"Dear Chairman Cox: My purpose in writing to you

is one of full disclosure in the public interest. As you

14

know, I currently serve as the local president of First

15

Interstate Bank of Great Falls. I am also a member of the

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Cascade County Planning Board, which serves as an advisory

17

board to the Cascade County Commissioners. The Cascade

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County Commissioners will make the final decision on the

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pending application for rezoning regarding the Highwood

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Generating Plant, regardless of the planning board's

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recommendation.

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"First Interstate Bank of Great Falls has a

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depository relationship with Southern Montana Electric

24

Cooperative. The bank has no financial interest in the

25

10

final decision of the county commissioners since First

1

Interstate Bank is not now providing any operating or

2

construction funds to SME, nor, to my knowledge, is any

3

planned in the future.

 

"I do not consider SME's depository relationship

 

with First Interstate Bank of Great Falls to represent a

6

conflict for me in considering how I will vote as a member

7

of the Cascade County Planning Board on its non-binding

8

advisory recommendation to the Cascade County Commissioners

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on the rezoning issue.

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"Again, in an effort to forestall any misplaced

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potential future criticism or conflict of interest or lack

12

of full disclosure, I want to be sure that everyone is

13

aware of my position on the Cascade County Planning Board,

14

my position with First Interstate Bank of Great Falls, and

15

the bank's depository relationship with SME.

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"If you have any questions, please contact me.

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Sincerely, Bill Weber."

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