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Rated: 13+ · Book · Biographical · #2198921

Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana



Well, hey there!
Welcome to Roundup, Montana! If it's a nice day, we'll sit a spell on my porch and talk awhile.

A poem captured my attention the other day.

Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget

Falls drop by drop upon the heart,

Until, in our own despair,

Against our will,

Comes wisdom

Through the awful grace of God.

Aeschylus


What's on your mind today?






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May 14, 2025 at 3:19pm
May 14, 2025 at 3:19pm
#1089324

We had the meeting of the refuse committee last night. It was held in the courtroom of the county courthouse, as the commissioner's office, which holds at the most 5 or 6 people, was maybe too small. And we were right.

At least 15 by my count people showed up to complain. The sheriff was on hand, as was the county attorney, to keep the lid on things. People did complain. Most were very much against the $10 charge to use the burn pit. Now, they never made a peep when taxes were doubled for the refuse fee. But, boy oh boy, charge them $10 each time they bring in tree limbs or lumber or other burnables? World War 3 breaks out.

The county commissioner that is our mentor had some stern words for people as well. He is a rancher, life long resident, as is his family. He has survived fires on his land. The board chair also spoke, he is a long resident of the county and has survived five fires over the years. All have burnt his cattle ranch down each time.

So we did decide in the end to stop the charging of a $10 fee. And it was proven I was not in error. I did have the backing of the committee. Thanks folks.

We did educate some of the attendees as to the work involved in maintaining the 'burn pit' - which is actually a large hollowed-out bare spot in the back of the dump. It takes at least 2 weeks from start to finish to work this process. You get approval, you light it, you watch it for 24 hours, then 2 - 3 times a day you check it for a week, then check for hot spots, then move the hot spots around with a bulldozer, then when it's cool enough, you move the ashes to a big dumpster, and start all over again. Because by this time the refuse of branches and limbs and lumber has built up and it's time to burn again. But you cannot burn it from July to December because it is so dry here and it's fire season. Egads.

And we also let people know the expenses involved, the $50K per month to haul away the trash, the $1K per month to maintain the machinery, the salaries of 3 people, etc, etc. It's not cheap.

Another crisis averted. The gossip mongers will soon have another battle, I'm sure.

*Thought*  Comment   •   View 4 comments
May 7, 2025 at 10:40pm
May 7, 2025 at 10:40pm
#1088898


Well folks - the entire county is mad. I guess you could say we put a $10 'tariff' on the dump. Actually, it's a charge for large amounts of yard - ranch - farm waste that comes into the dump to be burned. It is put into a special area, and when that area fills up, it is burnt. That takes someone 24 hours to monitor. The fire department has to come and watch it. It has to be called to the Emergency Department people first, to see if it's a day you can burn. You know, wind and all.

The thing is, people from up in the mountains do fire mitigation. That's good. But then they drive in with 40 ft trailers full of entire trees, branches, lots of bushes, limbs, old buildings, you name it. All this subsequently fills said 'burn pit' up to where you have to light it and burn it. Then it has to sit about a week or two. And in the meantime, no one can dump anything in it. Then when it reopens, the process starts all over again.

So - with that as a background - last night evidently a large gaggle of disgruntled people appeared at the courthouse to complain. Well, one problem. Our meeting isn't until next week. There were a few people working, counting the ballots for the school board election. (Another big kerflugle. Never mind - another big problem) These poor ladies had to listen to all the complaints, yelling, screaming. They said they really were scared.

I go to the courthouse today to pickup mail for the refuse department and talk to the county treasurer about another refuse matter. And then I get hit with the story above. What??? News to me. I was at play practice last night. So I go to the county attorney- now a friend I appreciate. I tell him "Guess what? We've got trouble perhaps next week." So the attorney gets on the computer and fires off an email to the sheriff asking for a deputy to come to the meeting next week.

But now to make this even more interesting, I go tonight to Facebook and find a post from a community member. All the FB keyboard warriors are now up in arms. They are claiming so-and-so said this, and the mayor didn't know. The mayor is now mad and will write a letter to the county to tell us so. And Mr. so-and-so is the chairperson - he's not - and he said it's not official and I made the mistake of putting it in the paper. So I go look at the minutes of the meeting and guess what? Mr. So-and-so did make that motion and they did approve it and I was to put it in the paper.

My word. You just cannot make up this stuff. I think I need a raise. If I was still drinking, I'd be drunk tonight.
*Thought*  Comment   •   View 6 comments
May 5, 2025 at 12:29am
May 5, 2025 at 12:29am
#1088739

Today was busy til about 1 PM. It was the annual Pancake Breakfast at the Museum. This is a big fundraiser, we have only 2 per years. The breakfast and a yard sale. Our museum is self-funded. We get no money from the state of Montana, from Musselshell county or the city of Roundup. So that is good and bad. We are not beholden to any entity for funds, and as a result, are not able to provide much in the way of what other museums provide. Such as staff, educational programs, etc. But we've been operating this way for 50 years, so I guess we'll keep on for another 50.

We served over 135 people. We wrapped silverware yesterday in that amount, so we had a beginning count. Then we had to wrap more during the event. So perhaps upwards of 175? Busy. My chore the past few years is serving the dining room. Coffee, juice, and silverware and bussing tables. Sometimes with help, usually without. Whew. Like a busy diner.

But when it was over, I took a big deep breath and walked across the street, sat down and relaxed at home for a bit. Then walked to the store for sustenance. Klondike bars.

There was a very big story on Friday here. My friend, the county attorney, had a big trial. There was a guy they caught in a sexual abuse case. Sick stuff. He let me read the case file. Oh brother. Well, Ben, the attorney, told me they were going for 100 years in prison. 25 years for each child. They had a good case, lots of video files, personal testimony, he was a known sexual offender, on and on. So the news went out over social media and the Billings news channels last night. Yep - 100 years.

I saw Ben at the museum breakfast this morning. I congratulated him on helping to win that case. He's a father of young girls. It meant a lot to him to get this person off the streets. He mentioned that the person argued in court about the sentencing. But in the end, the criminal got a punishment.

So this evening I am trying to relax after all this uproar. Museum excitement, big court case. A storm is coming tomorrow. The wind is blowing tonight. But it will be alright. Everything will be alright.

*Thought*  Comment   •   View 1 comment


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