'West Enders' create networking number

Residents who live along I-90 between mile marker 22 and Saltese are in the west end of Mineral County.

Affectionately known as ‘West Enders’ with three restaurants, one gas station, three bar/casinos, one motel and a gift shop being the largest employers. They are the welcoming committee of east bound travelers on I-90 and "Thanks for Coming to Montana" folks destined for Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Seattle and I-5.

Some live off the grid, and like it that way and others are active in community social events. Many are snowmobilers and ATV enthusiasts and horseback riding and mountain biking are also popular for recreation here. Cell service is strong, to sketchy, to nonexistent, and the post office in DeBorgia is where flyers for potlucks, firewood for sale and snowplowing, welding and tree services are posted for the largest notification.

They have an active Neighborhood Watch program with a volunteer fire department and Quick Response Unit with law enforcement provided from the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol. And they look out for each other.

Juliet Miller and her husband Clayton Ward moved to the area five years ago and immediately took a fondness to the people. Recently she was involved in a community meeting that was held in the Old DeBorgia School with Bruce Charles updating everyone on the Neighborhood Watch program, Frank Magee with the West End Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff-elect Ryan Funke speaking to the audience and answering questions.

Miller then introduced the West End Community Resources Line which she felt was needed as another level of security and communication, especially for those who live alone or isolated. It is working as a helpline for non-emergency predicaments.

“One of the examples I used to explain to our community was that we had someone who had a medical emergency who had to drive part ways to get help, and then their property was left unsecured for two months because they were flown to a burn unit,” she said.

Miller has a list that she is continually adding resources, volunteers and paid services to as more people are aware of her mission. In the case of the burn unit resident, she made a few calls and during that time the resident was away, the property was checked for vandalism, water leakage, fire and environmental damage. “We had someone who was up on the hill there with 5 feet of snow who ran out of propane for her heater and had no way to get down the hill so we took propane tanks up to her and made sure she was all right.

I broke my ankle the same day Clayton had surgery so I needed someone to pick me up a knee-scooter so I could get around,” Miller shared.

Not all of the services are free of charge. The idea is to provide an answer to a problem. Burst water pipes with runoff going into a basement. Out of firewood with no mode of transportation to restock. Duck, turkey and chicken eggs to sell. Puppies, kittens or livestock needing new homes.

The telephone number is a bulletin board with close to immediate response when needed and a library of knowledge for possible future scenarios.

“Maybe a ride is needed to a medical appointment as the roads are just something that you don’t want to drive. Maybe we had a house fire and people needed food and clothing. It’s a way to connect neighbors helping neighbors on the west end.”

Again, this is not a charity service but if there are no means of financial reimbursement, Miller still wants west-enders to call. Privacy and respect are the utmost priority for both volunteers and those who are in need.

“Nobody wants to go to Facebook and say, ‘I can’t afford food this week’ and that’s what I saw was the problem. People needed help but pride gets in the way sometimes. Our neighbors are so kind to each other that I decided to organize it.”

If Miller is not staffing the phone number, she said that volunteers with the Happy Homemakers will have the phone and answer the call. (406) 868-2817.