Things that make you go, HMMM

Dear Editor,

I recently was informed that the Phillips County Commissioners have made a decision that puts the fate of the Boy Scout Phillips County fair booth in jeopardy. They have made the decision that after the 2024 fair is completed, the food booth will be torn down. They want to erect the new grandstands in the same area where the Scout booth is standing and are unwilling to move to another site. Really guys, WHY???

You state that the county did not own the building and have been provided a copy of the bill of sale dated July 29, 1994, when I was involved with Troop 1429 while living in Malta. When I moved to Malta on August 14, 1989, I didn’t know what to expect. I was barely out of college and trying to figure things out for my life when I received a call from my Uncle Jim asking this question. “What did I know about horse tack?’ I said that the first horse I rode the guy who put the saddle didn’t cinch the saddle on tight and the horse was spooked by something, and at a very fast pace, I went side saddle and finally fell off when the horse started to slow down. A scary situation for a 10-year-old. He asked what I was doing that Saturday and if I would like to come to Malta to look at a possible venture. I agreed and before I knew it, I was given a great opportunity to open a business in Malta. I still remember the first day, I had not advertised anything yet and was just trying to figure out what I had been given and still remember meeting a lot of people that day and being welcomed by a great community that was part of my life for 13 years.

I got involved with the Scout program where I met Steve Schumacher and together, we worked for many years going on many activities and campouts. We eventually took back the food booth at the fair and turned it into a very successful venture to help pay for campouts, rank advancements, and summer camp fees. I worked alongside gentlemen like Steve, Jack Motichka, and Mark Knudsen. I had the pleasure of working with many of Malta’s youth like Joel Schumacher, Jeff Motichka and Adam Bachmeier. I know there were a lot more adults and youth involved, but I wanted to name a few of them.

Anyway, Richard Dunbar, Bruce Christofferson, and John Carnahan are three great guys but are being very short-sighted in not working with the Scouts. And just saying that the Scouts can just buy a food truck, no way can they ever feed the number of bodies that are there, and where does the funding come from?

You are taking away the source of income for the Scouts, they can rebuild in another place, however, once that building is torn down and to start somewhere new you have to meet every code from health and fire to name a few. A cost that is prohibitive; this is only a few days event and would not make sense financially for any group. You are making a bad situation worse by taking away the only thing left after the grandstands were sadly destroyed. You are blocking the Scouts from earning their way to paying for their Scouting activities instead of going door to door to the people and businesses in the area. In my book, shame on Richard, Bruce, and John, you will not even consider moving the new grandstands 10 feet to keep the fair booth standing. So, to the people of Phillips County please go help support the last year the Boy Scout fair booth during the 2024 fair. And remember that come next time these three come up for election. Thanks a lot to all of the customers who have supported the fair booth and Troop 1429, and to my Uncle Jim Carney for a great experience in my life.

Sincerely,

Mike Carney

Glasgow, Mont.