City Council rejects downgrading city status

Havre City Council, after a tense debate, voted unanimously by voice vote Monday night to reject Mayor Tim Solomon's proposal to change the city's classification from Class 1 to Class 2.

"I don't like surprises," said council member Jay Pyette, who said he was taken aback when Solomon, without notice, placed the matter on the agenda which was released on the Thursday before a holiday weekend.

He said that two weeks ago, Havre resident Bill Lanier complained that the City Council was not being transparent. The raising of the classification issue without notice was not acting in a transpare...