TRA Board Meeting

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Oct 5, 2009 at 6:11 PM MST

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2009 at 9:25 AM MST

HARDIN - Board members with Hardin's economic development agency Two Rivers Authority met in Hardin Monday to discuss their contract with California-based security company American Police Force.

Dozens of Hardin officials and residents packed the boardroom Monday afternoon as TRA board members discussed their contract with APF. But there was one person who was noticeably missing: company leader Michael Hilton.

"He's got 14 felonies 10 counts of theft. It just seems like it's one thing after another," said Treasurer Robert Crane. "There's too many red flags coming up here."

APF Spokeswoman Becky Shay said she wasn't aware Hilton told the board he would attend Monday's meeting. "Apparently he said he would be here before I went to work for him," Shay said.

Many board members, including Chairman Gary Arneson, expressed concern over a lack of information coming from the company. "There's a lot of questions that have to be answered before I'll put my name on it," Arneson said.

"We want to know where the funding is coming from," said Board Member Tim Murphy.

TRA spokesman Al Peterson, who once touted APT and their parent company, is expressing concerns. He sent an e-mail to fellow board members and APF officials on Monday asking for more information. Shay said she wishes she could answer them.

"I make a request almost daily to provide more information," Shay said.

In the end TRA officials decided they needed more legal counsel and voted to seek an attorney to help the with language on the contract. Board members are hoping with the right legal counsel they can make this contract work.

In another development Monday, Shay said she did receive a request for more information from Montana's Attorney General. She said APF officials are dealing with the request.

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Matilda said on Friday, Oct 9 at 8:18 AM

In 10/09/2009 Gazette, it is reported that, IN FACT, there is a written agreement between Two River and American Police Force for APF to provide a Police Force in Hardin. The Gazette had to sue Two Rivers to get it! So, while we all thought the Two Rivers Board, the Hardin Mayor and City Council were just inept…it NOW turns out they were being purposely deceptive and lying to the citizens, the Press, the MT Atty General…that is why they refused to turn over the last 2 pages of the contract.

Rol66 said on Wednesday, Oct 7 at 3:15 PM

It's really a shame that the Board members were so in need of money that they overlooked the main principle of investing. That being said, the wiseest thing for them to do escape and take what ever lumps there are and learn the lesson from it.As far as the Prison that's built, check for overlow from Billings or surround Montana.

Hardinisrunbymorons said on Wednesday, Oct 7 at 10:25 AM

Seriously, people. Michael Hilton is a thief and a crook. You need to cut ties before it is too late. And whoever signed on with him needs to resign before they fall for a Nigerian email scam or believe they won a European lottery they never entered. Naive, naive, naive.

rcon1 said on Tuesday, Oct 6 at 6:00 PM

The four people who flew to California were Peterson; TRA attorney Becky Convery; Greg Smith, the former director of the TRA; and Smith's wife, Hardin mayoral candidate Kerri Smith. "Peterson said after the meeting Monday that one gathering in California involved at least 15 people, several of whom worked for APF, "as far as I know." Convery, who wasn't at the meeting Monday,.." The TRA's Lawyer fly all the way to California with 3 other board members "DIDNT" go! What the hells going on.

JimInMT said on Tuesday, Oct 6 at 4:00 PM

Remember Athens Tennessee in 1946? Here's a link to what citizens had to do to rid the county of tyrannical elected officials. Let this be a lesson to those now in charge in all jurisdictions in this nation! http://www.constitution.org/mil/tn/batathen.htm

LOL said on Tuesday, Oct 6 at 1:29 PM

This is so OBVIOUSLY a fraudulent scam that it's hilarious to think "Board members are hoping with the right legal counsel they can make this contract work." Are these people attempting to PROVE that they're morons by holding out hope this is a legitimate operation? LOL Come on Hardin, you folks are NOT REALLY THIS STUPID ARE YOU?

levotb said on Tuesday, Oct 6 at 9:00 AM

Shay needs to resign and quit b.s.ing the media. All she is is a stooge for a convicted felon 14 times over with more convictions on the way! This Al Peterson fellow should be forced to resign and stop all interviews with the media. He's up to his keister in this as the principal front man for the project in Hardin...

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