In this episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Whitley Nelson, the newly appointed town clerk for Fort Benton, to talk about her unexpected path into local government and what it’s really like behind the scenes at City Hall.

From working in different cities and industries to landing back in Montana, Whitley shares how she found her way to Fort Benton, stepped into public service, and took on one of the most essential (and often misunderstood) roles in small-town government. We talk about budgets, spreadsheets, public service, community involvement, and the realities of being the go-to person for just about everything.

Whether you’re curious about how local government actually works, interested in small-town leadership, or just love hearing stories about people who unexpectedly find their place, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Bear With Us is a podcast from Bear Paw Development highlighting the people, projects, and leadership shaping North Central Montana.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone interested in community leadership and small-town life.

In this special episode of Bear With Us, we sit down with Havre’s outgoing mayor, Doug Kaercher, and incoming mayor, Wade Bitz, for a candid conversation during a pivotal moment of leadership transition.

Together, we reflect on where Havre has been, the challenges and accomplishments of recent years, and what lies ahead as the city enters its next chapter. Doug shares lessons learned from decades of public service, while Wade discusses what motivated him to step into the mayor’s role and what he’s most excited (and mindful) of as he takes office.

From infrastructure and community engagement to leadership philosophy, social media challenges, and even a few lighthearted moments, this episode offers an inside look at how local government works—and why community involvement matters.

🎧 Topics include:

• Reflections on Doug Kaercher’s time as mayor
• What inspired Wade Bitz to run for office
• Infrastructure, funding, and long-term planning
• Civic responsibility and community partnerships
• The importance of listening, leadership, and collaboration

Thank you for tuning in to Bear With Us, the podcast from Bear Paw Development, where we highlight the people, projects, and partnerships shaping North Central Montana.

👉 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share to stay up to date on future episodes—and as always, thanks for bearing with us.

In this episode of Bear With Us, we dive into the heart of Havre’s new community brand and what it means to the people who call this place home. Joined by Karina Densmore of Havre Local, we read real community responses collected during the brand launch celebration—funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, and uniquely Havre.

We talk about:
✨ The new “Stay for the Story” brand
✨ Favorite Havre memories and places
✨ Local events and hidden gems
✨ How community pride shows up every day
✨ Why cotton-candy skies and buffalo jumps matter
✨ And yes… the Ugly Burger 😄

If you missed the brand unveiling, this episode gives you a front-row seat.

📍 Learn more about Havre’s new brand at Bear Paw Development
📍 Follow Havre Local on Facebook for events & community stories

#HavreMT #StayForTheStory #BearWithUsPodcast #BearPawDevelopment #HavreLocal