Montana in the 21st Century

December 15 , 2005 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Dr. Harry W. Fritz, professor and chair of the Department of History at the University of Montana, is the featured speaker. In an introduction to a 1992 essay, “The Origins of Twenty-First Century Montana,” Fritz wrote: “The purpose of history, after all, is to explain who we are, how we got that way, and where we are going. No one can accurately predict the future, but predictions are always based on history.” In his presentation to City Club, Fritz will update his “historian’s view of where we have been and where we may be going.” Fritz holds a Ph.D. in history from Washington University, St. Louis, as well as an

Fritz holds an M.A. degree in history from the University of Montana, and his undergraduate degree is in chemistry from Dartmouth College. A popular teacher and speaker, Fritz has taught a wide variety of courses in American history. His research interests and writing topics range from presidential leadership under Jefferson and Madison to Montana history and the journeys of Lewis and Clark.

Global Business

November 17, 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Learn about international business in Missoula at our November forum. Three business leaders will discuss the global business climate and Missoula’s role and opportunities.

Speakers are Arnie Sherman, Executive Director of the Montana World Trade Center, Larry Kolb, President of TSI Helath Sciences, and John Ryan, President of Armor Auto.

2006 Missoula Open Space Bond

October 20, 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

On November 7, we will have the opportunity to vote on a $10 million Open Space bond. This forum will feature a look at open space preservation and the ballot measure. Join us for an informative and timely discussion.

The program will feature the following panel:

• Jackie Corday, City of Missoula Parks Department, on the uses of the previous $5 million city bond issue and the city’s open space plan
• Jean Curtiss, Missoula County Commissioner, on the county’s process to involve more communities in open space conservation
• Wendy Ninteman, Five Valleys Land Trust, on the history of open space conservation and involving the public in open space issues
• Larry Swanson, O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, University of Montana, on the economics of open space conservation
• Jerry Ballas, Chair of the Missoula City Council Conservation Committee

The program will be moderated by Ginny Merriam, Communications Director for the City of Missoula.Brief remarks by each panelist will be followed by table discussion and dialogue between speakers and listeners.

Missoula City Local Government Study Commission

September 15, 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Join a conversation with Sue Malek, chair of the city Local Government Study Commission. Malek will make a brief presentation and distribute materials about the four ballot measures the Commission is recommending to voters at the November election. Included are proposals to change boundaries of wards and the number of council persons representing each ward.

Malek said that she is hopeful that the presentation with the accompanying proposed ward map will allow people to come away with a clear understanding of the new wards and be a helpful summary of the commission’s decisions.

As with all City Club programs, a free exchange of thought is encouraged. Those attending will have the opportunity to discuss the proposals and ask follow-up questions of the speaker.

Geoff Badenoch, a City Club Missoula board member, will introduce Ms. Malek and moderate the discussion.

Parks, Open Space & Recreation in Missoula

July 21 , 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

"Urban parks have tremendous value - hard economic value - and cities that recognize the fact do better than those that do not. Although the fiscal benefits generally do not show up at the turnstile or ticket booth, they are reflected in real estate value…retail and restaurant value…and in tourism value."

That quote from Peter Harnik, ("Inside City Parks," 2000) will be the starting place for Missoula Parks and Recreation Director Donna Gaukler’s presentation to the July City Club Missoula Forum, Friday, July 21, at 11:30 p.m. in the Governor’s Room of the Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins Ave.

Using examples such as Mount Jumbo, the Riverfront Trails and Caras Park, and Splash Montana, Gaukler will present information and facilitate discussion on how parks, open space and recreation facilities provide and enhance individual, community and environmental wellness, plus economic opportunity and vitality.

Gaukler has worked for Montana Parks and Recreation since 1992, becoming director in 2002. She has a BS degree in Parks and Recreation Administration and is certified by the National Recreation and Parks Association. She heads a department which manages about 50 developed parks, more than 500 acres in total parkland and approximately 3300 acres of conservation land as well as numerous recreation and special use facilities. She also teaches recreation resource management at the University of Montana.

Heidi Kendall, Missoula City Councilperson and City Club Missoula program committee member, will introduce the speaker. City Club forums are open to the public. As with all City Club forums, those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with Gaukler and each other.

Passenger Rail Service in the Bitterroot Valley

June 12 , 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Is passenger rail service between Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley a viable idea?

Join in the discussion on this much talked-about idea. The speaker for the public forum is Lewis Tower Ames, Senior Program Management Analyst, Construction and Safety, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Ames has a keen interest in small-scale rail transit development on rail freight facilities, an idea increasingly being explored and implemented in smaller population areas.

The concept is to use existing freight rail tracks and individual rail cars that provide their own on-board diesel power to carry passengers.

Ames will present an overview of small-scale rail transit project trends and their application to the Missoula-Bitterroot corridor. He will explore why proactive regional planning makes sense today and discuss funding approaches to develop transit with a local railroad business.

Ames has worked with transit agencies and consulting firms in planning, organization development, and implementing system wide training programs in the Bay Area, New York, Seattle and Portland, as well as the Georgia Department of Transportation. He holds bachelor degrees from the University of San Francisco and the University of California, Berkeley, and an MA in Urban Transportation Administration from San Jose State University.

The Montana Meth Project

May 18, 2007 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

The Montana Meth Project - You've seen the ads, graphic in their descriptions of what happens to people who use methamphetamines. Learn more about methamphetamines and the organization behind the ads.

Peg Shea, Executive Director of the Montana Meth Project, will explain the history and the mission of the organization which calls itself the only prevention-focused organization in Montana using a research methodology to reduce the prevalence and frequency of meth use in the state. The Montana Meth Project is funded by a grant from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation and uses a high-impact advertising campaign aimed at youth aged 12 through 17 to "un-sell" methamphetamine manufacture and use.

Special Event: What's Worth Preserving?

May 12, 2006 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Governor's Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Find out what criteria the commission uses to determine what is worth preserving in Missoula. You will have an opportunity to say what you think is worth preserving with an Architectural Treasure Hunt. The evening will be rounded off with a presentation to the winners of this year’s Historic Preservation Awards.

Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. And for this special event, wine will be available by the glass for purchase. There will be no charge to attend but donations at the door would be appreciated.

Missoula County Search and Rescue: Leaving Dinner Half-eaten for 50 years

April 21 , 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

A volunteer-run backcountry rescue team explores its past, present and future. Learn about Search and Rescue, and the upcoming mill levy on the May ballot at this community discussion. Participants: R. J. Nelsen, Volunteer Chief, other Search and Rescue team members.

Electric Power Distribution in Montana

March 17, 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Learn about what costs are involved, what potential sources of power are available, what the potential economic impacts could be on Montana reatepayers, as well as related pricing issues.

Participants are: Moderator - Doug Mood, Montana Public Service Commission. Panelists - Gary Thompson, Eastern Power Business Area Manager, Bonneville Power Administration; Alec Hansen, Secretary, MPPI, (Montana Public Power Inc.), Executive Director, MT League of Cities & Towns. Dave Gates, Vice President, Wholesale Operations, NorthWestern Energy; Tom Power, Chairman, Economics Dept. , University of Montana.

Table discussions will follow the panelists’ brief presentations about current power distribution and options for the future. Panelists and the moderator will then respond to questions from the tables.

Liberty Can Wait: Sedition and Free Speech in Montana

February 17 , 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

UM journalism professor Clem Work discusses Montana’s key role in the suppression, and eventual recognition, of political dissent in the United States.

Lolo Peak Development

January 20 , 2006 - 11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m. Governor’s Room, Florence Building, 111 N. Higgins

Speakers: Tom McClay, CEO, Bitterroot Resort; Maggie Pittman, District Ranger, Missoula District, Lolo National Forest; Dr. Steve Seninger, Director of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Business & Economic Research, University of Montana, representing Friends of Lolo Peak.