Great Falls “Theme”

GeeGuy has posted the memo that a recruiting firm is using to screen applicants to replace John Lawton as our city manager. The memo is a bit damning in some areas re: the coal plant - GeeGuy’s criticism is spot-on. But what got my attention is the section about “Possible Themes To Build Upon” for the new city manager. Here’s a screen shot:

Well, gosh…should I be flattered that one of them echoes the name of my blog? And if the new city manager opts to pursue it, do you think I might get royalties?

August 31, 2007 | Filed Under civics | 2 Comments

Friday Fun

A new feature here at GreaterFalls: Friday Fun! For the first edition, I’ve got three animal-themed links: one true classic (Viking Kittens) and two favorites that captured the hearts of millions this summer. Enjoy!

- Classic Rock + Cute Kittens + Vikings = Viking Kittens!

- If you haven’t seen Dramatic Prairie Dog in action, now is the perfect time.

- Did you know that zombies like turtles? Destined to be a classic!

August 31, 2007 | Filed Under humor | 2 Comments

Great Falls is Great

While discussing the news about the Mystery (GE?) Company considering Great Falls as a possible location, GiftShoppeGuy mused about some of the things that make Great Falls so darn great - both for residents and business:

Great Falls was supposed to grow. From the very beginning, this city’s founding fathers set it up to be a prosperous place, full of many successes. I like Great Falls. This is the only city in the state that has the capacity to grow, and remain quite friendly while doing so…most who move to Billings, Bozeman or Missoula, would much rather own a small yappy crossbred dog, than to invest in our real future… kids. Great Falls was made for growth… Go sit atop Gore Hill sometime, and look at the city that lays at your feet… Wide open spaces abound. We aren’t hemmed in between two mountains, or sunk deep into a stuffy hole amongst the Rimrocks. We aren’t over run by a bunch of liberal college kids either…

Don’t get me wrong - I like Billings, and Missoula has some nice features, for instance - but nothing compares to Great Falls. He’s right about sitting atop Gore Hill and looking at our community, with the Highwood and Little Belt mountains in the distance, with a huge swath of gentle plains-like open areas and some enchanting hills. We really have the best of it all.

August 30, 2007 | Filed Under business, people | 1 Comment

Help Wanted

The Trib ran a splashy request to have people submit applications for an unnamed Fortune 500 company that may - or may not - open an office in Great Falls. The reasoning is that the flood of applicants will demonstrate to the company that we have the manpower, skills, and desire to accommodate their needs. There is quite a lively discussion on the Trib forum about this, with pro-GF and anti-GF people lining up to tell us why this is or is not a potential good thing for our community.
(pay particular attnention to the poster named “redneck hippie” - quite possibly the poster child for comment moderation, and a perfect example of why many people - like me - rarely visit Forums)

And the folks over at Pulse Great Falls echo the Trib’s request for people to apply; I received the following e-mail from Heather, the membership director:

The Great Falls Development Authority has asked me to forward the message below and the attached flyer. One of the reasons I agreed to do this is because one of Pulse’s goals is to help recruit and retain young people in Great Falls. It would be wonderful if a new company decided to relocate to our city. So, please read the information below and even if you aren’t interested, pass it on to your friends or family. You never know who might be looking for a new job.

I’m all in favor of this unnamed company coming to Great Falls, but I’m a bit grumpy that the GFDA won’t tell us the name of the company - this is the year 2007, isn’t it? you know, information wants to be free? - but if the company asked for anonymity, well, then, I suppose that I have to respect that the GFDA is just honoring that request. But seriously - can anyone give me one good reason for such secrecy?

August 29, 2007 | Filed Under business, civics | 11 Comments

Overfield Kennel Blog

And speaking of new blogs, go ahead and check out the Overfield Kennel blog! Susan, owner of the Overfield Kennel in Vaughn, has set up a blog to stay in touch with pet owners and share information and advice. Go say hi!

August 28, 2007 | Filed Under animals, business, blogging | 1 Comment

Mayoral Candidate

As noted over at GeeGuy’s place, one of our candidates for Mayor has a website and a blog. Her name is Susan Kahn, and I really appreciate that she is using the internet to communicate and keep voters updated.

August 28, 2007 | Filed Under civics, blogging, election | 2 Comments

Word Of Mouth

Drove by a vehicle on 23rd Street on Saturday and noticed some writing on the windows. Turns out that owner is not happy with Bennett Motors and wants to tell everyone about it.

click the pic to see the rest

Please note that I do not know who owns the vehicle, I don’t know anything about what happened, and I have never dealt with Bennett Motors. I present these pictures only because it is rare for someone to air their complaint in such a manner. Wonder if any of the folks over at Bennett Motors have seen the writing on the windows?

August 26, 2007 | Filed Under vehicles, business | 5 Comments

At Gibson Pond

Went to feed the geese and ducks at Gibson Pond last night and got a couple of cool pictures.

Some of the ducks were gettin’ jiggy with each other, and I learned (via Google) that their manner of reproduction is often referred to as a “cloacal kiss.” Also saw some pelicans come in for a landing, and quite a few bats as the last flickers of sunlight faded. Didn’t know there were bats here!

August 25, 2007 | Filed Under animals | Leave a Comment

Speaking of Snow…

How many of you are ready for snow? Take a look back at some snow-blogging, and enjoy a few pix from snowfall of yesterday!

Read The Whole Thing >>>

August 24, 2007 | Filed Under weather | Leave a Comment

Snow In August (?!)

When I arrived here in the summer of 2002, my neighbor told me that it snowed in August back in the early 90s. I was skeptical, knowing how people seem to remember things a bit differently through the years, but sure enough: according to Wunderground, Great Falls received nearly two inches of snow on August 22, 1992! And the next day - August 23, 1992 - Great Falls got another six inches of snow!

Wow…more than eight inches of snow in August! I know that’s not likely to happen again soon, so I’ll settle for the crisp mornings that we’ve enjoyed the last couple of days, and hope for snow in mid-to-late September.

So - how many of you remember those two days back in August 1992?

August 22, 2007 | Filed Under weather | 5 Comments

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