip"

Friedrick Jozef Schweitzer

Friedrick Jozef Schweitzer

The 26 year old nephew of the Governor made the headlines in the Celebrity Stoners News this week when he was arrested on drug charges.  They published a nice little poem about  him on their  site so be sure to check it out.

According to the Billings Gazette Friedrick Jozef Schweitzer  was charged with criminal possession with the intent to distribute drugs   Schweitzer, who owns a medical marijuana business, was arrested after he picked up a package delivered to him by Federal Express containing over 2 pounds of marijuana.

Schweitzer recently ran as a Democrat for Senate District 29 out of Laurel which was being vacated by Republican Senator Dan McGee who was termed out.  Schweitzer, who had no primary opposition, received 1,240 votes in the June 8 primary and was set to face off against Republican Edward Walker in the general election when he withdrew from the race stating that he was just a “place holder” in the race because the democrats couldn’t find anyone to run.  Democrat Shirley Hanson was appointed as his replacement and subsequently lost the election to Republican Edward Walker 2906 – 5865.

I can feel for the Governor on this one because as we all know we can’t choose our relatives.  While the Governor may or may not have had any insight into the dealings of his nephew it is kind of suspect when it comes to his decisions relating to medical marijuana this past session.  Then again it may all prove to be an innocent connection.  It was bad enough he was related to anti-government activist Leroy Schweitzer who died in federal prison just a few days ago.  Perhaps nephew Friedrick is just trying to take over Cousin Leroy’s place in the federal system?  Only time will tell how this one plays out.

One thing you have to say about Friedrick is that he doesn’t look all that unhappy on his police mug shots posted here.  I think I would have had a sadder more embarrassed look standing in his place

Don’t Let Montana Be a Broadband Backwater

Guest Editorial By Casey Almas

Fifteen years ago when I was just learning the concept of numbers, the adult world was fascinated with a concept called the “Information Superhighway.” But by the time I was in third grade hardly anybody was talking about the Information Superhighway. It didn’t happen overnight, so most of the public dismissed it as a fad and a fantasy.

Now fast forward to the present day. I’m a college student in Helena majoring in computer science. High-speed broadband has turned the Information Superhighway fantasy into a practical reality. People refer to it as broadband Internet, but the Information Superhighway has been built and it’s expanding all the time.

Trouble is this marvelous highway is by-passing Montana.

The Treasure State is bringing up the rear when it comes to broadband Internet access and broadband speeds. According to an op-ed in the Great Falls Tribune last month by State Rep. Wayne Stahl, a recent study shows that 29 percent of Montanans lack access to any broadband at all. This lack of broadband connectivity is three times higher than the national average.

Why is Montana a broadband Backwater? Blame it on geography and topography. We’ve got a population of a little under a million people spread out over 147,000 square miles of mountains and high plains. That comes out to roughly 6.5 acres of land per resident. That lack of population density makes most areas of the state a daunting financial proposition for any company thinking about investing in fixed or wired broadband. But Big Sky Country is a natural candidate for advanced mobile broadband service that delivers high-speed Internet access through the air without miles of fiber-optic cables.

One example of how Montana could achieve universal broadband access is through the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T has said it will be able to provide 97 percent of the U.S. population, including all of Montana with 4G LTE, the most advanced generation of mobile broadband.

Statewide 4G LTE in Montana would mean that every isolated ranch house, reservation health clinic and rural school could tap into the limitless applications made possible by super-fast Internet connections (10 Benefits of Broadband for Rural Communities). That is why in Montana, and the country as a whole, we need to make universal broadband access the highest priority.

Secretive Dirty Deeds by Democrat Commissioners Come to Light

It would appear that partisan politics is alive and well in the Hill County Commissioners office.

Upon the resignation of Senator Rowlie Hutton from Senate District 17 the Hill and Blaine county Republicans meet to compile a list of three candidates to be submitted to a joint committee comprised of the Hill and Blaine County commissioners. The local Republicans submitted the names of Harlem Insurance agent Don Richman, Havre Chevrolet dealer Craig Tilleman and retired state highway department foreman Les Bender. The Republicans ranked the choices Richman first choice, Tilleman second choice and Bender last. After the names were submitted Tilleman expressed to both the Hill and Blaine county commissioners that he would like them to vote for Richman because he didn’t think he had the time to campaign for the office. On Tuesday night the potential replacement candidates met with the commissioners at a public hearing where they were questioned extensively by the commissioners and audience members for over 1 ½ hours. Tilleman was absent from this meeting as he had business in Detroit relating to his dealership.

After hearing from the candidates the commissioners took a “secret” vote as to their preferences. State law dictates that the vote be weighted according to the votes cast for Hutton this last election which meant that if two Hill County commissioners voted together they could decide the outcome of the Senate replacement process. Not surprisingly Democrats Kathy Bessette and Mike Wendland decided to muck up the process and ignore the wishes of both the Hill and Blaine County Republicans as well as the wishes of Tilleman and went ahead and voted for Tilleman. What is appalling about this whole scenario is that they not only wasted the audience’s time but that they also violated the trust of those that depended upon them to do the right thing. Interestingly the “SECRET VOTE” didn’t stay secret for long as we were told that the 3 Blaine County Commissioners as well as Hill County Commissioner LaVoi all came forth and have publically stated that they voted for Richman and were disgusted by the actions of Bessette and Wendland. Funny thing is that 2 of the Blaine County commissioners are Democrats and they did the right thing and voted for Richman  in spite of their party affiliation. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that Democrats Wendland and Bessette thought that because Tilleman had told them he didn’t think he had the time to adequately campaign for the seat they would just go ahead and appoint him and insure that their political bedfellow Democrat Greg Jergeson would handily win the seat. After all it was another of those infamous “top secret” votes common to Havre and who would know they had done a dirty deed.

Sadly these kinds of partisan political shenanigans are exactly why those of us in Hill County can never make any progress with anything. Call the 2 commissioners that unsuccessfully tried to hide behind the “secret” vote at 265-5481 and thank them for their underhanded dirty deed and poke in the eye they just gave the Hill and Blaine County Republicans.

It is no wonder the elected Democrats have been getting turned out to pasture in record numbers here in Havre. Keep up the “good” work you partisan hacks because you are next.

Do the Unemployed Even Want to Work?

I just read a report over at the Montana Watchdog that says Montana’s unemployment rate increased to 7.8% in August although the U.S. employment rate is at 9.1%. Montana Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly was quoted as saying “Montana’s economic recovery continues, but job growth is slow and unsteady.”

If we are still close to 8% unemployed in Montana why then can't we find any help? Everyone I have talked to in the last few weeks is having labor “issues.” Either they can’t find help or the ones they are hiring don’t want to put any effort into being a decent employee. We have difficulty finding people that can even make change let alone help a customer. Could it be that all these extensions of the unemployment benefits have caused the unemployed to not even bother to look for work? Personally I think this is the case. In the past two weeks I have talked to several people that are just enjoying their time off from work and are in no hurry to get back to the grind because they are eligible to receive unemployment check for many weeks to come.

What is wrong with this picture?