Covering City Council of the past

One of my assignments  for the Hungry Horse News in later years was to cover Columbia Falls City Council sessions.

Meetings were in the upstairs of the new City Hall located at the top of Nucleus Avenue hill. Council chambers and Message Center were also located in the upstairs. Fire siren doubled as 10 p.m. curfew blown to be certain it was in working order.

Basement area provided the jail, city clerk's office, and meeting room for the Columbia Falls Volunteer Fire Department. Fire trucks and ambulance were parked in the west side of the building. There was also a drying rack for fire hoses.

Humor as well as business highlighted some Council meetings.

Carl Lad used to sit in the front row when attending City Council sessions. He was a brilliant man, surveyor, and uncle to area Ladenburgs. He also served as Flathead County surveyor through the years.

No idea where Carl obtained baby food jars but they were his ash trays. He would smoke during City Council sessions, carefully putting ashes and cigarettes into the tiny jar, then just as carefully tightening the lid.

He was also interesting to listen to during sessions. Carl away provided good quotes. He was upset when our first city sewer system was installed and had leaks. He questioned engineers as to why all of the clay used was not properly tested and apparently was responsible for some of the leaks. No one could back down to Carl's interrogations.

Carl would loudly proclaim his opinion that attending a City Council meeting was more entertaining than watching a movie.

Some of his antics included attempting to can bananas in his North Fork home. He wrote the Jergens Lotion Co. to inform them how effective their product was as a bag balm for cows. Spice companies were also contacted by Carl. He questioned why names of spices were always on the wrong side of the can and difficult to read when using.

Carl would baffle service station attendants when he bought gasoline. The tall, bald man would tell them how many miles his vehicle made to the gallon, how far he was traveling and to fill the tank with gallons 'required to get him to his destination.

Believe Carl, a bachelor, was 76 years old when he married Helen Lad, widow of O. M. Junkins. Carl's explanation for the December wedding date was simple. It was the longest night of the year.

His last request to have Indian Love Call played at his funeral was granted.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.