Town Hall Formal Invitations

March 5, 2026

The Honorable Greg Gianforte
Governor of Montana
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 200801
Helena, MT 59620-0801

Dear Governor Gianforte,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we are writing to formally invite you to participate in a community town hall meeting in Laurel, Montana.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

The residents of Laurel have serious and unresolved concerns regarding the proposed placement of a forensic mental health prison on a lot whose property line sits approximately 459 yards from the property line of West Elementary School. Despite repeated attempts to engage state and local officials, our community has received inadequate responses and has been denied meaningful transparency in this process.

As Governor, decisions made under your administration have direct bearing on this prison's approval and siting. You have made public statements that have not been followed through. You appointed the agencies leading this project — agencies that have denied your own constituents basic transparency, ignored requests for information, and treated the people of Laurel as an afterthought in a decision that will permanently affect their community. The residents of Laurel are not an afterthought. They are your constituents, and they deserve the opportunity to hear from you directly and to receive honest answers to their questions.

We are inviting you to participate in a structured Q&A panel during the town hall. This is not a debate — it is an opportunity for state leadership to be accountable to the citizens of Laurel. Questions will be submitted in advance by community members and moderated by a neutral facilitator.

We respectfully request your attendance or the attendance of a designated representative with full authority to speak on your behalf.

Please respond by March 9, 2026 so that we may plan accordingly.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Representative Lee Deming
Montana House of Representatives, District 54

Dear Representative Deming,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we are honored to invite you to speak at our upcoming community town hall in Laurel, Montana.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

The Laurel community is grateful for your engagement and your genuine commitment to the people you represent. At a time when many residents feel unheard by local leadership, having a state representative who listens and acts makes a meaningful difference.

We would be honored if you would serve as a speaker during the town hall. We envision your remarks as an opportunity to speak directly to constituents about the legislative landscape surrounding our community's concerns, the accountability measures available at the state level, and what residents can do to make their voices heard.

We are asking for approximately 5–7 minutes for your remarks.

Please respond by March 10, 2026 to confirm your participation, and let us know if you have any questions or needs we can accommodate.

Thank you for your continued service to this community.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Senator Vince Ricci
Montana State Senate, District 27

Dear Senator Ricci,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we are honored to invite you to speak at our upcoming community town hall in Laurel, Montana.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

Your advocacy on behalf of the Laurel community and your willingness to stand up for transparency and accountability have not gone unnoticed. The residents of Laurel are grateful to have a legislator who takes their concerns seriously and works to ensure their voices are heard at the state level.

We would be honored if you would serve as a speaker during the town hall. We envision your remarks as an opportunity to speak directly to Laurel residents about what is happening at the legislative level, what tools are available to the community, and what the path forward looks like. Your presence would mean a great deal to the people of this community.

We are asking for approximately 5–7 minutes for your remarks.

Please respond by March 10, 2026 to confirm your participation, and let us know if you have any questions or needs we can accommodate.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our community.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Michele L. Braukmann
City Attorney, City of Laurel
civilattorney@laurel.mt.gov

Dear Ms. Braukmann,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we would like to extend a warm and sincere invitation to you to attend our upcoming community town hall meeting.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

This event is an opportunity for Laurel residents to come together, hear from community leaders and state officials, and engage in the kind of open, transparent dialogue that this community deserves. We are grateful for the work being done on behalf of Laurel's residents, and we would be honored to have you present.

We also recognize that between now and March 16th, there will likely be significant developments — including the potential adoption of an emergency ordinance or moratorium. Whatever shape your recommendation takes, we believe the community would greatly benefit from hearing directly from you about what those measures mean, how they work, and what they mean for Laurel's residents going forward.

Our goal is simply to inform the community to the best of our ability, and your expertise would be invaluable in helping residents understand the legal tools available to protect this city.

You are of course welcome to simply attend as a member of the community. However, if you would like the opportunity to address residents directly, we would be glad to offer you a 5–15 minute platform to speak, or a place in our Q&A panel if you prefer a more interactive format. The choice is entirely yours.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and let us know if you would like to take us up on either option so we can plan accordingly.

We hope to see you there.

With gratitude,

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Dan Villa, Executive Director
Montana Board of Investments
P.O. Box 200126
Helena, MT 59620-0126

Dear Director Villa,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we are writing to formally invite you to participate in a community town hall meeting in Laurel, Montana.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

You know this community. You came here. You presented before the Laurel City Council and made explicit commitments on the record. You told the council that when BOI entered into a buy-sell agreement, they would hear about it first — not from the press. They heard about it from the press. You told the council that BOI would follow every existing city resolution, ordinance, and process governing land use in Laurel, and that BOI did not intend to circumvent city governance. The community of Laurel is still waiting for evidence of that commitment. From where we are standing, it looks a whole lot like you conspired to do exactly the opposite.

Laurel never submitted a formal proposal for this facility. Hardin did. Miles City did. Laurel did not — because this community was not given the opportunity to decide whether it wanted to. The Board of Investments selected Laurel anyway, in coordination with DPHHS, based on a plan the public had no part in shaping. The residents of Laurel did not raise their hands for this.

When the community organized and the Laurel Chamber of Commerce scheduled a public meeting for January 30th, you cancelled it — not because of a scheduling conflict, but because too many members of our community wanted to participate and the venue was moved to the high school. The Chamber's statement made clear: this was BOI's decision. When the Chamber attempted to reschedule, BOI refused all further public meetings entirely — agreeing only to attend a required city council session after zoning documentation was filed. You have much to answer for.

The residents of Laurel have submitted public records requests and were quoted thousands of dollars for access. They have been stonewalled, ignored, and told to wait. A legislative attorney has flagged unresolved legal questions about the financial structure of this project that the AG could not fully answer because BOI has not provided the financial instruments needed to answer them.

You have avoided this community at every turn. We are giving you the opportunity to face it.

We are inviting you to participate in a structured Q&A panel at the town hall. Questions will be submitted in advance by community members and moderated by a neutral facilitator. This is your opportunity to answer for the decisions BOI has made and to tell the people of Laurel — directly — what your commitments mean.

We request your attendance. Sending someone on your behalf would be unacceptable.

Please respond by March 9, 2026 so that we may plan accordingly.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Charlie Brereton, Director
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
111 N. Sanders, Suite 301
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604-4210

Dear Director Brereton,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we are writing to formally invite you to participate in a community town hall meeting in Laurel, Montana.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

The community of Laurel has significant unresolved concerns about the proposed siting of a Forensic mental health prison on a lot whose property line sits approximately 459 yards from the property line of West Elementary School. The Department of Public Health and Human Services plays a central role in this facility's planning, licensing, and oversight — and our community has received insufficient information about the decision-making process, safety protocols, and the rationale for this location.

Director Brereton, you are on record. On October 6, 2025, you committed to facilitating "robust engagement with local stakeholders...prior to final site selection." That did not happen. Your department's own FAQ promised a series of community meetings once a site was selected. Those meetings have not happened. The residents of Laurel learned about state plans through the news — not through you. That is not engagement. That is not transparency.

Your November 26, 2025 proposal also stated that all required permits, zoning, and local approvals would be obtained in full compliance with applicable ordinances and resolutions. That commitment has not yet been violated — but given the pattern of promises made and ignored by your office, this community is not confident that it won't be. The people of Laurel are not willing to wait until they have been steamrolled to start asking questions. We are asking them now.

We are inviting you to participate in a structured Q&A panel during the town hall meeting. Questions will be submitted in advance by community members and moderated by a neutral facilitator. This is an opportunity for DPHHS to directly address community concerns with transparency and candor.

We respectfully request your attendance or the attendance of a designated representative with full authority to speak on your behalf regarding the facility's planning and approval process.

Please respond by March 9, 2026 so that we may plan accordingly.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

Dear Laurel C.A.R.E.D. Community,

I have reached out to the City Executive Branch to determine whether and to what extent that they are willing to have me speak on pending issues. I cannot speak on City issues unless authorized by the Mayor and City Council. All of my work, with any Client, has to recognize and acknowledge their requests. That said, I'm a firm believer in transparency in City governance, and I'm happy to share any information that I'm authorized to do so. Including my recommendations on the path forward.

I appreciate the questions that you have asked. I appreciate the work that you have done.

I am hopeful that, perhaps, we may have some presence from City Staff, including myself. I also want to tell you that your City Council is fully engaged. They are hearing you. I believe that multiple will be present at this Meeting, although they cannot speak substantively.

I ask for the Mayor and Kurt's responses on these matters, as they are the Mayor and CAO, and hopefully, they can further clarify if and to what extent they will authorize the presence of City Staff to discuss the pending issues. I'm happy to be at any event and answer questions on the path forward. Please understand the litigation issues that exist for my office, but I would be happy to present to the public the path ahead, considering those issues.

Mayor and Kurt: Can you please provide feedback on this issue?

Best Regards,

Michele L. Braukmann
Civil City Attorney, City of Laurel
Cell: (406) 671-4333
civilattorney@laurel.mt.gov

March 7, 2026

Dear Commissioners White, Waters, and Morse,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we are writing to formally request your participation in our upcoming community town hall meeting in Laurel, Montana.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

We are writing to all three of you in a single communication intentionally. The questions our community has for Yellowstone County are questions for the Commission as a whole, and we are asking each of you to show up — in person, on the record — to engage with the residents you represent. We recognize that coordinating three schedules is not always simple, and we are flexible on format: you may participate together, divide topics among yourselves, or each engage independently. What we are asking for, from each of you, is a presence. The people of Laurel deserve to hear directly from their county leadership — not through intermediaries, not through written statements read in your absence, but face to face.

Why This Moment Matters

The residents of Yellowstone County are facing several significant issues simultaneously — a proposed forensic mental health corrections facility being placed in a residential community without meaningful public input, serious unresolved questions about the county jail and its future, and emerging concerns about infrastructure and resource demands on the horizon, specifically in connection with the proposed development of data centers in and around the region. None of these issues exist in isolation. Each one requires county leadership to ask the right questions, demand the right answers, and ensure that the people of this county are not left absorbing consequences they were never given the opportunity to weigh in on. We believe this town hall is an opportunity to begin that accounting — publicly, transparently, and on the record.

We also want to be clear: we are not only asking the Commission to answer to the community of Laurel. We are inviting you to be part of the conversation in a much larger sense. Governor Gianforte, Montana Board of Investments Executive Director Dan Villa, and DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton have all been formally invited to participate in a structured Q&A panel at this event. We welcome the Yellowstone County Commissioners to come prepared with their own direct questions for these officials — on behalf of every county resident whose wellbeing is affected by the decisions being made at the state level. This is an opportunity not only for the community of Laurel to get answers, but for county leadership to hold state leadership accountable in a public forum.

Topics & Community Questions

We recognize that scheduling may limit what can be covered in a single evening. To that end, we are asking the Commission to prioritize topics in the following order, and we encourage any materials that cannot be addressed in full during the event to be made available to the community in an accessible supplementary format — whether that is a PowerPoint presentation, a printed pamphlet or flyer, or a link to a written report that residents can access after the event. We want the community to leave with not just answers, but resources.

1. The Forensic Mental Health Corrections Facility

This is the primary focus of the town hall and the most urgent concern for the residents of Laurel.

Awareness and the County's Role in the Process

It is our understanding that one or more members of this Commission has explicitly opposed the placement of this facility in Yellowstone County. We want to understand what the Commission's involvement in this process has looked like from the beginning. Was the county informed at appropriate stages of planning and site selection, or does the Commission feel it was intentionally kept in the dark? Does the Commission have broader concerns about the level of responsibility being concentrated in Yellowstone County in connection with this project — and does the Commission feel that the county has been treated as a partner in this process, or as an afterthought?

Workforce and Staffing

We are asking the Commission to share any reports, data, or context available regarding the workforce landscape in Yellowstone County — particularly in Billings and Laurel. What does the current staffing situation look like at comparable correctional or forensic mental health facilities in Montana? Is the county realistically positioned to support a facility of this nature, or is it being asked to absorb a project that will strain an already limited labor pool?

Financial and Liability Exposure

What liability and financial responsibilities would Yellowstone County realistically bear in connection with this facility? Has the Commission conducted or commissioned any analysis of the county's long-term financial exposure? The public deserves a frank accounting of what this project could cost county taxpayers — not just at opening, but over time.

Communications with City of Laurel Officials

We are asking whether the Commission would be willing to comment on communications between the Yellowstone County Commissioner's Office and City of Laurel officials — including but not limited to Mayor Dave Waggoner and Chief Administrative Officer Kurt Markegard. There is a meaningful question before this community about whether city officials acted appropriately within the scope of their authority — particularly given that Yellowstone County and the City of Billings had already communicated concerns to the state prior to Laurel's formal involvement in this process. Does the Commission believe city leadership engaged with state agencies in a manner consistent with their roles and responsibilities? We welcome any remarks the Commission is willing to offer.

We direct the following question specifically to Commissioner Morse, and welcome comment from Commissioners White and Waters as well:

Commissioner Morse, it is our understanding that communications exist in which our CAO represented his engagement with your office as limited to pointing out a property listing — and characterized himself as otherwise uninvolved in any substantive capacity in bringing this project to Laurel. If you are willing to provide any context around the nature of those communications — publicly or privately — the Laurel community would be grateful. We also welcome remarks from any member of the Commission regarding the conduct of city leadership throughout this process.

Protective Zoning — The County's Position and Our Unanswered Request

On February 24, 2026, Laurel C.A.R.E.D. submitted a formal written request to the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners — along with the Laurel City Council and the Office of the Mayor — requesting that the Commission adopt a companion interim zoning regulation under MCA 76-2-206, establishing a one-mile separation buffer between correctional and secure detention facilities and schools, parks, residential zones, churches, and licensed daycares. That request was detailed, legally grounded, and submitted over two weeks ago. We have received no response from this Commission.

We are asking directly: does the Yellowstone County Commission intend to act on that request?

Beyond that, we want to understand what the Commission's role would be in each of the scenarios now before this community. If the City of Laurel adopts a moratorium on annexation or an emergency ordinance, will the county adopt a companion interim zoning regulation as provided under MCA 76-2-206 — ensuring that the protective buffer cannot be circumvented by siting the facility just outside city limits? If the state applies for annexation and the City of Laurel denies it, what is the county's position? Does the Commission intend to stand with the residents of Laurel and Yellowstone County, or does it intend to facilitate a path forward for this project against the expressed will of the community?

We want to be straightforward about where we stand: the past several months have not given the residents of Laurel reason for confidence that the officials elected to represent them will do so when it matters. We have been blindsided by our own city leadership. We have submitted formal requests and received silence. We are not asking for reassurance. We are asking for a public commitment — and we are asking for it on the record, at this town hall, in front of the community you serve.

Questions for the Q&A Panel

We encourage each Commissioner to come prepared with direct questions for Governor Gianforte, Director Villa, and Director Brereton. The structured Q&A panel is an opportunity for county leadership to put questions on the record — on behalf of your constituents — to the state officials whose decisions have brought us to this point.

2. Yellowstone County Jail

We are asking the Commission to provide — or commit to providing — a comprehensive report on the Yellowstone County Jail: its history, current conditions, any documented operational or financial issues, and how it is funded. It is our understanding that Stillwater and Carbon Counties currently house inmates at the Yellowstone County Jail because they do not operate their own facilities. We want to know whether those counties are contributing proportionally to the costs of operating the current facility and what the plan is going forward.

Specifically:

• Is a new jail facility currently being planned, and is this expected to appear on the November ballot?
• What is the projected cost, and what will it mean for Yellowstone County taxpayers?
• Will this be structured as a shared or tri-county facility? If so, will financial and operational responsibilities be distributed equitably among all participating counties and their residents?
• How does the current facility compare to what is being proposed — and can the Commission provide a side-by-side overview of what will change, what will improve, and what residents can expect?

If a full report cannot be presented at the town hall, we ask that the Commission commit to making this information available to the public in a format that is accessible after the event.

3. Data Centers

We are aware that data center development is being discussed for locations in and around the region, and that some proposed sites may affect resources available to Yellowstone County residents. We ask whether the Commission is aware of constituent concerns on this issue and whether it is something the Commission is actively monitoring or researching. We recognize this topic may be early in its development, and a brief statement of awareness and intent from the Commission would be meaningful to residents who are paying attention.

Requested Participation

We are formally requesting that each Commissioner come prepared to deliver a presentation or remarks that directly address the questions outlined in this invitation. We recognize that sitting on a Q&A panel alongside state officials may not be the appropriate format for county leadership, and we want to offer a structure that works. A prepared presentation — addressing the community's questions on the forensic facility, the county jail, and the other topics raised here — is the format we are requesting as the primary mode of participation.

In addition, we are extending a standing invitation for each Commissioner to participate in the structured Q&A panel as questioners — not respondents. The opportunity to put direct questions to Governor Gianforte, Director Villa, and Director Brereton on the record, in front of the community you serve, is one we hope you will take seriously and come prepared to use.

We understand that schedules are demanding and that coordination among three commissioners takes planning. To make participation as straightforward as possible, we are flexible on format:

• All three Commissioners may present together as a unified panel or individually
• Commissioners may divide topics among themselves based on area of expertise or familiarity

What is not acceptable to this community is silence. The people of Laurel have asked the right questions through the right channels, and they have been met with deflection, delay, and inadequate responses at every turn. County leadership has both the standing and the responsibility to show up. We are asking you to do that.

If attendance is genuinely impossible for scheduling reasons, we ask that you contact us directly and promptly so that we can work together to find a solution — not a substitute.

Response Deadlines

Please respond by end of business Tuesday, March 10, 2026 to confirm attendance and in what capacity you plan to participate.

For planning purposes, we ask that you provide the following no later than end of business Thursday, March 12, 2026:

• The expected length of your presentation or remarks
• Any presentation accommodations needed (e.g., screen display, slideshow, audio)
• Any scheduling constraints — if there is a specific window during the evening that works best for you or that you require, please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate
• Any supplementary materials you intend to make available to community members

We want this evening to work well for everyone involved. Having this information in advance allows us to plan thoughtfully and ensure your time is well spent.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Matt Wheeler
Public Works Director, City of Laurel
mwheeler@laurel.mt.gov

Dear Mr. Wheeler,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we would like to extend a formal invitation to you to serve as an informational speaker at our upcoming community town hall meeting.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

This is an informational community gathering. Our sole intent is to help fill a gap that exists in our community — many Laurel residents want to understand the city they live in, how it works, and how decisions are made that affect their daily lives. We are not here to assign blame or score political points. We are here to inform.

We want to be clear from the outset: we are not asking you to take a position on any current issue or to weigh in on any ongoing matter before the city. We understand and fully respect your professional relationship with the City of Laurel, and we recognize that any participation in a public forum of this nature would require you to obtain appropriate approval.

What we are asking is that you share your expertise and knowledge with the community you serve.

The Laurel Public Works Department has described its mission as working "in a continuing effort to support the community in a constantly evolving and growing city infrastructure" — and many residents simply do not have a clear picture of what that means in practical terms. We believe the community would greatly benefit from hearing directly from you on the following, in plain and accessible terms:

• The history of Laurel's water and sewer infrastructure and how it has developed over time
• What the current system can handle in terms of capacity
• The projects currently underway — including the wastewater treatment plant expansion, sewer and water line upgrades, and related infrastructure improvements
• What the Public Works Department is planning and working toward for the future of this city
• How Public Works is funded — where the money comes from, how it flows from residents and taxpayers into the city, what portion is allocated to the Public Works Department, and how the department prioritizes and delegates those funds across projects

This is information that every resident of Laurel has a stake in, and you are the most qualified person to provide it. We are not asking you to editorialize or advocate — only to inform.

We are asking for approximately 10–15 minutes for your remarks. We are happy to discuss the scope of your presentation in advance so that you feel completely comfortable with what is being asked, and we will follow your lead on format.

A note on planning: In order to build an accurate and respectful schedule for the evening, we ask that all speakers confirm the following no later than Tuesday, March 10, 2026 by end of business:

• The expected length of your presentation or remarks
• Any presentation accommodations needed (e.g., screen display, slideshow, audio)
• Any scheduling constraints — if there is a specific window of time during the evening that works best for you or that you require, please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate

We want this evening to work well for everyone involved, and having this information in advance will allow us to plan thoughtfully and ensure your time is well spent.

We hope you will consider joining us. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 7, 2026

Forrest Sanderson
AICP and CFM
ForrestSanderson@PeaksPlanning.onmicrosoft.com

Dear Forrest,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we would like to extend a formal invitation to you to serve as an informational speaker at our upcoming community town hall meeting.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

We want to be straightforward with you from the outset: we are not asking you to take a position on any current issue or to pick a side in any ongoing matter. We understand and fully respect your professional relationship with the City of Laurel, and we recognize that any participation in a public forum of this nature would require you to obtain appropriate approval from the city.

What we are asking is simply this — that you share your expertise and knowledge with the community you have served for the past eight years.

Many Laurel residents have heard the words "growth policy" in recent months but do not fully understand what that means, why it exists, or why it matters. We believe there is tremendous value in having a qualified professional explain, in plain and accessible terms:

• What a municipal growth policy is and why cities adopt one
• How a growth policy shapes land use and development decisions
• What Laurel's growth policy says and what it means for this community
• What it means, generally, when a proposed development conflicts with an adopted growth policy

This is educational information that every resident of Laurel deserves access to, and you are uniquely positioned to provide it — having worked with this community for eight years and knowing its planning landscape better than almost anyone.

We are asking for approximately 10–15 minutes for your remarks. We will follow your lead on format and are happy to discuss the scope of your presentation in advance so that you feel completely comfortable with what is being asked.

A note on planning: In order to build an accurate and respectful schedule for the evening, we ask you confirm the following no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026 by end of business:

• The expected length of your presentation or remarks
• Any presentation accommodations needed (e.g., screen display, slideshow, audio)
• Any scheduling constraints — if there is a specific window of time during the evening that works best for you or that you require, please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate

We want this evening to work well for everyone involved, and having this information in advance will allow us to plan thoughtfully and ensure your time is well spent.

Thank you in advance for your help with this. We hope you will consider joining us. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 5, 2026

Matthew Torix
Superintendent, Laurel Public Schools

Dear Superintendent Torix,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we would like to extend a sincere and grateful invitation to you to participate in our upcoming community town hall meeting.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

When the Laurel School Board and your office issued your formal written statement on January 27, 2026 — officially opposing the proposed state forensic detention facility — it sent a powerful message to this community: that the people responsible for the safety and wellbeing of Laurel's children were paying attention, and they were willing to stand up and say so publicly. That statement mattered deeply to a great many families in this town.

We would be honored if you, or Board Chair Christopher Lorash on behalf of the board, would be willing to offer a 5–7 minute address to the community at this event. The people of Laurel deserve to hear directly from school leadership about what this facility means for our children, our schools, and the future of this community — in your own words, from your own perspective.

All school board members are warmly invited to attend as well. You have earned the trust and appreciation of this community, and your presence at this event would mean a great deal to the residents of Laurel.

A note on planning: In order to build an accurate and respectful schedule for the evening, we ask that all speakers confirm the following no later than Tuesday, March 10, 2026 by end of business:

• The expected length of your presentation or remarks
• Any presentation accommodations needed (e.g., screen display, slideshow, audio)
• Any scheduling constraints — if there is a specific window of time during the evening that works best for you or that you require, please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate

We want this evening to work well for everyone involved, and having this information in advance will allow us to plan thoughtfully and ensure your time is well spent.

Please let us know if you or a board designee would like to speak, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

With deep appreciation,

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 7, 2026

Christopher Lorash
Board Chair, Laurel School Board
christopher_lorash@laurel.k12.mt.us

Dear Mr. Lorash,

On behalf of Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), we would like to extend a sincere and grateful invitation to you to participate in our upcoming community town hall meeting.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Laurel High School Auditorium, Laurel, Montana

When the Laurel School Board issued its formal written statement on January 27, 2026 — officially opposing the proposed state forensic detention facility — it demonstrated the kind of leadership this community needed. As Board Chair, you helped lead that effort, and the families of Laurel are grateful.

We would be honored if you would be willing to address the community at this event on behalf of the school board — approximately 5–7 minutes to speak in your own words about what this facility means for Laurel's children, our schools, and this community's future. Your voice carries real weight with the people of this town, and hearing directly from school board leadership would be a meaningful part of this evening.

A note on planning: In order to build an accurate and respectful schedule for the evening, we ask that you confirm the following no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026 by end of business:

• The expected length of your presentation or remarks
• Any presentation accommodations needed (e.g., screen display, slideshow, audio)
• Any scheduling constraints — if there is a specific window of time during the evening that works best for you or that you require, please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate

We want this evening to work well for everyone involved, and having this information in advance will allow us to plan thoughtfully and ensure your time is well spent.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We hope to see you there.

With deep appreciation,

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.
Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development
Laurel, Montana
connect@laurelcared.com  |  (406) 272-3707  |  laurelcared.com

March 9, 2026  ·  2:23 PM

From: Elizabeth Gilg <elizabeth@laurelcared.com>
To: Kurt Markegard, all City Council ward representatives, Civil City Attorney, City Clerk, DOJ contact

Kurt —

I would like an immediate explanation and legal basis for you denying permission to the interim city planner to speak at Town Hall.

Continuing to maintain professionalism when you continue to act like an incompetent toddler is becoming increasingly difficult.

We would have asked you to speak, but we decided to ask a professional with a record of integrity and loyalty to the community of Laurel.

Should you be interested in reading the invitation and request sent to Forrest Sanderson — find it here: laurelcared.com/advocacy-record/th-invites

Watching your every fkn move,

— Elizabeth Gilg