"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Mature Content: No tyelling...
With: Matt Wentworth, Judge Robertson.
Time of Day: Afternoon
Speed stepped up on the boardwalk and sort of blew out his breath between his teeth. This really was none of his business, on a personal level, that is, but, as a citizen, business owner, and city employee it would be his business after all. The Hospital had been delayed far to long by small time politicians with their own agendas. Well, Speed Guyer was interested it what was best for the town. Hard to argue a hospital, but then again, it had happened more than once to Leah Steelgrave and her plans.
Speed was about to see if he couldn't change that, with the help of Matt Wentworth, whom he thought should take over the Town Council's chairmanship. He seemed to be the level headed type, and that was what Kalispell would need going forward. He took time to casually look up and down the street before he entered the building.
"Afternoon, Walter." He greeted as he walked across the foyer to the desk. "Wonder if I might have a minute with the boss?"
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
Walter Simpson looked up from the newspaper he had been reading and nodded once. The hotel received a few newspapers from other towns, and it was interesting to know what was happening elsewhere. It was easy to know what was going on in Kalispell...you just had to ask the right people but in other towns, newspapers were about it unless some guest mentioned something.
The marshall wasn't a frequent visitor to the hotel unless it was for an evening meal or some social occasion. Considering the time of day, a meal was not what he was here for and there were no social events on. Unless there was some criminal activity going on, which Walter highly doubted as he would have heard about it, so it must be town council business. Now that Mr. Wentworth was temporary chair of the council, there were a lot more visitors wanting something done.
"Good afternoon, Marshall. I will let Mr. Wentworth know that you are here," he replied.
A minute or so later, Walter returned with Matt following closely behind him. Matt held out his hand, "Well, Marshall Guyer it's nice to see you. Is this a social visit or are you here on town business?"
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"More of a need for information calling, I'd suppose, Matt." Speed said and removed his hat as he moved to the closest chair. "Is there going to be any movement on the hospital property deal?" he asked as he took a seat.
"Just saw Miss Steelgrave and she mentioned taking it to Columbia Falls. Not something she wants to do, but with all these delays, not counting the Richard Orr disaster, getting it built and in operation is what she wants. I can't fault her on that. She said she spoke to you about it recently but there had been no follow up."
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
Matt frowned. The town council vote had gone her way and despite Orr's untimely death it still stood. He had yet to see any paperwork about the land but surely, she would have lodged it by now with Judge Robertson.
"Firstly, my apologies. I do recall Miss Steelgrave's visit but the meeting was interrupted by Miss Orr. We never did get to finish our discussion, but I assumed that Miss Steelgrave was aware that she needed to fill in the required paperwork and lodge it with Judge Robertson. There was some talk of a slight delay due to Orr's funeral but since that was some time ago it completely slipped my mind. I've been pre-occupied with other things."
He sighed, "The best I can do is to check with the Judge to find out, in the event she has lodged the papework, and I'm hoping she has, what the delay is. I have to say that I am surprised that she is considering a move to Columbia Falls. I would have thought that all of the hard work she put into getting the hospital built here was not in vain and that she was willing to see it through no matter what."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Required paperwork? I was at that meeting and I don't recall anyone mentioning the need for any paperwork. The fact is, Matt, this is the first I've heard that there is a need for paperwork. She gifted the town with the right of ways necessary for the coming railroad in exchange for a plot of land to build the town a hospital. That to me sounds like a simple trade. I'm not sure what retired Judge Robertson has to do with current town affairs involving such a deal."
Speed was a bit confused by this need, the property had yet to be selected either by party, his office handled claims everyday. They were filed with the town clerk because the location including boundaries were known. The town had not made available any known properties to Miss Steelgrave, so no selection could be made.
"You'll forgive me, but what paperwork? There is no property for her to list in any paperwork. Perhaps the town might make known to her what is available, or find out if she has a location in mind to know if it's available." Then he smiled, "Columbia Falls, well, that may just have something to do with Doc Boone, since he is practicing there. An offer made. She is holding Kalispell to it's agreement, but in the event the town craw-fishes on their end of this bargain, she has an option available."
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
"Hmm, this is a worry," Matt said solemnly, "Judge Robertson in his role a member of town council, is our legal representative in these things. He was supposed to give Leah a draft agreement for her to look over. As you know we need to have all this on paper just in case anybody contests it."
It was clear that Ben Robertson had delayed the hospital transaction on purpose or he had forgotten. In a way, Matt was hoping it was the latter but that wasn't possible. Judge Robertson was still as sharp as a tack, so it must have been something else.
He looked at Speed, "I think we should go see the Judge and find out what's going on."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed did not like what he was hearing, not that he could think of any such problem where someone would contest the granting of land for a hospital, but then again, she was a Steelgrave and it was Kalispell. Old feelings were still harbored about the family, no matter what.
"Shame. But you're right Matt, we'd best go see him and find out what the delay is so that this thing can get done." Speed said, "Been drug out far too long as it is, and I'd hate to see the town lose this. But perhaps her gift of the right of was was just a bit too much. What they have against the hospital is mind boggling. But we'll see what we can learn from the Judge."