Ravalli Republic August 21, 2009 by John Cramer

In a contentious meeting Thursday with Ravalli County commissioners, Montana Commerce Director Tony Preite defended his department’s handling of a new federal and state stimulus program for the timber industry.

Preite also denied that his long-time friendship with Dick King, president of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation, was unduly influencing the DOC’s decision-making.

Preite told the commission he requested the meeting in response to their critical comments last week in a Ravalli Republic article, which he said prompted a flurry of calls to the DOC from across the state.

After an hour and More >