t he l i v i n g s t o n ENTERPRISEFriday, January 10, 2020 s,IVINGSTON -ONTANAs6OL113 .O16 $1.00 US dismisses Iraq request on plan for troop withdrawal BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s caretaker prime minister asked Washington to work out a road map for an American troop withdrawal, but the U.S. State Depart- ment on Friday bluntly rejected the request, saying the two sides should instead talk about how to “recommit” to their partnership. Thousands of anti-government protest- ers turned out in the capital and southern Iraq, many calling on both Iran and America to leave Iraq, reflecting their ■ See related stories: Page 6 anger and frustration over the two rivals — both allies of Baghdad — trading blows on Iraqi soil. The request from Prime Minister Adel A local group is focusing on attracting more visitors to Livingston’s downtown. Abdul-Mahdi pointed to his determination to push ahead with demands for U.S. troops to leave Iraq, stoked by the Ameri- can drone strike on Jan. 3 that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. In a phone call Thursday night, he told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that DOWNTOWN STRATEGY recent U.S. actions were unacceptable breaches of Iraqi sovereignty and a viola- tion of their security agreements, his office said. Downtown businesses present economic enhancement project He asked Pompeo to “send delegates to Iraq to prepare a mechanism” to carry out the Iraqi Parliament’s resolution on Those goals can be broken down By Sam Klomhaus withdrawing foreign troops, according to into three categories, Turner said: Enterprise Staff Writer the statement. infrastructure, municipality and tour- “The prime minister said American he Livingston Downtown Build- ism. forces had entered Iraq and drones are ing Owners and Business Asso- Parking was a particular area of flying in its airspace without permission ciation has developed its strate- concern in the plan. Turner said the from Iraqi authorities, and this was a vio- gic plan for 2019-2020, part of LDBOBA would like to be part of T lation of the bilateral agreements,” the the Livingston Economic Enhance- efforts to mitigate future parking statement added. ment Project. issues. Abdul-Mahdi signaled he was standing Andy Turner, vice president of the “As downtown business activity by the push for U.S. forces to leave LDBOBA and branch manager of increases and people decide to reside despite signs of de-escalation by Tehran American Bank Montana’s Livingston in the downtown area, parking and Washington after Iran retaliated for Branch, presented the plan to the Liv- becomes more of an issue, putting Soleimani’s death by firing missiles that ingston City Commission Tuesday. pressure on existing parking lots and hit two Iraqi bases where American The plan contains 12 objectives: nearby residential areas,” Turner troops are based but caused no casual- promote the completion of Second said. ties. Street with new lighting, sidewalks, Turner said Livingston should look Iraqis feel furious and helpless at being water/sewer facilities, flower baskets, to what Kalispell has done as a model caught in the middle of the fighting. and sidewalk amenities; implement for utilizing the shops in and around studies regarding two-way street the depot area for economic develop- parking, analysis of existing parking, ment. See Withdrawal, Page 6 apartment parking downtown and The city is in the process of updat- bike paths; work to implement a ing its growth policy, and Turner com- growth policy; establish highway mended the city for opening that pro- signs encouraging people traveling cess to the community. west on Interstate 90 to turn off at Promoting tourism involves Exit 337; create “wayfinding” signage increasing signage around Livingston starting at Exit 337; book tour buses on I-90 and the entrances to Livings- into downtown Livingston; promote ton, as well as promoting Yellowstone winter ski season for downtown Liv- National Park and local ski areas, ingston; continue Yellowstone Park according to the plan, as well as con- Bus Historic District Tours; promote tinuing Yellowstone Park Bus Histor- the return of rail passenger service to ic District Tours. Two of the board the Livingston Depot; put the shops members, Luther and Platek, are back to work; create “Welcome to Liv- affiliated with Yellowstone Bus Tours, ingston” signs; and lobby to have according to the plan. “economic health” included in Liv- After the presentation, City Com- ingston City Strategic Plan. mission Chairwoman Dorel Hoglund The LDBOBA board is made up of asked Turner how the LDBOBA AP photo Turner, Patricia Grabow (president), comes up with their objectives. Anti-government Iraqi protesters chant Jack Luther (treasurer), Don Platek, The LDBOBA meets monthly to dis- anti-Iran and anti-U.S. slogans while Lauren Silano, Rick Pittendorfer, cuss topics they feel will lead to they carry a poster that reads in Arabic Richard Smith, Jordan Rose, Theresa improvement in the Livingston area “this parliament does not represent us,” Soule and the Livingston Area Cham- and better promotion of the area, Walking Park Street following a lunch downtown are, from during the ongoing protests in Tahrir ber of Commerce Turner said. left, Christina and Scott Stolzenburg and Andy Stellpflug. square, Baghdad, Iraq, Friday. Park High School to host first-ever Speech, Drama, Debate tourney By Sam Klomhaus P a r k H i g h , a s M e l i n and Nate Howard rehearsed lines for her Enterprise Staff Writers humorous oral interpretation act. Melin read lines from The Park High School the “Junie B. Jones” book Speech, Drama and Debate series, which she credited Team will host its first-ever with helping her to read as a tournament Jan. 18. young child. The all-day tournament “Everyone is doing the will feature solo dramatic same ridiculous thing,” acts, persuasive speeches, Melin said of her humorous analysis of historical speech- of her teammates and co- es, impromptu works, and coaches, Ramm and Addie debates about current events Pittman. and policies, coach Keaton The family is growing, Ramm said in an email. from 11 students last year to Ramm, a math teacher at 17 this year, Ramm said. Park High School, said 19 “We are extremely excited schools from around Mon- to be able to support the con- tana will be in attendance. tinued strength of these pro- O n T h u r s d a y, R a m m grams around the state,” helped coach Summer Melin, Ramm said. a 15-year-old sophomore at Melin and her 16 team- interpretation, which focus- mates participate in the es on her character as a kin- sport sanctioned through dergarten student at recess. the Montana High School Ramm watched Melin’s Association for no school rehearsal several times, credits, simply because they advising Melin on her inter- want to. pretation of the book in her “It helps me get out of my Enterprise photos by Nate Howard tone, facial inflection and Park High School Speech and Drama coach Keaton Ramm takes notes on a rehearsal given breathing. by sophomore Summer Melin, Thursday in her classroom. At right, Summer Melin, 15, “We’re family,” said Melin See Tournament Page 3 rehearses her humourous oral interpretation act. Page 2, Livingston Enterprise Friday, January 10, 2020 OBITUARIES " BRIEFS ! s Sacajawea Audubon s Beaver Creek Communi- Area District will hold its speak on “Montana Women Lawrence (Larry) B. Link Society is hosting a special ty Hall will hold a potluck regular monthly meeting at — Making Due and Making screening of “Epic Yellow- lunch at 1 p.m. on Sunday, 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at a Difference.” AAUW wel- Larry passed away surrounded by stone: Life On The Wing” at Jan. 12 at 651 Swingley Rd. the Gardiner Visitor Center. comes current members and loved ones at Barrett Hospital in Dil- 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 The public is invited to The public is welcome to the public. For more infor- lon, Montana, on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. in the Dulcie Theatre at the attend. attend. For more informa- mation, contact Lisa Har- He was born in Los Angeles, Califor- Shane Lalani Center for the tion, visit www.gardinerre- reld at (651) 270-4168. nia on April 1, 1933 and moved back to Arts. “Life On The Wing” is s The trustees for Park sorttax.com. Montana with his parents when he part of a four-part documen- County Rural Fire District s Friends of the Library was two. Growing up with Yellowstone tary series on Yellowstone #1 will hold a regular sThe Park County branch will hold its annual meeting Park in his backyard, Larry learned to National Park, filmed over a monthly meeting on Mon- of the American Association at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 appreciate the natural beauty of Mon- 3-year period by Bozeman- day, Jan. 13. A complete o f U n i v e r s i t y Wo m e n at the Livingston-Park tana and loved hunting, hiking, camp- baed Grizzly Creek Films. agenda will be available (AAUW) will hold its month- County Public Library. Dur- ing, and fishing. He attended elemen- The screening will be fol- Thursday, Jan. 9. The meet- ly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on ing the meeting, officers tary school in Gardiner and graduated lowed by a question and ing and the agenda will be at Wednesday, Jan. 15 at the will be elected for the com- from Park County High School in Liv- answer session with some of 304 E. Park St. in Livings- Mint Bar and Grill. Guest ing year.