Politics & Government

Missoula County Government: Missoula County Weekly: Sept. 13-17

See the latest announcement from the Missoula County Government .

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Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the Missoula County Government:

09/14/2021 7:00 AM

Find out what's happening in Missoulafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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    • 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14: Ballot tabulation. Attendees will observe staff conducting the final test of equipment, as well as the counting and retention process for voted ballots. 
    • 2:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20: Provisional ballot count. Attendees will observe staff counting any accepted provisional ballots for the election. 
    • 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22: Election canvass. State law requires the Elections Office and three county elected officials verify the election with a canvass. The canvass ensures the number of ballots voted are the number of ballots counted and that no ballots are missing or counted more than once. Public are invited to observe the canvass with the Missoula County commissioners and elections staff. 

    As a reminder: the Missoula County Elections Office mailed approximately 47,250 ballots to registered voters in the City of Missoula for the Sept. 14 municipal primary election. Voters must return their ballots to the Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day; postmarks are not sufficient. 

    Find out what's happening in Missoulafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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    If you live within the City of Missoula, remember to return your ballot for the municipal primary before 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14 at any of the following ballot drop off locations:

    • Missoula County Elections Office, 140 N. Russell St, 59801
    • Franklin School, 1910 S. 11th St. W, 59801
    • Hellgate Elementary School, 2385 Flynn Ln, 59808
    • Missoula Public Library, 455 E. Main St, 59802
    • Missoula County Fairgrounds, 1101 South Ave. W, 59801
    • Missoula Early Learning Center, 2625 Briggs St, 59803

    Find out more.

    With the Delta variant on the rise, officials encourage vaccinations to slow the spread of COVID-19. Visit covid19.missoula.co/get-vaccinated to find out how to get vaccinated.

    Numerous positions open on community councils, committees, boards

    Looking for a way to be engaged in local government? Missoula County has various positions open on community councils, committees and boards that just might be the place for you! Visit www.missoulacounty.us/community/current-vacancies for details about the following board vacancies:

    • Aging Services
    • Evaro-Finley-O’Keefe Community Council
    • Greenough Potomac Rural Fire Service Area
    • Planning and Zoning commission
    • Seeley Cemetery Board
    • Swan Valley Community Council
    • Weed Control Board
    • West Valley Community Council

    Apply online.

    “I work in the civil department of Justice Court, where we handle matters such as civil lawsuits, landlord/tenant disputes, and orders of protection and even set up weddings with one of our two justices of the peace.

    While we do a lot of behind-the-scenes work with the court cases, we’re also often the first point of contact for people with the court system, and a lot of our contact with the public is providing them the paperwork they need to have their voice heard in civil matters. Members of the public often come into our office looking for other departments or resources. After working with the County, with my experience in criminal and civil departments of Justice Court for four and a half years, I can see why! Everyone I work with in Justice Court is so knowledgeable and takes the time to ask questions to be able to guide a person in the right direction. Civil clerks are often able to direct people to resources, such as the Montana Legal Services Association for assistance in some of their civil legal matters, or the crime victim advocates for assistance with orders of protection.

    One of my favorite parts of my job is interacting with members of the public. The court, even in civil matters, can be an emotional experience, especially when they’re not familiar with the process. My co-workers in Justice Court and I have a positive impact on people by giving assistance where we can, whether that involves describing the court process or providing resources to further assist.”

    • Missoula Public Library: Introduction to Video Editing with MCAT 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the Missoula Public Library MCAT studio on Level 1 Learn the basics of computer video editing using the popular Apple Computer Editing Software Final Cut Pro. Instructors are available for individual instruction after the group lesson overview. This class is held every Tuesday in the MCAT studio, and registration is required. Other classes MCAT holds throughout the week include an introduction to podcasting at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, a class to learn how to operate the TV studio at MCAT at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, a tour and training session to learn about MCAT and how to check out equipment for cameras, lights and microphones at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, and a stop animation class for kids at 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
    • Missoula Public Library: Creative Community Art

      3-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Missoula Public Library, the Art Box on Level 2
      School age kiddos are invited to create art with a special twist. Participants will experience all types of art mediums from painting to clay work to drawing. All art projects will have a Missoula focus or will be led by a local area artist. Join the fun!

    • Historical Museum at Fort Missoula: Be Part of History – Restore Engine #7 Volunteer Parties 10-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Do you enjoy all things train or railroad? Want to learn some cool, mechanic skills? Do you like getting hands on? Join us for a drop-in volunteer work party this summer and be part of restoring our wonderful Willamette! All skill levels welcome and youth, too, as long as they have their adult with them. Engine #7 is a rare, Shay-type locomotive originally used by the Western Lumber Company of Milltown, Montana. It later became a star when it was featured in the 1955 movie “Timber Jack.” It was donated to the Museum by Champion International Inc. in 1989. This special engine is a favorite of visitors and kids from all over the world, but the Montana weather had not been kind to it. So, this year the Historical Museum has teamed up with local train experts to begin the process of restoring it back to its glory days. And you can be part of making history come back to life! Swing by and get a little grease on your hands. If you can't make it to a work party, you can always support the cause with a donation.

    Find more events this week on the County’s Event Calendar!

    Update offered on homelessness, affordable housing in Missoula 
    Missoula County zoning update looks for details around buffers, incentives, flexibility
    Missoula County passes FY22 budget, discusses COVID relief funding
    Missoula elections center prepares for primary

    Make an appointment at covid19.missoula.co, and share your experience on social media with the hashtags #endthepandemic, #vaccinatethe406 and #gotmyshot406.

    Stay up to date with Missoula County's COVID-19 vaccine distribution success! Visit covid19.missoula.co/vaccine-information and click on the Vaccination Distribution Map and Dashboard blue button. The data is updated every Monday. If you would like to track data across Montana, visit the Montana Response page.

    To join commissioner department, administrative and public meetings via Microsoft Teams and view the agendas, visit the Missoula County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes and Agenda Portal. Please note that agendas for department and administrative meetings are published two business days before the meeting, and public meeting agendas are published the Friday before the meeting. Administrative and public meeting video recordings are available on the Missoula County YouTube page after the meeting, and MCAT plays the public meetings live on their Spectrum Channel 190. Email bcc@missoulacounty.us or call 406-258-4877 if you have any questions or comments on an upcoming meeting.

    This press release was produced by the Missoula County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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