Longtime Ronan clerk receives Lifetime Achievement Award
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Ronan city clerk/treasurer Kaylene Melton received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Montana Municipal Clerks, Treasurers & Finance Officers Association. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
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. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | May 21, 2026 12:00 AM
City clerk Kaylene Melton got a surprise at last Wednesday night’s Ronan City Council meeting – the good kind.
Melton is a member of the Montana Municipal Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers, which held a training May 3-7. Melton was unable to attend, so deputy clerk Gwen Dolber made the trek to Billings for the Montana Municipal Institute. She returned with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Melton, then had to concoct a devious plan to lure Melton to last Wednesday’s city council meeting.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Doubler presented Melton with her award and read a statement from the MMCTFO.
"Kaylene has worked for the City of Ronan for going on 20 years. When Kaylene became the city’s clerk and treasurer, she created processes to ensure the files would be organized and preserved as required by state mandates; her systems have worked exceptionally well …
“To condense everything Kaylene does into one sentence, I would say: Kaylene takes the initiative to keep Ronan running smoothly and with fiduciary to the residents who call it home."
“It’s huge coming from my fellow clerks in Montana,” Melton said, holding up her award.
The council members congratulated the long-serving clerk and gave her a round of applause.
ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
Ronan Council hears police funding request, renews lease
At their meeting last Wednesday night, the Ronan City Council discussed a proposal from Ronan Police Chief Rob Jacobson to add two more full-time police officers to achieve 24-7 patrol coverage for Ronan, thereby minimizing the city’s reliance on county officers.
Chainsaw virtuosos return to Ronan for annual Rendezvous
Big pickups dragging trailers pulled into the parking lot of the Ronan fairgrounds and started unloading people, kids, and then toolboxes, an array of chainsaws, pop-up canopies, and a cooler or two. The chainsaw carvers were back in Ronan last week.
Polson High grads advised to "brave the waves"
Polson seniors marched in from all corners of Linderman Gym Saturday and took their seats. The “National Anthem” and an honor song by the Badger Tail Drum set the tone for commencement.