Mayor Joe R

Education:
Tokay High School, Lodi, CA.
Surprise Valley High School, Cedarville, CA.
Reedley Community College, Reedley, CA.
* Animal Science
California State University, Fresno, CA.
* Agricultural Business
California State University, Chico, CA.
* Agricultural Education

Employment:
Miles City Books & News, Miles City, MT - Owner/Operator

Dakota Internet Access, Williston, ND - General Manager

Mach 1 Publishing, Chico, CA - Distribution Manager

Sierra Mountain Express, Concord, CA - Car Hauler

Smith & Hawken, Inc., Mill Valley, CA - Catalog Freight Manager

Super Shuttle, San Francisco, CA - Dispatch Manager

Softyme, San Francisco, CA - Teledelivery Software Market Research

Computerland, Albany, CA - Account Executive

World of Computers, Oakland, CA - Account Executive

Mission Statement

In order to serve the long-term interests of the City of Miles City, I, Joe Whalen, do pledge that I will ensure the public safety, anticipate and plan for capital improvement, safeguard the public treasury through responsible fiscal management, facilitate democratic conversation among our elected officials and citizenry, promote sustainable economy, and serve at all times as an ambassador to the larger community on behalf of the people of Miles City.

Vision Statement

TOWARD AN ARTFUL ECONOMY
October 24, 2008

While delivering an address to a large statewide delegation this summer at Miles Community College, I invited first-time visitors to regard Miles City as the Taos of Montana. It was meant as a vision statement rather than a hard comparison. I’m sure that some were either embarrassed for, or angry with, me for stating that this city could learn something from or aspire to become similar in ways to a community half its size and three states away. Still, there were plenty of knowing smiles and nods from those recognizing the linkage.

Struggling with Visual Identity
The fact remains, however, that after 131 years of history, Miles City is still struggling to define itself historically, economically, culturally, and visually - like many cities and towns. Taos, N.M. is much farther along than Miles City in reconciling its history, developing a strong local economy, "culturing" its culture and visually imprinting itself upon all who visit. And, interestingly, places like Taos and Trinidad, CO. often feature prominent references to Miles City in retail merchandising found in their town squares. These visual cues take the form of a profound interest in the photography of L.A. Huffman and his photographs of a shuttering western frontier, as well as literature and visual art depicting the subjugation of the Northern Cheyenne, the Sioux and the Nez Perce.

900 Miles of Common Ground
Both Miles City & Taos sit within the same latitude, enjoying a direct north-south relationship and sharing semi-arid climates. The Yellowstone River runs by Miles City and the Rio Grande runs by Taos. Both areas were originally peopled by Native Americans that were forcefully conquered by European immigrants. Both areas have endured long histories of economic colonization by eastern markets. Both are buffered from major metropolitan areas. Both areas feature prominently in the mythologies tied to western expansion and settlement. Both have produced colorful characters with robust personal histories.

Reconcilable Differences
But there are differences. Taos is ethnically diverse. It celebrates the cultural differences between the Taos Pueblo, the Hispanic and the Anglo. Taos jealously preserves its history and it protects rather than demolishes its historic structures. It remembers historic events through fiestas, pow-wows and other special events. It has designed itself to be pleasing to the senses. Tasteful architecture is incentivized through progressive zoning ordinances and design guidelines. Fresh air, clean water, local and fresh food celebrated in authentic local recipes, and meandering promenades that encourage walking vs. driving are high priorities to the community. There are likely more museums, art studios and galleries per capita in Taos than any town in America. It attracts legions of artists, historians, and other creative talent and both visitors and relocating residents feed the town's progressive vision. Enhancing the quality of life has produced a healthy, vibrant and sustainable economic base.

Taos doesn't shrink in fear from its river, mountains or desert. Snow skiing, fly-fishing, hunting, horsemanship, whitewater rafting, ballooning, skydiving, hiking and mountain biking are enthusiastically enjoyed by most locals and heighten the appeal of the area to travelers and tourists. This small town in northern N.M. has included Miles City in its cultural and economic landscape as it has also successfully defined itself as a distinctively eye-appealing historic and arts-centered community surrounded by abundant outdoor recreation potential, traditional agriculture and energy development.

Vision-questing or Questioning Vision?
When will Miles City do the joyful work of advancing its own interests by using the example set by our neighbors to the south? It's already happening. The Custer County Art & Heritage Center has built a solid reputation in Montana for its visionary advancement of the arts. The Range Riders Museum is a required stop for western historians nationwide. The Montana Bar has chiefly inspired the design of the new Ghost Ranch Saloon in Steamboat Springs, CO. The new Cornerstone complex has lovingly preserved the exterior of the old Holy Rosary Hospital while creating 21 units of new affordable housing. Kafe Utza has demonstrated that a locally-owned shop serving espresso and French pastries can inspire an appetite for specialty food in a stylish setting. The Historic Preservation office actively promotes Miles City history and works diligently to register and preserve our historic structures. We can take visual design cues from all of these sources.

Each year, hunters and anglers pump millions of dollars into our regional economy and 20% percent of all visitors to Montana pass through Miles City. The Bucking Horse Sale has forever branded Miles City as a great place to "twist off" for four days of western camaraderie, sportsmanship, and nostalgia. Two film festivals each year bring documentaries and foreign, independent and art-house films to town in the fall and spring. This summer, I saw more fishermen, boaters and swimmers enjoying our stretch of the Yellowstone River than in the past five years combined. The Montana Woolgrowers have built a loyal following for Miles City by returning for 54 years to host the Montana Ram Sale. We even have a resident hot air balloonist who has now taken up residence in Miles City and sits on our zoning commission. We can build upon the relationships these events inspire.

Artful Work to be Done
Perhaps most significantly, a large cross-section of the community joined together at MCC two months ago to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats contributing to our regional economic climate. If by “progress” we mean “that change which improves”, then the most progressive thing we can do is to use that conversation (and others like it) to artfully establish a clear vision of what the greater Miles City area wants to be, who it wants to attract, how it wants to look and feel, what defines its unique quality of life, and how it wishes to sustain itself. “Artfully” – with imagination and a dedication to quality of craftsmanship – is the operative term. It can transcend everything we do in work, at home and in play. If we can take that artful first step together then the other strides will follow and, before you know it, we’ll be the ones setting the pace and direction of change into the future of our community rather than allowing change to dictate those things to us. We now occupy the developmental “sweet spot” of Montana. Let’s shape it into something artful, authentic and extraordinary.

Aims & Objectives

Build greater awareness of local government operations through completion of a functional and comprehensive City of Miles City Web Site by end of FY08
Enhance public safety and organizational effectiveness through implementation of the NIMS Incident Command System throughout City Operations by end of FY08
Plan for critical infrastructure maintenance and growth by developing a Capital Improvement Plan for the City by beginning of FY09
Provide for greater public convenience by constructing new Public Restrooms in Riverside Park by end of FY09
Honor local history and stimulate the central business district by applying to the Montana Main Street Program by 2009 deadline date
Improve Revenue Base through Annexation and Development of 134 acre “Industrial Area” into a Multi-Use Energy Park by end of FY10
Convert an attractive nuisance into a national historic landmark by facilitating the restoration of Northern Pacific Railroad Depot by end of 2012
Secure community property and address flood risk through development of a 500 yr. Flood Abatement system by end of FY15
Link the City Parks System with the Tongue & Yellowstone Rivers by planning Recreational "Greenway" between Spotted Eagle Lake Park and the 7th St. Bridge as feature of Flood Abatement System
Improve the fiscal health of the City by increasing Year-End Cash Reserves to 25% of General Fund Appropriations by beginning of FY15

Budget

All files listed are in .pdf format and require Adobe Acrobat reader.

Mayor's Budget

Task Forces

Bucking Horse Sale Task Force
City Web site Task Force
"Dogpatch" Task Force
Flood Abatement Task Force
Miles City Main Street Task Force

Press Releases

Proclamations

From the Mayor's Desk

"You Set a Great Example."