| HOMEAREA ATTRACTIONS | OUTDOORS | EVENTS | COMMUNITY | PHOTO GALLERY | BUSINESSES |

Libby Montana News Archive

LibbyMt.com > News > May 2007 > Huntsberger files to prevent sale of Libby High School

Huntsberger files to prevent sale of Libby High School
by KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio
May 7, 2007

Gary Huntsberger has filed a petition in 19th District Court seeking to prevent the Libby School District from selling the Historic Libby High School to developer Scott Holdings.

Huntsberger claims in the petition the school's resolution to sell the building is in contradiction to a binding resolution adopted in November 15, 2005, and that the 2005 resolution must be implemented as a condition precedent to disposal of the real estate. The November resolution was the result of a Writ of Mandamus obtained by the Friends of Historic Libby High School to revoke a previous resolution in September of 2005 to demolish the building.

Huntsberger further disputes the school's assessment that the Historic Libby High School and the property it occupies is abandoned, obsolete, not desirable, or not suitable for school purposes as outlined in the Montana Code.

Hunstberger says, in the petition, the schools have not determined the full market value, nor the fair rental value of the property, as required, and that they may not rely on a third party appraisal. The schools have used an appraisal by appraiser Tom Stevens of Missoula, paid for by former developer ConoverBond. Stevens appraised the property and building, "as is" at $120, 000. Current developer Scott Holdings has offered a figure above that, and Huntsberger, himself, along with name-less investors, have offered the schools $160,000 for the building and property. Huntsberger has made an offer to buy, on a property he is trying to prevent from being sold.

Board Chair Terri Kelly has repeatedly said, "it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it." Up until Huntsberger's offer of $160,000, Scott Holdings was the only interested party and has negotiated a buy-sell agreement with the schools.

Huntsberger's crusade all along has been to demolish the building. Huntsberger has not openly indicated any plan for the property once the Historic Libby High School is destroyed, something he has demanded from the Friends of Historic Libby High School, ConoverBond, and Scott Holdings.

As part of the petition, Huntsburger includes a letter from Paul Rumelhart, dated 2005, on Kootenai Heritage Council letterhead attempting to support Huntsberger's claim that "at least a portion of the property is used as a parking lot for Kootenai Heritage Council's Memorial Center, which is leased from the Libby Public Schools, saying the Memorial Center's economic well-being is dependent on the parking at the Historic High School. Scott Holdings has indicated in public meetings that use of the parking lot for the Memorial Center, Loggers Days, and NordicFest will not be an issue.

Huntsberger claims the school board has attempted to negotiate, without full public disclosure in violation of the Montana open meeting law, a "deal" with Scott Holdings, which would result in the building being sold for less than full market value. Scott Holdings proposal is to renovate the building into a town center complex of 12 to 14 office suites, perhaps including a restaurant and small retail boutiques, anchoring the downtown revitalization effort. The exterior would remain the same, but the interior would be state-of-the-art.

19th District Judge Michael Prezeau declined to issue an Alternate Writ of Mandate as requested by Huntsberger, thus staying the implementation of the resolution, and setting an informal summary hearing for June 8th.

Story courtesy KLCB News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com


LibbyMt.com > News > May 2007 > Huntsberger files to prevent sale of Libby High School
| HOMEAREA ATTRACTIONS | OUTDOORS | EVENTS | COMMUNITY | PHOTO GALLERY | BUSINESSES |
All page content copyright 2007. All rights reserved. May not be used without permission.

home page
LibbyMT.com
PO Box 940, Libby, MT 59923
406-293-3608
e-mail: info@libbymt.com