Whitehall Indivisible: Summer Schedule Changes

Whitehall Indivisible (WI) once again rolled its eyes as hand-breaking, cracked-wing Senator Sheehy referred to our group as a "Communist Insurgent Operation," while his faction continues to allow Putin and the Russians to bomb Ukraine, support Iran, and interfere in US elections.

The primary action item of the week is to make phone calls to your Congressmen on the Major Richard Star Act Discharge Petition, urging them to force action. All four Montana delegates have supported the now-stalled act.

Opponents of the Major Richard Star Act have suggested that the US cannot afford to fully support its wounded veterans who retired with combat-related disability.

Also on the radar is Northwestern Energy's newest 20-year plan. The Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold public hearings to gather input on the plan, which does not account for the proposed merger with Black Hill Energy in any of its 18 possible future scenarios.

An early review shows significant problems with modeling and cost prediction. The PSC has not yet approved the merger and intends to evaluate it and the 20-year plan simultaneously, but in isolation, as if they are unrelated. Public comment is needed.

The Crazy Mountain Ranch in Shields Valley, owned by the Yellowstone Club, has requested exclusive control of a headgate in Shields Valley to "save water." This is the same outfit that was trucking water from Boulder to its golf course after exhausting purchasable water from Big Timber. It seems the Ranch management has reached an agreement with the water commission over the headgate and will consider their input.

A $368M network of 900 data-collecting instruments on the ocean floor is being removed 15-20 years ahead of schedule as a cost-saving measure by the Trump administration. Members of Congress from coastal states are understandably concerned and fighting the removal. The instruments provide publicly available data regarding ocean currents, storms, and changes to the water.

The Transparent Election Initiative's volunteers have gathered enough signatures statewide to place the issue on the November ballot. It is a relief to be finished with this phase of the work. Thank you to everyone who signed the initiative.

Wednesday, June 17th, Whitehall Indivisible will be attending the Candidate Meet & Greet upstairs at the Star Theater in lieu of our regular meeting. Regardless of which candidates show up, WI is excited to see the Star Theatre's completed upstairs space and to eat popcorn!

WI will be back at the Whitehall Schools Library at 6 PM on Wednesday, June 24th, with no meetings in July. Whitehall Indivisible welcomes everyone (except Senator Sheehy). We hope to see you!