Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 11/12/1997

November 12, 1997

The water improvement project dominated the Nov. 10 Whitehall Town Council meeting and most phases of the nearly completed project was discussed. Members of the audience and council members Dale Davis, Bill Baycroft, and Chuck Buus all voiced displeasure over the project contractor’s repair of town streets. The displeasure resulted in the form of a unanimous council vote to withhold the final payment to DeBuff (the contractor) of $55,983. Mayor Neil Gallagher said the legality of the council action should be examined and voiced some hesitation about withholding payment in light of the “substantial completion” of the project. Gallagher also told the council the street patching that had been completed was examined and approved by agencies funding the project. The council also voiced frustration with the leakage from the new 500,000-gallon water tank which leaked steadily since it was built.

School Superintendent Paul Stremick recommended - and the board agreed - to offer an initial adult education computer training class for Whitehall residents. The school had 15 new computers, so the class may be limited to 15 adults. The cost for the class was expected to be $15.

Inez Lawrence of the Whitehall/Waterloo area died Saturday, Nov.8, when the car she was driving skidded on the ice near Butte, left the road, and landed upside down along Blacktail Creek.

Rose Ann Palakovich was Volunteer of the Month because of her commitment and leading role in bringing the Kids on Character Program to Whitehall. Rose Ann spearheaded the Whitehall PTSA effort and worked closely with the Office of Public Instruction to schedule the forums in Whitehall.

Student of the Week was freshman Jennifer Williams, nominated by Bill Herbolich for her work in Algebra I. Jennifer is the daughter of Judiann and Jim Williams and plans to attend college and major in medicine or filmmaking. Jennifer enjoys skiing, traveling, and hunting.

Junior Kietra Mabbott, a member of the Lady Trojan basketball team, was Athlete of the Week. Coach Kieckbusch said, “Kietra has been improving each week and will be counted on both offensively and defensively this weekend at the district tournament.” Kietra is the daughter of Brent and Sandy Mabbott. She plans to play sports and take pre-medicine in college.