By Tim Leeds
Wednesday, Jan. 31, will see the first annual State of the City luncheon for Havre, sponsored by the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce and the Havre Rotary Club.
Representatives of government, schools, business and industry are scheduled to present a summary of what their organizations are working on to improve the local community at the luncheon, to be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the VFW Club.
Paul Tuss, executive director of Bear Paw Development Corporation of North Montana, is one the scheduled speakers. He said he thinks this is a good tradition to start.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," he said. "I'm very pleased Bear Paw Development is going to be a part of it."
He said that he thinks it's important that different organizations get together once per year to share their ideas and what they are doing to help the community. He said it will also give an opportunity for different groups to see what they could work on together and help each other with.
"We're all basically working towards the same goal, a better community and a more vibrant economy for north central Montana."
Tom Reynolds, president of the Montana State University-Northern Foundation, will be presenting for Chancellor Alex Capdeville, who will be testifying before the Montana Legislature Wednesday. He said it's important to communicate what the different clubs, businesses and organizations are doing, and get an update on what progress is being made. He said so many groups are working for the community, they oftentimes don't know what the others are doing.
He said the presenters were asked to keep it short, which they will do, basically giving an overview.
"We were asked to keep it to five minutes," he said; "mine will be about four."
Chamber General Manager Debbie Vandeberg said she thinks this is a great idea.
"There are so many people doing so many things in our community," she said, "and this is a great time to bring them all together in one place and share what all are doing for that same goal, to make Havre better."
Other speakers scheduled with Tuss, Reynolds and Vandeberg are Havre Mayor Phyllis Leonard, Hill County Commissioner Doug Kaercher, Havre Public Schools Superintendent Kirk Miller, Northern Montana Health Care President CEO David Henry, Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway Montanan Division Superintendent Robert Stender, Hill County Electric Cooperative General Manager John Magyar and General Electric Transportation Center Manager of Operation of Service Al Beute.
The public is invited to the luncheon, which has a cost of $5. Anyone wishing to attend should make reservations by 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29. Call Harvey Brock at 265-6795 ext. 25 to RSVP.
