Letter To The Editor

Terry Curnow put it right at the most recent Town Council meeting. He said that it’s time to quit hating each other and begin to unite as a community.

I’ve worked for the Town of Cascade for over 14 years, and hoped to retire from here, as I love this job and this community. Everything I’ve done has been to help make this community one that we can all be proud of. From learning to write grants, to effective budgeting to get projects done, the mayor, council, public works, and office staff have worked together to get things done. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and had hoped to continue. I’ve continued my education, becoming the president of the MMCT&FOA last year, and Clerk of the Year 3 years ago. My goal has always been to do my very best for the Town of Cascade, and to help others learn what I’ve learned.

We have completely replaced all of the water system, and are well on the way to the same with the wastewater system. Our streets are in great condition. We have beautiful parks and playgrounds for our kids. The community continues to donate to keep our pool upgraded and working correctly. Wedsworth Hall is a great place to hold parties, fundraisers, and other events for our little town. There are short and long term plans to continue improving Cascade that are from years of collecting all of the ideas from our residents, employees, and leaders. Have there been downfalls? Of course. But we have always talked through them to do what is best for the majority of our residents. Not what is for a select few.

But the recent actions of some of our community members have forced me to resign. The harassment, slander, lies, continuous hostility by a few towards me, has far outweighed all of the good from most. When agendas are personal, lots of emotions come to the surface, which can blur the lines from professional to vindictive.

It’s disappointing that this is being allowed to continue, using the excuse that it’s just the way so-and-so is. Our residents have been cornered at meetings and followed home, as well as yelled at publicly. It’s very disturbing that none of this is being stopped by those that can stop it.

The monthly council meetings have lost the intention of being a business meeting to attend to items that need to be addressed, and more of a finger pointing session. And it’s getting worse each month. Instead of us focusing on all of the good that is happening in our community, all eyes are on this terrible behavior. Other communities around the state are hearing about it and asking what is happening. We used to be the example of how to work together and get things accomplished, but that has gone by the wayside with recent events. It’s embarrassing, to be honest. I used to be proud to say I’m from here, but we are no longer the community we used to be. We are extremely divided and getting more so all the time.

I’m a firm believer that if you come with a problem, you should also at least try to be part of the solution. Here are some of my thoughts… If a person is not registered to vote in Cascade, they should not be allowed on committees or boards that make decisions for those of us that are. If there is a conflict of interest that is not revealed, and a committee or council member votes in a manner that will benefit themself, that person should not be allowed to continue being a leader or advisor for our community. All committees, boards, council members and mayors should have at least minimal training on parliamentary procedures, how Montana Code Annotated (MCA) works, and to know some of what the employees do on a daily basis.

As employees, we are required to have certifications, to know legislative changes every two years, to know funding agency requirements, how to manage our time with constant interruptions, all while never having a bad day. We are to know and follow the ordinances and policies that the council passes. The employees are consistent, while council and committee members come and go. Most of the employees and leaders for this town are extremely loyal. But recently, many have joined committees for personal gain, not looking at what is best for the rest of the community. Cascade is an area where people are wanting to move to, and change is not always a bad thing. Is this really how we want them to think of Cascade? Divisive and uninviting?

With all of this said, I still want what is best for Cascade. I’ve moved to a consulting position, where I can still assist with the town and moving forward. This has even been publicly criticized, as there are those that have worked hard to make sure that I quit, and didn’t want to see me back in town hall.

I love this town. I love this job. But I don’t love what is happening right now and pray that somehow it gets better so we can go back to being a united community.

Jodie Campbell