Criticism, praise, for police chief

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

A Columbia Falls man claimed that Police Chief Dave Perry is unfit for service and should be removed from his office, but another resident told the Columbia Falls City Council that he, in turn, did his own survey of city residents and found the chief had a 96 percent approval rating.

Both men made their cases to city council during its June 15 meeting. Gordy Barthel claimed the chief was unfit.

"I feel he's not appropriate for service," Barthel claimed.

But resident Karl Sorenson, after reading a letter critical of Perry Barthel wrote to the Daily Inter Lake, went out into the community and started a petition in favor of Perry. Of the 55 people he spoke to, three wouldn't sign the petition, but 52 did support the chief, Sorenson said.

Perry was not at the meeting to defend himself. Contacted afterward, he declined to comment.

Sorenson said comments were in favor of Perry, who will retire at the end of this year.

"He's done a good job for us," he said. Sorenson also noted that Columbia Falls was rated the third safest city in the state.

Council took no action on the matter.

In other city council news:

* About 40 homes in the Scenic View subdivision could be added to the lighting district. The city would have to negotiate with homeowners for streetlights in the neighborhood.

* The city's massive sewer and water project is about 2 O weeks behind schedule, but is still going well, city manager Susan Nicosia said. The city discovered that three houses on Third Avenue West are all on the same septic system.

* The city will consider a petition to abandon an alley between 9th Street West and the abandoned 10th Street West at its July 6 meeting. The abandonment is designed to settle and potential neighborhood property disputes and enhance public safety. The alley is located near the Hungry Horse News.

* Heritage Days was recognized as an official activity in the city. The event runs from July 22-25. Members of the organizational committee this year are Shirley Reynolds, Anna Stene, Chandra Reynolds, Carol Pike, Julie Weber and Vickie Ott.

* The city received an affordable housing award from the Mountain Plains National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials for its efforts in the Habitat for Humanity neighborhood in Columbia Falls off the Truck Route. The neighborhood was completed this spring. The $2 million project built 16 homes with monthly payments that are just $510 a month, which is significantly less than most rentals.