Terry City Council dealing with growth problems

The Terry City Council met in special night session at the Terry Town Hall on October 27, 2011 to enact an emergency zoning ordinance. It would have prohibited the construction of any new trailer courts, campgrounds, work camps, hotels, motels, or other multi-unit housing complexes, within the Town of Terry and up to 1 mile beyond the corporate boundaries of the town to take effect immediately after passing for an initial period of 6 months with possible extensions for up to 2 1/2 years. Dire consequences, associated with any sudden influx of transient oil workers into the small town of Terry, were outlined in a handout given out to the attendees prior to the meeting.


Terry Town Council - Ron Kiosse, Mayor from right to left around the table from him are Lynn Strassheim, City Clerk, Becky Convery, City Attorney, Josh Helmuth, Tom Pisk, Clinton Rakes and Rolane Christofferson, City Council Members

The meeting was attended by an overflow crowd of about 85 residents, who were allowed to voice their opinions prior to the council taking the ordinance under consideration for their final vote, with most of them indicating opposition to the ordinance. Local Terry resident Steve Phipps, who consults with oil companies in the Bakken oil field, made one of the most eloquent comments defending the hard working people in the oil and pipeline industry. His remarks included the drug screen requirements in the pre-hiring process of any workers as well as ongoing random drug and alcohol testing being conducted by the companies working in the industry. One infraction of the rules, including being found under the influence of alcohol or drugs, may be cause for immediate termination and removal from any facility housing the individual involved.

Many other excellent points were made for and some against passing this ordinance by town’s people well as ranchers and farmers in Prairie County. But the one predominating theme during the hearing was the dampening effect it might have on attracting new people and businesses to move to the small town of Terry, which has a currently population count of 602 per the US census. This ordinance also would have sent a clear message to the oil companies they would not be wanted in Terry and their workers and corporate people would, if given the choice, avoid doing business in the town.

After hearing the comments against the ordinance during the public hearing Becky Convery recommended to the City Council she’d be allowed her to rework the onerously written ordinance. She said she could make it more palatable to any new residents as well as prospective businesses and make it conform with upcoming any growth and zoning studies once the committees complete their work.

Becky offered to take out the most of the offensive and confusing language. Instead of calling it an "emergency zoning ordinance" it would be re-titled an "urgent zoning ordinance". Exceptions could be made on a case to case basis for companies and persons inquiring to move their businesses or establish multi-unit homes in Terry. She agreed to take the word, "transients", which is usually referred to as being "homeless", out of any language in the proposed ordinance.

In addition Becky Convery advised the council during their discussions any previous actions dealing zoning issues, including previous ones limiting keeping horses and chickens on any property within the Terry city limits, cannot be enforced until a zoning and a growth plan first is first adopted by the Terry City Council.

About the Author - Bob van der Valk lives in Terry, Montana and is a Petroleum Industry Analyst with over 50 years of experience. He has been quoted by the news media as well as government entities and be contacted at: tridemoil@aol.com or (406) 853-4251.

Terry’s Badlands Café Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary

It's been two years since they opened their doors in Terry, Montana, and to celebrate the Badlands Café and Scoop Shoppe is hoping you will drop by for a day of giveaways this coming Saturday, September 3rd between 11 am and 3 pm.

You might know their story already, the duo of Arline and Inger Koppenhaver – one born and raised in Montana the other, her daughter-in-law from California – who celebrated the grand opening of their café back on September 5, 2009.








In the above picture from the left Jerry is holding 6-week old Samuel standing along with Paul, Inger, Nathan, Emily, Kayla, Arline Koppenhaver, Bob and Tammy van der Valk at the grand opening of the Badlands Café and Scoop Shoppe in 2009.

While they came from different backgrounds, they have more in common than just their last names. They shared the inkling of an idea for a 50’s themed, family oriented, specialty cafe with many menu items that feature made from scratch items, a variety of unique ice cream flavors and tempting blended drinks plus a full espresso bar all located in the boutique town of Terry, Montana.


"We opened the restaurant during a really tough economy," says Inger.

"Of course our goal was to provide good food and service, but we wanted to do it with great prices as well and we have tried really hard to be able to accomplish our mission."

Arline recalls some of the feedback she received from friends and family when she told them about her plans to open a family restaurant.

"Some close friends threw up some alert flags letting us know that running a café takes lots of time and energy," she says.

"We have discovered that it's never easy in this business, but our hearts are warmed by the fun that we have with our local customers and those who stop in on their way to various vacation destinations. It has been two years and we are even more excited and ready to continue to serve great food to our local patrons and travelers in Eastern Montana."

In honor of their two year anniversary, Arline and Inger are asking you to make Prairie County your vacation destination for Labor Day Weekend to help celebrate their 2- year anniversary on Saturday, September 3rd. Sunday, September 4th is the date for the Fallon Harvest Festival, which annually draws large crowds to its traditional all day and evening Harvest Fest Fun. Plus, Terry is the home of Evelyn Cameron, Pioneer Photographer, and also hosts many delightful specialty shops that will satisfy the most discriminating shopper.



The café will be giving away free regular birthday cake ice cream cones while supplies last as well as featuring an “Off the Menu Surprise Special” on Saturday, September 3rd.



They will also have four big giveaways throughout the 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. day. Fill out a survey and enter it for a chance to win at 12, 1, 2, and 3! Biggest giveaway is a $25 gift Certificate!



Reaching 200 Facebook fans at: http://www.facebook.com/BadlandsCafeMT by Friday, September 2nd, will add another grand prize to be given away. They encourage you to become a fan of their page and pass along the information to others.



Labor Day weekend just might be a really great time for your family and friends to visit Prairie County, Montana. Please find out more at: www.visitterrymontana.com and click on “The 100 Top Things To Do In Terry, Montana” button for more ideas to help make your weekend trip to Terry the best vacation of the summer!.