Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • Page 7

Friday, Man 2, I'M) Ureal railH i riOUIie i-A Williams, Dickson leave active duty police work For sewage-treatment plant Pistoria calls Envirotech on savings to 67 from the previous year's budget. He says the new officers may all be picked from a current batch of applicants, whose oral examinations are scheduled to be completed in mid-April. Oral examinations are the last step before officers are hired. Williams says he's not certain if the second-ranking department post of assistant chief will be filled. Assistant chief William Steele retired in mid-March.

In February, seven other officers had left or were in the process of leaving the department. One was fired for allegedly failing a polygraph examination nine months after he was hired. John Oeleis is appealing his dismissal to the state Human Rights Commission. Of the other six, three quit and three retired. "hearsay." If the company provides him with financial information showing it's saving the city money, the legislator said he'll admit he's been wrong.

But Pistoria said he believes the city can do the work more cheaply because it does not have to pay taxes or make a profit, as Envirotech does. To support his argument, Pistoria gave commissioners a copy of a letter from one eastern city to another recommending the second city not hire Envirotech. Pistoria said the first city had saved when it went from Envirotech to doing the work itself. Tribune telephone calls Thursday to both cities revealed the is sues raised in the letter were not as clearcut as they Initially seemed. Pistoria also said he resents En-virotech's hiring of Great Falls attorney Robert Emmons to scare him away from talking as scheduled at the meeting.

Emmons sent Pistoria a letter telling him that Envirotech respects Pistoria's right of free speech, but intended to sue him if he slandered or libeled the company in his remarks. In separate interviews both Brown and Thayer contended that Pistoria's claims are without basis. The "biggest fallacy" in Pistoria's reasoning, Thayer said, is the legislator's claim that cities can operate the complicated sewage-treatment plants more cheaply than private companies because they don't pay taxes or make a profit. Operating the plant requires technical expertise that the city probably could not afford by itself, Thayer said. But since Envirotech operates many sewage-treatment plants around the country, it can hire the needed experts and spread the cost among all the plants.

Brown, too, said Pistoria doesn't seem to understand the expertise required to operate sewage-treatment plants. "Mr. Pistoria seems to think it's just a matter of building a $20 million plant and turning on the button," Brown said, noting that an estimated 50 percent of the plants around the country are not meeting environmental standards. Two more Great Falls policemen 'have left active duty, leaving the force with 53 active officers as of this week. However, up to 10 new officers may be hired as soon as early May, according to Doyle Williams, city personnel director.

Master patrolman Buel Dickson has retired from the force after slightly more than 20 years of duty, which included traffic work and general patrol. Dickson also served as a dispatcher and jailer before the jobs became civilian positions. Dickson says the main reason he is retiring is to obtain better working hours. He is now employed by Rabil Enterprises, a firm that sells insulation and solar panels. Officer Kenneth Strand has left active duty and is receiving workmen's compensation due to recurring problems stemming from a fall he took in Nov.

20, 1978, on icy steps to the police station. Strand most recently was assigned to police crime laboratory work including fingerprinting and photography. Police Capt. Timothy Skinner says Strand is still considered a member of the force and may return to duty, so his position would not be one of those to be replaced. Consequently, 10 new officers would need to be hired to bring the department up to the number of positions the city budget calls for.

According to Williams, the budget calls for 64 police officers, compared offers letter of comparison By PETER JOHNSON Tribune Staff Writer State Rep. Paul Pistoria week challenged Envirotech officials to provide him with financial information proving the city is saving money by hiring the private firm to operate its sewage-treatment plant. Envirotech plant manager Dave Brown later said the company would not provide a detailed financial breakdown of their local operations to Pistoria, but could give him company-wide information. Private companies are not legally required to divulge detailed information to the public at large, Brown said, but Envirotech provides adequate financial information to satisfy its "clients," the elected and appointed city officials who represent the public. Mayor Gene Thayer said later he was satisfied with financial information Envirotech provided last year when the contract was renegotiated.

While the company officials "didn't completely lay open their books," Thayer said, they didn't have to. The city staff estimated what it would cost for the city to run the plant and negotiated a contract costing less than that figure, he said. "We felt the price (established in the new contract) was fair and reasonable, and did not result in an exorbitant profit for Envirotech," Thayer said. Envirotech began operating the city's new sewage treatment plant in late 1977. City commissioners renewed the city's contract with Envirotech for three years in March 1979.

A longtime critic of Envirotech, Pistoria said at a city commission meeting this week that the company's annual report to the city on local operations contained no financial information, which he said makes the company's contention that it is saving the city money In addition, Dodd contended in his letter that Envirotech gave the city no figures on operation costs, provided "poor" maintenance of grounds and conducted some "questionable personnel practices," such as scheduling no late-night or weekend shifts of employees. But he also said there are benefits to having Envirotech operate a plant, especially in training employees and public relations. In the Thursday interview, Dodd said Envirotech had successfully operated Cambridge's plant, which earlier had been having technical problems. But circumstances changed, he said. The city broke the agreement because it wanted to try experimental methods not allowed in the contract, had an excellent plant operator already working for the city and wanted to save money.

Poughkeepsie mayor Thomas Aposporos said Thursday the city signed a five-year contract with Envirotech early this year after calling nine cities that said they were impressed with Envirotech's service. The mayor said Envirotech is expected to save the city 30 percent in its first year of operation and 26 percent the second. The company has only been operating the plant about three months, he said, but so far results indicate the decision to contract out seems to have been correct. When consumers go to buy a washing machine, they usually check with friends to see how their machines work. And sometimes the friends disagree.

Similarly when cities go to make a major change in operations, especially if it's controversial, they check with other cities. Apparently they, too, can receive conflicting advice. To support his long opposition to the city's hiring a private company, Envirotech, to run its sewage-treatment plant, state Rep. Paul Pistoria this week showed the City Commission a Dec. 11, 1979, letter from Cambridge, public works director Robert Dodd to the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., city council recommending it not hire Envirotech to operate its plant unless it was having major technical problems operating the plant.

Pistoria said the letter demonstrated that cities can operate plants more cheaply and efficiently themselves than by hiring Envirotech. But Dodd said in a telephone interview Thursday it would be unfair to consider his letter entirely critical of Envirotech; rather it was an appraisal listing both good and bad points. And Poughkeepsie officials said they checked with other cities, liked Envirotech's record, and signed a five-year contract. In the letter, Dodd said the city of Cambridge hired Envirotech to operate its plant for three years but has since taken back the operation itself and is saving money. MEETINGS PUBLIC POSTING BOARD Giant Springs slated for park improvements EAGLES AUX.

NO. 14 3rd reading and voting of new bylaws proposals. Wednesday April 2nd, I960 at 7:30 p.m. at Eagles Hall. Frances Mills, Secretary KORENE HAVEN formerly of Marisha Chalet is now working at the HEAD SHED 761-1597 MIDWAY BAR West of Great Falls on Frontage Road.

Don Lattin welcomes vou to eniov and dance to the country western music of the: Silvers Saturday, March 29th EAGLES NOTICE Dance tonight to the music of the Sundown Riders. For all Eagles andguests. EAGLES NOTICE March 29th Anniversary dinner and initiation for March. Initiation 5:30 p.m. Barbecued spare rib dinner 7 p.m.

$4.00, for all Eagles and guests. LARRY M1LOT ANTIQUES is open for appointment. 1-73 5201 funerals daughter, Mrs. Melvin (Eleonore) Mathson, Great Falls. Her husband, Franz J.

Fleischmann, died in 1977. Surviving with Mrs. Mathson are two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her body has been cremated and no services are planned. Vernon Yaklich Word has been received of the March 6 death of former local resident Vernon Anthony Yaklich, 66, Port Townsend, Wash.

Yaklich was born at Centralia, 111., and grew up in Montana, altending schools in Great Falls. He has lived in Washington since his discharge from the Navy following World War II. Among his survivors is his wife, Beryl. Walter A. Bross Walter A.

Bross, 86, 24 18th St. SW. died Thursday afternoon in a local nursing home. Funeral arrangements are pending at Croxford and Sons Mortuary. ism Current research is topic of MS meet Neurologist Douglas W.

Brenton, M.D., will talk about current research in multiple sclerosis during Saturday's annual meeting of the Montana Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Central Christian Church, 1019 Central Ave. NOTICES REFUNDS For Heritage Inn Weekend raffle Can be obtained by: Calling 727-3032 after 5 weekdays, between 11-3 on Sat MOOSE 532 Dance to: Cliff Rhythmaires March 28 29th HOMEMADE EASTER BREAD BASKET Easter Pastries Helen Paulos Friday Saturday JThe Bon FUN AND GAMES SOCIAL! GIANT BLACKOUT ALSO exciting new mystery game with free cards. 2 ses-sions: 1-4 and 7-7? P.M.

today. The Sportsroom, 1200 7 St S. Free coffee! SAVE GAS Ski bus to Showdown. Fri. Sun.

Departing At 905 Smelter Ave. Roundtrip $6.50. ALL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS in the City of Great Falls are open for registration March 24 through the 28th. YOU! JEANS 761-6922 3 INTERNATIONAL FAMOUS HYPNOTIST CONTROL SMOKING IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY APPOINTMENT only 761-1873 7 Anncwncng Deaths and R.II. Fleischmann Rosalie H.

Fleischmann, 80, 11 26th St. died Wednesday night shortly after arrival at a local hospital. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, she came to the United States in November 1978 to make her home with her I see BIRTHS HAGBOM Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hagbom, 3007 Delmar Drive.

WARD Son to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ward, 68 Tamarack Circle. DEATHS BONSER Herbert William Bonser, 18, Malmstrom Air Force Base. BROSS Walter A.

Bross, 86, 24 18th St. SW. FLEISCHMANN Rosalie H. Fleischmann, 80, 11 26th St. N.

W1TT1G Kenneth Albert Wittig, 18, Malmstrom Air Force Base. MARRIAGES DISSOLVED ROWE Lynda D. Rowe and Robert D. Rowe, Aug. 21, 1976, at Great Fails.

Mrs. Rowe was awarded custody of one minor child. SVENNUNGSEN Cheryl K. Svennungsen and David J. Svennung-sen, wed June 18, 1977, at Great Falls.

HALCRO Patricia L. Halcro and Bruce D. Halcro, wed Nov. 17, 1978, at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. BOLTON Judy M.

Bolton and Loren P. Bolton, wed Oct. 2, 1976, at Great Falls. Mrs. Bolton awarded custody of two minor children.

SANTORO Kaylee A. Santoro and Charles R. Santoro, wed Oct. 22, 1977, in Cascade County. Mrs.

Santoro awarded custody of one minor child. HEGG Peggy R. H. Hegg and Harvey P. Hegg, wed by common law in September 1973 in Montana.

Joint custody of three minor children ordered. PAUL Regina E. Paul and Roger E. Paul, wed April 16, 1976, at Great Falls. Mrs.

Paul's maiden name Kappes restored. McDANIEL Connie S. McDaniel and Dale B. McDaniel, wed Aug. 30, 1974, in Cascade County.

Mrs. McDaniel awarded custody of one minor child. MERTEL Patricia J. Mertel and Max A. Mertel, wed Aug.

16, 1976, at Missoula. TERRELL Janet U. Terrell and Jesse J. Terrell, wed June 14, 1979, in Kootenai County, Idaho. DOYLE Diana S.

Doyle and John L. Doyle, wed Feb. 14, 1975, at Billings. GOURLEY Florence Gourley and John L. Gourley, wed Jan.

29, 1965, in Lewis and Clark County. The OFFICE MART Discount Office Furniturt Desks, Chairs, Files and Machines 2ml SI. 2nd Av. S. Ph.

761-2252 Improvements totaling more than 'a quarter-million dollars to Giant Springs Heritage State Park are scheduled this summer, according to Dan Vincent, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks regional park manager. Retired policemen oppose reserve plan A local group of retired policemen announced this week it opposes the city's plan to hire reserve police officers. The unpaid reserve officers would work with regular policemen in patrolling the city. However, the local chapter of the Montana Retired Police Officers Association said this week it opposes the program after hearing both sides from two officers and Police chief Jack Anderson at a recent meeting. According to E.H.

Forslund, secretary-treasurer of the Great Falls chapter, members voted unanimously against the police reserve program. BEAGLES Funeral services for Leila B. Beagles. 91, 1130 17th Ave. South, will be held from the Central Christian Church.

1025 Central Saturday morning at 11, with Rev. Fred Doris officiating. Cremation will follow All viewing must be at the funeral home prior lo service time, FLEISCHMANN No services ore planned tor Rosalie H. Flelschmann, 80, II 26th Street No. Cremation has taken place.

WITTIG Funeral arrangements ore pending for Kenneth Albert Wiftig, IB, of Mnlmstrom AFB and will be announced when completed. BONSER Funeral arrangements are pending tor Herbert William Bonser, 18, of Malm-strom AFB, and will be announced when completed. TROTCHIE Services at 915 A.M. Saturday at St. Joseph's for Sarah T.

Trotchie, 77, Missouri River Meadows Tr. Ct. No. 18 Burial In Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Rosarv 8 P.M. (this) Friday In the O'Connor Memorial Chapel. I 1 Telephone 4M-4S3-0315 Mi i 1307 CENTRAL AVE. GREAT FALLS, MONTANA 59401 IIJIIMFUNERAL HOME UthSl. 13 Ave.

S. 452-3131 i niif i'j'IT I ft I VIM Ny fil 91 1 lsl f-j 453-4404 PL fXcROXFORD SONsGlli IBT7 Vincent said $69,000 was approved by the 1979 state legislature for the park improvements. The Heritage Park Commission, Great Falls, is beginning fund raising efforts to raise an additional $69,000, he said. The combined funds will then be matched with $138,000 of federal Land and Water Conservation funds for a total $276,000. Giant Springs Heritage Park is now accomodating more than 250,000 people each year, Vincent said.

The improvements to be made on the south side of the park will allow people more room. Improvements will include a group-use picnic area, topsoil and landscaping, underground sprinkler system, a footbridge and paths, picnic tables, buried power and telephone lines and instant shade trees. The shade trees will be about four inches in diameter when planted, he said. Thomas, Dean and Hoskins Inc. are consulting engineers for the project, Vincent said.

Where's the fire? Thursday. 10:11 a.m. 313 Central qos spilt 10:38 om. 629 33rd Ave. NE, natural gas smell.

THE GREENHOUSE We Need 77ie Room 1,000 GERANIUM PLANTS 50 1 Ea. This Weekend Only! SEED POTATOES ARE mi WEEKEND SPECIALl Ph. 453-1621 1413 5th Avenue North I Etecmliw Li I Longstem i3fEfl 7 Roie ALL MERCHANDISE FROM REGULAR STOCK NO FACTORY SECONDS OR IRREGULARS YOUR DENIM CENTER 31 9 Central.