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Blechta and Johnson win seats on resort tax board
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6 years agoon
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Outlaw PartnersVoters approve school district’s general-fund levy
By Sarah Gianelli EBS Senior Editor
Blechta received the most votes, with 371; followed by Steve Johnson, 316; Buz Davis, 301; and Craig Smit, 279.
“I am excited to join this dynamic group and look forward to bringing an [appropriations] applicant’s perspective to the board as well as a young family perspective,” said Blechta, who has spent the majority of her life in Big Sky. “Ginna [Hermann] and Heather [Budd] have left big shoes to fill and I’m looking forward to getting up to speed on the upcoming appropriations.”
Blechta currently serves as the president of the South Fork Phase II Homeowners Association, and recently completed a five-year term on the Morningstar Learning Center board of directors. There she helped to implement a capital fundraising campaign for the recently completed infant building, thanks in part to resort tax funding.
For Blechta, the most pressing issue facing the resort tax board is how to meet the community’s infrastructure needs. “We can’t have the tourism if we don’t have the infrastructure,” she said. “How can someone use the public transportation if there isn’t a trail to get them there?”
At an April 2 candidate forum at Buck’s T-4 Lodge, Blechta deflected concerns about a potential conflict of interest given her position as director of property owners associations at the Yellowstone Club.
“I can honestly say the Yellowstone Club did not ask me to run,” she said. “I can’t vote on issues that are a conflict of interest. You abstain. And I can’t say that enough.”
As for Johnson’s priorities, he says he intends to advocate for district residents. “Not businesses,” he stressed. “Our community is facing needs for some significant investments in critical infrastructure to sustain growth with respect for this incredible place where we live.”
Johnson brings extensive experience in volunteer positions on local boards and committees concerned with district infrastructure, including the Big Sky Community Organization, the Gallatin Canyon/Big Sky Zoning Advisory Committee, the trails and parks district, and the fire district. “I have also worked hard to learn and understand the practicalities of working within the Montana legal system,” Johnson said.
At the candidate forum, Johnson, who has lived in Big Sky for 17 years, emphasized his insulation from special interests. “I’ve been unemployed and retired completely since I moved to Big Sky,” he said. “I don’t work for anybody here, so I’m completely independent.”
The new board members will soon be tasked with one of the greatest responsibilities of the resort tax district—the appropriation of $7.6 million in funds to community organizations seeking support. The public process begins with an applicant Q&A on June 4 at 1 p.m., at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, where applicants will defend their funding requests before the board and community.
In an email to EBS, resort tax board Chairman Mike Scholz congratulated Blechta and Johnson, and welcomed them to the board. “Their knowledge of the community and desire to help build a better community is recognized and valued by the residents of Big Sky,” he wrote, while also thanking Hermann and Budd for their past service, and Buz Davis and Craig Smit for their candidacy.
The official results of the election will be released by May 18, after the provisional ballots are counted and the outcome is reviewed by the Gallatin County commissioners.
Voters also approved the $40,000 general-fund levy requested by the Big Sky School District to pay higher salaries to teaching staff. For a home valued at $200,000 taxes are estimated to rise approximately $3.89 for the year.
In addition to the levy, the two board trustee seats on the ballot were filled by unopposed incumbents Matt Jennings and Margo Magnant. Magnant recently accepted a position with the Missoula Chamber of Commerce and will resign from the board, at which time a new trustee will be appointed to serve out her term.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
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