A cowboy stays on top of a bucking saddle bronc during the Bucking Horse Sale. Photo by Steve Allison

 

Monday, Jan. 30

Long history for Riggs building

By Amorette Allison
For more than 40 years, Riggs Camera and Gifts was a downtown landmark, but even before that, the building at 805 Main St. was a significant address in Miles City history.
Sam Gordon, editor of the Yellowstone Journal, southeastern Montana’s most important early newspaper, mentions in his local history, “Recollections of Old Milestown,” that the U.S. Land Office was once located on this site. There were few buildings more important than the U.S. Land Office in the frontier West. Officially the “General Land Office,” this branch of the government was the predecessor to the Bureau of Land Management.
The Land Office was in charge of surveying, platting and selling public lands outside the original colonies. As settlers moved west, the Land Office went along, creating the records of lands as they changed hands. The term “land office business,” which means high-volume trade, refers to a tremendous amount of public lands that were sold as the country moved out west.
In 1881, Colonel Charles H. Gould came to Miles City to act as Receiver of the Land Office and Collector of Internal Revenue. In 1882, he had a two-story frame building constructed between Eighth and Ninth Streets, about where the Riggs building is today.
That building suffered the fate that many wood buildings of early frontier days suffered. It burned in 1885 in one of the periodic block-clearing fires. The lot remained empty for nearly 20 years.
In 1903, with the economy looking up, a two-storied, brick-veneered frame building was constructed to house the Miles & Ulmer plumbing and heating building. Miles & Ulmer was another longtime Miles City business that supplied hardware from several buildings. A few years later, it was serving as a furniture business and undertaking establishment, a combination that seems odd to us today but used to be very common.
By 1920, the building was owned by A. J. Katz and his brother-in-law, Harry Epstein. The Epstein Fur and Clothing Store provided dresses, accessories and furs for the discriminating Miles City woman for at least another 15 years. During these years, the building was remodeled a few times, adding a stained glass facade sign that said “Epstein’s.” That sign turned up in a 1988 remodeling and was given to a member of the Epstein family.
Later, another popular women’s clothing store, Sweetbriar, occupied the space for many years. When the Sweetbriar’s chain went bankrupt, Rigg’s Camera and Gifts expanded from their neighboring store into the Sweetbriar’s space.
The upper floor was also remodeled, with offices added in 1922. Whether the tiny rooms that are still there are part of the office remodel or a later conversion into a “rooming house” is unknown. The remaining rooms had buzzers operated by dry batteries in the attic, some of which remained as late at 1988.
There are other stories, of course, of what went on in those tiny rooms upstairs.
The building will start a new life, as the businesses on Main Street change, and the next phase of its long history will begin.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Amorette Allison is a local historian and a columnist/reporter for the Miles City Star. She is also a former preservation officer for the city. Allison has authored several volumes on local history titled “The Way We Were,” which are available for purchase.

 

 

Friday, Jan. 27

Need for more police discussed

By Elaine Forman
The need for more police officers was brought up at the Miles City Council meeting Tuesday because the force’s numbers are down, two officers will soon be deployed and crime is anticipated to rise if the population increases due to oil drilling.
Councilman John Hollowell said he listened to the police chief and sheriff and, “They said in one day they turned in 10 felonies – in one day. And (they said) that all crime is increasing.”
He suggested filling the open police positions and possibly adding more positions so they will have more experience when crime increases as expected.
“I think we are actually getting close to a dire need,” he added.
Councilman John Uden said a report just came out about the problems encountered north of Miles City.
“It’s scary, to say the least,” he said, not going into detail.
He suggested the need for additional officers in the “not too distant future.”
He called it “a critical issue with our criminal justice system ... we are going to have to get our heads out of the sand.”
Hollowell suggested that the city help build a new jail, since it currently is over capacity and the city uses it.
He said the inmate capacity is 12, and the daily average is 16-20, made up of mostly felonies and domestic abuse cases, because of the lack of room for other less serious offenders.
Mayor Butch Grenz thought that state statute limits the city on the jail, since it is operated by the county.
The Human Resource Committee’s recommendation to hire two new police officers, promote Sgts. Casey Prell and Mark Reddick to the rank of captain, and promote Dan Baker to a detective lieutenant was passed unanimously.
Grenz said the police department has enough vacancy savings to cover the new officers and promotions.
Police Chief Doug Colombik said new officers sign a contract that requires them to repay the city for their training and their pay during that time, if they leave the force before three years.
The council voted for three appointments on the Zoning Commission, but the vote will have to be redone at a special council meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday in City Hall, because the agenda had the planning board listed for appointments, instead of zoning.
At the council meeting, the people who expressed an interest in the positions were never announced. Grenz handed out the list of names to the council members and told them to each vote for three.
(The list was later released. The people on the list were the mayor, Craig Dalakow, Nancy Mitchell, John Laney, Leroy Meidinger and John Kuntz.)
The ballots were returned, and City Clerk Becky Stanton announced that Grenz, Mitchell and Laney were the top vote-getters.
The council approved the selection by a vote of 5-2, with Duane Andrews and Susanne Galbraith opposed. (Mark Ahner was not present.)
Two of the terms will expire March 2014, and one is to fill a term that will expire March 2013.
The council approved the Flood Control Committee’s recommendation to continue to pursue FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grants to buy up property around the dike in order to possibly build a second dike set back 600 feet from the current dike.
Hollowell stressed that the city has not decided to buy up land or to build the second dike, but is pursuing the funding while examining the option.
Hollowell sits on the Flood Committee and said he can’t imagine the council would take any land through eminent domain, therefore anyone can decline to sell his or her land.
Kelm believed that if the second dike was built, the flood plain would change, possibly shrinking.
Samantha Malenovsky said Congress is addressing the issue right now. It may decide to designate a low-risk zone, among other possibilities.
In other news:
— Andrews congratulated city crews on the good job of snow removal.
— The council approved a proposal for the Miles City Outlaw Baseball Club to donate a new backstop and other improvements to the city’s Tedesco Field.
Steve Allen represented the organization and said the group hasn’t decided for sure what it will do, but wanted to first know if it can.There is grant money, foundation money and people who want to donate.
“At this point, we just want to give the city the respect it’s due,” Allen said.
— Custer Rod and Gun Club’s 10-year user permit at Spotted Eagle was unanimously approved for renewal.
— BSC Construction, owned by Bill Cullers, was unanimously approved for a business license.
— Resolution No. 3458, which allows a $2,670 Community Development Block Grant to be applied for to purchase computer software and hardware for the Miles City Economic Development Council, was unanimously approved.
— Resolution No. 3459, to approve Interstate Engineering to represent Miles City in mediation with Ahanu Construction, was approved. The engineering firm was on site and noted “numerous violations” of Ahanu, according to Hollowell.
Miles City pulled Ahanu off the water main project last year.
— Resolution No. 3460, which re-appoints George Huss as city attorney, was passed unanimously.
— The council unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1231 to define and design arterial streets.
Councilman John Uden said the city can’t post any more speed limit signs without the ordinance.
The ordinance will be reviewed by the Public Safety Committee.

 

 

Thursday, Jan. 26

Beef Breeders Day set for Feb. 3

By Amorette Allison
With the weather apparently cooperating, plans are coming along for this year’s Cowtown Capital Beef Breeders Day. John Laney, executive director of the Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce, reports there are 33 pens reserved as of Tuesday and he anticipates that number increasing to 35 or 40 by the show date on February 3.
The numbers are down from some of the highs of the past, but Laney says many breeders are going to more private sales and auctions held even earlier in the year. Laney said that the first Friday in February is as “early as I care to go outdoors.”
The advantage to fewer pens is in the organization of the vendors’ displays. In the early days, the vendors were out on the ends of the pens. Now, with fewer pens, it is possible to intermingle the vendors more with the breeders.
Charlie Brown is in charge of the vendors, which will include many of the usual vehicle and agricultural dealers.
The craft show this year will again be held on the lower floor of the Eagles. Laney said the craft show is filling up fast.
Beef judging will be held this year, with the FFA holding its own competition and adults competing in their own class.
Laney emphasized the efforts that the FFA puts into the Beef Breeders Day. He said the FFA members move fast and “do a great service” for the Chamber at this event, as well as others during the year. The youths help set up and take down all the pens for the show.
The Beef Breeders will be centered in the 700 block of Main this year, expanding both east and west as space demands.

 

 

Wednesday, Jan. 25

MCC reviews dual credit, student aid

By Don Cogger
High school students from Miles City and the surrounding area have until Friday to take advantage of a unique opportunity from Miles Community College.
Speaking at Monday’s monthly meeting of the MCC Board of Trustees, Darren Pitcher, Vice President of Student Success & Institutional Research, outlined for the board the Dual Enrollment Program, which grants college credit for college-level courses offered at the high school. The content of most Custer County District High School honors courses meets requirements to qualify students to earn college credit.
“By taking a full year of an honors course, that allows high school students to earn a semester credit here at MCC in that class,” Pitcher said. “The credits are transferrable to anywhere as a general core class, usually English or a writing class. It’s going to save them $300-$500. As long as they are already taking the class, they may as well get a college credit for it.”
A three-credit course is only $231 for students participating in the program. An MCC student taking the same course would pay $363. If a student chooses to attend one of the four-year universities in Montana, he or she can expect to pay over $700. MCC President Stefani Hicswa said the program is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of what is expected at the college level.
“I have always been an advocate of students taking a challenging curriculum during their junior and senior years to prepare them for the rigors of college-level coursework,” Hicswa said. “In a time when the rising costs of college outpace savings and/or financial aid, it only makes logical sense to get college credit for courses you are already taking.”
Dual credit courses will transfer as core to most accredited colleges in the nation.
Montana has a common course numbering guarantee for transfer students. How a transfer institution located outside of Montana evaluates transfer credits depends on the requirements at each individual college, Hicswa said. However, most credits transfer seamlessly anywhere in the United States. 
“We also have dual credit partnerships with other high schools in Southeastern Montana,” Hicswa explained. “For any qualified high school student who is motivated to start early earning a college degree, regular college-level courses may be taken on campus or online for college credit.”
Students interested in the Dual Enrollment Program have until Friday, January 27 to sign up. They can contact Brent Lemer or Darren Pitcher at MCC, or their counselors at CCDHS.
Also on the agenda of Monday’s board meeting was a president’s report by Hicswa, discussing federal appropriations including Pell Grant eligibility cuts and giving updates on endowment and human resources.
“Congress has approved final fiscal year 2012 appropriations legislation that provides $915 billion to fund education, workforce training, and many other community college priorities,” Hicswa said. “Pell Grant eligibility cuts have been included in the legislation. To offset the $1.3 billion Pell Grant shortfall while preserving the current $5,550 maximum, the bill will temporarily eliminate interest subsidies during the 6-month grace period on undergraduate student loans. New students entering college after July 1, 2012, who lack a high school diploma or GED, so-called ability-to-benefit (ATB) students, will no longer be eligible for any federal student aid.”
Additionally, the bill will limit students to 12 full-time equivalent semesters of Pell eligibility in contrast to the current 18 semesters.
In endowment news, Brandi Gray, Executive Director of the MCC Endowment, held a meeting recently with Ted Stein, Brent Lemer and Darren Pitcher regarding MCC social media engagement. Gray has set up a new Facebook page for the Endowment office and updated the website. She is also working with Marcus Schieffert to create a form for a donation page to gather more donor information.
In human resources, Kimberly Haile has been hired as the Agriculture Instructor effective spring semester 2012. The Pharmacy Technician Adjunct Faculty position ended in a failed search. This position will be revisited spring semester. The part-time CDL Instructor position has been filled by Colin Kampschroer.

 

 

Tuesday, Jan. 24

City, county seek to mend breach

By Amorette Allison
Everyone attending a meeting held by the Custer County Commissioners on Thursday at the courthouse agreed that it is time to repair the breach between the city and county when it comes to zoning and planning. There was a general consensus as well that the current structure of the city zoning commission having authority over the two-mile “doughnut” area outside the city limits be used while steps are taken to create countywide zoning.
There is currently one zone change request before the city along the Baker Highway-Interstate 94 exit area, which falls in the “doughnut.”
Attending the meeting were Vicki Hamilton and Keith Holmlund, county commissioners; Bill Ellis, county planner; and Dianna Broadie, city planner; Jim Zabrocki, Disaster and Emergency Services local coordinator; Mike Coryell, executive director of Miles City Economic Development; Butch Grenz, mayor of Miles City; John Laney, Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce; Amorette Allison, former city zoning commission member; and Leroy Meidinger, former city council member.
The city zoning commission currently has three vacancies on its five-member board. City statute does not specify whether the members need to be from the city limits or the doughnut area. When the commission was re-established in 2001, under Mayor Mike Metzenberg, two members of the commission were from the doughnut area.
When the county dissolved the city-county planning board, they based the dissolution on the desire of those residents who lived outside the city limits, but were within the state-specificed two-mile limit, to not be zoned by the city. After that time, members on the zoning commission became city residents only.
However, under state law, the city can still assume jurisdiction over that area. The county has no zoning ordinance and cannot make zoning changes. Therefore, the county has agreed that, for the time being, the city should continue its zoning authority, with efforts to inform the county commissioners of the zoning commission’s activities.
There was some concern that the Zoning Commission is purely advisory and that the final decision on the two-mile area zoning does fall legally to the City Council and not the County Commissioners. It was agreed that the county government must be kept informed and given input until a new county zoning ordinance is in place.
The county commission will continue its efforts at planning, which already include a county growth policy and subdivision regulations. Writing a new zoning ordinance for the county, holding the necessary public hearings, and passing such an ordinance will take several months.
With the growth that Miles City and the surrounding area has been experiencing lately, there was considerable concern that some zoning changes could not wait for a new ordinance. Zone changes under the current system take between 90 and 120 days, to take into account notifications and hearings.
When the county commissioners make an appointment to boards, they have a 30-day notice period. Appointments to the city zoning commission are handled differently. The openings are made known to the public, applications are accepted, and city council members make their recommendations immediately.
County applicants whose property falls within the two-mile doughnut area are encouraged to apply. Council members will be encouraged to appoint county members to fill the current zoning commission vacancies.
There was also some discussion of issues with sewer and water.
John Laney pointed out that, as the city annexes property, which it will probably be doing in the future, that doughnut area will change. Despite the name, the doughnut area is not circular but follows the lines of the city limits, only two miles further from the edge of the city.
While there was ongoing confusion about the differences between planning and zoning and their different areas of jurisdiction, everyone agreed with Commissioner Vicki Hamilton when she said, “Let’s take care of this issue together.”