This panel was held on Friday, September 26 with Senator Jon Tester at the helm, acting as Chairman. Tester wasn’t the only notable name there, however, with the Lt. Governor Angela Mclean; United States Attorney for the District of Montana, Michael Cotter; Michael Gottlieb the Director of the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) ; Tim Fox, the Attorney General for the State of Montana and Mike Tooley, the Director of the Montana Department of Transportation .
This panel was convened at 9am that Friday morning with little in the way of flourish or ceremony. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited things quickly got under way. Senator Jon Tester began with a brief statement to the room and then yielded to the first wave of panelists to testify; giving each a five minute window to explain what they do and what kind of effect the Bakken is having in Sidney and surrounding communities. Essentially, how can we make it better and how can the Federal Government help?
The first panel consisted of A.T. Stafne, Chairman of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation; Angela Mclean the Lt. Governor of Montana; Leslie Messer who is the Executive Director of the Richland Economic Development Corp and The Honorable Rick Norby, Mayor of Sidney. All except the Lt. Governor provided testimony detailing the shocking impact the Bakken is having on our area. Mclean’s presence, it seemed, was to show that the Governor’s office is aware of the issues but more to appease any doubts and to mollify our panels by acknowledging our “Robust” economy. The camps line was that they have earmarked a 45 million grant to fund our infrastructure but we remain unclear how this will be spent and to whom. Mr. Stafne explained the dramatically rising social problems and the surge in crime on the reservation, saying that over half live below the poverty level. There is a huge drug component and advised the need for at least 6 additional Drug Enforcement Officers.
Leslie Messer used her time to layout the five things she believes should be addressed. Infrastructure, housing , diminished local workforce, lack of daycare and the need for additional restaurants. Mayor Norby, who previously served for six years on the Sidney City Council, said his biggest concern was affordable housing and crime. “It’s an uphill battle to get the feeling of safety back to this city. We need to urge the building of single family homes.” With 2 bedroom apartments starting at $2100 a month and shelters that are overloaded his concern is warranted. However, this is where the catch comes. Most people can’t qualify for any such housing programs because they don’t qualify, they make too much money. Simply put, the guidelines by which a grant or housing supplement can be offered should be updated to reflect all aspects of Sidney’s unique situation. What worked five years ago will not work now with the extreme inflation of prices across the board.
Senator Tester was diligent and thorough with each panel that testified asking questions and following up with clarification. One such question from Tester to the panel was, “Are you seeing an unreasonable amount of red tape?” The answer was a resounding “Yes!” Both Norby and Messer explained that we have from the beginning took it upon ourselves to resolve the city’s problems on our own and have done a great job but the hoop jumping and hurdling over red tape is slowing everything down. “Is there a relationship with the Oil Companies? Do they help?” Tester inquired. Messer explained, “We have reached out. The corporate offices aren’t here. “ I guess that’s a no. It’s a good point to bring up. Like a swarm of locusts, Sidney is the overrun wheat field.
The second panel had Michael Cotter, Michael Gottlieb, Scott Vito, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI; Tim Fox and Craig Anderson, Sheriff, Dawson County. This panels focus was on law enforcement, and the challenges they face with the spike in crime and drug related offences. “Project Save Bakken” Cotter testified, “Is essentially uniting our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle the criminal enterprises that are trying to gain a foothold. The most important thing is the collection of information between our departments. The Dept. of Justice has indicted over 117 people since the inception of the Bakken Project.” Gottlieb shared that the Dept. of Justice issued a three million dollar grant for violence against women. With an influx of workers from all over the country a criminal element has surged to life. Not only is there drug trafficking but human trafficking as well. Abuse, rape, and domestic violence is on the rise. According to Fox, drug crimes in eastern Montana have increased 281% while domestic violence has gone up 150%. “We have hired an attorney who will specialize specifically on drug prosecutions for Eastern Montana. There is a need for more victim services.”
Sheriff Anderson testified with a bold attention grabbing humor. “Let’s talk about the stepchild of the justice system. Jail. We are maxed out and it’s because of the 900lb gorilla called the Bakken. People are sleeping on the floors and we have a 28 bed jail.” Anderson posed his own question to Tester, “How much money has the government spent protecting our foreign oil interests? Why can’t the government protect our interests right here?”
The third and final panel of the day was with Anthony Priete, State Director of the USDA; Mike Tooley, John Dynneson, Deputy of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office; Paul Groshart, Director of the Richland County Housing Authority and Loren Young, Chairman of the Richland County Commission. Tooley testified that his department is responsible for providing safe and efficient roads but the increase in traffic volume is taking a toll. It’s not just the local businesses struggling to find help either. As it would seem the DOT is losing employees to the oil field as well. “Our needs far outpace what is available at the moment. It is hard to attract and retain employees,” Tooley stated. There is much work to be done such as identifying the needs for our roads. Wider shoulders, rumble strips or new passing lane. Anyone who drives to Glendive can appreciate how much that has helped.
For now it remains to be seen what the verdict is. How will the Government step in to help and what changes will they make. The Bakken has been a game changer not only to the people in the very heart of it but also the very landscape it’s settled on. A virtual alphabet soup of agencies trying to work together to lighten the burden and shoulder some responsibility. It can’t be easy undertaking a growth of this magnitude to our city and the men and women who witnessed on our behalf deserve our gratitude.
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