Author: Evelyn Pyburn

County Faces a “Big Ask”

23 July 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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“It’s a big ask.”

Persistent overcrowding at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF), the county’s jail, has brought forth a proposal from consultants to expand the jail by 512 beds with support systems at a cost of $225 million.  The expansion and updating of current facilities would carry the county to meeting needs through to 2039, as well as prepare options for future expansion.

“A year’s long -worth of work,” by consultants, Justice Planners, A&E Design and HDR Engineering, was presented to County Commissioners and other public officials last Wednesday. The consultants were engaged by the County Commissioners, at the recommendation of a County Attorney appointed sub-committee, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), made up of people representing various aspects of the community.

The consultants spent the past year looking at projections, assumptions on growth, options, the current condition of the facility, recommended options and staff analysis.

They looked at a 20 year projection for the YCDF and also at the youth facility (Youth Services Center) which was stated to be in dire need of updating, with the recommendation that the County consider doing so in the near future.

The proposed $225 million cost is a sobering one for County Commissioners, to whom Sheriff Mike Linder commented, “It’s a big ask of the county taxpayers.” Building such a facility would undoubtedly require asking taxpayers for additional tax levy and spending authority. But, the proposal comes as a result of years of overcrowded conditions at the jail, a situation that has often prevented jailing perpetrators of lesser crimes, which generated disrespect for law enforcement and complications throughout the entire judicial system. The current capacity of the YCDF is supposed to be 434 inmates, but its daily population invariably ranges between 600 and 630.

The study shows that total projected Average Daily Population, by 2049, would be 1,030. By 2049, 1,277 beds would be needed to operate the facility safely and what would be considered best practice. It recommends the addition of another 512 beds in 2049 to carry the facility through to its projected total operating capacity need of 1,552.

The $225 million proposal is one of ten options explored by the team of consultants, which projected estimated costs ranging from $48.3 million to $469 million. A&E Design CEO Dusty Eaton explained that the selected option would include the top priorities for the facility, in addition to increasing total capacity to 946 (including 12 medical beds + 82 short-term beds). He pointed out that the construction of a short-term facility that is currently underway, would bring total capacity for the county jail to 1,040, which is expected to accommodate inmate population through 2039.

Eaton said he didn’t think they could get the cost lower “without compromising safety,” adding, “We are spending money today to plan for the future.”

The proposed option includes $144,954,000 for new construction, almost $8 million for an addition and almost $4 million in renovations. It also includes the cost of relocating and rebuilding outside buildings that must be moved in order to make room for the addition to the YCDF, located on King Avenue East. Eaton said that there is not enough room at the current jail site to add the addition, without removing outside buildings such as the Evidence Building. The buildings will be moved across the street to county-owned property.

Eaton also commented, “The existing jail is aging but is in pretty good shape. It needs some investment and upkeep.”

Even without adding capacity, the consultants said the YCDF needs at least $9.5 million in improvements to deal with the most pressing problems.

Melissa Williams, Chief Civil Attorney, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office, who served on the committee, pointed out that many of the instituted efforts by the judicial system in Yellowstone County to drive down the jail population, have shown evidence that they are working. For example, without the new Arraignment Court, the current jail population would be 70 more per day than it is now. These impacts have been calculated into the projections for the addition to the jail.

Building is one aspect of expansion, staffing is another. The consultants’ study also looked at those costs.

“You have to have a certain level of staff to be safe, you need to reduce overtime  – -to eliminate staff fatigue and burnout,” said Alan Richardson, founder and president of Justice Planners. Staffing numbers should be reviewed at every milestone, he recommended.

Current staffing at the YCDF is 111.5 FTEs (Full Time Equivalent employees). Recommended for a 1040 bed facility is 243 FTEs at an estimated cost of $18,748,952, annually.

The biggest challenge to staffing is finding and keeping good employees. Sheriff Linder noted that the YCDF is down only four staff members currently, which is the closest they have come to having a full staff in a number of years. He commented that every day, the staff at YCDF, perform Herculean efforts.

Sheriff Linder said the problem with jail over-capacity is that more inmates are staying longer in jail. He also noted that the vast majority of the criminals are local.

Linder also went on to ask that since it is ‘such a big ask’ of taxpayers, which they might reject, “Do we have another option? Do we have a Plan B?”

County Commissioners Mike Waters and Mark Morse recognized the “Herculean efforts” of the jail staff and expressed their appreciation.

Morse commented, that “a big issue that has to be dealt with at every level in the state is that of mental health” of some inmates. “It is one of the biggest problems,” the detention staff has to deal with. “Some are in the facility for as much as a year.” He said he doesn’t see anything “on the horizon” that would solve that problem.

Waters added, “The cost is enormous.” He also noted that the county has been tightening its belt and cutting other budgets in anticipation of the cost the jail expansion will bring.

In looking at the need for an updated Juvenile Center, the consultants recommended a 48-bed facility with support spaces including food service, laundry, staff support spaces, etc. The facility is planned to be a separate stand-alone facility of approximately 55,000 square feet including education services. The cost was projected at $59,336,253.

Billings Animal Family Hospital Builds New Facility

23 July 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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Having served the pets of the citizens of Billings for the past 30 years, Dr. Edie Best, DVM, DABVP, CVMA came to a fork in the road – to retire or go for the dream?

She is going for the dream, the ground breaking was held on July 3 at 1616 1st Avenue North. “Why not?” said Best in speaking to the friends and clients and dignitaries who gathered to celebrate the new facility for Billings Animal Family Hospital. It’s a dream come true for Best, who said that her clients and their pets, as well as her staff, deserve it.

Best and a team of financial, architectural and construction supporters have been working on that dream for the past four or five years. With construction now underway, it is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

Best purchased Billings Animal Family Hospital in 2008, with the goal of providing a greater level of personal care for pets and their entire family.  “. . . I hope that a lot of my clients would attest to that, we try to treat you like family,” said Best, who views her business as one big family, of whom many were in attendance at the groundbreaking with their pets in tow.

Best noted that their location at 1321N. 27th Street in Billings is cramped; it doesn’t have great street visibility and parking is limited. My team and clients deserve the new clinic, declared Best.

Mike Burke of HGF Architects, who designed the new clinic, praised Best for pursuing “her vision,” adding that it will be “a great addition for downtown. Customers deserve it, the city deserves it and Edie deserves it,” he said.

The Billings Animal Family Hospital is being whole heartedly welcomed into “The Bird” — The East Billings Urban Renewal District (BIRD), a TIF district that serves the area from downtown Billings to MetraPark. The clinic, in fact, received $475,000 in tax-increment financing dollars for the project.   

Best also thanked Big Sky Economic Development for their assistance in getting financing through the US Small Business Administration.

“There is so much potential for this part of town,” said Best.

The new location will have high visibility from 1st Avenue North, as well as provide ample parking. Th clinic will be state-of-art, larger, plus waiting rooms, additional exam rooms, and upgraded facilities.

Best also announced that they will be partnering with Rocky Vista’s proposed new veterinary clinic, providing an opportunity for training for third and fourth year students. She stressed how important the new school will be, given the shortage of veterinarians that exists in Montana.

Best also recognized some of her staff including Dr. Sarah Bruggman, Associate Veterinarian & Medical Director; Dr. Esther Musselman, Associate Veterinarian, and Dr. Mark Albrecht, Orthopedic Surgeon.

Best was born in Hardin, Montana where she grew up on her family’s cattle farm. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Montana State University and graduated with honors from Colorado State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Best and her husband, Les, have two dogs, four barn cats, and two old horses.

Best is dedicating the new clinic to all pets, including her deceased pets.

If you can keep it.

30 June 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

“If you can keep it…”

Can we?

Those were the words of founder Benjamin Franklin as he emerged from the signing of the new Constitution of the new United States, when asked by Elizabeth Willing Powel “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”

Benjamin Franklin’s response was, “A republic, if you can keep it” (September 17, 1787)

Now seems to be a moment in time when we all – individually — must answer that question. Can we keep it? The  question was posed to each of us, by Franklin, who seemed far more clairvoyant about the challenges of the future than one could have imagined.

It was a challenge – not to our military or politicians – but to each citizen individually. It is our challenge today because we are threatened by the potential loss of our liberty and it’s not about the outcome of a military struggle or political maneuvers  — it’s about whether we each individually can defend “the very idea of it.”

If we do not understand the “very idea of it,” enough to persuade, we will lose the battle because the only alternative, other than surrendering, is to use force which of course is the idea’s very antithesis.

The concept that Franklin and his cohorts, on that day, proposed was essentially a new idea. The idea that each individual should be free to live as they choose. Not as the King dictated, nor as the church scolded, or the family position designated, but as the individual person chose.  It was a revolutionary idea, one that ignited the Revolutionary War. It was the supreme idea that was the goal of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

That idea is what is being attacked by those in the streets destroying buildings, throwing Molotov bombs, fighting police, undermining laws and defending criminals. While they pursue violence and coercion – and we may try to defend ourselves – in the long run, the plunderers can only be defeated if each one of us can intellectually defend this idea. How many people can do that?

If we cannot define and defend the concept that shaped our country, and about which our forefathers debated long and hard, we will lose, because it is this idea that most terrifies our opponents – all those people in the streets, throwing bombs, destroying buildings and threatening lives. They do not have the capacity nor the intellectual arguments to thwart this amazing idea – and the thing is, THEY KNOW IT. That is why they are perpetrating violence, whether it’s in the streets or advocating it in the rhetoric they use, or as they use force to silence those who dare to utter otherwise.

From at least that moment, when Benjamin spoke to Elizabeth in 1787, to be able to intellectually understand this idea and to defend it, became the challenge of all freedom- loving people, just as it became an eternal threat to the thugs who oppose it. “The very idea of it” became the eternal conflict that will underlay all future conflict of mankind – that will rouse all political struggles – and foster all wars.

It is fear of this idea that, over the past decade, prompted the power mongers to coerce social media to censor the ideas on their platforms. It is the fear of this idea that inspires the collectivists to control all means of education and to muffle, as much as possible, all media. It is the fear of this idea, and their inability to counter it, that keeps collectivists from participating in any public exchange of ideas on media or in public debates. THEY KNOW, going in, that they’ve got nothing – no reasonable argument to defeat the efficacy and power of this idea.

The very idea of it is why the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

It was understood by the authors of the Bill of Rights that being able to speak to intellectually defend this idea would be our last line of defense against those who will always be there trying to eradicate the idea from existence — from our minds.

Theirs will always be a futile effort if each one of us takes it upon ourselves to know why this idea is so important and to know how to defend it in words and deeds and to do so at every opportunity – most especially in teaching the next generation. That is what Benjamin Franklin challenged in stating “…if you can keep it.”

Can we?

NW Energy Explains Rate Increase

16 June 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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In opening remarks before the Montana Public Service Commission on the first day of the hearing on NorthWestern Energy’s request for a regulatory rate review, Sarah Norcott, Director of Regulatory Corporate Counsel for NorthWestern explained how the company’s investments benefit customers—both now and in the long term.

“We understand that any increase in utility bills is difficult, especially when families are already managing rising costs in other areas,” Norcott said. “That’s why we’ve worked hard to keep the impact as low as possible while still making the critical investments needed to keep the lights on and the heat flowing.”

Norcott said that although NorthWestern invested more than $800 million in its electric system over the past two years, the electric settlement results in a 1.7% revenue increase, below the originally proposed 8.3%. For the average residential customer, this translates to a 4.2% increase in their electric rate.

“NorthWestern accomplished this feat by making prudent decisions, managing costs, and always keeping our customers’ needs at the center of our planning,” she said.

Norcott detailed how those investments strengthen Montana’s energy infrastructure:

* $158 million in electric transmission infrastructure, including substation rebuilds and wildfire mitigation.

* $197 million in electric distribution infrastructure, supporting wildfire mitigation and customer growth.

* $390 million in electric generation, including upgrades to hydro facilities and the construction of the Yellowstone County Generating Station (YCGS).

“These aren’t abstract numbers,” Norcott said. “They represent real improvements that help prevent outages, reduce wildfire risk, and ensure we can meet demand during Montana’s coldest nights and hottest days.”

She also emphasized that the YCGS project will ultimately reduce costs for customers.

“Customers will see a benefit overall in their net rates due to YCGS over the long term,” she said.

“Who is NorthWestern?” Norcott asked. “We are the people who show up—because we live here too.”

She shared an example. One cold evening this year in Anaconda, 71-year-old Derinda Johnson slipped on her icy sidewalk while taking out the trash. Alone and unable to get up, she waved desperately for help. It was Tom Wind, NorthWestern’s Anaconda Town Manager, who noticed her while driving home. He turned around, rushed to her side, and helped her safely back into her home.

“According to Derinda, he saved her life,” Norcott said. “This story personifies NorthWestern and what we are about.”

“While there is a lot of noise and opinions about the decisions NorthWestern makes, we take our responsibility seriously to keep the lights on and the heat flowing,” Norcott said. “The evidence in this case will show that the decisions NorthWestern has made over the last two years were prudent and comply with Montana law. What I ask is that you hear the evidence, you remember the reasons NorthWestern made these decisions – to provide safe, reliable and affordable utility services.”

New Sign for Metra

16 June 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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It’s time to replace MetraPark’s digital advertising sign at 6th Avenue. “The controller is shot,” reported staff in seeking the county commissioners’ pre-authorization to begin the process sooner rather than later due to the length of time it will take to pursue the process. It was planned to begin the process in September but there is much initial work that could begin sooner, said MetraPark’s Assistant Manager Tim Goodridge.

The project is included in MetraPark’s budget for next year.

Goodridge said that the electronics for the sign must be updated. They have received a quote for $187,000 to bring the technology up to date, a process that will create a larger and sharper display area.

Discussion on Wednesday with the Commissioners yielded ideas for other improvements which, if cost effective, could result in generating more revenue from the sign and result in an entirely new sign.  Goodridge agreed it would be a good idea to issue a request for proposal that would include a second alternative which could push the cost up to $250,000, but would be worthwhile if it generated more revenue. He commented that the sign has been a great marketing tool.

Never to be Forgotten

16 June 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

In the name of freedom, the world around, we cannot let the events of Tiananmen Square be forgotten.

June 4 marked the 36th anniversary of the massacre at Tiananmen Square, of hundreds and maybe thousands of peaceful protesters. The exact death toll has never been released by the Chinese government, but some have suggested it was as high as 10,000, in part because after the event many were later executed.

For most of the world, the words “Tiananmen Square” instantly evoke the image of a lone man standing valiantly in front of a tank that leads a row of tanks into Tiananmen Square, where the Chinese dictatorship murdered peaceful protestors seeking greater freedom.

The protestors – largely Chinese college students, were totally unarmed. As the tanks entered Tiananmen Square, a lone, unarmed man, who had apparently been shopping, deliberately walked in front of the line of tanks, carrying two shopping bags.

A photographer, who was some distance away, snapped a picture at that moment – a picture that has since become widely heralded as the most famous picture in history. For millions of people around the world, just a glimpse of that iconic picture is instantly recognizable for the statement it makes.  That lone individual, peacefully confronting the tyranny of a massive government military attack conveys an unmistakable and profound message to all who have ever struggled for freedom anywhere, throughout history. By simply standing peacefully, unarmed and determined, in front of such aggressors, this unidentified man made clear for all to see, the true nature of this enduring struggle.

It speaks to everyone – including the aggressors. For that reason the Chinese government has most forcefully and aggressively clamped down on all references and reminders of the incident in the hope that future generations of Chinese citizens will have no knowledge of the nature of their government and its dreadful actions on that day. Their efforts have been largely successful because most young people in China, today, are unaware of anything about Tiananmen Square.

As one Chinese reporter explained, since many of those who were involved or knowledgeable about the horrific event, have either died or are in their 70s and soon will be gone, it will indeed be up to the people in other countries of the world to keep the truth and the memory of Tiananmen Square alive. They must make sure it is never forgotten, because it is as sacred a day in the annals of human freedom, as any can be.

The reporter said, “Few dates are as difficult to say out loud in China as June 4,” adding that in the past few years the repression has increased.

Family members of those murdered were prohibited from mourning and have since been kept under constant surveillance by government officials. Their lives have been that of constant terror for 36 years. Each year as the anniversary date approaches, surviving family members of those who were murdered are required to leave their homes and go into seclusion so they are not accessible to journalists or other inquirers.

One of the unshakable things I read at the time about Tiananmen Square was from an observer who wrote that when the Chinese college students approached US journalists covering the demonstrations, to explain the reason they were demonstrating, they would frequently quote verbatim words from the US Constitution and other founding documents, only to have the journalists stare at them blankly – not recognizing the words they were hearing.

The journalists did not know that the Chinese college students were referencing American history and ideals. They did not understand that those young students knew more about the journalists’ history than they did. The journalists did not recognize that the Chinese students were trying to explain that they were carrying forth that same quest for individual liberty.

How appalling, and undoubtedly a foreboding of the current state of US media today.

Among the 70-year –old survivors, are those who formed a group called the Tiananmen Mothers, who have spent the past 36 years trying to keep the reality of Tiananmen Square alive. Realizing that for the most part younger generations in China do not know about the event, and as the membership of Tiananmen Mothers dwindles, they have resigned themselves to their failure and declared that in the future “reporting on the massacre will be limited to outsiders.” 

So while their voices have been silenced that doesn’t mean the rest of the world must be silent. We can remember on behalf of those who have been silenced.

New Speed Races Now on Summer Venue

16 June 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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This summer is adding new events to all the many things to do in Billings – two speed races for “street” cars, which is being produced by The Order of Chosen Friends. It is hoped that the events will attract the participation of a wide range of vintage cars, according to Lyndon Scheveck, a member of “Chosen Friends,” a nationally registered Fraternal Order that was originally founded in 1876 and resurrected in 2022.

Scheveck explained that “Burn the Point”, which is today a popular parade of vintage cars, used to be a race for “street” cars, but somewhere along the line the race was dropped. He and fellow members of Chosen Friends hope to establish a return of the race and hope it will become an annual event – the True Street Throw Down.

There will be two speed races – two True Street Throw Down events —  one on June 28 and another on August 30. The events will be at the corner of Molt Road and Buffalo Trail Road from 3 pm to 11 pm.

“We don’t want full blown race cars but the kind of cars you would drive to work,” said Scheveck. And, they especially hope to see a wide variety of vintage vehicles – vehicles from the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc.

True Street Throw Down is a memorial race dedicated to Josh Whitcomb, who was an avid race car driver and “a great member of the community and even better friend,” said Scheveck.

Participating vehicles must be driven to the race site – not brought in on trailers. The winner will win a thousand dollars.

“Buy ins” to race are $50 (to help pay for insurance and other costs) and spectators are $20, with those 12 and younger free. All of the proceeds will be donated to School District 2 and the Career Center, in support of the trades – training young people to become welders, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, etc.

Community involvement is the purpose of Chosen Friends, with special focus on getting the younger generation into the trades. It is especially a passion for Scheveck, who believes the youth need more opportunities to become engaged and to help them discover interests and opportunities. He most specifically hopes to divert them from the very dangerous escapades of racing on public streets.

Chosen Friends have gained approval of the County to use the county roads for the speed race, having presented a safety plan and guarantees of insurance, security etc. Detours around the “race track” will be designated. There will be a parking area and bleachers, and vendors. It is meant to be a wholesome fun event for all, one that will serve the community as well as entertain.

For more information contact Lyndon Scheveck at lyndon@schevecklaw.com.

Force is Immoral

11 June 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

When liberties seem to be in conflict, one must check their basic premises. One must go back and determine what they know (or don’t know) about the Bill of Rights.

It should be remembered that the whole point of the Bill of Rights is to protect the individual citizen from the over reach of government. It was not intended to dictate how individuals should interact with each other. The Bill of Rights is all about restraining government, not citizens.

So when it comes to issues like discrimination, we should keep in mind that the Constitution is addressing government – government is not supposed to discriminate in how it deals with citizens. Citizens are free to discriminate!

Every citizen discriminates every day in a thousand different ways. It is the human condition that we have to make choices in order to survive and we must be free to do so. We must be free to choose– to discrrimnate.

To attempt to prevent citizens from choosing is not unlike attempting to legislate morality, which is a violation of freedom of religion — a violation of allowing each person to  choose their philosophy about life and the freedom to choose how to live one’s life. It is to attempt to use force to make individual citizens think in some approved way. It is violence against the human mind. Nothing should be considered more vile by human beings, whose very means of survival is the human mind.

To change biases requires addressing the mind. It falls to the very challenging task of persuasion and reason — reason being the hallmark of the human mind.

To coerce people to think some specific way, is an impossible quest, as history has amply demonstrated. It also requires the use of force against people who have not initiated the use of force themselves. The very essence of a free society is accepting that the only moral use of force is for self-defense or the defense of others.

Government is pure force. It is the legalized use of force. Ultimately, everything government does, it does at the point of a gun. That is the vision one should hold in mind when suggesting government should “do something.” The only legitimate use of government in a moral society is to protect its citizens from the use of force by foreign adversaries and to stand as defender and arbitrator when citizens use force, one against another.

Hence, the only legitimate purpose of government in a free society, is the moral use of force. In a moral society government is established in recognition of that fact.  Government should exist to defend the country, the citizens, from outside forces, and to restrain how citizens use force against each other. Such is the purpose of law enforcement and courts, to protect citizens from murder, theft, fraud, government, etc.

Almost all other issues that a society sees as legitimate concerns — such as philanthropy in regard to human kindness, welfare and charity, most issues of health and safety, all of education, research, innovation and community benefits or enhancements — could and would be provided for by the private sector. Many are already provided for in creative ways, and they would be to an even greater extent if not for the competitive interferences of government force. There would be voluntary systems and processes and alternatives that ingenuous citizens would quickly devise should they see a need for them– innovations that would amaze us all.

So in trying to decide when government is right or wrong the conclusion should fall to the issue of force and how much emphasis was put on restraining government in the use of force. Anything that requires the use of force against citizens who have initiated no use of force themselves teeters at the brink of being a crime in and of itself.

For government— or to use government as a surrogate, to force someone — which essentially means using the point of a gun – to do something against their will, has to be seen for what it is – wrong. So when we are told the Constitution says it is illegal to discriminate, or to adhere to one religion over another, or over no religion at all, or that we have to wear a mask, or drive a certain kind of car, or use one cooking stove over another — it is all untrue. It is all a crime against humanity. What the Constitution and the Bill of Rights say is that none of those things should be dictated to any citizen in a free country – most especially since it is an abhorrent violation to choose – a human being’s very means of survival.

The Nonsense of Nonpartisan

20 May 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

To declare an election to be “nonpartisan” is a farce and everyone knows it.

The declaration isn’t made to claim that the candidate has no opinions or political views  – it is to declare that the voters have no right to know what they are.

It is an orchestrated scheme to favor those whose views are contrary to what is perhaps the views of the majority of voters.

It is NOT a neutral strategy. It does, very much, favor one side over the other.

The puzzling thing is why some go along with it. I have encountered candidates who said that they have been hesitant to speak their minds when talking to voters because they are supposed to be “nonpartisan.” Why?

What a gambit for those who have faulty ideas!

How would a politician expect to defend their ideas and fight for what they believe is right should they be elected, if they are going to be so easily intimidated by those who don’t want to be forthright?

There is a good reason why some politicians refuse interviews that don’t provide questions in advance, or who do not attend town hall meetings, or steer clear of talk shows that field questions from phone callers. They do not have winning answers – or perhaps any answers.

Of course, it is implied that to be nonpartisan means to be neutral or impartial, which it is not. Nonpartisan, especially as it applies to political candidates, is but a very concerted effort to keep information from voters. After all, a party affiliation has to do with political ideas – if a candidate chooses to identify with one or the other, it’s meant as a signal about ideas with which they align themselves — at least that’s what it should be about.

Someone who actually has no opinions is pretty much brain dead, and certainly a poor candidate to do anything.

Can a person strive to be neutral in presenting an idea? Sure they can and there are times it is the right thing for which to strive. But not in the voting booth. Voting is a contest about ideas. Who has the best ideas? If campaigns are required to leave issues or political philosophies unspoken, upon what are voters supposed to base their decisions? How tall they are? Who they are related to? Where they were born? What their hobbies are? On what should voters base decisions if the first rule of the contest is not to discuss ideas?

No political contest displays that more than the nonsensical, non-partisan city council elections. Often there are novice candidates who have very little or no visibility in the community. As a city council election approaches the most common question among locals in any conversation becomes, “Do you know anything about this person?” 

Voting for judges is no different. Do nonpartisan advocates really think that the ability to be able to interpret the law impartially means not to have personal opinions or the integrity to hold to basic principles? Indeed, as we have all clearly seen, judges do have biases that sometimes prompt them to ignore the law and decree a new twist to it – and those most prone to those kinds of decisions are those who most benefit from nonpartisan elections. To hold true to the mandate to interpret the law is indeed a difficult challenge, especially when it seems to contradict common sense or a person’s strongly held philosophical beliefs. Judges who can do that are indeed unique individuals.  Shouldn’t voters have all the information they can possibly have to identify which candidates seem to have that kind of integrity?

A judge who might be criticized for imposing a bad law because of its consequences, should freely state, “If you don’t like the law, then change it the appropriate way.”

If a law is really not a good law, how will it ever be changed if its true impact isn’t revealed in its application? That is really the role of judges – not to rewrite it. How can bad laws ever be identified and changed if not accurately applied? Voters must be able to identify who is truly capable of interpreting laws accurately and which candidates have the character and integrity to do so.

All I can suggest is, if someone believes nonpartisan elections are a good idea, don’t vote for them.

Ice Arena Groundbreaking

20 May 2025
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

It’s a new era for ice hockey in Billings, Montana – in fact for all ice sports.

With Signal Peak Energy’s $6 million donation, this past month, along with the addition of many other community donations, a groundbreaking ceremony was held last Wednesday to build a $12 million Signal Peak Energy Arena, which will feature two-sheets of ice for hockey, curling, figure skating, etc.

On a bright sunny and very warm day, hundreds of people and numerous dignitaries, including Governor Greg Gianforte, were on site to commemorate the launching of the new facility, which will eventually include a second phase of four basketball courts. The new sports complex is located on property the city purchased a few years ago, next to the Amend Park Soccer Complex, near the corner of South Billings Boulevard and King Avenue East.

The two-sheet ice project is a public – private collaboration of The Yellowstone Ice Foundation and the South Billings Urban Renewal Association, (SBURA), a tax increment finance district funded by property taxes from business growth in the vicinity of the intersection of Interstate 90 and South Billings Boulevard. SBURA donated $4.6 million.

The goal of the Yellowstone Ice Foundation, which will operate the new facility, is to build it without further reliance on public dollars. Over a year ago, City of Billings’ voters rejected a $143 million bond aimed at building and maintaining a full scale recreation facility, in the same location. That effort followed years of effort, by hockey and other ice sports participants to find a way to increase capacity for their growing sports, since they were out-growing the existing Centennial Arena, which has been the only ice arena in Billings since the mid- 70s.

The new state-of-the –art facility will not only serve the youth of today but will “drive long-term economic success and create opportunities for athletes of all ages,” heralded Parker Phipps, Signal Peak president & C.E.O.  Signal Peak operates Montana’s only underground coal mine north of Billings on the border of Yellowstone County and Musselshell County near Roundup. Phipps is also president of the Yellowstone Ice Foundation Board.

Alex Picicci, Signal Peak senior accountant and secretary-treasurer for the Yellowstone Ice Foundation, also spoke to the crowd about the potential for ice sports in Billings.

The crowd especially enjoyed a historical rendition about hockey in Billings, from a man referred to as the Godfather of Hockey in Billings, Joe Studiner.

There was no hockey in Billings when Studiner arrived in the city over 50 years ago, which made him inclined to think he wasn’t going to remain in the city very long. But when he heard that there was an effort to form a youth team, he arrived at the gathering ready to serve as a coach and became a leader for the sport in Billings and throughout the state. As strange as it might seem for a city located in the north, the sport’s biggest struggle – with only outdoor rinks – – was that it was often too warm to have ice.

Studiner is more than pleased with the prospect of having an indoor rink with two sheets of ice.

The 69,996-square-foot complex will have capacity for about 2,940 spectators, and is expected to contribute to future economic growth of sports tourism for Billings, which has been championed by Visit Billings as part of the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce President/ CEO, John Brewer, underscored the growing importance of sports tourism to the local economy.  Billings Mayor Bill Cole, further emphasized the potential for the Billings economy, stating, “Tourism is a powerful economic driver.” He noted that each year, the city hosts 2.6 million visitors, generating $621 million in spending.

The Billings Tourism Business Improvement District has announced the commitment of $1 million over the next three years to support Signal Peak Energy Arena.

That announcement followed an earlier one from Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Billings of a $500,000 contribution, which secured the naming rights for the building’s lobby.

“Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company is well-known for their commitment to the Billings community,” said Phipps. “Pepsi’s donation brings a legacy of public support to the state-of-the-art ice arena.”

Tom Dimich of Pepsi-Cola Bottling explained. “Our involvement goes beyond supplying refreshing soft drinks; we’re eager to invest in a project that will do so much for the families and athletes in the region.”

According to Yellowstone Ice Foundation they have has raised over $11 million of their $16 million goal.

Another $1 million was donated by the Larson Family. First Interstate Bank has contributed $45,000. Other contributions have come from KE Construction,  KOA, Billings Amateur Hockey Leagues, Tom and Joan Scott Foundation, Northwest Pipe Fittings, BNSF Railway, Western Security Bank, Altana, The Clark-O’Rourke Family, Weave, MCAHA, The Seedhouse Family, Billings Overhead Door Co., Edwards & Culver, The Wald Family, Mattress King, Intermountain Health, Collaborative Design Architects, A & E Design, and Allegra.

“This project is a win for Billings and for Montana kids,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Thanks to strong community partners and Signal Peak Energy, we’re investing in a stronger future for the community and for young athletes looking to grow, compete, and have fun.”

Dick Zier, who heads SBURA, also spoke to welcome the ice arena. He said that they expect the addition of a $20 million basketball court to be ready in a little more than a year.

The Signal Peak Energy Arena is expected to be completed in April 2026.