January 7th, 2013 was the day of the inauguration of our new Governor, Steve Bullock, our new Attorney General, Tim Fox, and many more.  The first inaguration ceremony was held on the steps of the capital building in Helena, at 10 AM.  The House and the Senate then took their oaths of office at noon time in the respective House and Senate Chambers.  It was great to see Nancy Ballance (first term), HD 89, Ron Ehli, HD 88, Ed Greef, HD 90, Scott Boulanger (first term), SD 44 and Fred Thomas, SD 45 take their oaths.  The days festivities ended with a reception for Tim Fox.  There was truly a feeling of camaraderie and excitement in the air.

Doc Moore, Nancy Ballance, Tara Boulanger, Scott Boulanger

To all our Republican friends in the Bitterroot Valley, wishing you a very, very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Senator Bob Lake, Senate District 44, Ravalli County, won his race for Public Service Commission.  Senator Lake ran for the PSC seat because he knew he could make a difference for Montana.  When a Senate seat becomes available mid term, it is up to the County Central Committee to vote on three candidates, that are then sent to the Commissioners.  The Commissioners may pick a candidate from the first three names, or they can ask for another three names, but then must pick one from the six names.  On Dec. 4th, 2012 the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee met to vote on the three candidates.  Nine candidates were present, who had been previously vetted by the Central Committee.  The nine candidates were Gary Carlson, David Bedey, Hollis Poe, Jim Pearson, Scott Boulanger, Gary MacLaren, Ron Stoker, Ron Ehli and Perry Johnson.  The three candidates that were picked by the Central Committee members were Scott Boulanger, Gary Carlson and Hollis Poe.  On Friday, Dec.  7th, 2012 the Commissioners interviewed the three candidates, and voted.  JR Iman was not present.  The vote was unanimous for Scott Boulanger.  Senator Boulanger will join Senator Fred Thomas in the 2013 session in Helena.  Legislators Nancy Ballance, Ron Ehli, Pat Connmell and Ed Greef will be working closely with them.

Republican Governor Candidate Rick Hill met in Hamilton Nov 2, 2012, for a last minute campaign rally,  along with, other Republican candidates,  Tim Fox Candidate for Attorney General, and Derek Skees candidate for State Auditor.

Gov. Candidate Rick Hill said he will give full support to Ravalli County in their effort to use coordination to bring Federal Agencies to the table. Gov. Candidate Hill also told the crowd how important it is to get Tim Fox elected as Attorney General,  as it is time for the State of Montana to push back and tell the Federal Government that too many regulations, and poor public land management is hurting Montana.

Hill continued to tell the crowd that Montana needs a change in direction, and electing people like Derek Skees, State Auditor, Sandy Welch Superintendant of Schools, Tim Fox, Attorney General and Brad Johnson Secretary of State is vitally important.

Ravalli County Natural Resource Committee has spent an enormous of time in getting a Natural Resource Policy finished, and our Commissioners are set to vote on the Policy.  It will be very helpful to have our State Governor on board with us. We all know that the democrat candidate is against coordination.

Go tell everyone who is fed up with all the smoke that fills our valley every summer to get out and vote for Hill and his fellow Republican’s. The media will not tell our side of the story.  It is up to us to do it by emails and word of mouth.

The Annual Spaghetti Dinner, sponsored by the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee, was attended by 310 people at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, on Oct 13th, 2012.  Governor Candidate, Rick Hill, was the guest speaker.  Pictured are the candidates who attended.  From Left to Right:  Ron Ehli, Ed Greef, Paige Allen Trautwein, Pat Connell, Jeff Burrows, Sandy Welch, Bob Lake, Nancy Ballance, Derek Skees, Fred Thomas, Greg Chilcott and Champ Edmonds (running for a Legislative seat in Missoula).

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After returning from Farm Bureau Federation’s Boot Camp for lobbying, Niki Sardot was voted in as President of Ravalli County Farm Bureau for a second term at Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting and Picnic for voting members. Niki successfully passed her resolution in Ravalli County supporting regulatory reform. This resolution will then be presented  to the  State Convention in November, and if passed by a majority of 200 Montana  farm and ranch representatives, will become  state and national policy for Farm Bureau

Other resolutions that were passed were for more governmental fire control by Suzy ,  and Lorena Erickson for  an Electoral College.

President Sardot said, “This is  the most AMERICAN process that I’ve been involved in – each member of the Farm Bureau Federation may bring forth issues for Farm Bureau lobbyists to challenge on issues like  food, water, education, judicial, medical, etc. These members of Farm Bureau Federation, 17,000,  are watching out for your food and land nationwide”.

Contact information:

Niki Sardot, President                                                                                                                                                          Farm Bureau of Ravalli County                                                                                                                                          P.O. Box 1074                                                                                                                                                                Florence, Mt 59833

406 239-6856

niki@redquillranch.com

Ravalli County Republican Central Committee and North Valley Pachyderms is proud to announce we have set up two Republican Headquarters.  One in Hamilton, where the old Radio Shack was, just north of BJ’s, and one in Stevensville on Main St.  You can miss them.  Just look for all the Republican signs.

Please come in and get literature, ask questions and pick up yard signs.

Tuesday night, Oct 2nd, our Legislative Candidates debated the Libertarian and the Democratic Candidates, at the Hamilton Middle School.  Nancy Ballance, Ed Greef, Ron Ehli and Pat Connell towered above the other candidates.  This person’s personal opinion – there is no doubt in my mind we will sweep the Legislative seats.

Thursday night, Oct 4th, our Commissioner Candidates and our Candidate for Senate District 45 debated the Libertarian Candidates and the Democratic Candidates at the Florence/Carlton Elem gym.  Again, our Candidates aced the debate.  Fred Thomas has two opponents in Senate District 45 race.  Greg Chilcott has one opponent, JR Iman is unopposed and Jeff Burrows has no worries with his two opponents.

The Ravalli Co Chamber of Commerce put the debates on.  Thank you to them.  We had short notice on these dates, and the events were not attended well.  Let’s make a note to get to the forums and debates earlier in 2014.

Upcoming events – fundraisers for Tim Fox and another for Brad Johnson, both in Florence.  For more information on these events contact us by using the contact button above.

After a 45 min bus ride from our hotel in Clearwater Beach, FL, we arrived at the Tampa Bay Forum.  You can imagine the excitement, especially after being canceled on Monday.  Some of the highlights for me were the Steve Daines speech.  He was great.  Then, of course, all the States casting their votes.  Very exciting.  When AZ was announced, and Jan Brewer was on the screen, the crowd went crazy.  I don’t think she expected that and looked quite shocked.  She got cheers and a standing ovation.  I was proud of our Montana Delegation, and our Delegation Chair, Mark Baker.  All 26 of Montana’s votes went to Governor Romney.  Ann Romney was amazing.  When Mitt came out on stage to escort her, you can imagine the crowd cheering.  We didn’t expect to see him at all that night.  Then, of course, Chris Christie.   Can we clone him?  Busses going back to the hotel were insane.  Didn’t get back until 2 PM, some not till 4 PM.

Will be emailing pictures soon.