"Mont. lawmaker plans to finish term amid charges
HELENA, Mont. — State Sen. Greg Barkus said Thursday he plans to finish his Senate term if possible, even as he fights felony charges in a high-profile boat crash that injured Congressman Denny Rehberg and three other passengers.
Flathead County prosecutors filed charges Wednesday of criminal endangerment and two counts of negligent vehicular assault against Barkus, a Republican. Each charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors allege Barkus’ blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit after the Aug. 27 crash that injured Rehberg, a Republican, two staffers and Barkus’ wife.
Barkus, through his attorney, has denied the claim that he was that drunk and said witnesses will testify he was not impaired.
Barkus suffered severe injuries himself, including a broken pelvis and ribs.
Still, he attended an interim committee assignment by teleconference just last week.
Barkus, whose second Senate term representing the Kalispell district expires at the end of next year, can’t run again due to term limits. He was first elected in 2003, and is currently the majority whip.
“I plan to finish my term if possible,” he told The Associated Press in an e-mail.
State law automatically forces out sitting lawmakers if they are convicted of a felony.
The 62-year-old, who has been a senior vice president and financial consultant at D.A. Davidson & Co., serves on the legislative interim audit committee and is one of two legislative liaisons to the Montana Board of Investments.
Senate President Bob Story has said the GOP caucus has no plans to meet again until before the start of the next regular session in January 2011, meaning Barkus remains in his leadership position.
The Park City Republican said Barkus’ tenure is an “issue between him and his constituents.”
Barkus made an initial appearance in Justice Court on Wednesday afternoon, and was released on his own recognizance under conditions, including that he not drink alcohol. Barkus is to be arraigned before District Judge Nels Swandal of Livingston. A date has not been set."
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http://blog.taragana.com/n/mont-state-senator-plans-to-finish-term-amid-charges-in-boat-crash-that-injured-congressman-191025/
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Montana Rep Race gets Interesting with Two New Entrants!
"Could it be Gopher vs. Otjen for Congress?
by JC
This last week has seen two newcomers to Montana politics throw their hats into the ring to unseat republican congressman Denny Rehberg.
First up, Melinda Gopher–daughter of Robert Gopher, a long time native activist, cultural leader, and petitioner of the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention for “the need to provide for state support of the cultural survival of Montana’s Tribal peoples.” The Gopher family’s unique experience living and growing up on the northwest side of Great Falls on Hill 57 helped them to lead the way on Montana’s Constitutional “cultural integrity clause.”
The result was Article X Section 1. (2) The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.
I find some personal satisfaction in Gopher’s announcement, having grown up in the same Hill 57 neighborhood, knowing that the Gopher family persevered through all of the adversity that came their way.
While I’m a few years older than Melinda Gopher, I knew the family, and went to school with some of her siblings, watching many of the obstacles that were thrown their way. Some of those obstacles I likely contributed to during my misguided youth on GF’s northwest side, though I have come to a different understanding of native culture, and the residents of Hill 57 since then, and offer my amends as often as possible.
Melinda will officially announce her candidacy today at 3pm at the Family Life Building in Montana Expo Park in Great Falls. In her announcement, Gopher had this to say:
Gopher’s news release said she is a descendant of the Rocky Boy’s Band of Ojibwe and a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She is a lifelong civil, treaty and political rights activist who works as a paralegal, feature writer and screenplay writer.
by JC
This last week has seen two newcomers to Montana politics throw their hats into the ring to unseat republican congressman Denny Rehberg.
First up, Melinda Gopher–daughter of Robert Gopher, a long time native activist, cultural leader, and petitioner of the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention for “the need to provide for state support of the cultural survival of Montana’s Tribal peoples.” The Gopher family’s unique experience living and growing up on the northwest side of Great Falls on Hill 57 helped them to lead the way on Montana’s Constitutional “cultural integrity clause.”
The result was Article X Section 1. (2) The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.
I find some personal satisfaction in Gopher’s announcement, having grown up in the same Hill 57 neighborhood, knowing that the Gopher family persevered through all of the adversity that came their way.
While I’m a few years older than Melinda Gopher, I knew the family, and went to school with some of her siblings, watching many of the obstacles that were thrown their way. Some of those obstacles I likely contributed to during my misguided youth on GF’s northwest side, though I have come to a different understanding of native culture, and the residents of Hill 57 since then, and offer my amends as often as possible.
Melinda will officially announce her candidacy today at 3pm at the Family Life Building in Montana Expo Park in Great Falls. In her announcement, Gopher had this to say:
Gopher’s news release said she is a descendant of the Rocky Boy’s Band of Ojibwe and a member of the Blackfeet Tribe. She is a lifelong civil, treaty and political rights activist who works as a paralegal, feature writer and screenplay writer.
Melinda Gopher said she helped initiate fair housing in Montana in the late 1980s and early 1990s and worked alongside her late father, Robert Gopher, to fight for “environmental justice.” She is trying to restore the Chippewa nations’ sovereign status.
Calling for building coalitions at every level, Gopher said she will work to draw independent and Republican voters.
“My heart is in both parties; the Chippewa people have a direct historic connection to Republican Frank Linderman. He is to Montana what President Lincoln was to the nation.”
She said the Rocky Boy’s Reservation wouldn’t exist without Linderman’s efforts.
“Now we need a fresh set of eyes to tackle the many issues we face,” Gopher said. “I will work to reach across the aisle and mediate to find common ground. I would consider it an honor to represent Montanans of every political stripe.”
Blogging for the liberal Huffington Post on health care, Gopher blasted Democratic Sen. Max Baucus for his “callous disregard” for Indian constituents by opposing a public option – a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
“In all the battles we have fought as a family, I have never been involved in such a tough fight as to keep the public option in health care reform,” Gopher said.
I look forward to seeing and hearing much more from Melinda as the primary season heats up. Welcome to the race! While I haven’t found an official campaign website yet, check out her Facebook campaign page. Or do a little Googling.
Next up is A.J. Otjen, who dropped by earlier today at 4&20 to leave a comment inviting people to her new campaign website, otjenforcongress.com. I don’t know anything about A.J other than what she has posted at her website, but it is good to see another republican come out to challenge Denny.
A.J. seems to represent a spirit of new republicanism, in that she isn’t afraid to buck the party line and deliver some well deserved criticism where she sees fit:
In 2004, I was very unhappy as I thought the Bush Doctrine was the opposite for which our country stood. I wanted America to get out of Iraq and I thought George Bush and Dick Cheney were very bad for the country and the Republican Party. I thought that John Kerry combined with a Republican Congress would be adequate government for four years. If Bush lost, we could have begun to rebuild the Republican Party in 2004. I voted for John Kerry.
In 2008, I liked Obama early because he spoke like Ronald Reagan and he is a centrist. John McCain made up my mind when he picked Governor Palin as his running mate. I think she is what is wrong with the party today. Our current base of the party is about fearand ignorance.
For example, there is a big difference between socialism and fascism. In fact, they are basically opposites.
We don’t need graduate degrees to know this. We can now look it up on Wikipedia. We can end the fear by being informed. The McCain/Palin ticket was not informed of the issues important to our future. The future Republicans must be. I am running for Congress to help the party be a part of this time of transformation.
Judging from what I’ve seen of the other two contenders in the Democratic primary, and from incumbent Rehberg, the entry of Gopher and Otjen into the primaries provides an opportunity to inject some new views on issues from individuals who haven’t bought into the current political climate of polarization and ideology."
Source:
http://4and20blackbirds.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/montana-rep-race-gets-interesting-with-two-new-entrants/
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Friday, October 9, 2009
What is a Grand Jury?
A grand jury is a group of people that are selected and sworn in by a court, just like jurors that are chosen to serve on a trial jury (such as the jury in the O.J. Simpson criminal case or in the Louise Woodward ("au pair") murder case). In fact, the grand jurors are usually chosen from the same pool of people that provide trial jurors: A judge selects and swears in a grand jury, just like judges select and swear in trial juries. But grand juries differ from trial juries in several ways.
For one thing, grand juries may sit for longer. In the federal system, a grand jury can sit for up to 36 months, although it doesn't have to sit that long. The court that swears in a new grand jury can extend its term in 6-month increments, for a total of 36 months, but a federal grand jury may only sit for 18 months or so. State grand juries sit for varying terms: Depending on the state, a particular grand jury may sit for a month, six months, or even a year.
Unlike trial jurors, though, grand jurors don't convene every day. By the summer of 1998, for example, the D.C. grand jury that Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr was using to investigate the alleged relationship between President Clinton and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was sitting two days a week. And even that is unusual; many federal grand juries sit only one day a week, and some may only sit twice a month. State practice varies, but a state grand jury might sit twice a month, or even only once a month. Sometimes, the grand jury doesn't convene unless a prosecutor asks it to, because the prosecutor has cases he or she wants the grand jury to hear.
Unlike trial juries, grand juries don't decide if someone is guilty of criminal charges that have been brought against them. Grand juries listen to evidence and decide if someone SHOULD be charged with a crime.
In the O.J. Simpson case, the prosecutors were going to ask a grand jury to charge Simpson with murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, but the defense attorneys persuaded the court that the grand jurors had heard too much about the case to be able to make an impartial decision.
That is, the defense attorneys filed a motion saying the grand jurors were too prejudiced by what they had seen on television and read in the papers to be able to review the evidence against Mr. Simpson impartially, the way a trial juror should. The judge agreed with the defense attorneys, which is very unusual. Normally, defense attorneys fail when they try to claim that a grand jury is biased. Courts reject these claims on the theory that all the grand jury does is bring charges, so even if a grand jury is biased, the person they charge can still prove their innocence at trial.
But a California judge bought the defense's argument in the case of O.J. Simpson (perhaps because of the extraordinary publicity surrounding Mr. Simpson) and, instead of trying to start over with a new grand jury, the prosecutors used another method to charge Simpson with the murders.
Source
http://campus.udayton.edu/~grandjur/faq/faq1.htm
o
More Grand Jury Links
http://americangrandjury.org/
Informative
o
http://www.crfc.org/americanjury/grand.html
Very Good Resource
p
http://www.uscourts.gov/jury/grandjury.html
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For one thing, grand juries may sit for longer. In the federal system, a grand jury can sit for up to 36 months, although it doesn't have to sit that long. The court that swears in a new grand jury can extend its term in 6-month increments, for a total of 36 months, but a federal grand jury may only sit for 18 months or so. State grand juries sit for varying terms: Depending on the state, a particular grand jury may sit for a month, six months, or even a year.
Unlike trial jurors, though, grand jurors don't convene every day. By the summer of 1998, for example, the D.C. grand jury that Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr was using to investigate the alleged relationship between President Clinton and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was sitting two days a week. And even that is unusual; many federal grand juries sit only one day a week, and some may only sit twice a month. State practice varies, but a state grand jury might sit twice a month, or even only once a month. Sometimes, the grand jury doesn't convene unless a prosecutor asks it to, because the prosecutor has cases he or she wants the grand jury to hear.
Unlike trial juries, grand juries don't decide if someone is guilty of criminal charges that have been brought against them. Grand juries listen to evidence and decide if someone SHOULD be charged with a crime.
In the O.J. Simpson case, the prosecutors were going to ask a grand jury to charge Simpson with murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, but the defense attorneys persuaded the court that the grand jurors had heard too much about the case to be able to make an impartial decision.
That is, the defense attorneys filed a motion saying the grand jurors were too prejudiced by what they had seen on television and read in the papers to be able to review the evidence against Mr. Simpson impartially, the way a trial juror should. The judge agreed with the defense attorneys, which is very unusual. Normally, defense attorneys fail when they try to claim that a grand jury is biased. Courts reject these claims on the theory that all the grand jury does is bring charges, so even if a grand jury is biased, the person they charge can still prove their innocence at trial.
But a California judge bought the defense's argument in the case of O.J. Simpson (perhaps because of the extraordinary publicity surrounding Mr. Simpson) and, instead of trying to start over with a new grand jury, the prosecutors used another method to charge Simpson with the murders.
Source
http://campus.udayton.edu/~grandjur/faq/faq1.htm
o
More Grand Jury Links
http://americangrandjury.org/
Informative
o
http://www.crfc.org/americanjury/grand.html
Very Good Resource
p
http://www.uscourts.gov/jury/grandjury.html
k
What is Really Going on with Hardin Montana, and Your Rights as a Montanan?
Letter to the Sheriff of Big Horn County, MT, regarding the APF presence in Hardin, Montana
September 30, 2009
Willow Creek, Montana
Sheriff Big Hair, Big Horn County, Montana
Pertaining to current events in Hardin, Montana, County of Big Horn, I would like to introduce myself and the organization which I represent in the state of Montana. Thank you for reading.
My name is Elias Alias and I am a resident of Gallatin County, Montana. I am an honorably-discharged U.S. Marine and veteran of the Vietnam War.
I write this to you as the Montana director for a national organization known as Oath Keepers. http://www.oathkeepers.org On our website you will read – “Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters who will fulfill the Oath we swore, with the support of like minded citizens who take an Oath to stand with us, to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.”
I am writing to address two alleged crimes in your jurisdiction and invite you to consider carefully your obligations under the law.
As a Montanan and as an Oath Keeper, it has come to my attention that some persons presently positioned in Hardin, Montana, which is in your lawful jurisdiction as County Sheriff, have posed publicly and illegally as police officers.
I am certain that a brief re-examination of codes will verify my assertion that it is a violation of City, County, and State law to impersonate a police officer.
As the highest law enforcement authority in your County, by U.S. Constitutional mandate, your duty as County Sheriff includes the arrest of and detention of criminals who violate the law in your jurisdiction. As a duly-elected Sheriff, you swore an oath to the U.S. Constitution and to the Montana Constitution.
The criminals who are presently impersonating police officers are blatantly visible, and have been documented by various state and national news sources, including the following at KULR channel 8 in Billings, Montana –
http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/61320122.html?corder=reverse
That is “on-the-record” evidence of the commission of a crime. I submit that it is your duty to investigate this matter and render legal justice.
Additionally, I am reminded by Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports
Association http://www.mtssa.org/ of the following:
In the Montana Constitution you shall read: Article II, Section 33. “Importation of armed persons. No armed person or persons or armed body of men shall be brought into this state for the preservation of the peace, or the suppression of domestic violence, except upon the application of the legislature, or of the governor when the legislature cannot be convened.”
The presence of a mysterious company, its personnel and physical assets, in Hardin, Montana, may be a corporate-sponsored violation of Article II, Section 33 of the Montana Constitution. Therefore I am requesting that you act in your authority as County Sheriff to investigate the American Police Force company which is presently functioning in the city of Hardin, Montana. Grounds for suspicion and some credible tips from the media and citizenry are worthy of gravity in your consideration of your duties as Sheriff of Bighorn County.Examples –
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http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2009/10/02/letter-to-the-sheriff-of-big-horn-county-mt-regarding-the-apf-presence-in-hardin-montana/
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September 30, 2009
Willow Creek, Montana
Sheriff Big Hair, Big Horn County, Montana
Pertaining to current events in Hardin, Montana, County of Big Horn, I would like to introduce myself and the organization which I represent in the state of Montana. Thank you for reading.
My name is Elias Alias and I am a resident of Gallatin County, Montana. I am an honorably-discharged U.S. Marine and veteran of the Vietnam War.
I write this to you as the Montana director for a national organization known as Oath Keepers. http://www.oathkeepers.org On our website you will read – “Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters who will fulfill the Oath we swore, with the support of like minded citizens who take an Oath to stand with us, to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.”
I am writing to address two alleged crimes in your jurisdiction and invite you to consider carefully your obligations under the law.
As a Montanan and as an Oath Keeper, it has come to my attention that some persons presently positioned in Hardin, Montana, which is in your lawful jurisdiction as County Sheriff, have posed publicly and illegally as police officers.
I am certain that a brief re-examination of codes will verify my assertion that it is a violation of City, County, and State law to impersonate a police officer.
As the highest law enforcement authority in your County, by U.S. Constitutional mandate, your duty as County Sheriff includes the arrest of and detention of criminals who violate the law in your jurisdiction. As a duly-elected Sheriff, you swore an oath to the U.S. Constitution and to the Montana Constitution.
The criminals who are presently impersonating police officers are blatantly visible, and have been documented by various state and national news sources, including the following at KULR channel 8 in Billings, Montana –
http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/61320122.html?corder=reverse
That is “on-the-record” evidence of the commission of a crime. I submit that it is your duty to investigate this matter and render legal justice.
Additionally, I am reminded by Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports
Association http://www.mtssa.org/ of the following:
In the Montana Constitution you shall read: Article II, Section 33. “Importation of armed persons. No armed person or persons or armed body of men shall be brought into this state for the preservation of the peace, or the suppression of domestic violence, except upon the application of the legislature, or of the governor when the legislature cannot be convened.”
The presence of a mysterious company, its personnel and physical assets, in Hardin, Montana, may be a corporate-sponsored violation of Article II, Section 33 of the Montana Constitution. Therefore I am requesting that you act in your authority as County Sheriff to investigate the American Police Force company which is presently functioning in the city of Hardin, Montana. Grounds for suspicion and some credible tips from the media and citizenry are worthy of gravity in your consideration of your duties as Sheriff of Bighorn County.Examples –
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Link to Source and Lots More
rhttp://oathkeepers.org/oath/2009/10/02/letter-to-the-sheriff-of-big-horn-county-mt-regarding-the-apf-presence-in-hardin-montana/
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Thursday, October 8, 2009
Charged with Three Felonies, Barkus Disputes Blood Alcohol Tests
"Three felony charges were filed against Kalispell state Sen. Greg Barkus Wednesday after his alleged driving of a boat under the influence of alcohol led to an Aug. 27 crash on the shore of Flathead Lake that injured him, his wife, Congressman Denny Rehberg and two of his staff members. But shortly after making an initial court appearance, Barkus' attorney issued a statement disputing the alleged blood alcohol content (BAC) levels upon which the charges are based, making a lengthy series of court proceedings likely.
Charging documents revealed a blood test taken one hour and 45 minutes after the accident by Kalispell Regional Medical Center showed Barkus had a BAC of 0.16, twice the legal limit. Four hours after the accident, a test administered by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks revealed Barkus’ BAC at 0.12.Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan charged Barkus with felony criminal endangerment for knowingly engaging in “conduct that created a substantial risk to of death or serious bodily injury to others,” referring to the passengers on the boat.
The charge carries a maximum term in state prison of 10 years and/or a maximum fine of $50,000. Barkus is also charged with two counts of felony negligent vehicular assault for operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol and causing “serious bodily harm” to two of the passengers:
Rehberg and his staffer, Dustin Frost, who suffered a severe brain injury in the crash. Each count is punishable with a maximum term of 10 years, and/or a maximum fine of $10,000. A warrant was also issued for Barkus’ arrest with bail set at $30,000. Accompanied by his attorney, Todd Glazier, Barkus made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon. Justice of the Peace David M. Ortley read the charges and informed Barkus of his rights before releasing him on his own recognizance under certain conditions, including that he not drink alcohol.
Barkus' arraignment on the criminal endangerment and two counts of vehicular assault was scheduled for Oct. 22 before District Judge Nels Swandal of Livingston.Glazier released a statement Wednesday evening disputing the BAC levels in the charging documents and saying there are witnesses willing to testify that Barkus did not have enough to drink to cause impairment.
"We adamantly disagree with those alleged levels set forth in the charging document," Glazier said in the statement. "We have several witnesses that will testify that Mr. Barkus was not impaired at the time of the accident. In fact, the dinner receipt will show that Mr. Barkus did not consume enough alcohol to be impaired when he left the restaurant shortly before the accident, nor was there any alcohol aboard the boat. As the Frost family has said, this was just an unfortunate accident, but nothing more than an accident."
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Full Article Click Below
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/barkus_charged_with_three_felonies_following_aug._27_boat_crash/13451/
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I am Not so sure as to Who was Really Driving the Boat, nor am I sure of what the WHOLE circumstances of this evening are... I am not buying the Stories as they are "Officially" played out. Email me Crystal@CrystalCox.com if you know different then the media is portraying on this story.
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Also, Rehberg knew the Guy was Drunk, so IF he was Driving, and Had been drinking at all, didn't Denny Rehberg have a duty to STOP this from happening, has he no blame in the injuries of those on that boat?
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Charging documents revealed a blood test taken one hour and 45 minutes after the accident by Kalispell Regional Medical Center showed Barkus had a BAC of 0.16, twice the legal limit. Four hours after the accident, a test administered by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks revealed Barkus’ BAC at 0.12.Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan charged Barkus with felony criminal endangerment for knowingly engaging in “conduct that created a substantial risk to of death or serious bodily injury to others,” referring to the passengers on the boat.
The charge carries a maximum term in state prison of 10 years and/or a maximum fine of $50,000. Barkus is also charged with two counts of felony negligent vehicular assault for operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol and causing “serious bodily harm” to two of the passengers:
Rehberg and his staffer, Dustin Frost, who suffered a severe brain injury in the crash. Each count is punishable with a maximum term of 10 years, and/or a maximum fine of $10,000. A warrant was also issued for Barkus’ arrest with bail set at $30,000. Accompanied by his attorney, Todd Glazier, Barkus made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon. Justice of the Peace David M. Ortley read the charges and informed Barkus of his rights before releasing him on his own recognizance under certain conditions, including that he not drink alcohol.
Barkus' arraignment on the criminal endangerment and two counts of vehicular assault was scheduled for Oct. 22 before District Judge Nels Swandal of Livingston.Glazier released a statement Wednesday evening disputing the BAC levels in the charging documents and saying there are witnesses willing to testify that Barkus did not have enough to drink to cause impairment.
"We adamantly disagree with those alleged levels set forth in the charging document," Glazier said in the statement. "We have several witnesses that will testify that Mr. Barkus was not impaired at the time of the accident. In fact, the dinner receipt will show that Mr. Barkus did not consume enough alcohol to be impaired when he left the restaurant shortly before the accident, nor was there any alcohol aboard the boat. As the Frost family has said, this was just an unfortunate accident, but nothing more than an accident."
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Full Article Click Below
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/barkus_charged_with_three_felonies_following_aug._27_boat_crash/13451/
r
I am Not so sure as to Who was Really Driving the Boat, nor am I sure of what the WHOLE circumstances of this evening are... I am not buying the Stories as they are "Officially" played out. Email me Crystal@CrystalCox.com if you know different then the media is portraying on this story.
r
Also, Rehberg knew the Guy was Drunk, so IF he was Driving, and Had been drinking at all, didn't Denny Rehberg have a duty to STOP this from happening, has he no blame in the injuries of those on that boat?
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
MELINDA FOR MONTANA - VOTE FOR HISTORIC CHANGE - Melinda Gopher
Who is Melinda Gopher?
Melinda Gopher is the seventh of eight children born to Robert and Dorothy Gopher, of Great Falls, Montana. She grew up in a two room house on Hill 57. Melinda Gopher is a paralegal, and hopes to at some point in the future, continue toward law school and earn a JD in law.
Melinda Gopher is a candidate for Montana’s sole congressional district in the U.S. House. She is seeking this position as someone who hopes to make progressive laws that better people’s lives. Melinda Gopher believes there is too much grid lock in Washington DC, and that people are often overlooked as a result.
Melinda Gopher is the seventh of eight children born to Robert and Dorothy Gopher, of Great Falls, Montana. She grew up in a two room house on Hill 57. Melinda Gopher is a paralegal, and hopes to at some point in the future, continue toward law school and earn a JD in law.
Melinda Gopher is a candidate for Montana’s sole congressional district in the U.S. House. She is seeking this position as someone who hopes to make progressive laws that better people’s lives. Melinda Gopher believes there is too much grid lock in Washington DC, and that people are often overlooked as a result.
Melinda is taking this time to seek this seat in the U.S. House based upon her personal life experiences. Melinda Gopher believes she is uniquely qualified to navigate the bureaucracy in Washington DC; having continually having dealt with the nation’s oldest bureaucracy; the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Melinda loves and is proud of Big Sky Country, she is proud of her country and proud of this nation’s flag. Her ancestors received one of the earliest treaty flags given to Indian nations at this nation’s founding. She believes oral history and written history verifies her Ojibwe ancestors did in fact; contribute to the early nation building. History seems to bear out the Ojibwe as an influential Great Lakes ally to the U.S. As a tribal person, she is well aware of the need, and has the skills to succeed in representing Montanans of every walk of life.
Melinda Gopher's family and tribal origins are rooted in public service dating back to the founding of this nation. Her late father assisted in gaining state constitutional protection of the “cultural integrity of tribal people “ in the state’s educational mandates.
Melinda loves and is proud of Big Sky Country, she is proud of her country and proud of this nation’s flag. Her ancestors received one of the earliest treaty flags given to Indian nations at this nation’s founding. She believes oral history and written history verifies her Ojibwe ancestors did in fact; contribute to the early nation building. History seems to bear out the Ojibwe as an influential Great Lakes ally to the U.S. As a tribal person, she is well aware of the need, and has the skills to succeed in representing Montanans of every walk of life.
Melinda Gopher's family and tribal origins are rooted in public service dating back to the founding of this nation. Her late father assisted in gaining state constitutional protection of the “cultural integrity of tribal people “ in the state’s educational mandates.
Melinda Gopher's father founded Opportunities, Inc. in Great Falls during the War on Poverty era. He founded Loud Thunder, Inc. in 1986 and would spearhead an environmental movement that would lead to the successful banning of new cyanide mines in Montana. Robert Gopher galvanized the effort to preserve Montana’s waters.
Melinda Gopher for U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - Montana
Melinda Gopher for U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - Montana
Gopher for Congress
Montana Political News
Montana Political News
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Melinda Gopher asks Denny Rehberg .....
Melinda Gopher
Folks I was at this Denny Rehberg Listening Session
Before the Crash and I have to Say, there was not
a Whole lot of Listening.
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I do not feel that Denny Rehberg Cared
much at all for Melinda Gopher 's Question,
after she stood in line a very long time,
was the Last Question of the Afternoon,
and he then made her wait at the mic..
melinda gopher
I have the Video Before this
I finally shut it off to wait for
Her to Actually Speak..
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Click Below for More Videos from
The Hamilton Listening Session.
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http://www.youtube.com/user/EurekaMontanaNews
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Fear and Loathing in Montana: Racial Tensions and Xenophobia Palpable at Rep. Rehberg's Town Hall
Hamilton, MT--At an August 21st town hall meeting at the Hamilton High School theater, Montana's sole congressman, Denny Rehberg (R-MT), decried the public option as a government takeover of health care. He stated, "We need to give people a hand up, not a hand out." Rehberg held up a visual aid--a thousand blank pages--noting that H.R. 3200 was as big as the stack of papers he held up. He admitted he had not read the bill. He then threw the stack of papers down on the stage floor.
Rehberg fired up the largely conservative audience of mostly white, elderly retirees by asking, "Do you want your health care run like the Veterans Administration?" Rehberg cited media exposure of some of the substandard care of veterans in VA facilities. He stated that the public option was the path to government rationing of health care.
Later, a middle aged woman from Missoula noted Rehberg did not schedule a town hall in the more populous city of Missoula, so she drove to Hamilton to participate. She implied Rehberg purposely left Missoula off his town hall schedule. Rehberg did not reply or state a reason; the audience booed the speaker for asking the question.
The Hamilton town hall exposed a side of Montana often overlooked by the mainstream media: a racial throwback to the 1950s.
Montana has a complicated racial history. In the post-Civil War era, many white Southern landowners unsettled with the idea of Emancipation sought out new territory to perpetuate racial homogeneity and came to Montana.
However, Montana is home to several Native American tribes indigenous to the area. This tribal reality clashed with the social objectives of these Southern transplants. The racial dogma of these populations did not evolve; it merely found new targets of discrimination. In Montana, a common derogatory term for Native Americans is "prairie nigger." There is a distinct separation of races in Montana, and towns like Hamilton are social and cultural islands in the greater melting pot.
The racial and conservative dogma hung heavy in the air, and the audience jeered the supporters of the public option who were a small minority. Over six hundred people crowded into the high school theater to voice their concerns on health care reform. I came in during opening remarks. Upon entering the theater, I made my way to an available seat next to a white woman in her sixties. She glared at me and tersely stated, "This seat is reserved for my husband." I felt awkward and startled.
This felt like a Rosa Parks moment. Open disdain for non-whites is a daily reality across Montana, especially in the smaller towns.
It is that unmistakable sixth sense that kicks in when you are a person of color. It is walking through a neighborhood where you know you will be observed, or being followed in a store, instances in life that have happened far too often to be dismissed as coincidental. It is the subliminal message that you do not belong here.
It is an odd sensation, but unless you have lived it, it is quite indescribable. Other than an elderly African American man, I'm sure I was one of less than a handful of other racial minorities present.
With no other seat available, I went and stood in line to ask a question. I would spend the next two hours standing and waiting to ask a question. The topic veered off repeatedly to gun rights, and conservative interpretations of the Constitution. One elderly man asked whether the government was going to vaccinate the population for swine flu by force. Rehberg replied that that was unlikely. The elderly man stated he had heard this on FOX News.
The audience jeered supporters of the public option, equating them to Nazis. One man disrupted a speaker, yelling "We are not Jews!" and then, "They killed the Jews!" The atmosphere felt oppressively racialized and hostile. Conservative audience members were given generous leeway to express their views.
Their comments were like listening to a broken record stuck on repeat after an hour. Supporters of the public option received the short end of the fuse by Rehberg's audience. One woman was startled to be shouted down by her own life long neighbors, some telling her to move to Russia.
Rehberg noted there were two large issues looming on the American agenda: immigration and health care. Rehberg informed the audience that states like California were robbing rural states like Montana of equal representation in Congress.
The reason: the manner in which the census calculates this nation's population. Rehberg reasoned that the census is a straight count of the population and does not validate citizenship. He stated that the system allocates states like California a disproportionate amount of seats in the House.
When asked by a man if he ever had to chose between health care or surviving, Rehberg explained that as a rancher, he at one time had to make a choice over continuing his health coverage. His solution was to sell one third of his acreage to ensure his coverage continued.
Rehberg was later pressed by a questioner about whether all Americans could have the same coverage he did as a Member of Congress. He was quick to dispute that members of Congress have "Cadillac" plans.
He asked his staff what options were covered in the Congressional plan, estimating that he had roughly forty plans to choose from. His staff person clarified that he had 500 plan options. The congressman failed to provide further details.
Source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gopher/fear-and-loathing-in-mont_b_275490.html
Melinda Gopher
Rehberg fired up the largely conservative audience of mostly white, elderly retirees by asking, "Do you want your health care run like the Veterans Administration?" Rehberg cited media exposure of some of the substandard care of veterans in VA facilities. He stated that the public option was the path to government rationing of health care.
Later, a middle aged woman from Missoula noted Rehberg did not schedule a town hall in the more populous city of Missoula, so she drove to Hamilton to participate. She implied Rehberg purposely left Missoula off his town hall schedule. Rehberg did not reply or state a reason; the audience booed the speaker for asking the question.
The Hamilton town hall exposed a side of Montana often overlooked by the mainstream media: a racial throwback to the 1950s.
Montana has a complicated racial history. In the post-Civil War era, many white Southern landowners unsettled with the idea of Emancipation sought out new territory to perpetuate racial homogeneity and came to Montana.
However, Montana is home to several Native American tribes indigenous to the area. This tribal reality clashed with the social objectives of these Southern transplants. The racial dogma of these populations did not evolve; it merely found new targets of discrimination. In Montana, a common derogatory term for Native Americans is "prairie nigger." There is a distinct separation of races in Montana, and towns like Hamilton are social and cultural islands in the greater melting pot.
The racial and conservative dogma hung heavy in the air, and the audience jeered the supporters of the public option who were a small minority. Over six hundred people crowded into the high school theater to voice their concerns on health care reform. I came in during opening remarks. Upon entering the theater, I made my way to an available seat next to a white woman in her sixties. She glared at me and tersely stated, "This seat is reserved for my husband." I felt awkward and startled.
This felt like a Rosa Parks moment. Open disdain for non-whites is a daily reality across Montana, especially in the smaller towns.
It is that unmistakable sixth sense that kicks in when you are a person of color. It is walking through a neighborhood where you know you will be observed, or being followed in a store, instances in life that have happened far too often to be dismissed as coincidental. It is the subliminal message that you do not belong here.
It is an odd sensation, but unless you have lived it, it is quite indescribable. Other than an elderly African American man, I'm sure I was one of less than a handful of other racial minorities present.
With no other seat available, I went and stood in line to ask a question. I would spend the next two hours standing and waiting to ask a question. The topic veered off repeatedly to gun rights, and conservative interpretations of the Constitution. One elderly man asked whether the government was going to vaccinate the population for swine flu by force. Rehberg replied that that was unlikely. The elderly man stated he had heard this on FOX News.
The audience jeered supporters of the public option, equating them to Nazis. One man disrupted a speaker, yelling "We are not Jews!" and then, "They killed the Jews!" The atmosphere felt oppressively racialized and hostile. Conservative audience members were given generous leeway to express their views.
Their comments were like listening to a broken record stuck on repeat after an hour. Supporters of the public option received the short end of the fuse by Rehberg's audience. One woman was startled to be shouted down by her own life long neighbors, some telling her to move to Russia.
Rehberg noted there were two large issues looming on the American agenda: immigration and health care. Rehberg informed the audience that states like California were robbing rural states like Montana of equal representation in Congress.
The reason: the manner in which the census calculates this nation's population. Rehberg reasoned that the census is a straight count of the population and does not validate citizenship. He stated that the system allocates states like California a disproportionate amount of seats in the House.
When asked by a man if he ever had to chose between health care or surviving, Rehberg explained that as a rancher, he at one time had to make a choice over continuing his health coverage. His solution was to sell one third of his acreage to ensure his coverage continued.
Rehberg was later pressed by a questioner about whether all Americans could have the same coverage he did as a Member of Congress. He was quick to dispute that members of Congress have "Cadillac" plans.
He asked his staff what options were covered in the Congressional plan, estimating that he had roughly forty plans to choose from. His staff person clarified that he had 500 plan options. The congressman failed to provide further details.
Source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gopher/fear-and-loathing-in-mont_b_275490.html
Melinda Gopher
Melinda Gopher Montana
Melinda Gopher Says, "Native Americans in the state of Montana have much at stake in health care reform, yet, this pivotal and powerful swing vote has had scarcely anything to say on this issue. Montana is home to a 10 member Indian Democratic legislative caucus. Senator Baucus works closely with the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, based in Billings.
The state's largest minority group has a unique and powerful voice to weigh in on the public option AND/OR single payer/universal; yet there is a stunning silence. (The exception is State OPI Superintendent, Denise Juneau who spoke to a pro-reform rally on Sept. 7 in Gt. Falls).
As a result of several years of federal neglect and lack of resources; Native Americans in Montana and elsewhere are moving away from their lands to the urban centers. Their health care does not necessarily follow them. Health care delivery by the Indian Health Service is largely reservation based, where nationally, only 30% of the tribal population is now located. Indian Health care is not portable, therefore, the I H S, rather than adjust to this new reality; simply provisions vans to shuttle those needing health care back to the reservation for a fuller slate of medical needs. Urban health clinics are sadly underfunded, understaffed and in some cases have no qualified staff to deliver even basic services. These urban clinics are limited to dispensing a handful of over the counter medications and minimal prevention activities.
The U.S. allocates more funding to its inmate population, per capita than it does to Native Americans. We have worse health care than a prison inmate. This stunning reality encompasses the daily reality of Native Americans; so used to the status quo that perhaps is the very reason for the silence. Native American voters who are apathetic toward politicians have accepted long ago that no matter how much they are engaged in the system; things will never change. There is a high degree of skepticism and dissatisfaction. Senator Baucus has in recent days only ingrained that perception. Native Americans were off his very limited schedule in August.
The Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, a Baucus influenced group, has a two-faced approach to tribal sovereignty: on the one hand; it advocates banishment of certain language,
Remove I/T/U---"Indians, tribes, urbans, terminology and concept from any and all legislation and regulation. This concept has blurred and the status of federally recognized, large land base, large population tribes to which treaty rights and trust obligations flow. ....
according to its Health Care Reform resolution posted on its website. I agree treaties are the law of the land, they are extra-constitutional, valid legal obligations. Treaties should not be tools for political manipulation that result in tribes being less sovereign.
I do not agree with continued tribal mismanagement of precious resources, to the detriment of tribal people. It is tribal mismanagement perpetuated under 30 years of a Baucus regime which is resulting in Native Americans leaving their land based homes for more despair and hopelessness in urban areas. This is a revival of the 1830 Andrew Jackson Indian Removal era; Max Baucus style. Economic deprivation, substandard care and a pill epidemic have taken the place of forced marches by gun point. The group's position seems to emphasize that Native American people are voiceless unless it is spoken from a tribal elected official. This is not a democratic principle by any measure; unified voices are stronger.
This is the group that has enjoyed Baucus' ear for over 30 years in Montana; it is no longer a voice of the people, but sadly has become another tool in the Baucus arsenal. In this sense, it is even more disheartening to watch helplessly while Baucus extrapolates his political machinery on a national level and upon the American people in the health care matter. The hopeful and those seeking change may have thought Max Baucus was on their side because he claims Democratic party affiliation. Many were dismayed and downright disgusted as he slyly pulled single payer off the table early on. This is not surprising to his Native American critics, myself included. This is right out of his play book.
It should no longer be good enough that Native Americans feel grateful for being remembered; the federal impetus seems to be to continue forward with the I H S; and tweak it here and there to make it appear as a credible health care delivery system. It is time Native Americans demand more; quality and efficiency, a health care system that works for Native American families, youth, and elders. To be grateful that small pox blankets are no longer part of the annuity payments is not progress.
Maybe it is time for this powerful constituency to step up and seriously re-think its allegiance to Max Baucus and further; to ponder 30 years of failed policies that have not made their communities better off. Federal disinvestment on tribal lands occurred under his watch and it will only continue until this constituency takes to the streets and demands change. The onus is on this constituency to check this rogue Senator.
As more Native Americans ride the I H S shuttle to get their health care in Montana; back to tribal land where they can no longer afford to live, where there is inadequate, substandard and/or non-existent housing and what scant jobs that do exist barely pay a livable wage; we certainly have time to think it over on those long journeys. It is helpful to point out the World Health Organization in its 1986 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion defines the fundamental conditions and resources for health
as peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice and equity. (WHO, 1999).
Our current system hopelessly fails that standard. Native Americans in Montana are not without hope: your senator chairs the Senate Finance Committee, the power to effect change for your families and communities is right in front of you. If he continues with his rogue mentality; remind him Montana has one of the lowest thresholds of voters needed (10%) to recall a public official. Force him to act in the best interests of his constituents, or enact a recall. If you allow the status quo to continue, you have only yourselves to blame.
This blogger is attempting to arrange a meeting with a Baucus staffer in the Senate Finance Committee who handles tribal appropriations matters later this week in Washington D.C. and will report on that meeting.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gopher/misplaced-loyalties-monta_b_287006.html
Melinda Gopher on Tribal Health Care.
Join Melinda Gopher On Facebook... Click Below..
Melinda Gopher
Melinda Gopher on Misplaced Loyalties in Montana
Native Americans in the state of Montana have much at stake in health care reform, yet, this pivotal and powerful swing vote has had scarcely anything to say on this issue. Montana is home to a 10 member Indian Democratic legislative caucus. Senator Baucus works closely with the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, based in Billings. The state's largest minority group has a unique and powerful voice to weigh in on the public option AND/OR single payer/universal; yet there is a stunning silence. (The exception is State OPI Superintendent, Denise Juneau who spoke to a pro-reform rally on Sept. 7 in Gt. Falls).
As a result of several years of federal neglect and lack of resources; Native Americans in Montana and elsewhere are moving away from their lands to the urban centers. Their health care does not necessarily follow them. Health care delivery by the Indian Health Service is largely reservation based, where nationally, only 30% of the tribal population is now located. Indian Health care is not portable, therefore, the I H S, rather than adjust to this new reality; simply provisions vans to shuttle those needing health care back to the reservation for a fuller slate of medical needs. Urban health clinics are sadly underfunded, understaffed and in some cases have no qualified staff to deliver even basic services. These urban clinics are limited to dispensing a handful of over the counter medications and minimal prevention activities.
The U.S. allocates more funding to its inmate population, per capita than it does to Native Americans. We have worse health care than a prison inmate. This stunning reality encompasses the daily reality of Native Americans; so used to the status quo that perhaps is the very reason for the silence. Native American voters who are apathetic toward politicians have accepted long ago that no matter how much they are engaged in the system; things will never change. There is a high degree of skepticism and dissatisfaction.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gopher/misplaced-loyalties-monta_b_287006.html
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As a result of several years of federal neglect and lack of resources; Native Americans in Montana and elsewhere are moving away from their lands to the urban centers. Their health care does not necessarily follow them. Health care delivery by the Indian Health Service is largely reservation based, where nationally, only 30% of the tribal population is now located. Indian Health care is not portable, therefore, the I H S, rather than adjust to this new reality; simply provisions vans to shuttle those needing health care back to the reservation for a fuller slate of medical needs. Urban health clinics are sadly underfunded, understaffed and in some cases have no qualified staff to deliver even basic services. These urban clinics are limited to dispensing a handful of over the counter medications and minimal prevention activities.
The U.S. allocates more funding to its inmate population, per capita than it does to Native Americans. We have worse health care than a prison inmate. This stunning reality encompasses the daily reality of Native Americans; so used to the status quo that perhaps is the very reason for the silence. Native American voters who are apathetic toward politicians have accepted long ago that no matter how much they are engaged in the system; things will never change. There is a high degree of skepticism and dissatisfaction.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-gopher/misplaced-loyalties-monta_b_287006.html
r
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MT Democrat Gopher to compete in U.S. House race
A third Montana Democrat is joining the race for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Blackfeet tribal member Melinda Gopher is a writer and blogger seeking her first political office.
The 44-year old joins former MT Democratic Party Chairman Dennis McDonald and Missoula lawyer Tyler Gernant in seeking the party's nomination to run against incumbent Dennis Rehberg.
A statement on Gopher's Twitter page says she will officially announce her candidacy in the Great Falls area on Saturday.
Blackfeet tribal member Melinda Gopher is a writer and blogger seeking her first political office.
The 44-year old joins former MT Democratic Party Chairman Dennis McDonald and Missoula lawyer Tyler Gernant in seeking the party's nomination to run against incumbent Dennis Rehberg.
A statement on Gopher's Twitter page says she will officially announce her candidacy in the Great Falls area on Saturday.
American Police Force Corporation Takes Over Small Town Police Force and Prisoner-Less Jail
`"HARDIN, Mont. (CBS/AP) This is the strange story of how American Police Force, a little known company which claims to specialize in training military and security forces overseas, has seemingly taken control of a $27 million, never-used jail, and a rural Montana town's nonexistent police force. After arriving in this tiny city with three Mercedes SUVs marked with the logo of a police department that has never existed, representatives of the obscure California security company said preparations were under way to take over Hardin's jail, which has no prisoners.
Significant obstacles remain - including a lack of any contracts to acquire prisoners from other jails or other states. And on Friday came the revelation the company's operating agreement for the facility has yet to be validated - two weeks after city leaders first unveiled what they said was a signed agreement. Still, some Hardin leaders said the deal to turn over the 464-bed jail remained on track.
The agreement with American Police Force has been heavily promoted by members of the city's economic development branch, the Two Rivers Authority. Authority Vice President Albert Peterson on Friday repeated his claim to be “100 percent” confident in the company.
The lead public figure for American Police Force, Michael Hilton, said more than 200 employees would be sought for the jail and a proposed military and law enforcement training center. That would be a significant boost to Hardin, a struggling town of 3,500 located about 45 miles east of Billings. An earlier announcement that a job fair would be held during the last week never came to fruition.
The bonds used to pay for the jail have been in default since May, 2008. Hilton also said he planned a helicopter tour of the region in coming days to look at real estate for a planned tactical military training ground. He said 5,000 to 10,000 acres were needed to complement the training center, a $17 million project.
But the company's flashy arrival this week stirred new questions. The logo on the black Mercedes SUVs said “City of Hardin Police Department.” Yet the city has not had a police force of its own for 30 years. “Pretty looking police car, ain't it?” Hardin resident Leroy Frickle, 67, said as he eyed one of the vehicles parked in front of a bed and breakfast where Hilton and other company representatives were staying. “The things you hear about this American Police, I don't know what to think.”
Hilton said the vehicles would be handed over to the city if it forms a police force of its own. The city is now under the jurisdiction of the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office. After meeting briefly with Hilton on Friday, Mayor Ron Adams said he wanted the police logos removed. “This helps, but it doesn't answer everything until the contract is signed,” Adams said. “Talk is cheap.” Hilton said the company's arrival in Hardin would help allay such concerns.
And he promised that on Feb. 1, 2010, Hardin would receive its first check under a deal said to be worth more than $2.6 million annually. Little has been revealed to date about American Police Force. The company was incorporated in California in March, soon after Hardin's empty jail gained notoriety after city leaders suggested it could be used for the Guantanamo Bay terrorism detainees. Members of Montana's congressional delegation say they have been closely monitoring the events in Hardin, but the city has largely been going it alone. "
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Significant obstacles remain - including a lack of any contracts to acquire prisoners from other jails or other states. And on Friday came the revelation the company's operating agreement for the facility has yet to be validated - two weeks after city leaders first unveiled what they said was a signed agreement. Still, some Hardin leaders said the deal to turn over the 464-bed jail remained on track.
The agreement with American Police Force has been heavily promoted by members of the city's economic development branch, the Two Rivers Authority. Authority Vice President Albert Peterson on Friday repeated his claim to be “100 percent” confident in the company.
The lead public figure for American Police Force, Michael Hilton, said more than 200 employees would be sought for the jail and a proposed military and law enforcement training center. That would be a significant boost to Hardin, a struggling town of 3,500 located about 45 miles east of Billings. An earlier announcement that a job fair would be held during the last week never came to fruition.
The bonds used to pay for the jail have been in default since May, 2008. Hilton also said he planned a helicopter tour of the region in coming days to look at real estate for a planned tactical military training ground. He said 5,000 to 10,000 acres were needed to complement the training center, a $17 million project.
But the company's flashy arrival this week stirred new questions. The logo on the black Mercedes SUVs said “City of Hardin Police Department.” Yet the city has not had a police force of its own for 30 years. “Pretty looking police car, ain't it?” Hardin resident Leroy Frickle, 67, said as he eyed one of the vehicles parked in front of a bed and breakfast where Hilton and other company representatives were staying. “The things you hear about this American Police, I don't know what to think.”
Hilton said the vehicles would be handed over to the city if it forms a police force of its own. The city is now under the jurisdiction of the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office. After meeting briefly with Hilton on Friday, Mayor Ron Adams said he wanted the police logos removed. “This helps, but it doesn't answer everything until the contract is signed,” Adams said. “Talk is cheap.” Hilton said the company's arrival in Hardin would help allay such concerns.
And he promised that on Feb. 1, 2010, Hardin would receive its first check under a deal said to be worth more than $2.6 million annually. Little has been revealed to date about American Police Force. The company was incorporated in California in March, soon after Hardin's empty jail gained notoriety after city leaders suggested it could be used for the Guantanamo Bay terrorism detainees. Members of Montana's congressional delegation say they have been closely monitoring the events in Hardin, but the city has largely been going it alone. "
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