Tensions High Regarding Rec Complex

Tensions were high, though everyone kept their cool at the December Town Council meeting, held Monday, December 12 at the Town Hall. Representatives of the Whitehall Saddle Club (WSC) were in the audience, waiting to comment on the Council’s determination on Resolution 2022-21, the Rec Complex bylaws.

During the Rec Complex Board report, it was disclosed that Lonna Johnson, who has been with the WSC for 30+ years and on the Rec Complex Board for 20+ years, had resigned from the Rec Complex Board. Her position must now be appointed by Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh; the WSC has suggested Dave Cole replace Lonna Johnson on the Board.

Johnson, who was at the meeting, noted that a $30k ARPA grant was brought to the WSC’s meeting for discussion, but no mention of the update to the bylaws was had until an email was sent several days later. Johnson said the WSC was not happy with the situation and that the WSC already has bylaws in place.

Town Clerk and Treasurer Alissa Christensen added, during the New Business discussion on the resolution, that town employee Kennedy Kleinsasser has done a lot of legwork on this issue and is not trying to be malicious in any regard to any interested party.

Town councilwoman Linda Jung added that there had been a lot of misunderstanding and that a work session with all interested parties should be had to “hash it out.”

“There has been a lot of growth and change. We do need to improve the area...but the town representative has been to two meetings in two years,” Johnson said, noting that the WSC has spent a lot of time and energy to make the complex what it is today and deserves some say in future planning.

“It is a big asset to the town. We want to be able to utilize it to the best of everyone’s abilities,” Councilwoman Pat Peterson added.

The Town Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, January 4th at 6 PM located at Town Hall 207 E Legion Ave. Rec Complex bylaws will be discussed and the future of the Rec Complex. Public attendance is strongly encouraged to discuss the wants and needs of the community.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• Jefferson County Commissioner Leonard Wortman gave his final report as Commissioner before retiring. Wortman updated the Council on the new proposed redistricting of Montana counties, which has been worked on for the last several months. Usually, Wortman said, a portion of southern Jefferson County is combined with Madison County, as it shares fire districts, school districts, etc. A district is ideally 10,800 people, whereas Jefferson County is about 13,000 - meaning the excess must move into a different district.

Wortman said the new proposed map, available on the county website, takes a northwestern portion of Jefferson County and combines it with HD62 (Powell and Granite Counties) because of their smaller population. Hence, Whitehall would potentially rejoin/remain in HD61 under the new proposed map. The new districts should be approved in 2023.

• In public comment, Whitehall resident Bridget Morse mentioned that the Town Council’s minutes on the town website stop in August and questioned when the most recent minutes would be available. Whitehall resident Maxine Samuelson also commented that the website says “see Board notes” for Board reports, but there is no link to the reports available.

Morse also commented on the semis and trailers parking in Legion Park, as well as the blight at First Street and A Street. Later, during New Business, the Council made adjustments to the parking policy for Legion Park, stating that the updates should help with Morse’s comments; Morse said that the policies have to be enforced to be effective.

• Whitehall Community Library librarian Jeannie Ferriss updated the Council on the proposed use of the old Town Hall for the senior programs and handicap accessibility for the library. She said a memorandum of understanding would be submitted to the Council for review at the January meeting.

• The Council discussed allowing Family Search, a division of the Mormon Church, access to public records for free digitization. Christensen said that the church’s database is among the largest in the world and is used by most people looking to do genealogy research on their family history. Peterson said she would like to have town attorney Ed Guza look at the contract first before approving it; the item was tabled until Guza could research.

• The Council updated their agenda posting areas to include the front door of the Town Hall, the Whitehall Public Library, the Whitehall Post Office, Rocky Mountain Bank, and the Town website. Copies of the agenda will be emailed to the library and post office, with the responsibility of posting on the employees of those locations.

BUSINESS LICENSES APPROVED:

• Communications Resources

• Markovich Construction

• Hawe Steel Design

• Galle Plumbing & Heating

• Trademark Electric

• Professional Fire Protection

• Harrington Flooring

• Tastefully Simple

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPROVED:

• Marc Wagner: new structure at 108 S Brooke St.