Among increasing water issues for the Worden-Ballantine Yellowstone County Water and Sewer District (WBYC) now includes finding a replacement for full-time WBYC Operator Rick Coyle as he submitted his letter of resignation to the board that was effective last Friday, January 3, due to mounting and documented verbal criticism of him, fellow operators, contractors and an old antiquated water system.
Coyle left no room for misinterpretation of his displeasure and reasons for leaving.
A call to request a copy of Coyle’s resignation letter to Gary Foss, WBYC Board President, was unsuccessful, as Board President Gary Foss stated in a voicemail later that the board chose not to release the letter or public document to the newspaper. In searching further, however, it was learned that the letter was also sent to Yellowstone County Commissioners, DEQ officials, Moulton Bellingham PC, Huntley Project School Superintendent Mark Wandle, Veronica Proctor PC and numerous other contractors, suppliers, service providers and consultants.
In the letter, Coyle lambasted the WBYC Board President Gary Foss specifically in his unprofessional behavior and leadership abilities and lack of confidence with the mounting water issues in the District.
The letter reads as follows:
I resign my position as Full-time Operator with the Worden Ballantine Yellowstone County Water and Sewer District as of 4:00 PM, January 3, 2020.
The well documented verbal criticism by the current board president, Gary Foss and his wife Phyllis, of me, my fellow operators, contractors, and current board members and the job we perform in maintaining and improving the Worden Ballantine community’s old, antiquated water system is slanderous.
The Board’s President’s lack of leadership and cooperation in communicating with the community users and respected contractors has placed unwarranted criticisms on me and others attempting to resolve the current water crisis, service the current users on our water system and plan for future development. The Board’s President and wife have made defamatory remarks to numerous community businesses and people statewide, such as DEQ. These remarks have hindered me, and my fellow operators, in performing our job duties. They are also a constant hindrance in solving our current water situation.
Due to the unprofessional behavior of the Board’s President, I see a lack of confidence and cooperation from certain respected ag producers who’ve committed their time, resources, and finances in bettering their land uses within our community and the water district boundaries.
I enjoyed my job and duties assigned to me; along with working with very competent contractors, certified operators, past and present board members, and devoted users, especially with the great leadership from the Huntley Project School Administrators and staff. Their dedication and commitment in adapting to our water problems with an enrollment of over 600 students and staff, visiting team competitions and supporters, with increased costs and equipment they have incurred has been a blessing to me and my fellow part-time operators, the supportive WBYC board members and volunteers.
The Board’s ineptness’, thru its leadership, to address the current and future water needs of the Worden Ballantine community in a timely fashion is negligible. A vast majority of water users in this community have a devoted and sincere interest in helping correct our current water situation and providing safe potable water for future generations while adjusting their current water needs one 16-ounce bottle at a time.
Respectfully,
Rick Coyle,
WBYC Operator
In a call to Mark Wandle, Superintendent of Huntley Project Schools, he stated on Wednesday to the Yellowstone County News that “Our status is the same as it was a while ago” meaning that they, the school “haven’t heard a whole lot since August.” He stated, that “we need to know where we are now so we can look at our options for the future.” He is planning to attend next week’s water and sewer district’s meeting for more information. However, the school has already taken some measures to find out their options as the school is spending weekly upwards of “about $1,900 a week for water.” In total, Wandle believes the school will spend anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 this school year for water alone, “and that is in addition to the donations and financial help from local businesses, individuals and other entities.”
