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Goosetown permit raises questions about camping, insurance and liquor service
Summary
County Attorney Morgan Smith told commissioners the county's insurer does not cover indiscriminate tent camping in parks; she recommended limiting camping to parked RVs in a designated lot with clear insurance certificates. Jordi's Cantina offered to provide alcohol service and warned that canceling the event hurt local businesses.
County staff told commissioners they are tightening special-event permit requirements after an insurance review found the county does not have coverage for widespread tent camping in parks and that submitted certificates had gaps for covered autos and liquor liability.
"Years ago, the county did away with the only overnight camping that was county sanctioned," County Attorney Morgan Smith said. After consulting with MMIA, the county's insurer, she said MMIA recommended limiting camping to parked RVs or campers in a designated area and requiring clear proof of insurance. Smith said the county could permit camping within the narrow context of a special-event permit only if the insurer's coverage was confirmed.
Smith also identified gaps in submitted certificates: some policies listed the insured as "Goosetown Softball Tournament" and others listed Anaconda-Deer Lodge County; none submitted a covered-auto endorsement that would allow vehicles on fields. She said the Marty May fields are under an exclusive Little League contract and cannot be included in a county special-event permit. Smith asked for clarified certificates from MMIA and from event organizers before approving any camping exception.
Jordi's Cantina owner Jana Roe said she agreed to provide alcohol service for the event and emphasized the tournament's economic value to local businesses. Roe read a note stating that "Last year we saw a significant 25% loss of revenue by not having the Goosetown event in Anaconda." Roe said she incurred a roughly $12,000 loss last year when the event did not occur and that servers lost tip income as well.
Commissioners also asked whether the sponsor listed on the permit ("Goosetown Softball Tournament" / USA Softball) is a formal entity or whether a local group had operated it previously; staff said they need clarification on the sponsoring entity and certificates of insurance before approving camping or any field access that requires vehicles.
