Chips column, June 21, 2001
Long time benefactors of Seeley Swan schools and communities, Art Ortenberg and Liz Claiborne have once again demonstrated a committment to the area with a $250,000 loan that will benefit Pyramid Mountain Lumber Inc.
A story in the Monday issue of The Missoulian said the Lindbergh Lake couple had agreed to let Dick King, executive director of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corp, which will administer the loan, make public their involvement, which previously had been confidential, in Pyramid's re-organization package.
Ortenberg told The Pathfinder Monday that he and Liz were happy to play a role in helping Pyramid through difficult times, but that their support was never meant as a gift which was mentioned in the Missoulian story.
It is, however, an interest-free loan, he said, that will help Pyramid secure much needed equipment.
The article also refereed to the couple as supporters of environmental
causes, and Ortenberg took exception to the implied label, affirming
their past support of "conservation and education" projects.
They have been involved with Pyramid through the Swan
Valley Ecosystem Center on a restoration project.
Two weeks ago we mentioned in this column several people, institutions or organizations that we thanked for their involvement in Pyramid's recovery following an announced closure last November. We left out Senator Max Baucus who recently visited Pyramid after helping arrange for federal guarantees on bank loans, and now we need to add Art and Liz to that list. They were there all along.
--Gary Noland