LETTER: Resident wants commissioners to explain spending, road closure

To The Editor

This is a copy of the letter I submitted by email to the Granite County Commissioners on November 20, 2019. The reason for the request is contained in the letter. The reason to include it as an a open letter to the local news media, is that two of my previous requests for information from the Commission, were either ignored or verbally denied by them.

Granite County Commissioners

Granite County Court House

P.O. Box 925 Philipsburg Montana 59858

November 20, 2019 Subject: Information Request Dear Commissioners,

As a local government board it is your responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare, of Granite County, including the management of County funds. In the last few years, several issues have come up involving the Commission's attention and/or action. Below are three such issues.

Please provide updates and/or status regarding the following.

1. Some time in December 2018, one of the County Commissioners authorized the transfer of a $25,000 Contribution from the County's PILT funds (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) to the Broadwater County Commission to be used toward the Lloyd Barrus trial. Barrus was charged with accessory to commit deliberate homicide of Broadwater County Sheriff's Deputy Mason Moore in 2017. Please provide any current information regarding the status of the pending trial and the status of the $25,000.

2. On several occasions, the Granite County Commission has stated that the Flint Creek Dam Fund "is running out of money" due to all the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements associated with the Flint Creek Hydroelectric Plant. The County has also stated that it's losing money under the original agreement made with the "Operators" of the plant. On the July 16, 2019 Commissioners Agenda, the following item appeared, "2:30 p.m Roger Kirk, Flint Creek Hydroelectric LLC, Review Agreement with Granite County; Discussion." Please provide the details of the outcome of that meeting.

3. Several meetings have taken place, including a discussion with MT State Rep. Mark Sweeney, regarding the latest rock slide which forced the closure of the Drummond Frontage Rd at Bearmouth. Since September, one lane has been opened but still poses a hazardous and dangerous threat life and property. Please provide what steps, if any, the County Commission has taken to coordinate with the MT Department of Transportation in finding a permanent solution to the problem.

Please enter this letter into your regular session agenda packet for November 26, 2019, for discussion.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact me at information below.

I look forward to receiving your response within a reasonable amount of time. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Elena Gagliano

Philipsburg Montana

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