St. Marie Water Managers Face Down Recall
According to area media, a complaint for injunctive relief was filed with the District Court in Valley County on March 3, requesting that Clerk and Recorder Marie Pippin be blocked from conducting a recall election based on a petition put forward by residents. The petition is part of an effort to recall Krystal Dickerson and Carl Millerick from the North Valley County Sewer and Water District board of directors. NVCWSD administers water and sewer services in St. Marie.
A court date of April 8 has been set to determine whether or not the recall election will move forward.
Signatories to the petition allege official misconduct, incorrect billing and mismanagement of water district funds, along with other accusations.
Dickerson and Millerick were on hand to face residents at a March 27 board meeting at the Cottonwood Inn & Suites in Glasgow.
They confirmed that NVCWSD funds will be used for legal services related to the March 3 filing. They attempted to clarify outstanding issues around planned repairs to broken meters, public safety concerns and significant water loss, including a leak that has been ongoing for more than 3½ years, according to Millerick.
During public comment, residents asked about the above mentioned leak and mounting related costs. Other questions were related to water testing procedures and the hiring of a new secretary.
