Briefs for April 26, 2017
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Energy Keepers CEO to address Polson Chamber
POLSON — On Wednesday, May 3, members of the Polson Chamber of Commerce will receive an update from Energy Keepers CEO, Brian Lipscomb. Energy Keepers is a corporation of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes established to operate Séliš Ksanka Ql’ispé (formerly Kerr) Dam.
Lipscomb has spent his career of more than 30 years managing resources across the Northwest. He worked with the U.S. Forest Service and the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority before returning home to serve the Tribes as the Director of the Department of Energy. In 2012, he was appointed to his present position. Lipscomb holds a degree in civil engineering from Montana State University.
The luncheon will be held at the KwaTaqNuk Resort from noon to 1 pm. Cost for lunch is $14.50. Reservations are not required. For more information about the Polson Chamber and its activities, call the Chamber office at 883-5969.
Area school superintendents to address Pachyderm Club regarding school funding
POLSON — Area school superintendents Rex Weltz of Polson, Mark Johnson of Ronan, and Jason Sargent of St. Ignatius will be guest speakers at a special meeting of the Lake County Pachyderm Club, at noon, Friday, May 5, 2017, at the Polson Rural Fire Dept. Building on Regatta Road. Their topic will be Senate Bill 307 now before the Montana Legislature, which changes the funding of our schools. The bill appears to totally revamp funding for school districts across Montana in that it shifts more fiscal responsibility from the state to local districts. Basically written by the Montana School Boards Association, it authorizes the permissive levies for high school and elementary districts to double, thus allowing school boards to double taxes on personal property without seeking permission from the voters. At the moment, SB307 has yet to pass the legislature and is subject to amendments. By May 5, the Legislature will be adjourned and the fate of changes in Montana school funding will be known.
