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SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Sewer District (SLSD) board had a special meeting April 15 to discuss details of a funding offer they received in March. The board is currently negotiating some aspects of the offer in attempt to lower the projected monthly rates. Representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) were on hand to further explain the offer. The funding package consists of $5.7 million in grants and $4.4 million in loans for the construction of the proposed wastewater treatment plant and Phase I...
SWAN VALLEY - Members of the Swan Valley Regional Plan Committee (SVRPC) began revisions on the Swan Valley Regional Plan (SVRP) draft at their April 13 meeting. The SVRPC discussed and approved edits and comments submitted by Missoula lawyer Colleen Dowdall, local journalist Suzanne Vernon, Missoula Community and Planning Services (CAPS) planner Mitch Doherty, residents and those in attendance. The committee also heard an alternate plan submitted by Swan Valley resident Harry Blazer. The SVRPC voted to accept Dowdall’s edits to the f...
SEELEY LAKE – Each month of the school year, television station KECI singles out a western Montana teacher who has made significant contributions toward education. Nominees are chosen based primarily on letters submitted by students. April's Gold Star teacher is Seeley Lake Junior High teacher, Duane Schlabach. KECI presents the winner with the Gold Star Award plaque and comes to the school to interview and film both teacher and students. The resulting production is aired on the station t...
After K C York, Ravalli Early Head Start (REHS) employee and former Executive Director of Footloose Montana had numerous charges of violations of Montana’s political campaign practices dismissed by Jonathan Motl, former attorney for Footloose Montana and current Montana Commissioner of Political Practices (COPP); a charge of violating the federal Hatch Act was levied against Ms. York, due to the fact that REHS is a federally funded program. In the original charges on the State level Ms. York, then REHS employee and named as Deputy T...
Those of you in the horse world have seen them...those "horse for sale" ads and groups on Craig's List and Facebook. Now, I don't begrudge someone wanting to sell a horse, and possibly recoup a little of the money spent on raising or training one, but from what I've seen lately, I'd rather buy a goat. And, before ya go and get your undergarments in a giant wad, or your hinder in a binder, here's an example of what appears to be an acceptable ad these days: RANCH DISPERSAL SALE 'Beautiful Brood...
HELENA – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment on Montana’s 2016 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report. The report documents the state’s water quality conditions for the years 2013–2014 as required by the federal Clean Water Act. Comments will be accepted during a 60-day public comment period from March 14 through May 13, 2016. The Integrated Report summarizes the current water quality status and trends for water bodies under the jurisdiction of the State of Montana, including lakes, reservo...
SEELEY LAKE - Two years ago, “Outside Magazine” named Seeley Lake Elementary the best place to work in the entire country. Having one of the largest outdoor recreation publications pay us this honor was a testament to the amazing colleagues, supportive parents and professional development that make working at our school such a joy. It was also a testament to the breathtaking natural world right outside our school’s double doors. Over the past several years, we’ve incorporated that world into our curriculum. We take our students canoein...
POTOMAC - More than 45 people attended the Potomac Gardening Party the evening of April 15 at the Potomac/Greenough Community Center (PGCC). The event was part of the community center board "Family Night" functions held throughout the year. The garden party was about getting to know neighbors, learning gardening techniques for the Potomac area and creating a neighbor network, said event organizer and gardener Aimee Miklovic. "This could be a great resource for a significant portion of the...
As spring weather starts to dominate and days grow longer, most of us are itching to get outdoors, shed some layers and shake off the winter blues. And who could blame you? What a spectacular time to be outdoors and no better place than the Blackfoot Valley! The ice has disappeared from our many lakes and with that our migratory waterfowl and shorebirds are returning. If birding is your thing, this is your time of year! While you’re at it, grab the fishing rod and make a day of it. If you have hunting on your mind, spring opportunities exist f...
SEELEY LAKE – Kathy Hudak has lived in Seeley Lake for the past six years. She works as an Emergency Room (ER) technician at Community Medical, a paramedic with Missoula Emergency Services, Inc. (MESI) ambulance and as a flight medic with REACH Air Medical Services out of Helena, Mont. In the beginning of March, her role as caregiver turned to patient when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Hudak started a career working in wildland fire with the US Forest Service for ten years. The USFS...
In August 1944, Michael Milochik sailed home from England on the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth. He described the living conditions as "tight" with 12 bunks to a room. Once back home, he and his girlfriend were married. They spent their honeymoon in a house on loan from one of his shipmates. Mike described how people laughed at him when he bought several comic books to take on his honeymoon. After his honeymoon, Mike got on a Liberty Ship, the USS Baham and sailed through the Panama Canal,...
As we all know living here in western Montana, the weather changes fairly drastically on a seasonal basis. Sometimes it changes even much quicker - like recently when it went from snowing one day to sunny and warm a day later. We live in an area that has some of the most dramatic seasonal changes - about an hour drive from here is the location of the coldest ever recorded temperature in United States outside of Alaska - Rogers Pass recorded -70 Fahrenheit (F) in 1954. And only a few hours farther to the east but still in Montana, Glendive and...
In 1896, Gifford Pinchot, who later became the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, traveled south through the Swan Valley inspecting this region of Montana, while working for the National Forest Commission. Jack Monroe, a trapper and guide, accompanied him. The account of his trip through the Swan Valley was recorded in 1897. The Pathfinder will publish Pinchot’s account in a 7-part series. This is the first installment. In the course of work on the National Forest Commission, I camped last summer, on the shore of Swan Lake, through w...
MISSOULA – The University of Montana (UM) College of Forestry and Conservation invites UM students and community members from Missoula and the Seeley-Swan Valley to a day of ecological restoration Sunday, April 24. MPG North, a Montana conservation organization, sponsors the project and will provide shuttle service to its property east of Condon. Volunteers will meet in the UM Forestry Building parking lot at 9 a.m. but also are welcome to drive themselves to the location. Volunteers are encouraged to bring warm clothing and sturdy footwear. A...
Elda L. (Ellie) Greenough - Swan Council My father moved our family from a large metropolitan area to a small Midwest farm when I was nine months old. A family vacation in the mountains of Montana spurred my move to this valley in April of 1978. My first job was cleaning and oiling logs on a newly constructed summer getaway cabin. The next four years were spent working on the carpentry shop of a log home building company. When the company sold, I worked as a cook and waitress for local...
Henry S. Westra - Swan Council I, along with my wife Carolyn, were first introduced to the Swan Valley in the 1980's. It became our desire to someday relocate to the Swan so, to that end, we purchased a parcel of land in the early 1990's. There were many trips back and forth to Michigan until 2013 when we were able to fulfill our desire to be full time residents of Montana's Swan Valley. I take advantage of the outdoor activities the Swan has to offer, continue to work on and upkeep my...
Lacey McNutt - Swan Council I have lived in the Swan Valley for nearly 10 years. I grew up in Helena and am a fifth generation Montanan. I first came here to work for an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It was there that I met my husband, Todd. We have one son and we all live, work and play here. I am a licensed real estate professional here in the valley, a volunteer with the Swan Valley Emergency Services and have served the past two years as vice president of the Swan Valley PTA. I am running for a seat on the Council because...
Dale Hinkle - Incumbent Potomac Fire Board I am currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Greenough/Potomac Volunteer Fire Department (GPVFD) and my three-year term is up. I have lived in Potomac approximately 10 years. I am a semi-retired geotechnical/civil engineer. I owned and ran an engineering business for 35 years. I still practice part time and I am currently licensed in Montana, New Mexico and California. I have a Master's degree from California State University Long Beach...
Jennifer Iverson - Potomac Fire Board Biography: I am a fifth generation Montanan and returned to Potomac four years ago. I have been married to Justin Iverson for 16 years, which has provided me with family ties to the Potomac Valley since college. I enjoy cooking, baking, gardening, quilting and reading. Qualifying experience or skills/strengths for the Fire Board position: As a certified Project Management Professional, I have extensive experience in facilitating meetings, overseeing project...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) School Board will run a general fund operating levy of $17,056 or 2.21 mills on the May 3 ballot. It would increase taxes on a $100,000 home by $2.98 and on a $200,000 home by $5.96 annually. Unless voting absentee, voters must vote at SLE between 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on May 3. This is the second levy run by SLE in the past seven years that has passed. One failed in 2009 by 35 votes and another was passed in 2014. The reason for the levy is declining enrollment. “That is not an increase in the bud...
Jenny Lindemer - Incumbent SLE Board Biography: I was born and raised in Missoula. I spent my summers in Seeley Lake. My family and I have lived here for 21years! Qualifying experience or skills/strengths for the school board position: My husband and I own and operate Lindey's Prime Steakhouse. I have been on SLE School Board and volunteered in various positions at Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) for 12 years. Why do you want to be on the school board? I would love to continue being involved with...
Karen Kovatch - Incumbent SLE Board Biography: We moved our family business to Seeley Lake in 1989 and I have lived here full time since 1995. I have served on the Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) Board for three years. My family here includes my parents, husband Kalvin and two children: Klaire, a seventh grade student and Klayton, a fifth grade student. My hobbies include horseback riding, cycling and skiing. Qualifying experience or skills/strengths for the school board position: Work: Currently...
Amanda Fowler - SLE Board Biography & Qualifying Experience: My name is Amanda Fowler. I grew up in Montana and have lived all around. We moved to Seeley Lake a year and a half ago. I have since then become a part of the community. I enjoy the bigger community feel with the small town people. I love to volunteer my time. I currently volunteer at Loving Hearts, I'm a youth leader with our church youth group and I am the treasurer for Sparrows Vine. I have a wonderful husband and two amazing...
