Thursday, August 27, 2009

News 08-26-09



Stepping up to the table

The five candidates for City of Dillon Mayor fielded questions and offered rebuttal statements during the KDBM-KBEV and Dillon Tribune Candidates’ Forum Thursday evening. The event, staged at the Camp Fortunate Interpretive Center, aired over both AM and FM by the radio station. Sitting, left to right, are Paul Pilgrim, Michael Lee Klakken, Lynn B. Giles, Thomas W. Straugh, and Martin R. Malesich. For more on the city election, please turn to page A-5. J.P. Plutt photo













Hannah considers health care reform effects on new hospital

By J.P. Plutt

Dillon Tribune staff

Health care reform is the hot topic of the month as politicians in some states are holding town hall meetings on the issue with their constituents and the conflict between sides has been the fodder of nightly news programs. The potential ramifications of any action worries all sides while there is agreement with one basic idea – something has to be done about the burgeoning costs of health care.

In Dillon, the conversation is not heated but meted out in carefully constructed thoughts. Barrett Hospital & HealthCare CEO Steve Hannah has a healthy respect for the issue and with every development in the story line, must consider the potential impact to the new hospital project.

“For critical access hospitals, it looks so far like we’ll be to the side of the direct impacts that are being considered, primarily on the health care delivery side of the reform,” said Hannah. “In other words, when we talk about readmission rates there are some things that could impact us indirectly with our tertiary referral partners, but we aren’t directly impacted, at least so far to my understanding, by these initiatives.”

Barrett Hospital enjoys a swing bed program with hospitals in Butte, Bozeman and Missoula, the tertiary hospitals. Hannah thinks that if a patient is referred to one of these tertiary hospitals and then comes back to Dillon for something like rehabilitation, there is the potential with some of the language in the debate that Barrett could see a financial impact. “But otherwise, we haven’t seen any direct initiatives that will impact a critical access-type hospital.”

Hannah is realistic that there could be possible future stumbling blocks as health care reform is implemented. “Our future is not 100 percent guaranteed to be the same as it is today, that’s for sure,” he explained. “I guess where we draw some comfort is that we’ve survived the last four years. When our old hospital was built, that was pre-DRG (a type of reimbursement payment system). That was a huge shift in how health care organizations were compensated and paid. So we’re confident that we can survive whatever changes may come in the next four years, but it is going to be the result of a lot of work. We don’t sit here and think nothing will change over the next four decades, certainly it will.”

One change Hannah is aware of that will impact Barrett Hospital down the road is an aging demographic. The numbers indicate that the population in the Dillon area aged over 55 is going to grow by 55 percent over the course of the next decade, indicating to Hannah that there will be a growing demand for health care services.

Hannah pointed out that the tort reform issue isn’t as big in Montana as in other parts of the country thanks in part to a state legislature that has imposed limits on the litigation side.

The CEO has been engaged on the health care reform issue on the political side at least since April when he and other rural hospital representatives traveled to Washington, D.C. “We met with (Montana Sen. Max) Baucus and his staff as well as (Rep. Denny) Rehberg and (Sen. Jon) Tester,” said Hannah. “We believe that there should be a bi-partisan approach but it is starting to lose support at the congressional level.”

In terms of direction, Hannah feels reform should focus on fixing the programs already in existence – Medicare, Medicaid, the V.A. and Indian Health Services – before another system is created.

“There are pros for creating that additional public plan, but I think there is a lot that can be done to improve the ones we already have,” Hannah stated. “Clearly there are some significant inefficiencies in the system. From the hospital’s perspective we have this very complex billing process that we have to go through and every program is different. We’d like to see more focus on reducing the administrative complexity for the different governmental programs and private insurance.”

Hannah thinks the complexity of billing procedures create problems for patients and institutions. At Barrett Hospital, the staff needs from an operational standpoint of deciphering the billing and collection process could be streamlined and a savings realized in a more simplified system.

Hannah feels one area neglected in the current discussions is that of access to care givers. “It doesn’t seem to have much feet in the broader area but we’re running out of primary care docs in this country,” explained Hannah. “There just aren’t enough of them. If we add folks to the pool of insured by creating these coverage-for-all solutions, we don’t have enough docs nation-wide to accept those patients.”

Hannah doesn’t see the problem as one Dillon needs to address, but in the overall scheme of a giant shift in health care coverage, the lack of primary care physicians seems to be a component that is not factored into the discussion.

Hannah feels insurance should cover pre-existing conditions, be portable and not tied to employment and on the other side feels there should be an emphasis on personal accountability in terms of lifestyle habits, diet and exercise.

“Here in Dillon we are so fortunate to have a solid, stable health care delivery system,” concluded the CEO. “We’re going to do our best to make sure that stays in place. Yes, we are nervous about health care reform and what impact it may have on our ability to reinvest in our infrastructure but our board ad management are confident that this is the right thing to do and if we wait there isn’t going to be a better time later.”




District #10 scrambles

to make ends meet

By J.P. Plutt

Dillon Tribune staff

School District #10, Dillon's elementary system, faced a tough financial outlook last spring when a Building Reserve Levy request of $2 million failed by a slim 15 votes. Building maintenance needs looked to create havoc with the budget for this school year. Some deft moves over the summer kept the district afloat but a Facilities Assessment Report by the independent firm CTA Architects Engineers gives a gloomy outlook.

"Bottom line, the facilities analysis says we can't continue down the same road we're going down because our buildings are falling further and further behind in maintenance and the price continues to escalate as that happens," said Superintendent Glen Johnson.

Coming out of the school election last spring, the district needed to address an order from the State Fire Marshal to either install a sprinkler system in the Mary Innes School or close the doors. The Mary Innes houses administration and kindergarten classes as well as rental space to Head Start.

The cost to the district to have Fire Central Sprinklers of Billings install the system to bring the building up to code came in at $82,000. The district received $78,000 in deferred maintenance monies from the AAR Fund – economic stimulus funds. The balance came out of the general fund.

The boiler at the Dillon Middle School needed to be replaced and once into the project, an asbestos problem was discovered. The project came in at $90,000. The district applied for and received a Quick Start Energy Grant of just over $72,000 through the Department of Commerce. Thus, rather than a $90,000 blow to the budget, the project cost the district $18,000.

A floor repair project at the Dillon Middle School gym that occurred when water pipes under the floor broke and then thawed was covered by an insurance payment.

As the district breathed a sigh of relief after making it through the summer covering projects that absolutely had to be acted upon before this school year began, the Facility Assessment Report came in. According to the report both the roof at Parkview Elementary and the Dillon Middle School need to replaced and insulation added at an estimated cost of $548,000 each, the Parkview heating plant is on its last legs, and the east wing of Parkview Elementary is suffering structural damage as a result of a settling problem because of unstable ground under that part of the building.

"Fortunately the grant went through, fortunately we got money from the state for deferred maintenance that we didn't know we'd get when we put the bond up, but these are one-time-only monies," said Johnson. "We were able to get these little projects done that had to be done, but we still have no money to fix the windows, fix the doors, bring the buildings up to ADA compliance, bring them up to code safety-wise.

"Because of the grants and things, things aren't as bleak as they seemed to be when the levy failed. I"d just like to reiterate that we made it through by the skin of our teeth, but still our buildings continue to need help and we need money to do that."

Credit to Johnson and the Board of Trustees, no programs were eliminated this year though some were scaled back for minimal savings.


Sports 08-26-09


















Tandem twirlers

A team roping duo attempts to drop the flag on a steer during Sunday action at the Wrangler Team Roping Championship. The two-day event featured 1,200 entries. Gary Oram photo


Wrangler team roping draws 1,200 entries, awards $80,000


By Gary Oram

Dillon Tribune sports

The South West Wrangler team roping championships got underway in Harry Andrus Arena, at the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds, Aug. 22, and spilled over into Aug. 23.

With about $80,000.00 worth of prizes and prestige on the line, ropers from all over North America competed against the elements to become known as the elite. Following Wrangler Team Roping Championships format #2, there were about 1,200 entrants in this function, which played host to eight different categories of roper.

Since the Andrus Arena is primarily a rodeo arena, and it’s not set up to for jackpot roping, function facilitators burnt up about five hours Friday afternoon closing it in with stock panels in order to make it more applicable to team roping standards. “This is a harder place to set up. But, it was alright, just a day’s work and we were ready to go,” said event leader Dennis Tryan.

Roping started both days at 10 a.m. and ended when all the scheduled ropers got their go at the rounds. With only 20 teams back in each short go, prizes included: 2 Trophy Cactus Saddles, 10 Trophy Breast Collars, 2 Team Equine Pads, 2 Trophy Sweatshirts, 2 Trophy Jackets, 2 Crooked Stirrups, 2 Rope Contacts, and 4 Montana Silversmith Buckles.

With the Dillon Jaycee Labor Day rodeo just two weekends away the WTRC wanted to come into Dillon before Montana’s Biggest Weekend, and chose Aug. 22-23 for many reasons. “A lot of the local cowboys wanted us to come here,” said Tryan, “and we finally did, and we’re glad we did. Everybody’s been good to work with, the city has been real receptive, you know it’s a cowboy town as far as Montana goes.”

The Dillon Jaycee PRCA rodeo is scheduled for Sept. 5 and 6. Rodeo action gets underway Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.


Results: #9– Average champions Tim Chadwick/Rod Lyman, 31.57 seconds, $594. #8 – Average champions Bridger Chambers/Grey Chadwick, 32.13 seconds, $758. #7 –Average champions, Tim Guest/John Vermedahl, 30.18 seconds, $1,128. SENIOR #6 – Average champions John Strub/Duane Shelhamer, 28.82 seconds, $793. #6 –Average champions John Strub/Levi Britton, 37.96 seconds, $1,013. #5 – Average champions –Cody Craig/Bob Griffith, 24.78 seconds, $2,001. #4/#3 INCENTIVE – Average champions Carson King/Race King, 23.42 seconds, $981. ALL GIRL – Average champions Rhonda Schuchard/Ronni Nace, 37.03 seconds, $536

Dawgs building towards opener with Montana Tech


By Gary Oram,

Dillon Tribune sports

The University of Montana Western Bulldog football squad held an unofficial scrimmage, Thursday, August 20, on the practice field behind Campus facilities.

“We had about 120 plays. We did some 8 play drives. We did some situational stuff: some 3d and 8, some 3d and 6, some 3d and 3, and 3d and 1. And, we did some Red Dawg,” commented head coach Rich Ferris.

At present it looks like Ferris will have Mike Moefu, at left tackle, Stetson Spooner, at left guard, Hone Roback, as center, Andrew Marcure, at right tackle, and Brandon Heine, at right guard. This is of course still un-official in itself, because coach Ferris also mentions other names he has been looking at.

Behind the line, Micah Mamiya is still Western’s no. 1 quarterback, even after a thumb injury on his throwing hand put him out of practice for a week or so. On offensive strategy Mamiya said, “I think we’re running a little bit more this season.”

Backing up Mamiya is Jeff Logan, a true Freshman from Graham Kapowsin High School in Washington. When asked if practicing without his starting quarterback was hurting the team, head coach Ferris stated, “I don’t know that Jeff he’s doing good. He’s got them things to learn.”

At nineteen, Logan is a Physical Education major with hopes of becoming a college football coach himself. “I got a lot of people on the team that are willing to help me out, pick me up, and they’re kind of leading the way,” said Logan when questioned whether stepping up to the college ranks and being thrown into the practice mix as the no. 2 man was bringing him down.



DFL signup opens


The Dillon Football League Kids: Flag Football opened for registration today. The league, for boys and girls ages preschool through eighth grade, will kickoff the 12th season when games begin Sept. 19.

Registration forms are available at Dillon schools and at the Dillon Tribune. The fee is $15 per player with a $30 family maximum and a discreet scholarship program. No players are turned away. A year ago over 360 players competed on 39 different teams in four separate divisions.

For more information call J.P. Plutt at the Dillon Tribune (683-2331).



UMW rodeo will make a mark


By Gary Oram,

Dillon Tribune sports


The University of Montana Western Rodeo Team spurs into action Sept. 5-6 in Cody, Wyo.

"I'm going to have a good team," commented rodeo coach Olie Else. "I've got a lot of young kids; I've got a lot of seasoned kids."

Like golf and equestrian at Montana Western, rodeo started with the first day of class. However, because of conflict the team held its first meeting on Tuesday, when team members and coaches got squared away on the details and the team’s practice schedule. Since Else has a large number of rodeo members, and most travel with coach and horse trailer, parking issues seem to plague them in the smaller arenas.

"We're spread at different arenas, it's just kind of whoever will put up with us all over town," Else said.

Coming back this year, for his fifth season, is Montana Western cowboy Taylor Narhgang. College regulations dictate that a student can only rodeo for four years. However, every year a student is elected to represent the Montana Big Sky Region on the National Collegiate Board. Each student that is chosen is awarded a fifth year, and Narhgang was this year’s elected representative. Unfortunately for UMW, Nahrgang will compete as an independent entry and his points won’t go toward Western’s team total.

Along with his election in the Big Sky Region, Taylor was also elected as President of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.



Willet sets record at Sleepy Hollow


Dillon’s Phil Willett set a new nine-hole course record at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course Aug. 20. Willett fired a round totaling 23 strokes breaking Jon Allen’s standing record of 24 on the par-28 layout. Willett’s scorecard inlcuded six birdies, two pars and one bogey.

Witnessing the record round were Clint Rouse, Tom Bramlette, Blake Huntley, Rick Nield, Max Nield, and Ken Smith.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Marriages 08-26-09

Jennifer Kay Heberling and Justin Lynn Fox were married on Aug. 7.

Nicole Sahara Clark and Kevin Dale Anderson were married on Aug. 8.

Chelsea K. Ehlers and Joel Timothy Rogers were married on Aug. 8.

Obituaries 8-26-09


Isabell “Tim” Doyle Lasich

1914-2009

Isabell (Tim) Doyle Lasich, 95, died Aug. 20, at Village Health Care in Missoula.

Tim was born in Dillon on July 1, 1914, to James and Josie Doyle of the Centennial Valley. She attended the Doyle School in the valley and graduated from high school in Dillon in 1932.

After attending Normal College and obtaining her two-year teaching certificate, Tim started her teaching career back at the Doyle School. She also taught at Armstead and Bozeman before her 30-year career in the Dillon Public Schools. Tim continued her education at UM Western, ultimately obtaining her BA and her MA.

Tim married Pete Lasich Oct. 10, 1943, in Warner Robins, Georgia. They had one daughter, Jo.

After her retirement in 1978, Tim and Pete traveled in the US and Europe. After Pete could no longer go, Tim and Jo continued to travel as long as Tim was able.

Tim moved to Missoula in 2002 to be near Jo.

Tim was preceded in death by her parents, James and Josie Doyle and her husband, Pete; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Nell and Sig Norheim and Marg and Joe Roe; her brother and sister-in-law, Mick and E

velyn Doyle; nephew, Dan Doyle; and all of Pete’s brothers, sisters and their spouses, George and Isabel Lasich, Jack and Ida Lasich, Rudy and Fay Lasich, Ann and Fred Kerr, Frank and Verl Lasich, Katherine Ogilvie, and Matt and Jessie Lasich.

She is survived by her daughter, Jo K. of Missoula, and nephews and nieces, Mike and Delores Doyle, Parker, Colorado; Bob and Marty Doyle, Corpus Christi, Texas; Margi Corey, Choteau, Montana; Peg Northeim, Green Valley, Arizona; Richard Norheim, Garland, Texas; Deanne Moore, Helena; Doug and Sharon Lasich, Twin Bridges; Marijane Wolffe, Bozeman; and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Memorials to Barrett Hospital Auxiliary, Beaverhead Museum, St. Rose of Lima window project or other charity of choice.

Funeral Mass was Saturday, at St. Rose of Lima Church. Reception following. Burial of ashes at a later date.






Robert William Ryan

1950-2009

Bob Ryan, 59, passed away on Aug. 14, 2009, at the Veterans’ Hospital in Denver, Colo., after a brief but intense battle with cancer. Bob was born Feb. 5, 1950 to Joseph and Edna Ryan in San Mateo, Calif.

The seventh of nine children, Bob went to school in San Bruno. In October of 1968 Bob entered the Army. He served our country in Vietnam until October of 1971 when he was honorably discharged. Bob relocated to Montana to enjoy the open space, fresh air, and the beautiful mountains.

Bob met Truenia Bingman in Belgrade on April 1, 1980; the two married Aug. 24, 1980. Bob and Truenia moved to Missoula where Bob attended a diesel mechanic school. While residing in Missoula, Bob and Truenia began their family. Melainya was born May 14, 1981. Bob transferred to Dillon for employment and Dillon became their home. Courtney was born April 18, 1982.

Bob worked for various ranchers throughout the area doing everything from feeding cows to fixing equipment. More than all else Bob loved the recreational aspects of Montana. Bob spent his summers hiking and camping; the winters consisted of ice fishing and sledding. Bob shared his knowledge and love of the outdoors with his family and great friends.

He was familiar with the mountain ranges and was a devoted fisherman of the high mountain lakes. He waited each summer for the wild raspberries to ripen. Bob found peace in the magnificence of nature. He taught his kids the true meaning of life and the importance of family. Bob was the foundation of his family; he was the one that could offer tranquility and reason when the burdens of life seemed overwhelming. Bob’s presence will be greatly missed.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Joe in 1996, his sister LaDonna in 2004, and his brother Richard in 2007. Bob is survived by his mother Edna, sisters Clarice, Lorna, Ellen, Lynda, Cathryne, and Julie. Bob is also survived by his wife Truenia, children Melainya and Courtney and daughter-in-law Copper. Bob has two grandchildren: Elizabeth and DiLan.

Bob touched the lives of many. For those of us that had the experience of truly knowing him, we will never forget him. His presence will continue in our lives and his love in our hearts.

There will be a celebration of life and barbecue for Bob on Sept. 12, 2009. All friends and family are encouraged to participate; it will be at the Hildreth Subdivision Park across from the Ryan’s residence.





Ruth May Widdowson Poston

1926-2009


Ruth May Widdowson Poston passed away on July 28, 2009, at Parkview Acres Care and Rehab in Dillon.

Ruth was born to Carl and Berntina Widdowson on April 16, 1926, in Kalispell, the oldest of four girls. She spent most of her life in the Flathead Valley attending grade school at the Egan School and graduating from the Flathead High School.

Upon graduating from high school, Ruth attended nursing school in Missoula. In 1946 she married Roger L. Poston, who was in the Marines at the time. Ruth and Roger spent most of their first two years of marriage in North Carolina where Roger was stationed in the Marines. During this time their children Ray and Patty were born.

After Roger's discharge from the service, they lived in Kalispell and Evergreen before building their home on part of the family farm in the Fairmont Egan area.

Ruth loved to sew and was always making something for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and always had beautiful flowers and a large garden. Ruth loved family and friends and was always there to lend a hand in the time of need. She spent several years helping out at the food bank.

After Roger’s retirement they enjoyed traveling and especially liked to rock hound around Montana and neighboring states, accumulating a large collection of rocks and fossils. Photography became a passion of hers, filling countless albums.

In October of 2004, Ruth moved to Dillon to be near her daughter Patty. Going for rides remained one of her favorite pastime up until the last few months.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and husband Roger in 2001. She is survived by her son Ray and wife Karen Poston of Elma Wash.; daughter Patty and husband Gary Mild of Lima; sisters Betty (Duane) Bitney, Carlene Peters and Marie Peters, all of Kalispell; grandchildren Amanda (Justin) Linson of Redmond, Ore.; Jeff (Michelle) Poston of Mcleary, Wash.; Sarah (Dave) Miller of Dillon; Lydia Mild of Dupuyer, and Luke Mild of Lima, as well as four great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who meant so much to her.

A graveside memorial for both Ruth and Roger will be held on Aug. 29, at the Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell at 3:00 in the afternoon. A luncheon will be held at Sandy & Larry Heuscher’s home following the service.

Memorials can be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church or the Food Bank.






Afton Larsen Whitworth

1911-2009


Afton Larsen Whitworth “Grammy” passed away Aug. 19 at Barrett Hospital in Dillon after a short battle with cancer. She was born April 1, 1911, in Rexburg, Idaho, to George Roscoe and Kate Sanders Larsen. She was the fourth of five children. Afton spent her school-age years in Rexburg and, while in high school, met and married George Lewis Whitworth.

Afton and Lewis were married Dec. 26, 1929, and then sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 24, 1975. They homesteaded in the Upper Sheep Creek Valley where they ranched for seven years until they moved to the family ranch north of Dillon. Here they spent ten years while raising two daughters, Kay Wolf of Meridian, Idaho, and Karolyn Whitworth of Melrose. After years of ranching, Afton and Lewis moved to town where the girls finished high school.

In the following years, Afton worked in the Dillon area as a bookkeeper for several businesses. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where she served in several capacities. She was also a member of Soroptomists International and a member of the Barrett Hospital Auxiliary, serving as a greeter at the information desk.

Her partner of 65 years, Lewis, passed away in 1994. She then completed her lifelong dream of serving a mission at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 89. She returned to Dillon until 2004, at which time she moved to Meridian, Idaho, to be closer to her daughter Kay.

She lived independently for the remainder of her life. She spent summers with her other daughter Karolyn and granddaughter Shelli in Montana, where she was at the time of her death. She traveled often to be with all of her family where she always made friends and thoroughly enjoyed life.

She loved crocheting, knitting, fishing, reading, playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, and enjoying nature. Her biggest love was enjoying time spent with family. Grammy will be greatly missed by all of her family and everyone who knew her. She was a kind and gentle person who lived life to the fullest right up to the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her husband Lewis, granddaughter Afton Lee, and a great grandson Levi.

Grammy is survived by her legacy of her daughters Kay (Bob) Wolf and Karolyn Whitworth; grandchildren Dave (Janet) Wolf, Cheri (Kevin) Blomquist, Shelli (David) Schuett, Dale (Janice) Wolf, Eric (Kim) Wolf, Larry Scofield, Lance Scofield, and Lynn Scofield; 22 great-grandchildren; and 11 ½ great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral was Saturday, Aug. 22 at the LDS church of Dillon at 93 Highway 91 South. A viewing occurred at 9 a.m. followed by the services.

She was subsequently laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in a casket handcrafted by her grandson, Lance Scofield.

A guestbook is available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.