Lack of money, not lack of conflict shuts down Montana Consensus Council
| February 17, 2008 |  View for printing |
The Schweitzer administration is about to shut down a tiny state agency set up to help resolve conflicts, but which hasn’t generated enough business to pay its bills.
The agency, known as the Montana Consensus Council http://mcc.mt.gov/ , already has given layoff notices to two employees sharing 1.5 jobs, effective Feb. 29.
The board overseeing the council soon will decide its fate and that of the council’s remaining employee, Director Judy Edwards. However, officials said it’s inevitable the agency will be shuttered, and Edwards laid off.
The council, created by Gov. Marc Racicot by executive order in 1994 to help groups and agencies resolve conflicts and reach consensus on issues, hasn’t made enough money in consulting fees to continue. A grant from the California-based William and Flora Hewlett Foundation expired several years ago.
By Charles S. Johnson
Full Story: http://www.montanastandard.com/artic ... cjjibjf.txt
No reader comments so far. Be the first to comment by clicking the button below.
Reprinted under the Fair Use doctrine of international copyright law. Full copyright retained by the original publication. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
