From left to right: LABA President, Gail Burger, Chris Ekstedt, Secretary, Jada Smook, and local business owner Jonette Johnston Tubb at the July 11 LABA meeting. Photo by Brian Baxter, the Montanian
By Brian Baxter
“Libby Area Business Association (LABA) is by Business for Business and is in it’s third year. We are a 501-3C nonprofit as well. I feel we have made some great strides in that short period of time with our beautification projects, over at the bottom of Bowen Hill, the triangle at the end of Mineral Avenue that features the logger carved by Ron Adamson and is also the site of the Libby Christmas Tree Lighting, and our assistance with Depot Park also at the end of Mineral,” said LABA President Gail Burger to The Montanian at the July 11 LABA meeting held at Depot Park.
Indeed, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And upon a slow and careful observance of the little park down by the railroad station, the love and care that has been given this pocket park that most of us drive by is evident. The picnic tables are in pretty good shape. Newer benches dot the area, and the landscaping is designed well and maintained in fine order. Low plants and shrubs green up the appearance and blooming flowers stand out against the natural brown colors of mulch beds. Little wooden black bear figures seem to be playing next to small wooden carts. In the center of the cul-de-sac, Adamson’s wood carved tall, strong looking logger bespeaks the proud heritage of Libby’s logging and forestry history in the surrounding stands of evergreen timbers present in our Kootenai National Forest. Below the chainsaw carving, is another bench with a special memorial plaque on the back, and a frontal positioning that faces the rugged, still somewhat snow covered Cabinet Mountain Wilderness peaks.
“All this is made possible by our members, the City of Libby, volunteers, and the awesome support of our community,” said Burger. “Libby Area Business Association believes in promoting businesses and building a strong community. We encourage everyone to pop in on one of our meetings the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.” You can find out more by checking out their Facebook page or calling Burger at 293-5311. You don’t have to be a member to attend.
July’s guest speaker was Shellie DeLeo, of Montana Works, a program of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. DeLeo enlightened attendees on the plethora of programs available in our area. Some of these included a youth program run by Randy Holm; the Allie Frost WEX Program; the Community Action Partnership; the J.S. Programs; Help Link Funds; Federal Bonding Programs; Incumbent Worker Programs; the E-Skills Testing Program; W.O.T.C. Tax Credits; and even an available conference room at the Job Service office if businesses need it for any reason. The ladies at the office can be reached at 293-6282, and the always helpful crew includes Johnette Watkins (manager), Kari Martell, Teresa Chandler, and Shellie DeLeo.
When asked how she felt about the group’s recent accomplishments, Burger responded, “We spearhead some great community events. Crazy Days the fourth week in August that we resurrected from the past, Trick or Treat on Mineral Avenue that was started by Amber Managhan and the Christmas Tree Lighting complete with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus brought in by sleigh or wagon (Provided by Cecil McDougal) depending on the weather. LABA supplies all the goodies for Santa to hand out to the children at the tree lighting event. We also place all the lights on the trees on the first two blocks of Mineral and encourage the competitions to encourage decorating and shopping. LABA shares information to our neighboring communities, five neighboring states, and Canada.”