In late summer and early fall, many Montanans were unpleasantly surprised to receive notices telling them their property values had skyrocketed. The reappraisals, due every six years from the state Department of Revenue, meant their property taxes would take a big leap forward, too. In areas like Gallatin and Flathead counties, where the 2002-2008 period saw a dramatic real estate boom – followed by a bust – some property values increased 300 percent or more.
But there was hope for people feeling the pain. First, property owners could seek relief by appealing their appraisals, either by asking for informal reviews from the Department of Revenue (DOR) or by appealing directly to their County Tax Appeal Board. Second, local governments could decrease their mill levies, the formulas that actually determine how much property tax residents pay.
Kalispell man introduces initiative that would cap property tax increases
DOR Director Says Reappraisal Process Working
Homes near Lone Pine State Park. - File Photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
[read more]One of longest-running stores in downtown Kalispell
After 42 Years, Books West Closes its Doors
Jim Holland, Dolores Holland and Lois Lauman, left to right, browse the bookshelves at Books West in downtown Kalispell. The bookstore is closing after 42 years. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
At the end of November, downtown Kalispell will turn the page to a new chapter. And the words will be gone.
After 42 years, Books West is closing its doors. As one of the few remaining independent bookstores in the valley, it’s a blow to those who still believe a book purchased from your neighbor is more satisfying than one bought from strangers on the Internet. Along with a smattering of used and niche bookstores, there will now only be one independent distributor left in the valley selling new titles, Bookworks in Whitefish.
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After 42 years, Books West is closing its doors. As one of the few remaining independent bookstores in the valley, it’s a blow to those who still believe a book purchased from your neighbor is more satisfying than one bought from strangers on the Internet. Along with a smattering of used and niche bookstores, there will now only be one independent distributor left in the valley selling new titles, Bookworks in Whitefish.
Federal government counts 134 jobs created or saved in the county
Is the Stimulus Helping Flathead Unemployment?
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Tara McMickle copies a number off of a posting on the job board at the Flathead Job Service in Kalispell last September. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law in February, national and state officials promised a life raft of job creation to help soften the blow of the economic recession.
In Flathead County, an area plagued with high unemployment, the question is whether the stimulus is fulfilling that promise. According to the federal stimulus tracking Web site, 134.1 full-time jobs have been created or saved in Flathead County. But that number may be inaccurate, according to at least one stimulus fund recipient.
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In Flathead County, an area plagued with high unemployment, the question is whether the stimulus is fulfilling that promise. According to the federal stimulus tracking Web site, 134.1 full-time jobs have been created or saved in Flathead County. But that number may be inaccurate, according to at least one stimulus fund recipient.
Small-town culture kept payment system alive during credit craze
With Less Credit, Layaway Makes a Comeback
Heidi Marcum, left, checks out clothing at Rocky Mountain Outfitter with help from employee Jandy Cox in Kalispell. Businesses like RMO have traditionally used layaway programs while larger national chains are only beginning to do it again because of the economy. – Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
Heading into the frantic Christmas shopping season, national headlines are proclaiming a resurgence of layaway payment programs as businesses respond to cash-strapped customers who have grown weary of credit cards. Large chains that previously regarded layaway as archaic are now viewing it as a viable alternative. For customers, wobbly from the recession, it’s a safer way to budget and avoid rising credit card interest rates.
Layaway’s return to prominence is significant, as it represents a shift away from the credit-driven consumer philosophy that has taken part of the blame for the nation’s economic woes. Instead of shoppers getting what they want now and dealing with payments later, more are buying what their current budget allows and exhibiting patience. Credit cards, of course, will still be popular during the holiday season.
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Layaway’s return to prominence is significant, as it represents a shift away from the credit-driven consumer philosophy that has taken part of the blame for the nation’s economic woes. Instead of shoppers getting what they want now and dealing with payments later, more are buying what their current budget allows and exhibiting patience. Credit cards, of course, will still be popular during the holiday season.
Montana Poll
Obama, Stimulus Spending Do Poorly in Montana Poll
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Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama speaks at the Adams Center in Missoula Saturday. - Photo by Emily Haas |
HELENA – Montanans give President Barack Obama poor marks on job performance, don't approve of the federal stimulus spending and think that health care will get worse under the federal health care bill, according to poll results released Tuesday.
The Montana State University poll found that 37 percent approve of Obama's job performance, while 53 percent disapprove and 10 percent are undecided.
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The Montana State University poll found that 37 percent approve of Obama's job performance, while 53 percent disapprove and 10 percent are undecided.
Semitool
Applied Materials to Acquire Semitool for $364 Million
Boxes of wafers are seen stacked in a room where customer demos are completed at Semitool in Kalispell. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Applied Materials Inc. said Tuesday it offered to buy Semitool Inc. for $364 million in cash, a move the company says will broaden its portfolio of chip manufacturing equipment.
Applied Materials CEO Mike Splinter said the acquisition will help the company tap the growing market for semiconductors that go into mobile gadgets including "smart" phones and notebook computers.
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Applied Materials CEO Mike Splinter said the acquisition will help the company tap the growing market for semiconductors that go into mobile gadgets including "smart" phones and notebook computers.
Montana Poll
Baucus Approval Rating Dips in New Poll
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HELENA – U.S. Sen. Max Baucus' approval rating dropped 20 points following a high-profile push for health care reform that found him taking heat from both liberals and conservatives alike, a new poll found.
The survey released Monday shows that just 44 percent approve of the job performance from Montana's senior senator. That is down from two years ago when the same Montana State University-Billings poll showed the Democrat with a 64 percent approval rating.
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The survey released Monday shows that just 44 percent approve of the job performance from Montana's senior senator. That is down from two years ago when the same Montana State University-Billings poll showed the Democrat with a 64 percent approval rating.
Officials say they were not contacted during investigation into their office
Planning Office Left in the Dark During Investigation
In this October photo, Ike Eisentraut works at his desk at Moonlighting Detective Agency in Kalispell. - File photo by Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
The Flathead County commissioners say they expect the report from a third-party investigation into the County Planning and Zoning Office any day, causing concern for planning officials who say they weren’t contacted at all during the inquiry into their department.
The Kalispell-based Moonlighting Detective Agency was hired by the county in July to look into complaints against the planning office and its director, Jeff Harris. The commissioners extended investigator Ike Eisentraut’s contract in early October with the expectation that the investigation would be complete by the end of the month. As of this writing, Eisentraut’s report had not been delivered to the commission.
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The Kalispell-based Moonlighting Detective Agency was hired by the county in July to look into complaints against the planning office and its director, Jeff Harris. The commissioners extended investigator Ike Eisentraut’s contract in early October with the expectation that the investigation would be complete by the end of the month. As of this writing, Eisentraut’s report had not been delivered to the commission.
