Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 10/22/1997

October 22, 1997

The Supreme Court oral argument briefings on the Whitehall water improvement project were delayed due to the Montana Attorney General’s request for a 10-day delay. The delay was apparently not caused by other - or higher priority - workloads. Rather, the delay was from the relative importance of the case. Neither Bullock nor Baker would say the Whitehall water project case had more importance than other cases they worked on, but both understood the case did not contain itself to the limits of Whitehall.

The Whitehall water improvement project, a $1.3 million project that replaced old water lines, improved water pressure, and installed water meters, is essentially complete. Opponents of the project wanted a public vote, and when the vote was denied, the issue went to court.

Residents in the Whitehall area and elsewhere in southwest Montana were assured low-cost, clean electric power from Montana’s Hungry Horse Dam through 2011 under new contracts Vigilante Electric Cooperative, Inc. signed with the Bonneville Power Administration.

Gertie Giono was honored at an open house at Rocky Mountain Bank of Whitehall on Friday, October 17. Giono retired after 18 years as custodian of the bank. Bank president, Bill Holzer, and bank employees presented Giono with new luggage for Giono’s planned travels. About 100 people attended the open house.

The Students of the Week were the members of the WHS Pep Band. The band marched during the Homecoming parade and did an outstanding job playing at home sporting events and other activities.

Senior football player Hans Tolf was Athlete of the Week. Hans was nominated by Coach Battaiola for playing “extremely hard on defense, leading with tackles against Townsend, and playing hard at his quarterback position.” Hans is the son of Eric and Mary Tolf and enjoys football, basketball, hunting, and the outdoors. Hans plans to attend college.