Olsen fires back

Libby City Councilman Allen Olsen has been chomping at the bit waiting to address fellow councilmembers to approve the expenses for his legal defense in his city residency case.

After two years of pokes and jabs at Olsen about his residency, City Attorney James Reintsma followed up on those accusations about two weeks ago and obtained an injunction to halt balloting of mayoral votes in today’s municipal election, and then later withdrew that injunction.

After an intial attempt to bring the matter before the City Council, Olsen took to the podium and unleashed on Reintsma and councilmembers, at one time telling Council President Bill Bischoff to “shut up.”

“I started by making a point of information until I was interrupted by Mr. Bischoff,” Olsen said.

“You’re out of order,” Bischoff fired back.

“I got the floor, Bischoff. Shut up, please,” Olsen said, trying to temper the comment.

“My right to obtain an attorney is according to Mr. Reintsma’s contract. I am asking you people as a council, and the mayor, to get me an attorney so this can go to court and let the judge decide what is going on,” Olsen said.

Olsen’s address to City Councilmembers comes later than he wanted. Soon after he was served papers from Reintsma challenging his residency two weeks ago, the City Council meeting on Oct. 21 was canceled. However, on Monday, Olsen got his chance to address the council, just 12 hours before the polls in Libby open.

“You guys have destroyed the public’s right to a free and fair election,” Olsen said. “None of you care about Libby, Montana. You care about your own pocketbooks. Money that you made off of the city. Ill-gotten money. It will come back to bite you in the butt. I guarantee it,” Olsen said to applause from some members of the public.

Before the meeting, Olsen circulated a document that asked the city to pay for his legal defense, as a sitting councilman.

“I respectfully request the Libby City Council pay for any and all legal expenses and cost of counsel resulting from the further contest of my residency or my right to serve as an elected official,” Olsen requested.

The council took no action on Olsen’s request to pay for legal expenses.

During the business part of the meeting when councilmembers pay the city's bills, Olsen also sought to have the council delay payment to Reintsma for legal services, but the motion died for lack of a second.

However, that is not to say Olsen did not have supporters at the meeting.

Former City Councilmember D.C. Orr defended Olsen.

“So, what you guys proved here tonight is that you really don’t have transparency in your actions,” Orr said. “I did a little study on this and called other cities in Montana. You guys have no idea what (Reintsma’s) activism is causing the city.”

Council candidate Mike Shock said Olsen should get the legal defense that any other sitting councilmember would.

“Mr. Mayor, councilmembers, if the shoe were on the other foot, if you were in the postion allen Olsen is in, I would demand from the city that you get your fair treatment and get a lawyer to handle your case.”

Resident Jennifer Nelson did not take sides and calmly addressed council.

“Allen Olsen’s residency has been in question since he ran for council,” Nelson saidl “It is not a new issue. I don’t know if this was politically motivated. I’m not going to say what I think about that. This has been an issue for two years. And now the stakes are raised. It seems that every meeting I come to there is a question of transparency. ... It needs to be examined. Thank you.”

Olsen contends his residence is 703 Louisiana Ave., while his mail is delivered to his business at 33692 Highway 2, which is outside city limits.

“I have all the paperwork,” Olsen said. “I will win the case.”