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Photo by Steve Allison |
Wednesday, Mar. 10
Council
passes first reading of cell phone ban
By Elaine Forman
The Miles City Council passed the first reading of an
ordinance banning handheld cell phone and two-way radio
use while driving, by a vote of 4-2 Tuesday night in City
Hall.
It now goes to the Public Safety Committee for review
and returns on the council agenda on March 23 for a public
hearing and a final vote.
The ordinance deals with calls, messages, texting and
internet use. Hands-free communication is allowed.
Law enforcement and other emergency responders, as well
as operators of governmental transportation and public
works vehicles, will be exempt when on duty or acting
in their official capacity. Also exempt are those people
calling 911 or other public safety forces, or those using
phones and radios while the vehicle is parked and not
in gear.
The penalty would be $50 on first conviction, $100 for
second conviction, $200 for third time and a fine not
to exceed $500 for any conviction after the third time.
Voting in favor of Ordinance No. 1196 were Bill Melnik,
John Uden, Mark Ahner and Tony Ackerman. Leroy Meidinger
and Arvid Ronning opposed the ordinance. Leif Ronning
and Jerry Partridge were absent.
Uden, whose effort brought the ordinance to the council,
said he’s personally seen a number of Lincoln School
students nearly hit by someone on a cell phone.
He reasoned that, since high school students can’t
text or use cell phones in school, as soon as school gets
out they get in their cars, take off and start texting.
Uden noted the large percentage of drivers using cell
phones and asked, “Is it so inconvenient for people
to pull off and take the call?”
He stressed the people, especially children, who are put
at risk by pre-occupied drivers.
Ahner said he was behind one girl talking on a cell phone
while driving. He watched as she ran a red light while
driving. He knew the girl and told her later, and she
was adamant she hadn’t.
Arvid Ronning objected to the ordinance.
“Basically, what you’re doing is shutting
down all taxi cabs, all utility divisions, all trucking
companies and all contractors from using their radios,”
he said.
“I have no problem with shutting off cell phones.
I have a problem with shutting off two-way radios,”
Ronning added later.
In his 30 years working on fires for the Department of
Natural Resource and Conservation, Ahner used two-way
radios, and he doesn’t think it would have been
“inappropriate” to have pulled over to use
it.
According to Ahner, originally the ordinance did not include
two-way radios, but in a memo City Attorney George Huss
said he felt it would be seen as discriminatory that someone
could visit on a two-way radio but not a cell phone.
Spencer Jarrett of Jarrett Construction said he uses two-way
radios while taking wide loads through town to increase
the safety factor.
Police Chief Doug Colombik said that the officers will
show some flexiblility with heavy equipment loads.
People had several comments about police officers using
cell phones on duty.
Ronning objected to police officers using cell phones
for private calls while driving on duty.
“I have personally seen police officers going down
the street, making turns without signaling, talking on
their cell phones,” he said, adding that they are
as much a risk as the general public.
“I almost got hit by a police officer on a cell
phone,” Ahner said.
Chief Colombik had talked with the officers about cell
phone use, and Ahner said he has noticed “a greatly
diminished use of cell phones” by police in the
last six weeks.
Ahner said some studies show that the probability of having
an accident while using a cell phone is higher than driving
while intoxicated, and for people to drive intoxicated
and use a cell phone the risk goes up substantially.
“Make no mistake about it, we are legislating behavior,”
Ackerman said, stressing he is against that, but he feels
that in this case it is called for, similar to drunk driving
laws, because “we are protecting others from the
irresponsible behavior of a few.”
Chief Colombik said, “Not everyone on a cell phone
will be pulled over, and not everyone pulled over will
get a ticket.”
In other citizens’ comments on the proposed ban:
— Doug Martin noted that there already are violations
drivers can be cited with if driving recklessly. He said
a new ordinance is not needed. He referred to a study
that looked at high population areas that have banned
cell phones and could find no proof it reduced accidents.
— In 2004 Antonia Klein was broadsided in Billings
by a distracted driver on a cell phone who ran a red light
going 65 mph in a 25 mph zone. She credited being in a
Land Rover for saving her life. She did suffer many fractures,
a blood clot, a detached retina, and other injuries.
“There is no reason for using a cell phone while
driving,” she said.
— Deb Shaw supported the ordinance, saying, “It’s
a very good idea.” She asked if there is more that
could be done on a state level or in drivers’ training
classes to stop kids from texting while driving.
— Rock Wankel supported allowing large trucks
to use the radios for safety reasons.
Tuesday, Mar. 9
Deadline
to file for county, state offices
By Elaine Forman
The election filing deadline for county and state offices
ends at 5 p.m. Monday, and many candidates have filed
for the positions.
In Senate District 20, Carol Lambert of Broadus, John
Laney of Miles City and Frederick “Eric” Moore
have filed. All are Republicans.
No one has filed in Senate District 22.
In Senate District 23, Kathy Galbreath of Roundup, Mark
Noennig of Billings and Alan Olson of Roundup are running.
All are Republicans.
In House District 39, Republican Jesse Barnhart of Broadus,
Democrat Cody W. (C.W.) Drew of Circle and Republican
incumbent Lee Randall of Broadus filed.
Incumbents Bill McChesney (House District 40), D-Miles
City, Republican Duane Ankney (House District 43) and
Republican Tom Berry (House District 45) have faced no
opposition so far.
Filing for county seats are:
- For County Commission Dist. 1: Vicki Hamilton, former
commissioner Duane Mathison, former mayor Mike Metzenberg
and Jack Raymond.
- For County Commission Dist. 2: Incumbent Milo Huber,
Keith Holmlund and Jack Larson.
- For Clerk and Recorder: Linda Corbett and Jennifer Haddock.
The following incumbents are the only ones who have filed
for their positions: County Attorney Wyatt Glade, Justice
Court Judge Don Neese, Sheriff/Coroner Tony Harbaugh,
Superintendent of Schools Doug Ellingson, Treasurer/Assessor
Carol Bean and Public Administrator Amber Trenka.
In a press release, Secretary of State Linda McCulloch
said that, as of Monday, 274 candidates have filed for
both legislative and non-legislative races.
“Voting and running for public office are two of
our most fundamental rights as citizens of this great
state,” she said. “The steady number of candidates
filings indicate 2010 is going to be a strong election
year.”
For a complete list of candidates and eligible offices,
log on to her Web site at sos.mt.gov. This list is updated
throughout the day.
Candidates may file electronically through the Secretary
of State’s online candidate filing service, in person
at her office, by mail or by FAX. Forms must be received
by Monday’s deadline.
Those interested in running for a county office may inquire
at the clerk and recorder’s office at the Custer
County Courthouse.
The deadline for write-ins will be April 30.
The primary election will be held June 8.
Monday, Mar. 8
Cell
phone ban for drivers on agenda
By Elaine Forman
Banning drivers from using cell phones while operating
their vehicles is on the agenda of the Miles City Council’s
Tuesday meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
The action concerns the proposed Ordinance No. 1196, which
outlines the exceptions and the penalties that could be
imposed.
According to the ordinance, banned would be “handheld
cellular telephones and other voice and electronic communication
devices by vehicle operators while the vehicle is in motion.”
It notes that this practice “constitutes an unreasonable
distraction to the vehicle operator.”
The ordinance states that the distractions cause a hazard
and increase the potential for accidents.
It defines “mobile communication device” as
a text messaging device or a wireless, two-way communication
device designed to receive and transmit voice or text
communication which includes talking or listening on a
mobile communications device, text messaging, sending,
reading or listening to an electronic message, or browsing
the internet via the mobile communications device.
The exceptions are law enforcement and other emergency
responders; operators of governmental transportation and
public works vehicles, when on duty or acting in their
official capacity; or those people who use a mobile communications
device by means of a hands-free device; using a device
to call 911 or other emergency numbers to contact public
safety forces; or using it while the vehicle is parked
and not in gear.
The penalty would be $50 on first conviction, $100 for
second conviction, $200 for a third time, and a fine not
to exceed $500 for any conviction after the third time.
The ordinance calls for signs to be put up giving notice
that the ordinance is in effect.
The signs will be on the city limits line at the Tongue
River bridges on Main Street and on Pacific Street, on
the Yellowstone River bridge on Highway 59 North, on South
Haynes Avenue, on South Strevell Avenue and on Valley
Drive East.
If the proposed ordinance passes both readings (on March
9 and 23), it will go into effect 30 days following the
March 23 vote. A public hearing will be held on March
23 if the ordinance passes the March 9 vote.
Friday, Mar. 8
Group
works to restart ride program
By Amanda Breitbach Ragsdale
Organizations, businesses and individuals interested in
helping restart a program that offers senior citizens
free rides from Miles City to Billings for medical appointments
are invited to a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting
Tuesday, March 9, at 8 a.m. at Eastern Montana Industries.
Kindra Bragg, coordinator for the Custer County Council
on Aging, which operated the ride program before its suspension
last month, said it is a valuable service to area residents,
and the council hopes to work with other organizations
to have it back in place by July.
The program was started in January 2009 as a grant-funded
pilot project offering rides on demand to people over
60, she explained. The council worked with volunteer drivers
from the local Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and
rented cars – provided at cost by Frank’s
Body Shop – to arrange an average of 10 rides per
month.
Bragg estimated that 100 people used the service over
the past year, at a cost of about $100 per trip for car
rentals and fuel.
Between July and December of last year, volunteers made
53 trips from Miles City to Billings, serving 36 unduplicated
seniors.
According to figures provided by RSVP Director Betty Vail,
in that six-month period eight RSVP volunteers donated
378 hours of their time.
“Our volunteers want to do that,” Vail said.
“We realize the importance of the program and definitely
feel that it’s a necessity. It helps the seniors
in our community maintain their independence.”
Despite the help of local volunteers and discounted rental
rates, one-time grant money available for the program
ran out in February and the service was suspended.
“We didn’t realize it would happen this soon,”
said Bragg.
Bertha Kowis, who will turn 94 this month, has to go to
Billings every three months to get shots for a bad back.
While she does have a daughter in town who helps her run
errands and go grocery shopping, Kowis used the transportation
service for her medical trips.
“They were real good to us,” she said. “(The
drivers) come right to the door and pick you up.”
Kowis heard about the service through RSVP. Still a member,
she had to give up volunteering at Saint Vincent DePaul
Thrift Store when the pain in her back became too severe.
She enjoyed the convenience of the transportation service
and made a point of donating something to the program
each time she used it.
“I’ll do anything I can to get it back ...
It was wonderful,” Kowis said.
Jim Minette, 63, has volunteered as a driver for the program
for almost a year.
“Some of these people that have to go there ...
they just don’t have anybody to drive them,”
he said.
As a driver, Minette provided rides for people with all
kinds of medical appointments.
Once he had to leave Miles City at 5 a.m. because a client
had a surgical procedure planned in Billings at 8 a.m.,
and sometimes people with scheduled appointments in Billings
used the service after their own vehicles broke down.
He, himself, once used the service to get to an eye appointment
because he couldn’t drive afterward.
“It’s one of the best programs that I’ve
come across,” Minette concluded. “I can’t
say enough about it.”
Volunteer drivers and users of the service hoped to attend
Tuesday’s meeting to convince local leaders of the
ride program’s importance.
Restarting the program needs to be a community effort,
Bragg said, and donations of any kind can help.
Thursday, Mar. 4
Emergency
preparedness session set
By Amanda Breitbach Ragsdale
Members of the Citizen Corps Council of Custer County
will host an interactive emergency preparedness session
based on the Map Your Neighborhood program on Thursday,
March 18, at Miles Community College room 106.
Map Your Neighborhood is designed to help neighborhoods
prepare for disasters of all kinds, explained Glady Turnquist,
who will host the session along with her husband, Allan.
Participants will learn nine steps to take immediately
following a disaster to secure their homes and protect
their neighborhoods, identify the skills and equipment
each neighbor has that could be useful in disaster response,
create a neighborhood map identifying the locations of
natural gas and propane tanks for quick response if needed,
and create a contact list that helps identify those with
specific needs such as elderly or disabled people or children
who may be home alone during certain hours of the day.
“It’s just neighbor helping neighbor is what
it’s about,” Turnquist said.
Although they have hosted Map Your Neighborhood sessions
in Miles City before, the Turnquists are taking a different
approach this time, inviting individuals who have attended
before and new attendees alike to come and bring their
neighbors with them.
“We are encouraging all people who are trained and
people who haven’t been trained to go out and invite
their neighbors to come,” Turnquist said.
She asked participants to prepare for the session by learning
the exact location of their home’s gas meter and
drawing a simple layout of their neighborhoods (facing
homes in two-block increments), including house numbers
and the names of people who live there.
The Turnquists became involved in the program at the request
of Custer County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator
Jim Zabrocki.
Several years ago they attended a Map Your Neighborhood
session in Billings and brought that knowledge back to
share with residents in Miles City.
After meeting with the Custer County Commissioners, the
mayor and the Miles City Council, they held a city-wide
training for first responders including law enforcement
officers, firefighters and public health providers. Those
individuals formed an executive committee that divided
the community into neighborhoods. So far, that session
and the ones that have followed have reached 140-150 people,
Turnquist estimated.
The original idea was for trained individuals to take
the information back to their own neighborhoods and put
together trainings there, but some people have struggled
to implement that, she said. By inviting people to bring
their neighbors to this year’s session, organizers
hope to simplify the process and increase the number of
neighborhoods with emergency plans.
“I think the hardest thing to get across is people
think nothing can happen, and things can happen,”
said Turnquist.
One reason she and her husband became interested in the
Map Your Neighborhood program was their experience with
a severe hail storm in Miles City in July 1978, which
caused $20,000 in damage to their home.
“We had not a window in our house,” she said.
“And we had no one to help! It can happen.”
The mission of the Citizen Corps Council of Custer County,
which includes members of CERT, Map Your Neighborhood
and Disaster and Emergency Services, is “to harness
the power of every individual through education, training
and volunteer service to make our community safer, stronger
and better prepared, to respond to the threats of terrorism,
crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds.”
For more information about Map Your Neighborhood or any
of the council’s programs, visit their booth at
the Miles City Community Health Fair on Saturday, March
13.