Hello Friends! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• New City Aquatic Center
• Montana Governor 2024
• 2024 Races in Montana

NEW CITY AQUATIC CENTER:

I’ve seen several reports, like from The Electric, about the city of Great Falls considering new fees for the Park and Recreation Department, including those for the new aquatic and recreation center set to open in June.

As The Electric pointed out, the new city aquatic center is funded with $10 million from a U.S. Defense Department grant and a $10 million match from the city.

KRTV is reporting about the fees:

• Monthly membership (18-60 years old): $56
• Monthly membership (youth/senior/disabled/military): $40
• Family membership (up to 6 people): $96
• Day Pass: $10
• Day Pass (youth/senior/disabled/military): $7
• Family (up to 6 people): $30
• 12-visit pass (adults): $105
• 12-visit pass (youth/senior/disabled/military): $74

From some of the comments on social media, some people think it should be free since the taxpayers already paid for the facility. Let’s get real – Great Falls is poorly managed so they need to squeeze every dime they can out of the citizens.

Nonetheless, after reviewing the proposed fee schedule I did not think they would try to stick it to us that much.

Maybe they will try to use the money they make for public safety! 😊

I’ve said many times in the past, that “fees” are where the elected officials stick it to the man. They raise fees on all sorts of things but can say they did not raise taxes.

Some seniors on Medicare can get free or deeply reduced discounts at gyms nationwide. The fee for seniors is $40 per month at the new center.

If you have an opinion, let the city know. Commissioners set a public hearing for March 19 on the proposed fees.

Check out the reports about the new aquatic center from The Electric HERE and from KRTV HERE.

MONTANA GOVERNOR 2024:

On Tuesday, I noticed that Tanner Smith, a Republican state legislator from the Flathead who is challenging incumbent GOP Gov. Greg Gianforte in this year’s primary election, has picked Public Service Commissioner Randy Pinocci as his running mate. (Source)

Interesting.

As I googled “Randy Pinocci” four out of the first five hits were about Pinocci being arrested or arrested again.

I don’t know if Smith/Pinocci can beat Gianforte/Juras in the Republican primary, but stranger things have happened.

Visit the Smith/Pinocci website HERE. The Gianforte/Juras website can be found HERE.

2024 RACES IN MONTANA

I see that there are several candidates for elective offices in Montana. Some offices have many candidates. (Source)

For example, there are 13 candidates for the 2nd Congressional seat (MT-02). There are eight candidates for the U.S. Senate. Five people want to be the next State Auditor. State Auditor! I did not know there were five people in the whole state of Montana who knew what a State Auditor does!

Six people want to represent House District 23. That happens to be my district and it will be nice if we can elect a non-MAGA person to represent us. I should have run as the social media candidate in HD-23.

We should have some dodgeball matches between the candidates and raise money for the homeless by charging admission.

This is going to be a crazy election year. Stick with The Western Word for all the craziness.

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