Chamber speakers talk up Havre

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce introduced its new website, and three speakers extolled the virtues of the community at the Chamber's annual luncheon Wednesday.

Chamber Executive Director Debbie Vandeberg unveiled the new website, http://www.havrechamber.com.

The Chamber has been working on it for some time, she said, and it is still "a work in progress," but it offers services to members, area residents and especially people who want to move here or spend their vacation here.

Three speakers offered their thoughts about the community and what can be done to improve it.

Havre School Superintendent Andy Carlson, Bill McGladdery of Town Pump and Darren Boss, superintendent of the Northern Agricultural Research Center spoke at the luncheon.

Carlson spoke of connections between the community at-large and the school district.

The district is in the process of making improvements to Havre High School and Sunnyside Intermediate School.

With the fluctuating economy, school officials in other parts of the state asked him how he was successful in getting voters to approve the construction.

"I have it easy," he said. "You should see the community I have to work with."

Havre residents have a long history of supporting school improvement projects he said.

The community is always invited to programs the school puts on, he said. According to the district's website, he said, there are more than 300 activities for the upcoming years, ranging from sporting events to arts programs to musical productions.

If people want to know what is being accomplished in the schools, "don't listen to me," he said. "Come to the schools, see a play, listen to the choir."

One challenge the district faces, he said, is declining enrollment.

Fifteen years ago, the high school had 733 students, he said. Today there are 559. Similar declines have been felt elsewhere in the district.

The district has seven buildings today, compared to eight 15 years ago.

As part of its community outreach effort, he said, the district is trying to make sure its sidewalks are cleared of snow promptly after a storm.

"My staff keeps reminding me there are seven miles of sidewalks," he said.

Boss spoke of the potential the Hi-Line has to increase agricultural production with new techniques being worked out at NARC.

The NARC staff is providing fully researched information to farmers and ranchers, he said, such as providing information on infestations that might cause problems for farmers.

Farmers have some differences with environmentalists on issues such as sage grouse protection and other issues, he said, but he was convinced issues could be worked out.

"My advice is that we need to talk to people we don't always agree with," he said.

McGladdery talked about Town Pump's long history in Havre and the construction that is taking place.

All rooms at its Town House Inn on 1st Street have been redone, he said. The company now owns three Havre casinos, he said, including one in the former Wendy's building.

When completed, there will be a new car wash, new offices and the floor space at the 1st Street convenience center will double.

McGladdery urged Havreites to work to increase tourism.

Last year, he said, statewide tourism increased, but visitors to the Hi-Line went down slightly.