It’s always enjoyable to watch the local governments in action – this is where the rubber meets the road! I am writing about the city of Great Falls and Cascade County governments in Montana. Great Falls is in Cascade County.

I served a term on the Neighborhood Council several years ago in Great Falls, and it was an enjoyable experience. Right after high school, and before I decided to join the military, I worked as a laborer and heavy equipment operator for a city in the Midwest. So I have seen the operation of the local government from several angles.

Almost every Friday I write about someone or some group that is Making Montana Proud. These people embarrass Montana in some way. I have also written extensively about drunk driving over the years.

Here’s an update on two people who made my Making Montana Proud list!

I recently wrote about a Cascade County Deputy named Matt Darlington who was charged with misdemeanor DUI. In 2010 he was “honored by the Cascade County DUI Task Force for his work in arresting DUI offenders.”

The Great Falls Tribune is reporting that Darlington was terminated from his job with the county. I don’t really understand how Cascade County can terminate a person before he is actually found guilty in court for the offense. Maybe someone will ask the Sheriff about this.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to see how the Cascade County government handled a charge of DUI against one of their employees, compared to how the City of Great Falls handled a DUI charge against one of their employees, deputy city manager for Great Falls Jennifer Reichelt. She was charged with DUI back in October 2013. She is still employed by the city.

Maybe it all depends on who you know.

Reichelt made my Making Montana Proud list on November 1, 2013. I wrote, “Shame on her. She endangered the lives of many because she was an idiot.”

Driving drunk is a very serious offense. Everyone needs to remember that. Everyone.

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