THE LOCAL NEWS OF THE MADISON VALLEY, RUBY VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS Montana’s Oldest Publishing Weekly Newspaper. Established 1873 75¢ | Volume 143, Issue 21 www.madisoniannews.com March 19, 2015 WRZESINSKI HIRED AS NEW ENNIS SUPERINTENDENT Ennis School Board hires in-house for the open position Abigail Dennis “We looked nationwide. options before making a deci- stay on for some crossover.” I can assure you it’s not a moved to adopt the plan of The Madisonian We looked in Montana,” sion. First, the board offered Before entertaining a short term arrangement.” hiring Wrzesinski as superin- [email protected] current Superintendent John Overstreet the position, but formal motion to hire Wrzes- Trustee Craig George tendent and retaining Over- Overstreet said. “We held Overstreet was hired out of inski, Scully asked him emphasized that Overstreet’s street as a working retiree for Following a nationwide three interviews. The last two retirement three years ago to “affirm” his interest in involvement will be a “tool” July, August and September. job hunt, many applicants interviews were really good and would have to go out of the position and “willing- because he has experience Trustee Maria Lake sec- and three interviews, the … We decided it’s better to retirement or make the position ness” to take on the task. with setting budgets, which onded the motion and the Ennis School Board moved go with a known quantity part time to continue, by law. “My intentions are to be happens in August. Overstreet entire school board – Scully, to hire current high school than an unknown quantity.” “(Overstreet) did agree here as long as you’ll have will also be around to work Lake, George, Laurence and principal Jon Wrzesin- Board chair John Scully to act as a working retiree,” me,” Wrzesinski said. “The during July, when Wrzesinski Bill Clark – voted in favor. ski as the school superinten- said the entire board met in an Scully said. “For July, Au- community here is great. We has a few days off for travel. dent, starting July 2015. executive session to discuss gust and September, he will have an excellent staff here. Trustee Jaret Laurence Turn to ENNIS SUPER on pg. 2 PROPOSED TRAIL CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY WEST OF NORRIS The community-driven proposal outlines a hiking, running and biking trail in the Revenue Flats area Abigail Dennis biking, running and hik- The Madisonian ing – could be constructed as [email protected] early as this fall, or sometime in the spring of 2016, accord- The Bureau of Land Man- ing to the BLM release. agement is currently seeking “The goal is to have most of public comment regarding a the trail construction, lay out proposal to build a 19-mile and design completed by volun- trail in west of Norris. teer groups,” the release states. According to a BLM Carl Kautz, BLM park press release, the proposal ranger, said the planning is is “community-driven” and just in its beginning stages. is for the southern portion “This is an idea pushed by of the Revenue Flats area. the public,” Kautz said. “There “I think it’s a good idea are local folks who are in favor for two reasons,” said Greg of recreation so long as it’s Beardslee from Bozeman, who not detrimental to wildlife.” approached BLM land manag- Scott Kelley is a Virginia ers with the idea for a trail and City resident, Ennis business coordinated the proposal. “This owner and enjoys mountain project can help fulfill a need biking. He said people have for shoulder season trails. It been talking about a trail in the will also lure folks to visit and Revenue Flats area for years. enjoy the unique scenery of “I think it’s great on numer- Revenue Flats. I guess a third ous fronts,” Kelley said. “From a reason could be a broadening capitalist perspective, anything of community resources.” that gets people in the valley is a Susanne Hill/The Madisonian The construction in and around Sheridan is back in gear after the Montana Department of Transportation took a break for the winter season. If approved, the trail – which good thing. The (Revenue Flats) When complete, the project will repave Sheridan’s Main Street – Montana Highway 287 – and add new sidewalks, curbs and gutters. would be used for mountain Turn to TRAIL on pg. 2 Check The Madisonian weekly for construction updates and information about the project timeline. ELECTION TIME TREE TAKES OUT POWER IN ENNIS County school boards prepare to elect trustees, Due to high winds, a tree in downtown Ennis fell on a power pole consider mill levies Abigail Dennis directly on a power pole, leav- fires,” Christensen said. “The for long because Northwestern The Madisonian ing the town without electric- fires were pretty much sup- Energy was able to quickly switch [email protected] ity, according to Madison pressed by bystanders. Then the power over for the town. Abigail Dennis Ginger Martello, only one Valley Rural Fire Department law enforcement showed up Christensen said once the The Madisonian person has applied, but some- On Saturday, March 14 chief Shawn Christensen. and set up a perimeter.” MVRFD sawed the log and got [email protected] one else has picked up a peti- at approximately 2:30 p.m., a “It severed the power Daniel Dedman, who works the scene cleaned up, Northwest- tion. Martello said the board rotten cottonwood on Ballard lines and energized a chain for the Ennis public works depart- ern Energy went to work and had The deadline to file a petition has not yet made a decision Lane in downtown Ennis fell link fence and started a few ment, said the power was not out the line restored before midnight. to run for vacant school board about a possible mill levy. seats is March 26 at 4 p.m. Those applying must be a registered Harrison voter living within district Harrison school clerk Judi boundaries. Some area schools Ward said the three-person are also turning to the voters will board has one vacancy. ballot issues like mill levies. “Two people picked up Here is a breakdown petitions but have not returned for county schools: them as of yet,” Ward said. “We may be running a mill Alder levy for a building reserve but Only one trustee position there are no details as of yet.” is up for re election in Alder – Abigail Dennis/ Kaycee Gilman. According to Sheridan The Madisonian school clerk Kathleen Wuelfing, In Sheridan, there are three Due to high Gilman plans to run again and seats open but no one has applied winds, a tree in to her knowledge, no one else yet, according to school clerk downtown Ennis has picked up a petition to run. Rebecca Larson. The Sheridan fell on a power “The board has not School Board also approved a pole and briefly made their decision yet on mill levy up to $26,707.58, but left the town without power whether we are doing a that number is not set in stone on March 14. levy,” Wuelfing added. because the school budget is not yet final, Larsen said. Ennis “The money will be used to In Ennis, there are two sustain our current high school trustee positions up for elec- tion. According to school clerk Turn to ELECTION on pg. 2 Banking YOUR Way - When YOU Want it TABLE OF CONTENTS Local News-----------------A3 Columns-------------------B3 BillPay @ www.rubyvalleybank.com Obits-----------------A4 & A5 Comics/Games----------- B4 Classifieds/ WebStatements Member Lifestyle---------------------B1 Public Notices---------B5-B6 FDIC Visa® Check Card Health & Wellness -------B2 Calendar------------------B10 P.O. Box 417 • Twin Bridges, MT P.O. Box 587 • Sheridan, MT 24 Hour Better Banking @ 888-842-5121 59754 59749 Visit us online at (406) 684-5678 (406) 842-5411 www.madisoniannews.com A2 Thursday, March 19, 2015 ENNIS SUPER from pg. 1 “This has become even and passion of the people that ing with people. (Wrzesinski) more apparent after spending are currently here, as well as has excellent people skills Conforming Mortgage Fixed Rates Before formally hiring Overstreet as a working retiree, 10 months here and getting to some of their predecessors, and and is a good listener.” 30 Years - .000% Points Scully clarified that the funds know the school staff, students it will be my charge to keep it and community members,” continuing down that path.” Up next 3.750% Rate 3.846% APR to retain his services – $4,000 per month for three months he told The Madisonian. “I’m Overstreet said he be- Before moving on from 15 Years - .000% Points – will be taken from differ- sure there will be a learn- lieves Wrzesinski’s move the subject, Lake moved to ing curve with certain issues is an “excellent” plan. advertise and begin the search 2.990% Rate 3.158% APR ent funds than the budget that pays for staff and personnel. that will present themselves “In one year as high school for a high school principal to throughout the course of the principal, (Wrzesinski) has replace Wrzesinski. Laurence Rates subject to change without notice, APR calculation is based on a $200,000.00 loan amount with a 1% Wrzesinski was hired as loan origination fee, $295.00 document processing fee, Mers fee $11.95, $15.00 flood determination fee, $4.00 position, but that is expected. gained the respect and con- seconded the motion and all transcript fee, 15 days of prepaid interest and *discount point fee as stated above. the high school principal last year. He said he knew the En- The point that needs to be fidence of students, staff and the trustees voted in favor.