Government study commissions still need members
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 11 months AGO
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | October 24, 2024 12:00 AM
According to the Montana League of Women Voters, Montana’s Constitution is the only one in the nation to stipulate that voters be given an opportunity every 10 years to decide whether or not to review their form of government by forming local government study commissions.
Last June, voters in St. Ignatius, Ronan and Polson voted in favor of establishing commissions.
St. Ignatius has one candidate, and Mayor Daren Incashola and city council members are planning to appoint two more community members on Nov. 5.
Mayor Chris Adler and city commissioners asked for volunteers in October but, according to the mayor, so far no one has stepped up to the plate.
Polson has five citizens who have offered to serve on the commission: Mark Hubbard, Peter Ridgeway, Phillip Thelen, Dave Rittenhouse and Larry Ashcroft.
The study commissions begin meeting in January and are tasked with evaluating their local government’s structure and suggesting improvements. Any recommendations would need to be approved by voters in 2026.
Contact city clerks in St. Ignatius or Ronan for information on serving on either community's review commission.
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