Why Did Missoula’s State Legislator, Ellie Boldman, Just Resign From The Missoula Senior Center? – by Travis Mateer

I got some fantastic news on May Day last week when I stopped by the downtown coffee shop I mostly avoid because of the lawfare campaign against me, a campaign our state legislator, Ellie Boldman (formerly Ellie Hill, then Ellie Smith), enthusiastically supported by posting one of my mugshots on a publicly visible wall at the Missoula Senior Center.

The barista who was familiar with my plight, since her partner is directly involved with the Senior Center, excitedly told me that, as of May 1st, Ellie Boldman’s resignation officially went into effect (though she tried to stretch out the clock at the end). So, the obvious question that immediately comes to mind is this: WHY did Ellie resign from ANOTHER non-profit leadership position? Not only will I attempt to provide an answer to this question, I’ll also list my many posts about this troubled individual Missoula keeps enabling with their votes and general ignorance about how this human dumpster fire operates. Let’s begin.

These are some SERIOUS accusations, but they are accusations I have no problem believing. I was hired as an Americorps VISTA by Ellie in 2008 when she was the director of the Poverello Center, so I had a front row seat when it came to how her dysfunctional leadership style led to a forced resignation from THAT non-profit. There will be more context on that time period in the stories I will link to further down this post.

I found the summary of Ellie’s departure from the Senior Center on X, where the brother of a political opponent had this to say about Ellie’s resignation:

I knew things were brewing against Ellie back in February when I received an email from a disgruntled former employee who had filed some kind of lawsuit against Ellie after an incident with the plaintiffs bike. The plaintiff even sent me a copy of the paperwork. Here’s a small portion of what the plaintiff claims occurred:

The complaint goes on to explain how the defendant refused to move her car so the man could inspect the damage to his bike, forcing this employee to call 911, which he was then fired for doing. Wow.

I’m withholding this man’s name because I was never able to meet with him to better assess his claims, but I did learn he was living, at the time of this incident, at the Poverello Center, which makes sense, knowing Ellie the way I do. Employing a homeless man isn’t just good optics for a manipulative lawyer/politician, it’s also a good narrative control strategy. A financially desperate person is much less likely to get uppity against you if you’re the one signing their paycheck.

Another effective narrative control strategy for Ellie and her political enablers, like the director of the non-profit I’m legally forbidden from writing about, is using the reward of career ascendancy to incentivize keeping your fucking mouth shut about who and what gets burned by the Ellie dumpster fire. That is PRECISELY how Missoula’s Director of Community Planning, Development and Innovation, Eran Pehan, got her job.

Missoula has now dealt with TWO DECADES of Ellie’s bullshit after she fled Boise amidst claims of a failed power play at the DA’s office. In that time, have Montana Democrats become MORE or LESS successful at winning elections?

No one who has been paying attention to Montana politics can credibly claim the past two decades have been good for Democrats. Without luring those nine retarded Rhinos to their side–a group of complete shit-heels that includes a guy who helped David Barsotti beat domestic abuse charges (Denny Loge) and the guy investigated for no-bid corruption (Jason Ellsworth) Democrats wouldn’t have had the cancel-power they wielded.

For more context on the long descent of Missoula’s once rising political star, here’s a list of posts for additional reading. And please excuse any wonky formatting issues, the new oscillation between Freeman Tao and myself makes things a little buggy these days, which I find to be entirely appropriate.

Montana State Senator Ellie Boldman (no longer) Smith’s Survival Guide For 2021: Covid Cash! (January 4th, 2021)

The Job Retention Financial Report(s) Ellie Boldman (no longer) Smith Will Have To Fill Out For Her Covid Cash (March 22nd, 2021)

Weathering The Covid Financial Storm Is Easier With Uncle Sam’s Umbrella, Right Ellie? (September 13th, 2021)

Missoula Democrat, Ellie Boldman, Does What The Missoulian Refuses To Do: Kiss Governor Gianforte’s Ass (October 7th, 2022)

What The Media Won’t Tell You About Missoula’s 10 Year Plan To Control The Narrative On Homelessness (October 24th, 2022)

Cannabis, Public Money, And The Soft Power Of The Nickel Duo (November 4th, 2022)

It’s Time For United Way Of Missoula To Find A New Executive Director (June 16th, 2023)

Will Anyone Litigate Ellie Boldman For Blocking People On Social Media? (March 27th, 2024)

Danger, Will Robinson! (May 30th, 2024)

They Want To Disappear The Truth Teller, Will They Succeed? (June 26th, 2024)

My Anniversary Gift To The Poverello Center Is Detailing Why MY Ellie Boldman Problem Is YOUR Ellie Boldman Problem (June 27th, 2024)

My Prediction For The Missoula Senior Center (October 15th, 2024)

Can Local Bars Survive The Temporary Loss Of Ellie Boldman, State Senator, As Their Customer? (March 3rd, 2025)

Thanks for reading!