Hello July – You’re looking good!

Here are the topics that caught my attention for this column:

• The Rally
• Fireworks in Great Falls
• Property Tax Relief
• One More Thing

THE RALLY:

There was a rally about the so-called “raid” at Highwood Creek Outfitters on Saturday, July 1. I could only find one media report about it, and that was from KRTV in Great Falls. In case you missed it, federal agents from the IRS and ATF conducted an investigation at the store about two weeks ago. (Source) Some people were upset about the investigation.

The KRTV video shows that a few people were attending the rally. Some were armed and wearing MAGA hats.

KRTV interviewed Public Service Commissioner Randy Pinocci, who talked about the recent Montana Legislature not passing a bill (HB 604) that would require federal employees to obtain the county sheriff’s “permission to arrest, search, and seize…” Pinocci singled out two local Great Falls Representatives, George Nikolakakos and Ed Buttrey who voted “No” on HB 604. Pinocci said, “Those who didn’t vote for it, you gotta get rid of them.” By the way, HB 604 failed with 32 members of the House voting for it, and 68 voting against it.

IMHO, If the bill had passed, it would have probably been found unconstitutional by the courts.

The KRTV video accompanied THIS STORY and shows the rally at about the 4:00 mark.

FIREWORKS IN GREAT FALLS:

Great Falls City Commissioner Rick Tryon, who is running for reelection this November posted a message on his Facebook page about fireworks:

“One of the most patriotic things you can do is follow the law and be considerate of your neighbors and community when enjoying fireworks this holiday.”

There were several responses and one person said, “Too bad the ordinance isnt [sic] enforced.” The Commissioner responded with “Hard to enforce with a very understaffed and overwhelmed GFPD.”

I’ve written several times that the people in Great Falls who support the massive public safety and bond levies will use events to promote the passage of the levy. That was what Tryon was attempting to do.

If the Great Falls Police Department can’t really enforce the Ordinance, then city officials. like Tryon, should vote to ban fireworks in the city until such a time that the Ordinance can be enforced.

I think the enforcement of the Ordinance might be lacking because some of the people responsible for enforcing it don’t care to enforce it.

In a safety reminder from the City of Great Falls, they say that from July 1, 2022, to July 5, 2022, GFFR (Great Falls Fire & Rescue) responded to 24 fires caused directly by fireworks, and another 5 that could be liked [sic} to fireworks usage. (Source)

It could be your property that burns this year…

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF:

I guess property owners in Montana are receiving a postcard from the Montana Department of Revenue that tells them to “Save the Date” and that date is August 15, 2023. The postcard informs people that they can “begin the process of requesting your property tax rebate on August 15, 2023.”

You can see the postcard HERE and HERE.

The refund will be great to use when we have to pay the increase in our property taxes later this year…

ONE MORE THING:

There’s a new report out that says Montana ranks 3rd in reported UFO sightings. Vermont and Washington are the top two states.

Montana had 87 sightings per 100,000 people according to the report that you can see HERE.

I did not believe in UFOs until about 20 years ago when I was abducted by aliens and taken aboard a UFO. I was seated between Elvis and Bigfoot on the trip…

Good times…

## HAVE A WONDERFUL INDEPENDENCE DAY ##