Community Council Updated on Programs and Services

SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Community Council (SLCC) heard several presentations from local organizations at their Jan. 9 meeting.

Missoula Aging Services (MAS) Resource Specialist Linda Howard presented information about services available to community members age 60 and older and to persons with disabilities. Howard said she has access to a database listing more than 400 resources. People can visit her at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation office in the Bison and Bear Center and she will do a Benefit Checkup to see what services they qualify for and help individuals fill out the needed forms. She can also acquaint people with courses offered by Missoula Aging such as the Care Givers Support Course or the New to Medicare Course. Alternatively, people can come to her office and she will explain Medicare issues for them.

Another program Howard particularly wanted to acquaint people with was the Senior Companion Program. People volunteering for the Senior Companion Program receive training from Missoula Aging Services and receive a stipend for hours worked.

Howard said she had a number of informative pamphlets available at her office. Another item available are gun locks. In the interest of safety and suicide prevention, the gun locks are free.

Seeley Lake Community Foundation Executive Director Anne Beach spoke next. She provided information on the “I Ride” shuttle program soon to be launched in Seeley Lake. Initially the van will drive people to and from their home to the Seeley-Swan Medical Center, pharmacy and medical related trips to Missoula. Beach said they need volunteer drivers and will be offering driver’s training on Jan. 20. Call the SLCF office for more information, 677-3506.

Sammy Douglas introduced herself as the new Clinical Therapist with Partnership Health Center at the Seeley-Swan Medical Center. She said she will work with all ages but highlighted her previous experience with military families, geriatric patients and those suffering from chronic diseases.

Clearwater Resource Council Aquatics Program Director Joann Wallenburn acquainted the council with updated information on attempts to prevent the invasive zebra mussels from infesting the Clearwater Lakes system.

Since key presenters were not in attendance, the scheduled discussions on air quality and on the Seeley Lake trails were tabled until the next SLCC meeting.

Audience member United States Forest Service District Ranger Rachel Feigley asked to speak on the trails issue. She pointed out that a number of different groups have proposed different usage trails across a variety of ownerships. Feigley said all interested groups and individuals need to meet together to prioritize what the community really wants and to unite planning and funding efforts.

Attendee Ken Kronsperger said CRC is hosting a united trails meeting for that purpose Feb. 25.

In other business, the SLCC was made aware of a petition being circulated in Seeley Lake that would repeal the recent speed limit changes. SLCC Chair Klaus von Stutterheim asked for the basis for the repeal and was told apparently there was concern that the slower limit would cause a traffic backup in the summer months. Further discussion between the council and members of the public pointed out lowering the speed limit had been a widely publicized two-year process and people opposed had plenty of time to bring their concerns to the SLCC.

Presentations rescheduled for the next SLCC meeting Feb. 13:

• Report from State House Representative Mike Hopkins on the Montana Legislative Session

• Missoula City-County Health Department Air Quality Specialist Ben Schmidt

• Ron Cox on trails

Also on the agenda will be a report from District Ranger Feigley about the Center Horse Landscape Restoration Project.

 

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