DECEMBER 8, 2025
Warp Speed Hiring Needs Yellow Flag
City Manager Choice Needs Citizen Input
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Helena City Commissioners will interview the three City Manager candidates and choose the next City Manager. The role holds broad authority over nearly every action the Commission directs. The City Manager sets meeting agendas —decides whether to schedule citizen-led resolutions such as the ICE resolution, manages discussions on affordable housing — hires department heads, and holds staff accountable for carrying out the Commission’s work.
The rushed hiring timeline pushed by some commissioners, and opposed by others, has raised serious concerns, including a lawsuit that aims to open the process to the public. Citizens have two opportunities to question the three candidates (see below), yet it remains unclear whether commissioners will attend to hear those questions and the candidates’ responses.
Helenans also have a second way to weigh in: send comments to the Commission by Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Here are short resumes for the candidates:
- Douglas Schulze: City Manager of Banning, Calif., currently on leave since February with no public explanation. The Banning mayor told the local paper that “Schulze was not under investigation” and described the leave as “a matter of looking at some concerns.”
- Alana Lake: Executive Director of the Montana Public Service Commission for the past nine months. Some favor her because she is local, though nine months of residency barely qualifies. Her background is in federal law enforcement and the military, with a focus on special investigations, counterintelligence, and national security. Her tenure at the PSC has coincided with ongoing dysfunction and rancor at the agency. Her resume shows no experience in city management or budgeting.
- Janet Hawkinson: City Manager of Palisade, Colo., for seven years, where she oversaw all municipal operations, including police, fire/EMS, water treatment, wastewater, parks and recreation, public works, finance, planning, and events. She has extensive grant experience, securing funding for a community clinic, more than $55 million in capital improvement projects, multimodal transportation projects, habitat restoration, historic building renovations, and infrastructure upgrades. The Colorado City & County Management Association named her ‘Town Manager of the Year’ in 2024 for her management record and achievements. Before entering public management, Hawkinson owned and operated Rocky Mountain Landscape and Design and Construction.
You can view full resume descriptions here: Manager Finalists and MTFP Article. It seems clear that Helena would be best served by an experienced city manager with deep related experience, and who has received recognition for the measurable positive outcomes delivered to the community. We deserve no less.
Indivisible Helena urges you to send your comments to the Commission. Complete the form by clicking the button below. Under comment type, select “Special Meetings/Work Session,” then write in your comments. Submit the form NO LATER than Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Attend “Meet the Candidates” events and ask the three candidates questions.
Monday, Dec. 8, 5 – 7 p.m.
Montana Club, Second Floor
AND
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5 – 6 p.m.
City County Building, Commission Chambers, Room 330.
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
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MAYDAY!
The Fog of War Deepens — Call for an Inquiry Now
Secretary of Defense/War Pete Hegseth said, “We … don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement … We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country.”
If there were ever a MAYDAY call of distress, this is it. Call our senators and representatives — three of whom are veterans — and demand they call for investigations into the murder of the Venezuelans in the Caribbean and demand they call for the return to the rules of law and constitution.
The “fog of war” is enveloping us all … return to the rules of international law and the US Constitution.
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Good Reads
George Ochenski
Montana, we’re being lied to while our veterans in Congress remain silent.Daily Montanan
12/05/2025
“Given our past involvement in disastrous foreign wars fueled by propaganda and false information one would expect the veterans in Montana’s Congressional delegation to speak up, demand answers and proof, and honor the Oath of Office they took as soldiers and elected officials to uphold the Constitution’s mandate that only Congress may declare war.“
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This Week’s To-Do List
Resist in Helena!
1. Attend Interviews with City Manger Candidates
Monday, December 8, 5 – 7 p.m.
Montana Club, second floor
Tuesday, December 9, 5 – 6 p.m.
City County Building, Rm. 330
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2. Send Comments to City Commissioners on Your Choice of New Helena City Manager
by Tuesday, December 9
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3. Call Montana Senators and Representatives, telling them to demand investigations into the murder of the Venezuelans in the Caribbean and demand they call for the return to the rules of law and constitution.
Representative Troy Downing, veteran
(202) 225-3211
Representative Ryan Zinke, veteran
(202) 225-5628
Senator Steve Daines
(202) 224-2651
Senator Tim Sheehy, veteran
(202) 224-2644
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4. Honk & Wave
Saturdays, Noon – 1 p.m.
11th and Montana Ave.
Keep on waving, and keep ‘em honking!
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A good time was had by more than 50 Indivisibles who attended the Membership social last week.
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Support Indivisible Helena
If you’d like to support Indivisible Helena in pushing back against fascism, please consider a donation via this link to the Indivisible Helena ActBlue donation portal or use the QR code below. Your information will remain private — neither IH nor ActBlue shares or sells personal data.
Together, we’ll make sure the U.S. has NO KING.
