By Tim Ravndal
12 years ago Broadwater County Montana citizens elected Laura Obert to represent them as their County Commissioner. There was a toxic atmosphere created soon after her taking office. Reaching far beyond the rules of public service, Commissioner Obert spent her time in office pushing buttons and creating policy. This action is well documented where she benefited by influencing county spending. Her efforts all quickly led to the economic development arm of local government where her husband Brian climbed the executive ladder with Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC).
MBAC bellied up to the Broadwater County Economic Development trough. A husband and wife team diligently worked together to secure a piece of the action securing funding from a broad spectrum of sources. Having a non-profit status, MBAC is exempt from competing with private business and in some cases public disclosure is held to protect outside investors and non-profit accountability.
The usurpation of power that is being arbitrarily and capriciously administered to benefit the wizards behind the curtain becomes obvious. MBAC regularly receives not only payment from the taxpayers for services, but gains an advisory position influencing all levels of local government. Multiple times over the years, those that follow local government, can see the direct conflict of interest. The judicial branch has been brought in to investigate the irregularities but the system has failed to effect any action that would curtail the continued abuse of the citizen’s rights in Broadwater County.
Many employees of Broadwater County feared for their jobs as unsubstantiated threats were made against anyone who questioned what was going on behind the curtain. Several employees were arbitrarily removed from their jobs, leaving to question due process. When the questions of constitutionality reached the judicial branch, again the back room deals are clearly in control.
More recently the judicial branch was brought in again to provide relief to the citizens on an alleged theft by Commissioner Obert. Montana Attorney General Tim Fox put the fox in the hen house to guard against the truth. Commissioner Obert’s manipulation of policy and local rules has consistently provided a curtain hiding the truth for the taxpayers of Broadwater County.
Multiple commission actions effected through economic development authority, render power to unelected officials with connections that benefit them directly. This all comes either directly or indirectly at a cost to the taxpayers of Broadwater County. Multiple audits with questions of irregularities have been either covered up or distorted by those with the authority to effect corrections on behalf of the taxpayers.
More times than the record prefers to acknowledge, the open meeting laws of Montana have been violated. As stated earlier, the judicial branch was brought in several times with allegations against the County Commissioners for violating Montana law. The First Judicial District Court has received several cases against the county. Judge James Reynolds who recently retired, has observed many infractions by the commission but has provided a relief valve for local government each and every time.
The toxic outgoing commissioner only has a couple weeks left in office and now exercises an attempt to paint a picture of integrity. Because there are many citizens in Broadwater County that know the truth, her story and actions in this 11th hour do not resonate well with truth and/or integrity.
Commissioner Obert’s Quest For Power And Control Over Funding Brings Out Yet Another Attack Against The Broadwater County Trust Board.
Former County Commissioner Steve McCullough who is currently the Chairman of the Broadwater County Trust Board, stated that Commissioner Obert is taking her last shots at preserving her control over finances in Broadwater County. Many see the connection here to MBAC and the future of the several million dollars in that fund. All administrative functions of the Broadwater Trust Board have been documented in the Trust Board’s Bylaws. Those bylaws were approved by the County Commission, giving the trust board the administrative authority they need to function.
When we ask what is going on in government we are often reminded to follow the money. In this case, Commissioner Obert is doing her best to maintain the last word and manipulate the system for the system she is part of through economic development.
Commissioner Obert in her latest personal attack against citizens that do not agree with her again ignores the law. Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson has made multiple attempts at cautioning Commissioner Obert from reading into law what is not there and leaving out law that is there. Purporting to have a policy that is a rule of law regarding the plandemic lockdown is a direct attack on personal rights and is a direct violation of the Constitution.
The Citizens we spoke to are regularly asking for the commissioners to move forward in the best interest of the people. Unfortunately any and all efforts by the people to seek relief have been squelched by the County Commissioners. Many are pleased that Commissioner Obert will no longer have a hand on the county checkbook after the first of the year, but fear the long term damage.
A citizen attending the December 7th 2020 commission meeting to raise concerns about an issue of public interest was verbally attacked by Commissioner Obert for not wearing a mask. Note: The verbal attack by Commissioner Obert was done via remote conference call, as she does not physically attend the meetings since her indictment on felony charges of theft.
Again Commissioner Obert makes a personal attack against citizens that disagree with her decisions yet the whole time the public trust of an elected official is being violated. The other two commissioners remain silent while Commissioner Obert continues an attack based on policy not law. The County Attorney is constrained by Title II and Title VII laws due to a conflict of interest. The Sheriff of Broadwater County Wynn Meehan is unable to move violations of law forward without the county attorney able to perform his duties to the citizens of Broadwater County.
2021 will bring the opportunity to create new policy that reflects the law and the Montana Legislature will be in place to place enforcement provisions protecting the rights of the people in the existing laws. Stay Tuned!