Author: Evelyn Pyburn

We Get It!

25 November 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

It’s been my observation that there is no tax that doesn’t eventually filter down to the individual citizen, and if they are a consumer, they are a taxpayer.

This isn’t a good thing or a bad thing, it just is. Businesses do not pay any kind of tax. While they may seem to pay them, in the end they have to pass them on in the price of their product to the consumer. If they don’t, they vanish as a business – they go broke, quit business, and cease to be a part of the picture. 

Taxes are not really paid on “tax day,” they are paid when the consumer purchases a product.

Taxes are consequential for businesses, only when they are looking for best locations in which to do business. But even then they are most consequential to the consumers and workers in the community, who benefit from the products, services, innovations and jobs that businesses bring.

There is no magic tax that saves the consumer.  There is only one way to lower taxes and that is for the government to spend less. Even if rich people pay higher rates, those tax inputs eventually reach the lowest rung of consumers in the prices they pay. 

It is especially vile when politicians attempt to dupe voters into believing that businesses are their enemy – that the individual’s taxes are high because businesses don’t pay their “fair share.” That is a favorite political mantra by political entities who do not want people to fully understand that the ONLY way to lower taxes is to lower government spending – bearing in mind that government has NOTHING that it doesn’t have to first take away from the citizens.

There are undoubtedly shifts in markets depending on what kinds of taxes are imposed. High property taxes reduce the number of homeowners. Rents increase.  High gasoline taxes reduce the amount citizens travel, but they pay them when they purchase groceries or products freighted into their community. High income taxes may encourage people to leave a community to work in a different state, which is also a price paid by the community. There may be some variance in every day transactions, but in the end, citizens are always the losers when taxes are high.

“Balanced” does not mean “lower,” which is how some people interpret the call for balanced taxes, and what the advocates want people to believe, and perhaps even believe themselves. But, not all that many people are fooled it seems, given a recent poll in which a majority of Montanans oppose adopting a statewide sales tax.

A sales tax has long been unpopular in Montana, where the basic taxes are income and property taxes. One has to believe it is because most people fully realize that it is really a call for more taxation, not property tax reduction, as is commonly claimed.

If Montana citizens ever had any misconceptions, they were given a clear lesson in the early-90s, when the last push for a sales tax was being made by many politicians. We needed a “three legged stool” for balance, we were being told. A sales tax would reduce property taxes, they said. And, while they were willing to put a cap on how high a sales tax might be – they were seen scrambling into the woodwork when it was recommended that a cap also be placed on property taxes and income taxes.

Montanans had routinely seen in neighboring states, how quickly and easily sales taxes were raised, and they were highly suspicious that the same was in store for Montana. When caps – especially on property taxes – were totally rejected in the state legislature, it made the truth of the situation clear. And, it is that which most Montanans see as the underlying reason for a sales tax.

If balance is what is being sought, then bring forth the legislation that would place real caps on all three taxes.

Caps on all taxation is actually the policy under which government – at all levels — should always function, if one looks at the realities of growth, which is usually the excuse given for more taxes. When a community grows it increases demand for goods, prices increase, and the number of pay checks increase. There are increases in every economic regard which should generate increased tax revenues at exactly the pace —  the set cap — that government should grow to keep pace with community growth.

That would keep government growth in check – which would also keep in check the power that government is able to exert over innocent citizens.

If one is really desirous of growing business and encouraging entrepreneurship, the Tax Foundation suggests that taxes on business to business transactions be exempt. The Tax Foundation warns that taxing business inputs results in “tax pyramiding” – taxing tax payments.

Business growth and a strong economy is a win- win for every one – even government, if indeed it is growing at a justifiable pace. Why should government grow if business isn’t growing or if citizens can’t make a living?

Adhering to policies that restrain growth in government with that of the economy would have saved the country from having any general sales taxes at all. It was during the Great Depression when citizens were starving, forced to abandon their property, leave their homes, and suffered a horrible plunge in the standard of living, that state governments decided that they shouldn’t have to endure the same suffering, and 44 of them enacted a general sales tax which burdened their citizens even more.

Montanans apparently decided not to do that. And, the case can truly be made the state has benefited from that decision ever since. There have been many studies and analysis of economic performance that have shown that states lacking one of the “three legs of the stool,” do better economically than they would with a “balanced” tax system. Those studies, in fact, demonstrate many times over that it is lower taxes that generate strong economies and better standards of living.

So let’s not scratch our heads in pretense that Montanans don’t know what is good for them. Most Montanans know EXACTLY what is good for them.

NILE – Mostly it’s About the Kids!

25 November 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

While most people know about the Northern International Livestock Exposition, and realize it has to do with the showing and selling of livestock, and promotion of  agriculture, they may not know how much NILE is focused on young people and supporting them in their education as the future of agriculture.

On a Tuesday morning, there were 1700 kids – members of FFA and 4-H – at the NILE, to participate in horse judging and meat evaluation. They came from California, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and of course, Montana. The day before a similar number of youth participated in other judging contests including livestock evaluation, meat science, sales and service, etc.

They come because, not only is the program and competition good, explained Leah Clark, NILE General Manager, but it is the last event in which FFA members can hone their skills prior to the National FFA Convention, which will be held in Indiana in November. She noted that the ages of the participants begin at age 9, which is the age at which they can join 4-H.

 In addition to those competitions, 1,800 fourth graders, from all over southeastern Montana, attended NILE for a 2.5 hour ag education program and hands-on experience, which is held in six sessions over three days. In the program they attend stations on livestock, grains, seeds and soil, honey and other special aspects of agriculture. The program is a collaborative effort of the NILE, the Montana Farm Bureau, Montana Extension Service, with volunteers from such organizations as the Beef Council, Montana Cattle Women, etc.

The youngsters arrive at the NILE by bus or in cars loaded with family members, trucks hauling livestock, etc. Not only do the teachers and chaperones of the youngsters attend, but so do trainers and judges and some of the top livestock growers in the nation, as well as the administrators and sponsors of the NILE. The event garners lots of headlines across the nation, and puts Billings on the map as an epicenter for agriculture for the entire region, which gains much support from local business people, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, the Yellowstone County Commissioners, many of whom were volunteers in serving the kids’ breakfast early on Monday and Tuesday mornings at MetraPark.

NILE raises money for its “Agriculture Youth Program” to award scholarships to deserving youth, to providing internship experiences for college students, to help young cattlemen and women start their own herd.  One of the events through which funds are raised is the annual Stetsons & Stilettos. Over the past 20 years the NILE Foundation has contributed a million in scholarships.

“Supporting youth in agriculture is a key component of the NILE Foundation’s mission,” says Clark, explaining that NILE has fundraising events to fund scholarships for youth as they enter college. “It is critical that we continue to provide financial assistance to the next generation of agriculture leaders so that they may pursue higher education and reach their personal and professional goals.”

Starting them out early in life is what happens at the NILE. The opportunities get them involved and focused at a very young age, giving them a view of what is possible and a hand-up in getting them started.

Youngsters who are members of FFA or 4-H, between ages 12 to 16, may participate in the NILE Merit Heifer Program, which was developed to help them get a start in the beef cattle business. Selected recipients are awarded a heifer based on merit, future goals and ability to care for the animal. Each program participant will own their heifer jointly with NILE until the completion of the program, at which time NILE officials will sign off and the participant will take full ownership of the heifer. Participants are responsible for raising the heifer, arranging for her bred, and completing the record keeping procedure. They bring the animal back one year later as a bred replacement heifer for exhibit at the NILE Stock Show.

The purpose of the program is to help the participant start his or her own cattle herd.

The NILE partners with Bill Oliver Horsemanship for the NILE Colt Classic to teach training and horsemanship skills. It has a similar goal as the Merit Heifer Program of helping to launch youth into owning their first horse.

Among NILE programs is another that provides for internships through which 10 college students are selected to help in the production of the annual NILE Stock Show & Rodeo. Besides exposing them to the agriculture world it gives them hands-on experience in management, organization, media, marketing and communications.

Billings Leaders Going to Rapid City to Visit Jail

25 November 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

A contingent of state legislators, Billings and other state leaders, in various capacities, will be making a trip to Rapid City, South Dakota to tour their detention facility, the Pennington County Jail, to find out how they operate and possibly learn new ideas about how to deal with some aspects of Yellowstone County’s crime issues.

The trip will serve a two-fold purpose, according to City Councilwoman Jennifer Owen.  Some of those going on the trip are members of the sub-committee appointed by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to explore all aspects of the county’s justice system, including the possible expansion of the jail, and others will be focused on how they deal with their pre-arraignment process and diversion program.

Owen is part of the CJCC subcommittee, as is County Commissioner Mark Morse and state legislator, Barry Usher, who will also be going on the tour. There will be others going on the trip from city and county leadership, as well as a number of state legislators.

 About the subcommittee, Owen explained, “We are looking at every possible thing we can do to make it [the justice system] work better.”  A separate “overarching” project is to build a temporary holding facility. With that in mind, there will be some investigation by the tour group into a pre-arraignment facility.

The City is pushing for the temporary holding facility, hoping to get a contract with Yellowstone County to operate it, and that it will be operational in a matter of months – at least by the end of 2024. The City has included a half million dollars in its budget to pursue the project, and anticipate that there may be a need to appropriate more funds. By law, only the County can operate a jail or prison, which is why the City will negotiate a two or three year contract with the County to operate a facility to hold misdemeanor cases immediately after being arrested for up to 72 hours as they wait to see a judge.

In having to deal with an over-crowded jail, a scenario that currently occurs regularly, is that a law officer will charge someone who, for example, is drunk and disorderly, only to have to leave them “on the streets,” since they don’t have a place to hold them. Invariably they will encounter that same person again later in the same night perpetrating another crime. “They can end up having multiple outstanding warrants and multiple crimes in one evening,” said Owen. It is instances such as this that a temporary holding facility is expected to curb.

The idea is to fund short- term, temporary structures that are flexible, which will allow officials to evaluate, over a two or three year period, the holding facility’s impact on crime and whether the facility impacts the jail – the Yellowstone County Detention Facility — population. The data collected will be beneficial in knowing what is needed in expanding the jail. According to Owen there are a number of vendors that offer a variety of units that can be rented.

County Commissioner Morse commented that where the information they gather will lead is uncertain. It will help in determining whether a temporary holding facility is possible and how it might fit in with other strategies, as well as helping to clarify uncertainties about adding onto the jail.  No matter what they do, a temporary holding facility would have to be located in proximity to the jail in order to access support services such as medical care, kitchen, laundry, administration, etc.

Among other options that the subcommittee is looking at is information brought by Justice of the Peace David Carter regarding a management program that will unify the courts and improve the ability of the courts to get data out of the system, which means, for example, a judge will know if a defendant before him has other outstanding warrants, etc.

County Attorney Scott Twito, who heads the CJCC, is also overseeing the sub-committee, which is meeting on a weekly basis, and is comprised of city and county officials, law enforcement, judges, and a legislator.

Airport: More to Come!

25 November 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

While many aspects of updating and expanding the Billings airport have been completed, there are more to come. Most of them are essential to attracting and retaining airline companies in the Billings market, according to Jeff Roach, Airport Director at Logan International Field in Billings.

Roach was one of several speakers at a special event featuring the Billings Air Service Committee hosted by the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Also presenting was Trina Froehlch of Mead & Hunt, of Eugene, Oregon. She gave one reason for the question that is commonly asked by people in Billings, which is why does Bozeman have more and less expensive flights than Billings? She explained that following COVID, business travel did not bounce back the way leisure travel has, which has encouraged airlines to invest more in leisure travel than business travel. Given that Bozeman has far more leisure travelers while Billings has always had a stronger business community, Bozeman has been more attractive for airline investment.

She added, “Billings and Bozeman are very different markets.”

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for Billings to expand its service. One way is to use Billings’ air service, even if it is a bit more expensive, advised Billings Chamber CEO John Brewer. The more travelers there are using Billings’ service the more attractive it appears as a good market to the airline carriers. The difference in cost per ticket isn’t that great – currently on average 13 percent per ticket. While that can amount to a lot for a family, Brewer is just saying….

The number of potential passengers is paramount for airlines in making their decision about where to bring service. Increasingly, they are operating larger aircraft with more seating because operating smaller planes is too expensive. They need to fill seats – typically from 60-70 – in each airplane.

Froehlch identified four areas of costs that are plaguing airline companies – high fuel costs, labor shortages, a decline in demand, and a shortage of aircraft. But their Number 1 problem is a shortage of pilots.  “It is really acute.”

There are a number of things that Billings airport has to do in order to bring in new carriers and expand service – “things that weren’t priorities before.” Some $60 million in upgrades have been identified.

Airline companies do not want to unload passengers on the ground. Billings Airport is doubling their number of gates. They have completed four and planning to add four more by April 1. They have only one ground loading area.

This spring they will begin building access roads to business centers within Logan Field.

They are going to realign the road on the west end of the airport which will allow for the expansion of a ramp that allows for a fifth air cargo pad.

“Every year into the future we have projects planned,” said Roach. The projects are prioritized and set forth in a master plan, but Roach noted that their existing master plan is 12 years old and needs to be updated. They updating could take up to two years.

Developing a 20- year master plan will take “robust public involvement,” said Roach.

Parking is one of the critical issues. “Do we stay on the ground or do we go vertical?” questioned Roach. Security improvements is another issue. “Our baggage claim no longer meets security requirements,” he said. There are other security issues to be addressed. Changes are also necessary in the area of bag screening and ticket counters.

Roach hinted that another fixed based operator is coming to Billings, a business similar to Edwards Jet Center.

There has been expansion in Billings’ air service.

The City of Billings, in partnership with the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), the Billings Chamber of Commerce, and Big Sky Economic Development has been awarded a $1,000,000 Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) grant by the United States Department of Transportation to recruit, initiate, and support new air service between Billings and one of two California hubs—San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Brewer pointed out that Southern California was identified as one of the top destinations in the country and Billings has no direct service to California. The Billings community must fulfill a match commitment to get the grant, which they are working on doing, according to Ashley Kavanagh, Senior Director of Recruitment and Community Development at Big Sky Economic Development. Local citizens and businesses were urged to contribute.

Another new “low-cost carrier”,  Sun Country Airlines, has been announced to begin service in Billings on June 19, 2024, with nonstop flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul. A seasonal service, the flights will be run every Wednesday and Saturday, until Aug. 24, 2024.

Billing has the second most flights, but is third in seat capacity.

Companies offering air service in Billings are Alaska, Allegiant, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue and Southwest.

Building a Jail, No Easy Decision

7 November 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

Perhaps the most commonly heard question in Billings is “Why don’t they expand the jail?” As incidents of crime become more prevalent, impacting citizens in more direct ways, and as news reports indicate many of the perpetrators remain on the streets, the issue rises to the top of most conversations in the community.

A frustrated public can be heard to lay the blame on “lenient judges” who they see as handing down minimal sentences to criminals. Or to cops who don’t arrest people involved in misdemeanor crimes. Or to county commissioners who are simply opposed to expanding the overcrowded jail.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” said County Commissioner John Ostlund about the claim that the county commissioners are simply opposed to expanding the jail. While expanding the jail may seem to be a logical solution to an over-crowded jail – doing so is a very complex issue – one which begs the question, “Will that really solve the community’s problems with crime?”

Dealing with the increase in crime that has impacted the Billings and Yellowstone County is multifaceted. There are issues at every turn in the entire judicial system from the moment a suspect is arrested throughout the entire adjudication process – problems which leaves many perpetrators sitting in jail for extended periods waiting on the system, and forces the release of others back onto the streets to commit more crimes.

As County Attorney Scott Twito once commented, if the jail is expanded “We will just fill it up,” underscoring that an expansion will not have addressed the reasons there are so many people sitting in jail.

At another public meeting, when asked about it, County Commissioner Don Jones pointed out that were the jail expanded and all the other issues resolved, the county could be sitting with an empty jail. Would that be a wise expenditure of taxpayer money?

The County is the only local agency that has authority to build and operate a jail. It is why the City of Billings approached the county, not long ago, with the offer of $500,000 to help finance the cost of building a 72-hour holding facility if the county would agree to operate it, with the idea that having to serve just two or three days in jail, would be a deterrent for some criminals. The idea and offer was positively received by the commissioners and by the County Sheriff Mike Linder, who said, “I would like to try it.”

Shortly after the city’s offer, County Attorney Scott Twito announced his appointment of a sub-committee of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) which will be made up of people representing various aspects of the community including city and county officials, law enforcement, judges, a legislator and others, to meet twice monthly to closely examine the many aspects of the judicial system and report recommendations to CJCC regarding solutions to best address the surge in criminal activity. Their meetings are open to the public.

County Commissioners approved the formation of the committee and appropriated $150,000 to enable the sub-committee to engage whatever professional expertise it might need, including engineers or architects to delve into costs and options of expanding the jail.

Serving on that committee is County Commissioner Mark Morris, who explains that more than trying to find answers to problems; they have to determine what questions to ask.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest factors impacting the entire judicial system is a shortage of personnel – of casual laborers to professionals, of detention officers, medical providers, policemen, and attorneys. From one end of the process to the others the first issue to emerge is the ongoing inability to fill open staff positions.

Right now, the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is short 18 detention officers and the Sheriff’s office is constantly seeking more deputies. The County Attorney’s office has been struggling to attract and retain the lawyers it needs and is short-handed most of the time.

One significant vacancy for the county and the state has been a chronic need for more mental health professionals who can provide mental health evaluations for those charged with crimes but are in need of mental health evaluations in order for their cases to be adjudicated. There are inmates of the jail who have been there for more than a year waiting for a mental health evaluation. There is available, only one mental health professional qualified to do that, for the entire state, pointed out Ostlund.

Morris pointed out that one solution that has been discussed by the CJCC is to hire professionals from out of state to do the evaluations. “It would be less expensive than keeping someone in the jail for a year,” he said.

Not only is the shortage of staff an issue that generates a backlog in the adjudication process that keeps inmates in jail longer, contributing to the issue of an overcrowded jail, but to add onto the jail will amplify that problem as they attempt to staff it.

There’s no doubt that the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is overcrowded. It began exceeding maximum capacity almost from the very first day the last expansion was completed. With a maximum capacity of 434 inmates, its daily population ranges between 590 and 600.

The first question to be answered is how many beds should be added? “Is it 600 or 1000?” asks Ostlund, “No one knows the answer.” Another question is what kind of a facility should be built, a minimum security or a major security facility. Costs vary depending on those answers, and not all the data is known in helping to make those decisions.

How much will it cost? There are many aspects to expanding the jail that impose significant costs that may not be considered by those thinking of just building a physical structure. The commissioners estimated that the cost of design and construction would be about $45 million, which could vary greatly depending on the size of the addition. There are different kinds of facilities and different ways to build them, many of which are dictated by law, that would also effect cost.

Besides building the building there is the annual operational cost – costs of maintenance, staffing for guards and processors, for the operation of a kitchen and a laundry, and to meet the mandatory medical services that have to be made available to inmates, including such things as dental care. There are many services for inmates that the county must provide in a jail which are mandated by state and federal laws.

The commissioners explained that there is significant processing that must be done to arrest and to release someone even for a minimum security, 72-hour holding facility. They must be evaluated and everything they have must be documented and stored, and available to be reclaimed when they are released. And, there are liability issues associated with that process.

Increasing the jail from 434 beds (currently) to 884 (increase of 450 beds) would project an increase in operations of more than $10 million annually, according to the County Finance Office. That would cover the cost of medical, food, insurance, maintenance, miscellaneous operational costs and full time employees. Operational costs in FY2023 for the current jail were a little over $13 million.

There are other issues that expanding the current jail brings for the county. Currently the jail occupies a space shared with the Evidence Building and the Road and Bridge Department. There is not enough room to add onto the jail without moving one of the other facilities. Do they move and probably rebuild the Evidence Building or the Road and Bridge Department?

Ostlund noted that the county does own vacant space across the street from the jail, currently used for parking. There is no doubt that the day will come that they will have to use it for expanding one facility or another, he said.

Ostlund said that the cost is a concern, because “We care what the impact is on our taxpayers.” When it comes to asking the voters to pass a bond the commissioners believe they should be able to answer all these questions for the voters. “We need to have our ducks in a row,” said Ostlund, “If we are going to make a case we are going to have to be credible.”

APC Gets Second Grant; Expands Help to Veterans

7 November 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

It was almost exactly a year ago that the Adaptive Performance Center (APC), a veterans’ support center, received a $750,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant came with the promise of getting another $750,000 grant in a year, if their program proved itself to be effective and met the requirements of the grant.  Having lived up to those expectations and goals, APC was recently notified that they will be getting another $750,000 to continue their program.

Having reached some amazing goals in the past year, APC founders Karen Pearson and Mitch Crouse, are just as ecstatic about this award as they were last year. They are also excited about what they hope to achieve in the coming year.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) made the grant under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Suicide prevention among veterans is precisely what Pearson and Crouse are dedicated to achieving, and they believe they have developed a program that truly achieves that goal.

APC is a gym for veterans and enlisted military, where they can meet and talk with like-minded individuals whose association helps to build inner strength and peace while building physical strength.

Both Crouse and Pearson had experiences in providing physical training for people who had traumatic situations with which to deal, and they realized that physical exercise was hugely beneficial in that process. As Crouse frequently reiterates, “Move your body, heal your mind.”

With the intent of proving their theory, three years ago, Pearson and Crouse launched APC, with no guidelines or guarantees or members. Today, Billings’ center has about 800 members, and a second location they opened last February in Helena has about 400.

The APC gym is located at 1420 Broadwater in Billings and at 2476 North Cook in Helena. While Billings has the highest percentage of veterans in its population in the state, Helena has the second highest. About 10 percent of the Montana population are veterans, one of the highest in the nation – unfortunately the state also has the highest rate of suicides.

Pearson’s and Crouse’s theory about the benefits of exercise is working better than anticipated, not just because of the gym or the opportunity to get into physical shape, but because the gym quickly became a “safe place to be” —- a place where veterans found like-minded friends, and people truly dedicated to helping them through the many struggles they have.

It has turned out that not only is exercise a magic elixir of sorts, APC is meeting many other needs as well. Pearson said that there are many “holes” in the services that are supposed to be available to veterans and not enough people to deliver on them. After a while a veteran becomes so frustrated with getting no response, put off, or ignored, they just give up, said Person.

APC staff quickly broadened their assistance and their knowledge. They developed resources to help solve issues that really should never have been an issue.

Said Crouse, “We are sort of a committee with a sweet gym attached.”

With two APC locations already established in Montana, what’s next for APC? “Open more locations,” replies Pearson.

The hope is that they can launch a third location out-of-state. They have had plenty of interest from advocates in other states. At the forefront is North Carolina. Other states that pose possibilities are Alabama and Colorado.

Pearson explained that what they look for in an area is whether there is a significant concentration of veterans to serve, and the capacity of the community, and the commitment of those wanting to establish a gym.

It takes a lot of front funding and work.

Anyone who has their D2-14 discharge papers can join APC. The cost is $19.95 a month, but no one is turned away because of inability to pay. In fact, APC has numerous individuals, businesses and organizations, which will pay the dues of anyone who can’t afford to do so. Between 35 and 40 percent of their members depend on such contributions, and they are very appreciative.

The grant funding is primarily used for staffing and to provide for the professional trainers and mental health support that both gyms provide. Like many other businesses finding the people they need in a tight labor market is one of their biggest challenges.

Crouse and Pearson divide their time between the Billings and Helena gyms, focusing much effort on acquiring and training staff.

Provision for many other needs they still have, comes through the contributions of people and businesses in the community. APC has held fund raisers which were well supported by the community.

They welcome any support that people, organizations and businesses want to give. There are businesses and employers who will match contributions, they note.

And, then there are the surprises. Pearson said that someone comes at regular intervals and unloads a pickup full of dry goods at the door.

The support is well worthwhile. “Every day we see miracles happen here,” said Pearson. While the physical exercise is beneficial and sometimes absolutely essential to overcome health issues, APC becomes a family for most of the members, where they enjoy the comradery and thrive with the support. Family members are always commenting to Pearson and Crouse about how APC has transformed their loved one and changed the lives for the whole family.

Pearson related the story of one veteran from North Carolina who contacted them several times inquiring about APC. He was an unemployed veteran, seeking help and a new start. To their amazement, he packed up and moved to Billings, joined APC, got a place to live, got better, and now has a job and is thriving.

Bible College Moves to Billings, Joins Fast Growing School

23 October 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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Quietly growing and succeeding, step by step, in the education world, in Billings is the Billings Christian School (BCS) at 4519 Grand Avenue. And this fall it took another giant leap forward with the addition of Montana Bible College (MBC) which has moved to 1519 S. Shiloh Road, Billings, from Bozeman.

The addition of the college follows last year’s addition of a new high school on Shiloh Road.

Billings Christian School was launched in 1981 with 42 students. Today its K-12 enrollment is 400, and growing.

It was a long –term goal of the school to one day add a college, but amazingly that day came much, much sooner than anticipated, explained Matthew McDonnell, President of the Billings Christian School Foundation. 

Montana Bible College was finding it more and more difficult to remain in Bozeman because of the increasing cost of living and doing business there. Through mutual acquaintances, the two education centers began discussing the possibility of the college moving to Billings and sharing the same campus with the Billings Christian High School. This fall marks the beginning of the college’s first classes with a 52 student enrollment.

Ryan Ward is President of MBC, which hopes to soon have over a hundred student enrollment. McDonnell has no doubt that they will achieve that goal because “they do such a great job with staffing and being self-sustained.”

McDonnell is thoroughly pleased with what the college brings to BCS. Its proximity offers inspiration and encouragement to high school students on a daily basis, as well as an opportunity to fast track their education through high school classes that offer dual credits.

While the college is located on the same campus as the high school, the college students are being housed elsewhere while dorms are being built for next year’s students.

The real amazement is that the MBC addition follows so closely on the heels of BCS getting a high school, which in itself was a remarkable development. Faced with rapid growth, BCS Board members knew they had to expand their high school but it loomed as quite a daunting challenge.

When Yellowstone Bible College moved from their location on Shiloh Road, suddenly there sat a magnificent facility just waiting to be used. The problem was, because of its prime location, the 11 acres with three buildings and a chapel, was worth more without “all this stuff on it.”  But then something of a miracle happened, a donor stepped in and bought the property, making it available to the school for the next five years for $1 a year, with the goal that the school would be able to purchase it in five years.

“We did it in two,” said McDonnell, crediting the hard work of many people and the generosity of “parents and grandparents,” and the success of getting the school functioning on a business-like basis.

On every front, McDonnell is enthusiastic about what is happening at BCS. He says he wished he could have attended a school like BCS. He and his wife discovered BCS when they started investigating education options for their children. After becoming involved with BCS, it wasn’t long before McDonnell’s enthusiasm netted him the position as President of the school’s foundation which was established in 2005.

Under the direction of Dan Makowski, BCS serves some 40 different church denominations. It functions as a tax exempt corporation governed by an independent Board of Directors. 

Why has the school continued to grow? “Because of the quality of our teachers and the value of a Christian education,” said McDonnell. “Parents began to see that kids have a different value set with a Christian education.”. . .  and the school offers “more of a family setting” Parents are very much involved with the school on a daily basis.

Also, COVID played a significant role.

It seemed that the school was just getting its footing, explained McDonnell, when “the world shut down” because of COVID. The situation generated considerable concern that the school might not recover from the same setbacks that so many businesses and enterprises were confronting. But it turned out that just the opposite happened.

“COVID really showed the public some of the stuff that was happening in public schools. It unveiled that society was more morally bankrupt than they had realized, and that pushed many people to consider a Christian education.” They started looking at private schools and home schooling options.

Suddenly, Billings Christian School was enrolled to capacity and had “a huge waiting list.” The waiting list could have been even bigger than it was, said McDonnell, because when some people found out how long it was they didn’t even ask to be put on it.

At the beginning of COVID the school had 275 students enrolled, now they have over 400, with others on the waiting list. 

Anticipating further growth, Billings Christian School is currently focused on raising $2 million to help in adding a state-of –the art gymnasium and to upgrade their science and art rooms, the administration offices and to add four more classrooms. The over-all cost for all the additions is estimated at about $6 million.

It’s a daunting challenge but McDonnell is optimistic because of what the school has to offer families and belief it is what many are seeking. “We have to really focus on growing,” said McDonnell.

There is no pulling punches about Billings Christian School being a Christian school. It’s a firm stance that prohibits the school from getting any public funds, even though the parents are taxpaying citizens – and it disqualifies them for some grants. There have been instances in which they were encouraged to minimize their emphasize on teaching religion, but those “opportunities” have been flatly refused, said McDonnell.

The school is dually credited through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and COGNIA.

It is a member of the National Christian School Athletic Association – and in fact the school’s basketball team, The Warriors, won the national championship last year.

Offered in the high school are courses on Bible, English, mathematics, history, science, Spanish, fine arts, choir, orchestra, band, physical education and electives such as business, Christian Leadership, computer coding, robotics, STEM, home economics, elementary, aide, Financial Peace University, speech, debate, drama, yearbook, logic, internships and independent studies.

Montana Bible College, founded in 1987, is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

MBC strives to make sure their students graduate debt free.  And, though MBC is eligible for Federal Title IV funding, they have chosen not to participate. “We wish to remain free from dependence on the government and free from the “strings” attached to government money,” states their website.

Besides a a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with five emphasis, students may obtain degrees in business administration, communications, criminal justice, healthcare management, marketing and sports management.

Airshow Gets Nominated as Best, Invited to Advise

23 October 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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While Billings is still talking about the Yellowstone International Airshow which was held in Billings in August, there are outcomes from it that are posing interesting opportunities.

Also, officials have announced that The Yellowstone International Airshow has been nominated for “Best Civil Small Airshow,” by airshow performers, and for “Best Marketing,”  The awards are to be presented by the International Council of Air Shows at its convention in Las Vegas on December 6.

This is “the Pinnacle” enthused Matthew McDonnell, in making the announcement, who further commented about the Billings airshow, “It was very well done.” Something of an understatement.

McDonnell was one of the people who spearheaded the event, but he quickly presents a long list of volunteers in Billings who stepped up to make it happen. There were in fact thousands – often at some great expense to themselves – who demonstrated what this community can do.

The Blue Angeles crew said it was the best airshow ever, according to McDonnell. It was a “First Time Airshow and a Legacy Airshow.”

The coordination, planning and production of the airshow was second to none, and there are now people involved in the business of airshows who are asking if there are people in Billings who would go on a circuit to make “how to” presentations to other communities wanting to take on a similar challenge.

“That is a big compliment,” said McDonnell — and, the Billings group did compile “a notebook on what to do” in anticipation of the next airshow in Billings, which McDonnell doesn’t think will happen for another three to five years – “so we don’t wear people out.”

How to address the request is being pondered by McDonnell and others. “We would focus on smaller communities like Billings,” said McDonnell. He said he thinks it should involve a team of consultants, comprised of those who were in charge of the specific challenges. From throughout the community there were volunteers who oversaw the many aspects of putting together the event from sponsorships  to marketing, from managing business to organizing volunteers, from security measures to food vendors, from parking to air traffic control, from road closures to emergency medical, from set-up to dispersing information….and much more.

McDonnell marvels at what people accomplished. They coordinated a world-class air show. And, “we were lucky to get all ‘the greats’ to help us out,” he said referring to the contributions of people like “Thumper” – Kendall Switzer — a retired Brigadier General, a past Blue Angel, who now lives in Bozeman. 

And the depth of commitment was amazing, from volunteers who stepped up to take on a whole segment of the planning and no one had to worry about that aspect of the show again – people like Ben Flanagan, said McDonnell. For lack of a better description, Flanagan was the airshow’s superintendent, said McDonnell. He just got things done. For example, there was a big wind storm Saturday night that knocked a lot of things down. Flanagan was at the air field at dawn putting things back up. By the time everyone else arrived they didn’t even know there had been a problem.

And, “kudos” to the Blains at Billings Flying Service and to Edwards Jet Center – “They were the most accommodating,” said McDonnell, who went on to mention many others including one of the other lead organizers, Jake Penwell, as well as:

Reid Pyburn, who oversaw the organizing of Food and Beverage vendors; Chad Amstory, ground operations, who helped Flanagan with layout; Jodee Etchart, coordinator of volunteers; Robb Bergeson at Edwards Jet Center who moved planes as needed and got fuel – “We couldn’t have done it without them.” Then there was Shane Ketterling, Airport Assistant Director, who worked with FAA and security, “absolutely instrumental”; Sara Blenkner, Director of Development “kind of like a secretary”; Rob Moore, Executive Communication Director for the Board; Noah Kiprono, Finance CFO; Vu Pham, Legal Council and Secretary to the executive board; Jeff Stovall, in charge of security working with the Billings Police Department – and all law enforcement who had people working with the air show.

And then there were dozens of people on the board who attended an untold number of meetings. During the week of the event, all of the organizers and many volunteers met early every morning at the Northern Hotel to coordinate events and share information.

On the weekend of the air show there were hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who played a part in many different roles from shuttling people, serving food, monitoring gates, and overseeing dozens of details.

Billings and Montana were obviously ready for another airshow with it having been over 20 years since the last one . The Yellowstone International Airshow sold 11,500 tickets for each of the two days of the air show, plus 1000 VIP tickets. And that is not counting the attendance for the two days prior to Saturday and Sunday, nor does it include the volunteers and vendors who were on hand to serve the spectators. It is estimated that there were 30,000 people in total at the air show.

The 72 Blue Angels and support crew were invited by Billings to arrive early in order to participate in some special events especially for them. Fifty-five came to be hosted at the S Ranch in the Pryor Mountains and to play golf and go fishing. “They were enamored with Montana,” said McDonnell. The Blue Angeles and crew members commented on how much more welcomed they were made to feel in Montana compared to their reception in other states.

Of course, the Logan International Field was shut down during the show and practice times, but one aspect that was not shut down was emergency medical flights. Twenty-one medical flights happened without a hitch, said McDonnell. “I don’t think anyone knew they were happening,” He said he was impressed with how readily the Blue Angeles and crew accommodated the flights. “Knock it off,” is the command given to put everything on hold.

So, for at least, the next three years – “Knock it off.”

When a Grunt will Do

23 October 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

With all the wrangling we encounter about words—what’s appropriate, what’s not, what a word means, and even if we dare speak words – if you think that is just an accidental manifestation in our society – think again.

To attack our language, to make communication difficult if not impossible. To create confusion and to intimidate, is a front line tactic of collectivists —socialists, communists, etc. To undermine society and the strength of the individual, really can be just a matter of words.

“The confusion and vagueness of terms always found in collectivist theories is not accidental; it is a reversion to the mental and verbal limitations of the primitive society it advocates, the inability to think in abstract terms,” writes Isabell Paterson, in God of the Machine, a 1968 book that explains why the Constitution works.

While most people use words to communicate, collectivists use words to create confusion. They want human beings to be cogs in a machine where no language is necessary, says Paterson.

Crippling our ability to communicate clearly or to articulate ideas is but one part of changing the words we use and the terms of their use, it is also used to subtly convey a concept — to infiltrate society with unchallenged perceptions.  A good example is the change of the word employee to “team member.” It is almost anathema to be called an employee any more  – you are a “team member.” The change underscores the collective as being more important than an individual. It diminishes individual achievement, automatically forcing the sharing of it with less productive members of a group. It also diminishes the role of the employer and what they must achieve in order to be an employer.

Paterson also underscores how the suspension of the real meaning of words allows people to speak utter nonsense without challenge, and advance concepts that make no sense. The example she gives is the claim that “All property is theft.” The definition of property is something that is owned. If it is not owned it is just something in nature. Theft presupposes rightful ownership – the forcible taking of something that is the property – ie. owned – by someone else.

Those who make such nonsensical utterances pay no attention to the meaning of words… they assign their own meanings. They would probably attempt to claim that the collective owns it – that it belongs to everyone — again, paying no heed to the insanity of such a concept, to the fact that words mean something. In practicality when everyone owns it, no one owns it. When no one owns it the government has total control. Aha, might that not be what they really advocate?

And we all have become aware of how words can suddenly change in their meaning and in unexpected ways. For example “woke” was self-adopted by those who wanted to claim they identify with a group but didn’t want to exactly say they were “politically correct,” which held its own negative connotations. But while “woke” was meant to be a positive change for obedient followers, it kind of boomeranged into a negative. Its meaning was far too well understood by many people, and now those who coined the term are begging that it no longer be used.

Of course, there is the most glaring way in which words are changed, to suddenly mean negative things about race so those caught unaware can be accused of racism. It is done as a political tactic even when those being “protected” object – such as the political agenda that forced the changing of the name of the Washington Redskins to Commanders because Washington Redskins was perceived as being a racist slur – apparently by those who were not Native American, because there is now an effort by Native Americans – by the “Redskins” — to try to undo the name change.

Of course language is always changing most often as a consequence of things that change our lives – other than collectivists. Your great grandparents would undoubtedly have no idea what you mean to hear you say you are going to “google” someone.

The term “I figure” or “I calculate” emerged in the early days of American life, as more everyday people entered business and used math as their means of earning a living – they really were “figuring” and “calculating” in this Capitalistic society.

So if in this new age world you don’t know what to say to some people, just grunt.

Counties Seek Transparency In Tax Calculations

4 October 2023
Evelyn Pyburn
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Montana’s counties are taking a proactive stance on property tax concerns by formally requesting clarity and accountability from the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR). In letters addressed to the Department, Beaverhead, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Lincoln, Missoula, Park, and Ravalli counties have asked that DOR provide the calculation limiting the State’s 95 statewide mills, as well as identification of who is responsible for authorizing property tax increases beyond the statutory limitations.

The recent communication with DOR comes on the heels of an unanswered request from Beaverhead County to Montana’s Attorney General, Austin Knudsen, seeking an opinion on the interpretation of laws related to the calculation of the statewide mills, which significantly impact property tax bills for constituents throughout Montana. According to the request, the State of Montana has consistently levied 95 mills annually, despite a provision in Montana law (Montana Code Annotated 15-10-420) that requires a reduction in levying authority when taxable values increase.

This move by the counties underscores their commitment to transparency and responsible fiscal management, emphasizing the importance of local government control in property tax levies. Montana’s counties seek to ensure that property tax increases are justified, understood, and in line with the needs and expectations of Montana’s residents.

To help show that counties are holding property taxes in line while the State increases them, the Montana Association of Counties (MACo) calculated property tax changes for Governor Gianforte’s private mansion in Helena.

“Surprisingly, his taxes will DECREASE year over year because his appraised value only increased 7.59%,” stated Mineral County Commissioner Roman Zylawy. “The limitations on local government result in a decreased tax burden for his home, with the exception of the State levies which haven’t followed the statutory limitations that cities and counties must follow.”

According to MACo’s calculations, the total property tax for the Governor’s Helena home in 2022 was $7,837.15; whereas in 2023, it is projected to be $7,407.55, which is a decrease of $429.60. Overall, Governor Gianforte’s taxes went down, but his state property taxes increased 8%. The City of Helena taxes went down 4%; Lewis & Clark County went down 11%; local school levies down 4%; and county voted levies down 13%.

“We think this is a perfect example highlighting the need for consistency, transparency, and fairness in property tax calculations,” said Beaverhead County Commissioner Mike McGinley. “It clearly shows that the reduction is due to local governments adhering to our statutory mill levy limitations, and the sole increase in his property taxes exists in only those mills collected by the State, which are within the control of the Governor’s Office.” 

“Montana counties are committed to addressing property tax concerns promptly, reiterating their dedication to responsible spending, essential services provision, and keeping property taxes as low as possible for their residents,” stated Fergus County Commissioner Ross Butcher. “They are calling on the state to follow their lead in maintaining transparency and fiscal responsibility in property tax calculations.”

Underscoring the fiscal responsibility of counties, Custer County Commissioner Jason Strouf said, “Over the years, Custer County has provided cost-of-living wage increases for our valued employees. We have built infrastructure utilizing existing revenue.  We have only one voter-approved general obligation bond which was to build a new detention center that holds both the State and the County inmates. This year, again, our mills are decreasing, and we have balanced our budget while following the requirements of MCA 15-10-420.”

Liberty County Commissioner Joette Woods agrees, stating, “Liberty County believes in transparency at all levels of government.  Our county has seen minimal taxable increases and high inflation rates.  Yet, we rise to the challenge and continue to be fiscally responsible with no new money.”

“At the end of the day, we, as counties, are committed to following the law,” said McGinley. “We are simply asking the State and the Governor’s Office to do the same and to do what is right for the people of Montana.”