Please think about this home as you mark your ballot: yes to repeal the present growth policy or no to keep the present growth policy n a growth policy that took nearly ten years and hundreds of volunteer Bitterrooters to shape to its present imperfect form.

Since the 1970s the population of this valley has grown from little more than 10,000 to the present almost 40,000. In that time, the same valley floor is the same size, the mountain walls have not changed, water supply from the snows has not changed.

As you vote, do not throw the baby out with the bath water.

In the ‘90s when Montana Code dictated that Montana counties could not develop land use planning or “subdivision regulations” that were stricter than state code, the Bitterroot community’s hands were tied until the Montana Legislature passed a law that allowed counties to develop and adopt a growth policy. Counties could develop stricter plans and regulations if they adopt a growth policy n an overall vision of land use and policy that fits their unique area (a growth policy would allow but not require zoning, for example).

If any place needed such a citizen-created vision, it would be our mountain-locked, water-limited Bitterroot Valley.

If Bitterrooters vote yes to repeal their hard-won growth policy, they will have absolutely nothing left to follow a vision and manage the land use of this unique and precious valley other than state law.

Local land use planning and “subdivision regulations” would be out of the control of Bitterrooters if we wanted stricter applications to meet our special needs.

Furthermore, without a growth policy and the land use planning and zoning it allows (but does not require), all kinds of agencies can be planning our valley: the FAA (how large the airport and what planes can use it); Montana Department of Transportation (on the expanded Highway 93,we were lucky to get the wonderful walking paths, underpasses and “traffic-calming islands at town entrances); The Tri-State Council (which dictates how much maximum daily flow of contaminants the Bitterroot River could feed into the Clark Fork and thence the Columbia River system); the Forest Service (as it allows size of ski area which could become a destination resort); the DNRC (which dictates allocation of surface water from Painted Rocks Reservoir to irrigators but could possibly make allocations leading to a shoe factory in our county, whether we wanted it or not).

If Bitterrooters vote to repeal the growth policy, all these entities above will be the “bosses.”

Jean and Jack Atthowe

Stevensville




Vote for Rosten

As the final weeks of the election are approaching we have all become weary from the Candidates statements that are misleading, inaccurate and outright lies. We see this on both the national and local level. The candidate with an agenda that has less to do with serving the public and more to do with some self serving agenda of their own.

It’s refreshing to see a candidate, Peter Rosten, who has truly given so much to our community and our youth. The unselfish commitment of time that he has given to develop, present and implement the MAPS program in our schools is truly remarkable. The opportunity for our young people to have a hands on introduction into film production, and then turn that into a For Profit educational experience is truly innovative and unsurpassed in our school system.

On a personal level, Peter has had such a positive influence on two of our children that have had the privilege of participating in his classroom. Their experience in his class opened their eyes to opportunities that they previously didn’t even know existed.

Imagine, a candidate for office, House District 87, that has a genuine concern for the people in his community, the people of Montana and the very heart of our future, our youth. He has demonstrated a drive to make a difference and his commitment. Thank you Peter Rosten.

Bethia Barteaux

Corvallis




The zoning mess

This letter is to encourage the commissioners to do the right thing and honor the vote of the majority on the issue of zoning.

The “pro-zoning” group has acted like they would listen to the needs of the people, but after dealing with them, they just smile and do what they want. It’s really discouraging to see the devious tactics they’ve used to advance forward this mess of a package.

They falsely alleviate the fears of the people by saying “it’s in our control and that we’re the ones designing it,” when in fact, nothing the majority of the local landowners want is being done.

The rest of the counties in Montana function just fine with the existing state laws. All that has to be done is enforce them without variances. We need to stop endless government regulations and fees. If public officials could do a better job of deciding what is best for us, why are we all so unhappy with what they’ve done so far?

When was the last time you were happy waiting at the Motor Vehicle Dept. or the Sanitarian’s Office? Could you imagine waiting for the permits and paying the fees for all the rules in zoning package? Stop it while you can.

Dale Burkhart

Hamilton




Vote for Meakin and DeHaan

Predictions that record numbers of people will vote this year indicate deep concern about the issues facing our citizens.

Here in Ravalli County, protection of our valley’s water and air quality and public safety, are critical concerns to all. Many good people have worked together in recent years to frame a policy statement for the protection of these resources.

They then voted by a two-to-one margin to make our Growth Policy official. Now, some who oppose reasonable land use planning would attack this statement of community values as a way of avoiding any and all planning for our valley’s future development.

It is my hope that those same good people who crafted our Growth Policy will “rescue” it from this threat by voting against its repeal on November 4th. One further step to protect the Bitterroot Valley from haphazard overdevelopment would be to elect county commissioners with the experience and capability to further these values. We are indeed fortunate to have two such candidates.

One is John Meakin of Stevensville. He has an advanced degree in public administration, with experience as city council member, mayor, and planning commissioner. The other candidate is Roger DeHaan of Victor. Roger is a sanitary/civil engineer in water supply and sewage treatment, with 10 years experience on the county health board, and 28 years in business as a mediator and problem solver.

These two men show promise of working with other county commissioners to preserve our valley’s treasured resources while planning for sensible, sustainable growth. They, and our county, deserve your consideration as you cast your ballot on November 4th.

John A. Carbin

Stevensville




Support the Growth Policy

As most people are aware, there is an on-going effort to have the county’s Growth Policy repealed.

It appears the primary reason for advocating this is opposition to county-wide zoning. Without a Growth Policy, no zoning can be enacted. While I believe some limited zoning is generally in the best interests of the people of Ravalli county, I can understand why some people might be opposed to it.

However, our Growth Policy doesn’t just make it possible to zone. Among other things, it provides a framework for better planning, helps make it easier to protect our resources, and overall strives to conserve and enhance what a lot of people who live here value, namely scenic views, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and the continuation of our essential irrigation system, which benefits not only agriculture but is essential for replenishing the thousands of wells that dot the county. If you don’t want zoning, fine, it’s your right to fight it.

But, I ask you not to use the elimination of the Growth Policy as your mechanism for doing this. Like I said, it’s a lot more than just about zoning. It’s a document developed by and for local citizens. It makes it possible for Ravalli county citizens to control their own destiny rather than leaving it up to the state legislature. It was created to help direct and locate development and make it possible to continue the tradition of active, viable working farms and ranches.

On election day, I ask you to vote against repealing the Growth Policy.

Phil Connelly

Corvallis




Vote for Waterman

Vote for Ron Waterman for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This is the highest court in Montana.

The person who holds the title of Chief Justice must be a person with the most qualifications and the least ties to Montana politicians. The choice is now clear n Ron Waterman is a distinguished attorney with experience in all areas of the law. In contrast, his opponent is a longtime politician and bureaucrat, who has spent his entire career representing the government. His opponent is the current Attorney General, Mike McGrath, who is being released from his job due to term limits.

I have done my homework on Ron Waterman, and have talked with him and his beautiful wife, Mignon. Married for 42 years, they have two grown children and two grandchildren. They live in Helena, where Ron has practiced law for nearly 40 years. He is a law school graduate from the University of Montana.

In contrast, I have tried to talk with his opponent many times in the past, only to be rebuked and told that the AG does not respond to average citizens.

Ron Waterman believes in “open government” and the requirement that local governments must comply with the Montana Constitution and Statutes. His opponent does not share these values. Ron Waterman also believes that citizens should be able to file legal complaints without having to hire an attorney. He feels that attorneys should be willing to accept occasional “pro bono” cases, and that there should be a reasonable way for citizens to get legal advice without the overwhelming expense of hiring an attorney.

Ron disagrees with his opponent’s dislike of lengthy judicial opinions, because he sees that Supreme Court opinions serve to teach attorneys at every level how to present their cases for optimum results.

Ron Waterman has challenged his opponent to a series of debates in order to give voters a chance to ask questions to each of them. Unfortunately, his opponent has remained silent and has agreed to only two debates. I was lucky enough to see the first debate in Billings. It was an amazing experience. Ron Waterman answered every tough question with neutrality and the judgment of a gifted legal scholar.

The choice is clear. The person who is best equipped to handle the very important job of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is Ron Waterman. He is respected, he is experienced, and he is ready to serve the citizens of Montana in our highest court. Please join me in voting for Ron Waterman for Chief Justice.

Lorraine Crotty

Hamilton




“Come into my parlor, said the Spider to the Fly” -

When I hear all the sweet enticements of the pro-zoning people in their attempt to sell the idea of zoning to the unsuspecting public, I am reminded of the story I read in 3rd grade. It was entitled “The Spider and the Fly.”

The gist of the story was how the spider spun, with much effort and care, a most beautiful web. The fly was duly impressed with the magnificence of such a masterpiece. The spider was quick to point out all the careful and hard work that went into the completion of such a project. The fly could scarcely deny it was indeed a beautiful sight to behold. The spider was most gracious in accepting the compliments of the fly, as the invitation was extended, “please, come into my parlor,” said the spider to the fly. The unsuspecting fly happily accepted the invitation, only to discover that once inside there was no escape.

It would be hard for anyone to deny that a lot of good people went to a lot of effort to come up with a Growth Policy for Ravalli Co. But let it be perfectly clear that those who seek to repeal the Growth Policy are not doing so because they see it as an evil document. They are doing it because it is the only sure way to stop something that has the potential to become very evil. The growth policy of itself is a “paper tiger.”

It has no regulatory power whatsoever. We could all live happily ever after with the growth policy, since it is only a suggested “guide” for future growth. It has been in effect for 4 yrs. and nobody has even given a thought to repealing it until recently.

So why the sudden interest? Some may remember the movie, “Rosemary’s Baby.” Rosemary, like the growth policy was nothing to fear, but her baby, the spawn of Satan, was another story. The growth policy likewise, gives birth to zoning. Zoning, once implemented, takes on a life of it’s own.

You may think that the final draft C of the zoning regulations is something you could live with. Maybe so, but don’t forget for a second that once zoning is born, a simple majority of the commissioners can, at any time, implement any part or parcel of draft A or any other draft that seems to catch their fancy. Would anyone be so foolish as to put their future property rights in the hands of 3 commissioners? In our form of government, we elect people to represent the will of the majority.

We hire them by election, and pay them to represent the will of the people and to defend and uphold the constitution. Sadly they too often do not live up to the terms of their employment. A recent example of this on the national level is the 700 billion-dollar bailout. Calls were over 100 to 1 against the bailout, but our representatives ignored the will of the people. It’s time the people were heard.

The people of Darby were the first to be invited into the spider’s web, but they wisely said; “no way without a vote of the people.” The commissioners reluctantly recognized that right. To the horror of the commissioners, Darby soundly rejected zoning by a 3 to 1 margin in the subsequent vote.

The request by the rest of the county to recognize their constitutional right to vote on this very important issue has been summarily denied by the commissioners. What part of discrimination don’t you understand, commissioners? Are you so afraid to allow the people of Ravalli to decide an issue fundamental to their very lives and livelihoods in the future that you must impose your own agenda on them? Have you forgotten for whom you work? Where do you get the idea that the agenda of 3 people trumps the will of the entire County? The fundamental question is not even whether zoning is good or bad.

The question is whether or not you have a right to vote an issue that will profoundly affect your lives. The commissioners have turned a deaf ear to all requests by the people to have a vote. It is for that reason that the repeal of the growth policy is the only option left for the rank and file citizens of Ravalli County to have say in their future. Don’t be fooled by any phony resolutions pretending to give you a vote.

Think about it; if the Growth Policy has no regulatory power, has been around and ignored for years, then what is lost if it is repealed? The answer is obvious. The desperate attempt to preserve the growth policy is for one reason only. It is the spider’s web. It is the womb for Rosemary’s baby. Be wise and be safe people. We have plenty of laws and regulations to maintain sensible growth in Ravalli County. The problem has not been lack of laws; it has been lack of fair and consistent enforcement of those laws.

If you value what little freedoms you have left, the only safe course is to vote to repeal the growth policy. No offense Growth Policy, it’s just that we don’t trust your baby, Zoning.

Dewey Baker




Why the change?

I attended the Ravalli County Commission meeting on Tuesday the 7th at which the Commissioners “passed” an ordinance and a resolution to give the people a right to vote on zoning issues, including maps submitted, as part of zoning.

Why the 180 degree change?

The three liberal Democrats on the board said it was to “regain” the trust of the people and to “prevent” people from voting to repeal the growth policy. This distrust has been amplified by the proposed onerous zoning in Draft A and B and the continued denial of the people’s right to vote on these issues.

Although I head a group that does not support the repeal of the growth policy (Citizens for Property Rights), if I had been inclined to vote to repeal, before the vote on the 7th, I certainly would be more inclined to vote that way now.

Commissioner Chilcott has been a champion for the right of the citizens to vote on zoning before they become law, including amendments.

Contrary to what some pro-zoning people have said, he did not have someone write the petition up that will give us the right to vote. Our organization hired an attorney to write it up. We asked for Chilcott’s input and asked him to submit the petition because we know he stands firm to give the people that right.

Chilcott submitted a proposed ordinance at the October 7th meeting as did Rokosch. As the discussion was conducted by the commissioners, the planning department and the public, it was very clear that Chilcott’s ordinance was much more concise and clear and would give the people the right to vote on any zoning and maps proposed before it could be enforced. That would include subsequent amendments and changes that were other than typo corrections, etc.

That is exactly what our Right 2 Vote petition will do.

Rokosch’s wording on the other hand was criticized by the planning department and several minutes were spent trying to make it do what Rokosch wanted it to do. His proposal does not give the public a right to vote on amendments and changes.

Much of the early discussion was about the difference between passing an ordinance and passing a resolution to accomplish the “desire” to give the citizens a vote. A resolution, it was agreed, was just a “feel good” action that could be canceled at the will of the commissioners and with little if any public input.

An ordinance would require several hearings and public input to change it or cancel it. The ordinance, however, can not be put into effect until several weeks if not months after the election, so contrary to what the media is saying, the commissioners did not pass Chilcott’s ordinance. They simply had the “first reading” of three which has to occur over a longer period of time. The resolution means nothing.

Chilcott’s ordinance also included the fact that Darby had voted out of zoning and the three liberal commissioners wanted to remove that wording because they might want to include Darby later.

I believe that the commissioners may be involved in a “bait and switch” situation here and that the voters need to be very suspicious of their actions and should not believe the media on what happened.

They were given an opportunity to really prove their desire to give the voters the right to vote when Dan Floyd, in his infinite wisdom, challenged the commissioners to write a letter with the solemn promise that they would resign if they did not pass Chilcott’s ordinance exactly as passed in the meeting on Tuesday. No commissioner would take that opportunity to prove their sincerity and that causes me great concern.

Given a scenario where the voters bite at the commissioner’s bait and the growth policy is supported by the majority of the voters, what would prevent them from throwing the resolution out and not following through on the ordinance?

If that was to happen it would be too late for a person to change their mind on how to vote on the growth policy repeal. The commissioners could also decide to change the ordinance to the same wording as Rokosch’ proposal, pass the Draft C and then after it passes an election, they could immediately change the wording back to the Draft A or B wording and the people would not have the right to vote on it for months or years.

The commissioner’s actions adds more emphasis to the importance of the Right 2 Vote petition that is still circulating. Our intentions are to get enough signatures on that petition to require a special election so we can get that right before zoning is proposed by the Commission. If you want to help circulate that petition please contact me.

Remember, if the growth policy is supported by the voters then we have no guarantee that we will get to vote on the proposal and any subsequent amendments. The commissioner’s recent actions were not actions to engender trust but even more suspicion.

Dallas D. Erickson

Stevensville




Can’t trust elected officials

Well here is another letter about the Growth Policy and zoning.

I attended a couple of meetings presented by Higher Ground and learned quite a lot about the power given to our county commissioners.

If the Growth Policy stays in place the planning board can recommend changes to the zoning plan and the commissioners can apply any changes they choose. It can be plan A,B,C etc… without our right to vote on it. So you remember, Chilcott wanted the people to vote on the zoning plan and the other commissioners said no. Then when a group decided to try and repeal the Growth Policy they changed their mind. Now they are going to allow us to vote in 2010.

I spoke to someone involved with the group against repealing the Growth Policy and he said we have to trust our elected officials. I for one do not trust them! Do you?

Briceen (Peanut) Fleenor

Hamilton




Vote for McCain

Susan Johnson, regarding your Valley Viewpoint in the Ravalli Republic on why Obama is the right choice for our country, I read your letter twice and you say Obama has clear convictions with true perspective and is earnestly concerned about helping the “average citizen”.

Obama’s background reveals that he attended a racist church for over 20 years listening to the likes of Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Further his income tax records state that he gave over $22,000 to this same church where he now says he never heard the divisive sermons. So how can you, Susan Johnson, say “he is one of us?”

Obama said prior to running for political office he was a community organizer. In other words he was part of an organization that would help get people politically organized, hardly a position that qualifies a person to be the President much less Commander-in-chief.

Obama has changed his perspective several times while campaigning so it’s hard for me to know what his true perspective is, i.e. the American military should get our of Iraq, no we should stay, the “surge” is not working, the “surge” is working, he will raise taxes, and maybe he will raise taxes later.

You say that Montana has a failing economy. Strange, I was at the debate of the candidates for Governor at the University of Montana on Sept. 15th and Brian Schweitzer said we here in Montana have a healthy economy and he has added 50,000 new jobs to the economy since taking office. Some of the job increase areas are high tech, medical and energy supply in Eastern Montana.

You state in your letter that Alaska is a unique place because it has a budget surplus that allow the state to return $2,000 a year plus to its citizens. I submit Alaska has a budget surplus because the citizens of that state choose to develop the natural resources of that state and the Alaskan politicians have an ability to manage their budget and live within their means, a life style choice other states should strive to do.

As anyone who alleges to have been a political watcher knows Sen. John McCain started out as a naval aviator serving both Republican and Democrats as an American serviceman. John McCain also graduated from college at West Point and yes while in service to the country he was shot down, severely injured, captured, and held as a POW for seven years. As an officer in the United States Navy by duty assignment and definition, Sen. John McCain was a leader of men and women.

Further John McCain has been a Congressional Representative and then a United States Senator for over 26 years of service. I would ask other Bitterroot veteran pilots to write in and enlighten “us” about all the duties required of military pilots.

While serving in his capacity as Senator, John McCain has disagreed with his party many times, i.e. campaign finance reform, security of the southern border, and various gun issues. Can you tell me when Barack Obama has shown this kind of leadership and taken a stand different from the Democratic Party line?

You state you were a leader in your profession as a teacher and mentored teachers. Then why have American students done so poorly when stacked up against students from around the world?

No where in your letter do you give any concrete examples of Obama’s qualifications, vocational or otherwise, to be President of the United States of America other than he “cares”.

Oh yes, I am going to save your letter.

Fred Fowler

Stevensville




Keep the Growth Policy

I am writing to voice my support for keeping the existing Ravalli County Growth Policy.

The campaign to repeal the Growth Policy is focused on stopping zoning. The blanket one for two zoning interim ordinance adopted two years ago expires on Nov. 7th and cannot be renewed. Retaining the growth policy preserves the status quo as it was two years ago prior to adoption of interim zoning.

Repealing the Growth Policy sets the county back several years.

Without a Growth Policy in place Montana law prohibits any future adoption of zoning at the county level. Several years of community effort required to develop and adopt the existing Growth Policy would have to be repeated to readopt a new Growth Policy prior to any future voter consideration of a specific zoning proposal. Repealing the Growth Policy means abandoning any opportunity for local control of zoning versus statewide criteria.

Simple and straight forward zoning without unnecessary and overcomplicated permitting and government intrusion will make Ravalli County a better place to live, now and in the future, I do not want to create a situation in which there is no local alternative to zoning criteria imposed on a statewide basis.

Keeping the existing Growth Policy in place retains the possibility for county residents to consider and vote on specific county level zoning regulations if and when they are presented.

I urge voters to vote against repealing the existing Growth Policy.

Rick Fuhrman

Hamilton




Highway Patrol shouldn’t support candidates

I see the local TV ads for Steve Bullock, running for the State Attorney General, wherein, Montana State Highway Patrol Officers are prominently displayed in full uniform standing in front of a State Highway Patrol Vehicle.

Am I to assume from this ad that the Montana Highway Patrol is supporting this candidate? Using my tax dollars with state owned equipment and state employees in state uniforms to endorse a political candidate? Or is the support only from the individual officers in the ad ? Are they not violating department or state policy of using their position and state owned property to support a political candidate ?

The leaders within the Highway Patrol should not condone this use of State owned property and employees to endorse one candidate over another. Are you not saying that if Tim Fox wins this election you as an agency will not support the State’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer?

If you do not have a policy against this blatant political activity, maybe it’s time you drafted one.

Steve Gammell

Corvallis




Repeal the Growth Policy

I attended a Higher Ground informational meeting about the Growth Policy in Darby. It was very informative and the speaker gave a great history lesson on the Growth Policy from start to current.

I’m sure the citizens that helped write the original 50 page document had nothing but good intentions when drafting it. I don’t believe the majority of these citizens had any other agenda other than looking at this document as a non regulatory tool to help quide the projected growth in Ravalli County. What the majority did not know was that there were a few people that did have an agenda.

I was very surprised to hear that what was once a 50-page document has now morphed into over 400-pages that is very regulatory and cumbersome. It has grown almost 100-pages per year.

Citizens, the Growth Policy that was once a very thought out plan now has the hand print and the very distinct smell of the FOB’s (Friends of Bitterroot) and the Bitterrooters for Planning.

I have heard a quote being said about repealing the Growth Policy and that is “repealing the Growth Policy would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water.” Well, my reply is, when the baby starts morphing into the likeness of Stewart Brandborg, it is time to throw that baby far, far away.

I will be voting for repealing the Growth Policy.

Russel Hunt

Corvallis




Vote for Chilcott and Iman

Four good men are in the Commissioner race this year. They bring a variety of backgrounds, experience and qualifications to the campaign. Two of them are more qualified than the other two. This has nothing to do with their personalities, as all four are fine gentlemen.

Two are natives of the Bitterroot. They grew up on valley farms and have a background in agriculture. Their roots, their lives and their interests have been in Ravalli county for over 50 years. They are graduates of local schools, and have participated in numerous services to their communities and their county.

Both are very much aware of the issues currently facing local government, and of future issues as Ravalli county continues to develop.

Greg Chilcott has 6 years experience as a sitting Commissioner, and that experience is an extremely important qualification for his re-election.

J.R. Iman is a lifetime resident, rancher, and businessman in the Bitterroot, and brings with him the understanding of the valley and its people, and how best to serve them with his usual honest, candid approach.

In the best interests of the citizens of Ravalli county, vote for Greg Chilcott and J.R. Iman in the 4 November election.

David S. Hurtt

Florence




Why I will vote to repeal the growth policy.

If the county commissioners had listened to the people on the right to vote for or against the zoning issue this would not be taking place. When there are elected people who will push their own agenda and not listen then there are problems.

After many public meetings, letters to the editors and the Darby vote, the commissioners knew how the people felt. Instead of paying attention to the big majority of anti zoning voters, their own liberal political agenda became obvious.

So, let us look at some of the words and reasoning for zoning. These are from a handout at the meeting held Oct. 16th, in Florence. The words being used are reviewed and controlled by the county commissioners and planning department. Also the words predictability, beter planning, better planning, allows, county enforces, balance individual rights.

“Zoning helps a Developer. Here are the same words again, predictability, understand the most appropriate places to develop property, appropriate use of land, identifies limitations for development.

“Zoning Helps County Government” again the word, predictability, understanding most appropriate places, allows cities, county, state and federal government to work as a permitting and enforcement unit.

The reason for this kind of zoning is, it supposedly saves money on review and separates incompatible uses and lessons complaint.

“Zoning Helps Communities” With predictability? There is that word again, predictability. In other words it manages growth, lessons congestion, secures safety, promotes health and general welfare, zoning provides light and air, prevents over crowding, avoids undo concentration of population, appropriate use of land, allows orderly transition.

Leona James

Stevensville




Vote for repealing the Growth Policy, vote for liberty

There have been accusations made about the citizens that want to repeal the Growth Policy. We have been called a small group of angry people, anti-zoning activists, and greedy. This is a response.

The group that wants to repeal is not small. We collected about 5000 signatures to get the repeal initiative on the ballot. We have bumper stickers, signs, and billboards all over the place. I don’t know how many of us are angry, but there are definitely a lot of citizens that are opposed to zoning. We want a fair vote.

The problem is that zoning regulations force owners to accept a loss of value in their property, without compensation. Zoning is installed by government force. In all forced transactions, there is a winner and a loser. In the case of zoning, property owners lose control of their property.

Zoning is a one size fits all plan that diminishes everyone’s freedom.

It is a preemptive measure where guilt is presumed, and all owners have their activities restricted by law. We are all punished for the actions of a few bad neighbors. This reminds me of the $800 Billion Bailout where Congress punished all taxpayers for the actions of the guilty few.

We already have plenty of laws on the books, and more regulation won’t solve anything.

Streamside Setbacks are a component of the zoning laws that create a restricted area where government further limits the use of your property near a stream.

You can’t expand your house without a permit, you can’t build any new structures, new fees are required, etc.. The new rules are essentially limitless because the county commissioners can increase fees and regulations at will (after minimal public input). The true impact of the setbacks will be revealed when we find how much we get “set back” in usable property value.

Property owners have been mislabelled as “anti-zoning activists”. The real activists are seeking to take control of our property through zoning. Ownership of property is what truly preserves it, and this country has a great heritage as an ownership society. Many of us save money our whole lives in order to acquire property that we can peacefully use without harming others.

Then the zoning activists show up to regulate property use without the unnecessary burden of having to buy it. Zoning laws advance the socialist agenda of “community property”

by taking freedom and reducing value.

Our country has always held property rights at the same level as the right to life, and the right to liberty, regardless of who you are or where you came from. In other words, unalienable rights given by the Creator, not able to be taken by men. The Constitution guarantees our individual right to property. The brave new world of socialist thinkers are taking those rights and reallocating them as they see fit.

Zoning activists complain about the huge amount of time they have expended engineering their system for taking. The amount of time spent on a project does not necessarily confer merit upon it. If it did, you could justify robbing a bank, as long as you spent a lot of time planning the job. Common sense tells most of us that the quantity of time spent planning to pick someone’s pocket doesn’t justify the act.

Zoning activists say that we all just need to share. This is code language that means they want the government to force others to share.

In true form, sharing is a voluntary act, free from coercion. Activists disregard the voluntary part and drive on with their oxymoronic mission of forced sharing.

One commissioner claims that voters mandated the creation of zoning laws. The mandate is imaginary. Being voted into office is not a mandate for anything, including imposing zoning law. Everyone has unique reasons for casting their vote. It is presumptuous and arrogant to assume you can read voters’ minds, determine their intentions, and then declare it to be a mandate for your own agenda.

Zoning activists call the opposition “liars” and “greedy”. The “liar” label works for them because it doesn’t require proof or any intelligent argument. The “greedy” label assigns guilt to the property owners that won’t “share”. Zoning activists then “prove” that we are greedy liars by repeating the charges over and over.

All these new laws are restrictions on our lifestyle. There is no emergency in sight that justifies taking property rights. The building boom is over and probably will not return. The Bitterroot is the greatest place in the world because of the people that are here.

Government restrictions are the problem, freedom is the solution.

Many thanks to the volunteers that secured our right to vote against this new attack on civil liberties. Vote for repealing the growth policy, vote for liberty.

Steve Jarvis

Hamilton




Vote for Obama

The last 8 years are a great example of “Privatizing Gains, Socializing Losses.” When times are good, deregulate further. Avoid oversight. The more greed and corruption, the better. But when times are bad, let the American people bail you out.

We’ve witnessed deregulation in the financial markets since Reagan. It continued under Clinton, then accelerated under Bush and a Republican Congress. Now we’re seeing firsthand the collapse of the bogus conservative theory of trickle down economics and extreme deregulation.

Ironically its absolute failure is requiring unprecedented government intervention. We’ve got what conservatives and libertarians must hate - maximum government involvement verging on socialism. And guess who’s footing the bill? Joe 6-pack.

I’m angry and people are suffering. My retirement savings have been slashed. I hate bailing out unscrupulous lenders, speculators, Wall Streeters. But banks aren’t lending. Credit is frozen. It’s almost impossible to get a small business or car loan. Job losses are mounting. The pain has spread to Main Street and is worsening. Action needed to be taken and more needs to come.

We need common sense regulation. I don’t want heavy-handed regulations, but we need sensible regulations enacted. They’ll protect us from another greed-ridden catastrophe that leads to public bailouts (also known as higher taxes!).

John McCain claims to be a reformer. Don’t be fooled. He’s been a deregulator at every turn. A few weeks ago he said the fundamentals of the economy are strong. He’s out of touch. Heck, he’s got no clue how many houses he owns (6?, 8?, more?!)

We need fundamental change. We need a president and administration that looks out for average folks like you and me. Warren Buffet is America’s most famous and respected investor. He’s smart, plain spoken and from America’s Heartland. He supports Barack Obama. I’m with Mr. Buffet.

Van P. Keele

Hamilton




Voter fraud

My reason for writing is, hopefully, to allay concerns about voter registration fraud.

Yes, some nincompoops filled out requests to register for Mickey Mouse etc; but I have confidence that voter registration offices will weed these out and keep the actual voter lists clean and correct. I am concerned, however, by attempts to go outside normal registration procedures to challenge requests to register.

In several toss up States, an effort has been made to check new requests to register against pre-existing government lists, like driver’s licenses, to kick out mismatches, which are possibly fraudulent. Such talk is causing unnecessary concerns.

If Montana voter lists were run against Montana driver’s license lists, a computer would probably kick my name out as a mismatch. Why?

In every State in which I’ve lived, driver’s license clerks automatically recorded my maiden name as my middle name, or the first letter of my maiden name as my middle initial, even over my objection. I have always used the first letter of my middle name as my middle initial, for all legal documents and other purposes like voter registration. A computer would identify this as a mismatch.

The Supreme Court correctly denied the Ohio Republican Party’s attempt to use lists like driver’s licenses to challenge voter registration requests. I have confidence that our and other voter registration offices can keep the final voter lists clean and correct

Claire L Kelly

Stevensville




Protect freedom

In this financial crisis in our country we can easily be side tracked from the essentials, especially if the powers in control are using the crisis to manipulate the public.

It is essential that we retain our freedom because evil dwells in the urge to control rather than liberate peoples’ lives. The greatest gift we have in our country is freedom.

If we expect our government to rush in and save us, give us our food supply, our housing, and give us free health care, then the rulers who created the problems in the first place will eventually trade these gifts for our freedom. They will confiscate our guns to supposedly protect us, and our wealth to redistribute it for what they think is our own good and micro manage each person from cradle to grave.

Evil dwells in the unrestrained urge for power to manipulate and control and it is the most addictive of all vices known to man.

If history has taught us anything it is that the citizens of the state need to limit the power they grant to governments.

As for us, we are voting for the president who lets us manage our own lives and adheres to the freedoms of our forefathers as outlined in the constitution, which has made our country great.

We all must decide on voting day, do we want socialism in this country where the government takes care of us and limits our freedoms, or are we going to be capitalists who believe that following the constitution and the freedoms of each individual is best for this nation, where we retain the rewards for our own labors.

Tim and Karen Kidd

Darby




Follow Alaska’s lead

Why does Montana not follow Alaska’s lead and make it so that the citizens of Montana directly share in the revenue from the sales of Montana natural resources such as oil, coal, minerals and timber?

We are the Treasure State - let’s all share in the treasure.

Richard Kingdon

Hamilton




Vote for DeHaan

This November the voters of Ravalli County can vote for a very well-qualified candidate, Roger DeHaan, for county commissioner.

Roger knows the county well, does not have any ideological baggage, and really listens to people. Roger is a professional civil engineer, runs his own business, and knows how to work with people to find good solutions to problems. He has the background and experience to manage county government, and use our tax dollars wisely to improve services without raising property taxes. His engineering skills, business knowledge, and ability to analyze complex problems and find good solutions are much needed in the commissioner’s office.

Roger DeHaan is the commissioner candidate who can best represent all the people of Ravalli County. It is rare to find the combination for high moral character, fairness, technical expertise, understanding, knowledge, and experience in a person running for commissioner. If you want to see better government in Ravalli County as I do, vote for Roger DeHaan for county commissioner.

Kirk Thompson

Stevensville




A new policy is needed to protect county residents

The Articles of Confederation that governed our nation from 1781-1789 were found to be inadequate.

Even the Constitution with its balance of power needed amendments to shield the rights of the people. In the same way a policy that is more protective of our freedoms, no more in length than the U.S. constitution, with built in safe guards, is what is needed for Ravalli County.

Bold print for the casual reader of the growth policy saying, “Protect Property Rights” with no regulatory authority only distracts a voter who casually flips over the pages and may not recognize it as a camouflage cover. It’s the abuse and follow-up restrictive measures that are the problem.

People with no vested interest in what is being restricted or taken (under a guise of protectionism) are asking us to give up one of our most valuable assets, the management of our property. Community interest is at its best when everyone if free to be stewards of their own land. Freedom from oppression has been the hallmark of the Bitterroot.

With no checks and balances, the present growth policy is like a signed blank check. In light of the strong armed political movement that threatens our valley we have taken the liberty to write an opening statement, which like the Bill of Rights is more protective:

“The commission shall make no law respecting the establishment of boundaries or in any way prohibiting or abridging the free exercise and right of the people to be secure in their persons against unreasonable seizures. No person or body of persons shall make or enforce any law affecting a citizen’s property or the use thereof without a vote of those people whose boundaries lie within that land. The electorate shall not vote ex post facto (done or made afterward) nor shall the right of any citizen to vote be denied or abridged. The blessings of liberty to those whose property lies close to our waterways and the right of the people to assemble and have domestic tranquility shall not be denied. We the people of Ravalli County in order to establish justice and provide for the common defense, freedom and general welfare of ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish these privileges and guarantees under the law.”

Donna & Bill Kyle

Como




Vote for Gutsche

With so much focus on the presidential election, I want to draw attention to an extremely important local race n the race for Public Service Commission. The PSC regulates our utilities and helps shape our energy future. With so much global political and economic instability, it is imperative that we make clean, renewable energy a priority here in Montana. That is why I support Gail Gutsche for PSC. Gail Gutsche has a long history of public service n during her time as a Montana legislator, she was vice chair of the Natural Resources Committee. Gail Gutsche is committed to exploring alternative energy, encouraging conservation, and protecting consumers from outrageous utility bills. Unfortunately, her opponent’s support of energy deregulation has given us some of the highest utility bills in the region. Vote for Gail Gutsche on November 4th and thank yourself every time you open a utility bill this winter.

Jennifer Hill-Hart




Repeal the Growth Policy

As accusations bandy between those who want to repeal the Growth Policy and those who wish to keep it mount and the election draws near, it is important to keep one central premise in mind: Freedom is the issue.

Last week my wife and I, while distributing signs that advocate Ravalli County citizens to vote FOR repealing the Growth Policy, we decided to drop by an address of an older couple who had signed our petition only to discover that a renter now lived there and that the couple had lost (or were in the process of losing) their property due to the “interim zoning law”, which only allows one dwelling upon two acres of ground.

Sadly, the husband had suffered an illness, which left him unable to farm his small place and they were counting on selling off a piece in order to retain the property passed down from his grandparents but were unable to find a buyer, who would be restricted by the interim zoning rule.

Granted, this couple may have lost their place in the long run, but as they stated, all of their potential buyers lost interest as soon as the two-for-one rule became law in Ravalli County. Earlier they had told us that they hoping to hold out until the Growth Policy was repealed. Obviously they couldn’t. It is unintended consequences such as this that most will never hear about or see when centralized planning is in effect.

The Growth Policy as its advocates say has no rules or restrictions for private property land use, however as Montana State Law dictates: without a Growth Policy locally elected officials cannot institute zoning or streamside setbacks (zoning around water sources).

In other words all land use will fit more closely by the dictates of the Montana State Constitution, which for now, protects individual rights to land ownership and use. Giving the power to regulate land use to a local board of Commissioners is like as a few formalities are followed such as incorporating citizen input. (I have seen that in action personally by attending Growth Policy meetings and identifying the same twenty to forty individuals moving from meeting to meeting giving the impression that these meetings were well attended by the local folks.)

Our elected officials now want us to sit back down at the game table as players. But, it may be too late. Who wants to get back in a game where the officals can change the rules at any time and in any way they want?

How many have played a game of Monopoly where someone cheats? It is especially difficult to win when the cheater is the Banker and controls the money (think Federal Reserve and the present economic situation). Let’s say that the Banker not only controls the wealth but is allowed to change the rules as the game goes along. For instance, whenever he or his designated partner-players lands on a property which you have purchased, they can pass on paying the rent. Or just when you pass GO you are told that since this is the Xth time (any number to replace the variable X is allowed by the banker) that you have passed Go that you must pay instead of receiving $200. Or houses or hotels are not allowed on the properties you have purchased. You get the picture.

Now, you might stay in the game for the amusement of watching antics of the cheater and what motivates her, or you might get up from the table and find some other entertainment. After all it is just a game and you are free to not join in. Not so in the game of “Growth Policy”, a serious game that if it continues, gives the power to change the game rules to the County Commissioners however and whenever they wish by just following a few guidelines.

What the advocates of voting For Repealing the Growth Policy are offering is for you, who have placed your hard work and effort into your properties, to be able to get up and walk away fromt he game table and the County Commissioners, who are and will constantly be finding ways to change the rules of the game.

As I see it, Freedom is the issue,

David A. Merrick

Corvallis




Vote DeHaan and Meakin

With very few days left before the election, we are weighing in on who will best represent our desires and goals for the next four years.

Locally, we are faced with several vital races. Among them are the races for County Commissioner. Both John Meakin and Roger DeHaan are excellent choices as candidates to represent all residents of the Valley. One very telling criteria in any election is who is contributing to each of the candidate’s campaigns.

Checking out the contributors to any of the Ravalli County hopefuls is easy to do online at http://politicalpractices.mt.gov.

When I logged on to the website, one county commissioner campaign, in particular, caught my eye. I took a look at Roger DeHaan’s financial statements compared to his opponent’s, J. R. Iman. I found it very interesting that Roger DeHaan’s campaign contributors come from literally all walks of life. I always find that refreshing. It indicates to me that he is not a one-issue candidate making promises to certain divisions of our community.

Also, I noted that the majority of his contributors are giving between $25 and $50. I like to see that kind of grassroots involvement. It was also significant to me to discover that his contributors are generally small business owners, homemakers, farmers, workers in the medical field, teachers, a forester, a social worker, an attorney, a construction worker, and a climbing guide. That’s a good variety of supporters whose main concerns most likely reflect those of the majority of voters here in Ravalli County.

Checking out the financial statements filed on behalf of Mr. Iman’s campaign told a very different story. Mr. Iman’s statements show that only very few contributors gave amounts of less than $50. Almost all of his contributions are between $100 and $160 (the maximum contribution allowed by law by an individual). The occupations of each of the Iman contributors show a similar trend.

They are, by and large, ranchers, realtors, builders, developers, investors, title company owners, a surveyor, a banker, and an appraiser. Out of state contributions, mainly from Las Vegas, but also from California and Arizona totaled $2,720 on the Mr. Iman’s financial report for the final quarter of his campaign. One has to wonder what that’s all about. All these supporters, rather than representing a wide span of community groups, point directly to property development.

You don’t see the diversity in support for Mr. Iman as you do with the DeHaan contributors. I am in no way insinuating any wrongdoing on Mr. Iman’s part, but merely pointing out the stark differences in the donors.

Roger DeHaan’s positive message throughout his campaign has been one of planning for growth, supporting our agricultural resources, creating a healthy economy for all industries and businesses, and improving upon the public services we anticipate from our government. Both Roger DeHaan and John Meakin deserve our votes for County Commissioner on November 4. Vote for integrity, hard work, honesty, and for candidates who will listen to all residents of Ravalli County and not just a small sector.

Mary Morris

Darby




Vote for Boylan

I urge voters in House District 88 to vote for Patrick Boylan.

He has been a great asset to this community, devoting time to public service, such as membership on the Montana Forensic Science Advisory Council since 2003, and membership on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners since 2007. He serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Ravalli County, and has in the past served on the board of directors of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Bitterroot.

Patrick is a biomedical engineer. In his words, he “solves problems for a living.” His ability to analyze and solve the problems that come before the legislature will be very valuable.

Patrick is particularly interested in the area of economic and job development, especially including responsible development and use of renewable energy resources. This is one of the fastest growing fields in the world.

Montana has some great opportunities to boost our economy with proper focus on wind, solar, and geothermal energy resources. He is also interested in studying ‘clean coal’ energy development potential.

He is also very interested in the areas of education and access to affordable health care. These are issues that affect all of us, and I urge you to check out his Web site www.boylan4hd88.com to inform yourself of his positions on these issues.

It is important to have people in the legislature who have open minds and positive attitudes that problems can be solved. It is only with open discussion among all the legislators in the state that positive change will come about. No one person or political party has all the answers to the problems that face us in this state.

Patrick’s presence in the legislature will be a great resource for our community and for the entire state. Again, I urge you to vote for Patrick Boylan for HD88 on November 4th.

Toddy Perryman

Corvallis




Vote for Meakin

At every election cycle we, as voters, have an opportunity to reevaluate our communities and cast votes for the persons whom we believe will best represent our vision for the future. We expect candidates to be honest, hardworking, qualified and congenial. Their backgrounds should indicate a preparation to serve.

I recommend John Meakin for the office of County Commissioner. John’s background is one of service to his country and to his community. He has served as a Naval Officer and in governmental management as mayor of a small city and head of a planning commission, all of which have given him the tools to be a successful Commissioner.

John is aware of the needs and problems that face us today. Among his priorities are to build upon infrastructure, to ensure prudent and reasonable planning, including the improvement of our roads and transportation systems.

Furthermore, John believes in democracy and the will of the voters who, on two occasions, voted their preferences for planning in the county. Along with other commissioners, he will provide leadership for responsible planning that will enable citizens to decide what our county should look like for our children and grandchildren.

Our nation today is in an economic quagmire because of the lack of governmental regulation and greed on the part of our lending institutions. We have already seen a trickled-down effect of this in Ravalli County.

Similarly, a lack of planning in our county will thrust our citizens into a quagmire of lowered property values due to inappropriate land use, as well as higher property taxes to pay for the infrastructure needed to support uncontrollable growth.

Please join me in voting for John Meakin. Ravalli County citizens deserve no less.

Hazel Pflueger

Florence




To the Voters of House District 87:

I’m a candidate for the state legislature, and if elected, will represent citizens from just south of Victor to the Idaho border.

Because our district is huge (9,000 people over 1,700 square miles) it is not possible for me to meet everyone. So if we haven’t met, here are some details: I came to Montana for the first time in 1985 and bought our Darby home in 1992. My wife, Susan, is a 4th generation Montanan; her family homesteaded Loma (near Ft. Benton) in the 1880’s. Susan knows Montana and I turn to her often for sound advice, wisdom and good judgment. (We have four children and our first grandson is due to join the family this November.)

In 1968 (after my first year in college) I got a job as a truck driver for a film company in Los Angeles and began on-the-job training. Over the next 30 years, I was fortunate to have many mentors and worked my way up through the rank and file.

In 2004, as a result of this preparation, I was able (and honored) to start a Montana-based program called MAPS: Media Arts in the Public Schools. For the last four years, the MAPS mission has been ‘to educate and create quality jobs’ for Montana youth and I’m proud to say we’ve accomplished and exceeded these goals in programs throughout the state.

If elected, there’s a lot of issues to address…creating good jobs, providing quality education (K-12 and college), the need for affordable healthcare, our growing senior population, veteran affairs, a fair forest policy…just to name a few. But to get these things done, I believe strongly we have to restore common sense and fairness to the political process. Regardless of whether we are Republicans, Democrats or Independents, we have much in common and we are in this together. As Patrick Henry said, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”.

In closing, over the last nine months I’ve been meeting with people all over the valley and I’m often asked “why” am I running for the legislature? Three reasons: 1) Living in Montana has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.

Giving something back is the right thing to do and I believe in repaying my debts. 2) This year I’ll turn 60 and experience tells me that the more I do for other people, the better my life becomes…do unto others. 3) I’m confident that we can do better…if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be asking for your vote. Thank you.

Peter Rosten/Candidate/HD 87

Darby




Vote for DeHaan

We sometimes hear a Commissioner Candidate proclaiming to have been born in the Bitterroot, as though it is some sort of qualification for the office.

Actually, it is not; it’s simply happenstance. Someone born elsewhere may appreciate the Bitterroot much more than a native because they have been exposed to what can happen to a beautiful area through ignorance or the greed of special interests, and they just might have a bit more knowledge and training in how to prevent chaotic development.

If being a native Bitterrooter were actually a reason to vote for someone to be a Commissioner, then we should have seen a lot more from Greg Chilcott’s six years in office with respect to planning, guiding and controlling growth. Instead, we have seen six years of false starts in several directions, backtracking, first promoting the Growth Policy, now going to vote against keeping it: aimless, purposeless meandering down the road to economic and visual chaos. I believe this is simply because he doesn’t know what to do; he has no vision for the County and little foresight about any direction.

Now we are hearing that J.R. Iman is a native Bitterrooter. If he were to be elected a County Commissioner, would the result be any better than we have seen from Greg Chilcott? I doubt it.

So how about Roger DeHahn as a better choice for District 3 County Commissioner? Roger has been a Bitterrooter the last half of his life (by choice, not by happenstance). He runs a successful engineering business, and has worked hard and effectively for years as a volunteer in many facets of our community; this includes ten years on the Ravalli County Board of Health, also with the Victor Community Planning Committee, many long hours toward the citizen-developed Growth Policy, and he has contributed time and ideas to the Hyw 93 Planning Focus Group, the Victor Park District Development, the Forest Consensus Council and the Victor Public Schools. He is committed to sound physical growth and fiscal improvement of the County, preservation of our agricultural resources, and strengthening of our public services.

As an engineer he completes every project through a plan, and will bring that training and planning ability to all aspects of his duties as a County Commissioner. His training, his experience, his temperament and his vision for the County’s future point to Roger DeHahn as the best possible choice for District 3 County Commissioner.

Chuck Roubik

Hamilton




Keep the Growth Policy

We are two of the many newer residents of Ravalli County. We moved here several years ago because of the Bitterroot’s rural way of life and its clean water.

We support the Ravalli County Growth Policy. The growth policy was developed by consensus of hundreds of local residents and was approved by local voters by nearly 2 to 1. It reflects what we believe is important to maintain our quality of life. I

It is inevitable that more people will move to the Bitterroot, and the growth policy is the way to make sure new growth protects clean water, working farms and ranches and the quality of life in the Bitterroot Valley.

We believe local residents know what’s best for our community. The growth policy is our plan for the future. If you want to preserve local control in the Bitterroot, then vote AGAINST repealing our Ravalli County Growth Policy.

Dave and Christine Schultz

Hamilton




Why waste a vote, most say,

When comes again election day.

There’s only two who have a chance,

To be the one to win the lance,

There’s only one can come in first,

And control the strings that tie the purse,

Never mind that either two,

Won’t change a thing for me or you,

Both want the chance to wield the lance,

In different zones, of course, to prance,

Their might, with purse strings opened up,

While dipping in our shallow cup,

Of dollars most of which is spent,

With nothing left to pay the rent,

Just don’t worry for rent or store,

They’ve got a press to print some more!

Try not to worry and please don’t holler,

Because your bread went up a dollar,

Vote for one of them, you’ll be just fine,

They’ll save you a spot in a bread line.

Why waste a vote, most say,

When come again election day.

We want your vote for R & D’s,

To keep you poor and on your knees,

And we want your vote to travel far,

Which it won’t do in a vote for Barr,

Stay with the tried, stay with the true,

Nader’s not for me or you,

And certainly you you wouldn’t have the gall,

To throw away your vote on old Ron Paul!

Unless of course you want the best,

And test the system--

WITH A VOTE PROTEST.

Signed,

D. Allan Thomas




Streamside Setbacks Beware Of the Trojan Horse

I strongly encourage every Ravalli County resident to obtain a copy of the proposed streamside setback regulations from the Commissioner’s Office or the internet and carefully read them with discernment.

Often times people who don’t own streamside properties are disinterested feeling it doesn’t affect them, however if these regulations are passed will set a precedent which will adversely affect us all.

Setback requirements for the construction of new residential homes may be necessary in certain cases for obvious reasons. However, the proposed one size fits all set of regulations are not an appropriate solution. The Streamside Setback Committee has a personal agenda that in aligned with special interest and turned what may have been a reasonable idea into a poor one.

These regulations are dictatorial and intentionally designed to remove private property rights of citizens. The proposed regulations have far reaching implications and use language like, “permitted and not permitted residential activities.” The aforementioned language can be interpreted many ways, and can be maliciously used by anyone to harass property owners and take them to court.

Why the Streamside Setback Committee has chose to use this language in their proposal? The answer is simple, it is by design. The Streamside Setback Committee knows exactly what they are doing.

By regulation they want to control how you will live and how you will use your private property. For example, under the proposed regulations you will be prohibited from constructing any outbuilding within a proposed setback irrespective of flood plane potential. You can be arrested and receive a six month jail sentence and a $500 fine per day for something like building a gazebo, a horse shed, or a green house. The Streamside Setback Committee recently added another provision to their proposal prohibiting the trimming of native vegetation.

How does this provision work in springtime after heavy winter snows have broken tree limbs and branches? The Streamside Setback Committee has taken an incorrect view of believing owners of streamside properties cannot be trusted and are not good stewards of their land.

Ask yourself this question do you even know any of the committee members? If so, ask them how they lost focus of looking at a reasonable setback for the construction of new residential homes within flood planes, to implementation of all inclusive regulations. Also understand property within a proposed setback is “encumbered,” meaning, “a claim held against your property.” You will also pay the same amount of property tax for land you are prohibited from fully using.

This issue came to light while attending a property Tax Assessors Office in Helena spoke at this meeting in length and informed attendee’s that the burden of proof is on the property owner to show their property values have been diminished by streamside setbacks. Why would anyone want to purchase property with a list of regulations prohibiting its use entirely, or its full use?

Consider this, if the proposed regulations are passed don’t be surprised to see them expanded upon and become even more restrictive. Also don’t think that obtaining a variance is going to be you’re guaranteed right.

I was advised two different scenario’s for The Streamside Setback Proposal. That it is tied to Ravalli County Zoning.

If the Growth Policy fails so does the Streamside Setbacks in its current form. That it is tied to Ravalli County Zoning because of our Commissioner’s don’t want it to fail and desire to pass it on their own. If the latter is true the Commissioner’s are wrong. This issue is too important to leave to them, there is too much at stake. The citizens of Ravalli County should have the final decision on keeping or relinquishing their private property rights. I encourage each citizen to carefully consider the implications of giving away your private property rights, what will you have left? Government should be here to insure our rights to private property not remove them.

David Thoreau

Hamilton




Think before you vote.

Well, it is that time again.

Two things to think about, first, government has no money of their own. It is our money, so when candidates promise anything to anyone, it is YOU and I that will pay the bill.

Second, I was told many years ago that, any government powerful enough to give you everything they want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. There are no free lunches. Oh, one question??? Why all the “hate” letters to the editor?

Watch closely to see where all this hate is coming from. Pretty scary if people hate just because someone else thinks differently than they do.

Cliff Trexler

Corvallis




Why repeal the growth policy

In our efforts to repeal the growth policy, our opponents have called us liars and they’ve said that we’re self-serving, practicing deception and telling half-truths.

Now they’re calling us the powers of darkness. Instead of returning the name-calling, I’d like to state the reasons behind our decision to repeal this document and offer a challenge to our opponents. Stop the name-calling, attend a Higher Ground Presentation and show where there are any lies or deception in their presentation. They are merely reading from the growth policy.

Listed below are some of our reasons to repeal:

1. The growth policy is not 60 pages long as the public has been led to believe. With all its addendums, it’s actually 420-pages long. That’s almost as big as the Missoula phone book.

2. Only 19 percent of the valley is privately owned and only 10 percent is not zoned. So why all the effort to go after just 10 percent of the property and where is the sprawl going to occur?

3. Under Montana Law, the growth policy will become a regulatory document if any zoning is approved. We believe that 420 pages of regulations are excessive. We need a new growth policy.

4. The growth policy would close Old Corvallis Road and only allow foot and bicycle traffic. So what happens to the businesses and residents here?

5. The growth policy would make all businesses on the HWY 93 Corridor adhere to a 200 yard set-back. How will the affected businesses do this? How will they pay for this? All this effort because our opponents just don’t find these businesses visually appealing!

6. If the growth policy isn’t repealed and any zoning is approved, you will be forced to pay impact fees and to buy permits for any improvements to your property. Call the city of Missoula and ask how much a permit costs for installing 50 feet of fence!

7. Any zoning draft can be changed to state anything that any newly-elected commissioner wants it to say. There are thousands of zoning laws throughout America. They have all been changed from their original form.

8. Zoning will cost you more money. They need to hire office staff, an enforcement officer, and buy equipment. If our commissioners are laying people off and can’t even give our sheriff’s office funding for law enforcement, then where’s the money going to come from to staff this new agency?

9. Higher Ground and The Citizen’s Coalition to Repeal the Growth Policy and not highly funded. By law, their contributions must be made public and can be reviewed by anyone. Ask instead how much money Stewart Brandborg and his Bitterrooters for Planning have injected into pushing the 420 page growth policy on you.

If this growth policy isn’t repealed and any zoning is implemented, it will have a devastating effect on our local businesses and residents.

We’ve been accused of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” in regard to this issue, because our opponents believe that our efforts at repeal only concern the zoning issue. Not true. We believe that forcing businesses to move 200 yards back from HWY 93, closing Old Corvallis Road to all but foot and bike traffic, and charging impact fees and requiring residents to buy permits for simple property improvements is excessive! Someone please tell me how these fees and permits help protect anything. How can our opponents do this to their neighbors and accuse us of not caring about our community?

We have too many city dwellers that treat our rural areas as their nature preserve and personal vacation spot, with little or no regard to the people who live there. They want Ravalli County to be kept unspoiled and picturesque at the cost of everyone who lives here. Asking local businesses and rural property owners to “pay up” or surrender their livelihood just because they don’t like the way their property looks, isn’t protecting the environment.

It’s an elitist attitude that says to heck with everyone’s property rights and their right to earn a living! We need a new growth policy based on common sense and respects business rights, property rights and doesn’t cause excessive government growth.

Why are our commissioners forcing more government on us in the middle of an economic recession and amidst the worst financial crisis in our nation’s history? Our citizens are struggling to make ends meet and our country’s financial crisis will take years to recover. Ravalli County’s tax base is down, growth has virtually come to a stand-still, and foreclosures are up 50%. So why are our commissioners spending the thousands of our tax dollars on zoning instead of providing for our basic services? Our sheriff is underfunded, our roads are in disrepair, and we need more jobs! Why are these factors being ignored?

Where is all the money for this bigger government going to come from folks? Repeal the growth policy, stop zoning and stop the elitist effort to take away your paycheck and your property rights.

Richard Stamey

Victor




A person is a person no matter how small.

Dr. Suess penned it, Horton voiced it, and I wholeheartedly agree. This election day we as the citizens of this nation have the opportunity to vote to protect and defend or to destroy very small human beings who have neither voice nor choice.

If Senator Obama is elected, he has promised that his first act as president will be to sign into effect the Freedom of Choice Act.

This act, which he co-sponsored would make partial-birth abortions legal again, would force taxpayers to pay for abortion for any reason, and would invalidate virtually all state and federal limitations on abortion. Obama advocates the repeal of the Hyde Amendment which since 1976 has blocked almost all federal funding of abortion.

In Illinois Obama opposed the ban on partial-birth abortions and even criticized the US Supreme Court for upholding the ban on this barbaric practice in 2007. Even more chilling, this popular and charismatic senator stood alone to personally kill the Illinois Born Alive Infants Protection Act and four times voted to oppose this law that would grant protection for babies who survive a failed abortion.

Recently we were shocked and sickened by the news of newborn puppies partially drowned and cast into a dumpster and then again of faithful trail horses which were shackled to trees and left to starve to death or be destroyed by predators in the wilderness. Those animals so cruelly abused and discarded were championed by good people whose hearts were moved and great efforts were made to rescue and rehabilitate them.

Life is the greatest gift of all and millions of tiny “Whos”, perhaps your posterity or mine, are now crying out for us to step forward to protect and defend them. Where are their champions? With our vote for Senator John McCain we can join the cause of human rights and dignity for the unborn, the partially born, and the barely born fellow human beings.

Senator Obama sidestepped Rick Warren’s question “At what point is a baby entitled to human rights?” with his witty reply that “It’s above my pay grade” His clever answer is no answer at all and masks an agenda which portends disaster for the nation whose Pledge Of Allegiance speaks of “liberty and justice for all”.

Please consider the effects on our country’s collective conscience if it were amended to “liberty and justice for all except if you are unwanted or small”.

Mollie Verrue

Florence




Vote for Republican Commissioner Candidates

We have lived in Ravalli County for over fifty years and have seen a lot of positive changes in this community.

We have been business owners in Ravalli County and always remained grateful to the people of this valley for their support. We have always tried to give back to the community by donating our time and money to the local 4-H kids, supporting our local schools and numerous community projects.

A number of years ago we saw a disturbing change in Ravalli County. A man, by the name of Stewart Brandborg, established a group called the Friends of the Bitterroot (FOB).

After a few years of this groups influence in Ravalli County we saw some of our loyal customers leave because they lost their jobs in the timber industry. The timber industry had been riddled with lawsuits from the FOB’s until it was not financially possible for them to continue in business and they had to shut their doors and lay off these hard working men and women who were not only our customers but good friends and neighbors.

This not only hurt our community, but it hurt our local school districts who were receiving money from the state from timber sales.

In the next few years the FOB’s concentrated on getting their members on the different boards in Ravalli County and started a new group called Bitterrooters for Planning. They were very instrumental in getting the growth policy put in place. They started shouting from the rooftops that we needed to slow growth down and have smart growth.

The one per two initiative was voted in by our citizens because after all who would want un-controlled growth. Guess what happened? The one per two initiative coupled with the slowing economy brought our local housing market and land sales to a virtual stop.

Currently we have children and grandchildren that own or work at local businesses and the same thing is happening that happened when our timber industry fell. The people who worked in the housing industry are now losing their jobs and are moving out of the area searching for jobs. These again are our friends and neighbors who support our businesses and volunteer their time in the community.

People in Ravalli County need to look at the pattern that is happening. What industry is next? My guess is the farming and ranching industry is in the FOB’s sights.

After all, we farmers and ranchers own all the open space that the FOB wants to “protect” through zoning. Do not be fooled for one minute that they are wiling to let us walk away unscathed. The FOB’s are not only interested in zoning small parcels in Ravalli County they want to get control of our larger parcels.

Remember, before zoning was being talked about we had our say with what happened with our property. Now with all the zoning talk the FOB’s are trying to convince us that they will provide ways for us to sell off some of our land IF we need to. I do not want the FOB’s having any say about my property rights.

As the owner, to keep or to sell my ranch is spelled out in my property rights.

We would like to encourage all of our hard working friends and neighbors to vote to repeal the growth policy. This is the only way, at the present time, to insure that the FOB’s do not gain control of our land.

The two Republican candidates running for county commissioner, Greg Chilcott and J.R. Iman, have a strong back ground in the agriculture community. Let’s get these guys voted into office so they can represent the agriculture community with their experiences.

We would leave you with one final, but very important fact. Some of our friends and neighbors who were forced to leave this valley lost their homes to foreclosure. One of the biggest buyers of homes selling on the courthouse steps was Steward Brandborg’s family.

Wally Weber

Corvallis




A Bizarre Campaign

The presidential campaign of 2008 would be funny if the future of this country did not rest on the results. It seems that it has been going on forever and it becomes sillier every day. Both candidates are falling over themselves pandering to voters instead of telling us what they believe in. If that isn’t bad enough, in true bi-partisan fashion, politicians embarrass and disgrace themselves with monotonous regularity. As a conservative and a Republican it sickens me to see the way some party leaders in Washington have behaved. I have been a Republican for the last thirty years. I see no choice except to vote for the Republican candidate on Election Day. I wish that we had another choice.

Some Republicans say they will not vote in November. Others point out that not voting is the same as casting a vote for the Democratic Party candidate. I am assuming that Barack Obama will be that candidate. Voting for him is unthinkable. Not necessarily because he is a Democrat, but because of who he is.

He has made a series of statements about his plans for the nation when he becomes President. Democratic Party leaders, writers and TV talking heads are frantically trying to explain what he meant, as opposed to what he said. His apologists are reduced to telling the American people that “McCain flip flops too.” He does. Just not as frequently, blatantly and clumsily as Obama. I have no idea how this man ever became a serious contender for the highest office in the world. I do know that his supporters are not motivated by a rational evaluation of his qualifications. There is no question about his oratory abilities. He is articulate. He is clean too. Joe Biden mentioned that a while back. I thought that was funny. Jessie and Al didn’t laugh though.

I watched Obama’s world tour with fascination. Some critics accused him of becoming increasingly immodest during the trip. Telling the world that he is the man we have all been waiting for sounded a little weird. Not only was it weird, it was stupid. Unfortunately, I think that he believes it. His confidence grew from one country to the next as he met with world leaders. Early on I noticed the way he walked. It was a confident stride, but by the end of the trip he literally swaggered. I would call the trip an ego enhancing experience for Barack.

When he strolled up the ladder to the plane for his trip back to America I almost fell off my chair. He climbed the ladder and just before departing from view, he actually bopped his way through that door. (Bopping is the exaggerated strut young gang bangers employ to demonstrate how cool and how “bad” they are). He was cool alright. At least he would have been if he was striding through the hood. But this egotistical, unqualified, untried and shallow politician totally abandoned any semblance of dignity. He looked ridiculous.

Obama is running from a debate with McCain. He prefers making speeches, and I can see why he does. He is great at delivering prepared comments. It is another matter when he is caught away from the teleprompter. Here are some of his off the cuff responses to questions posed by some of his adoring fans in the media. (These are not exact quotes, but accurately convey his meaning).

1. Iran is just a tiny little country. It couldn’t threaten us. He apparently doesn’t think that Mahmud Amadinejad with nuclear weapons is a threat, no matter what Mahmud says. Obama changed that statement the next day.

2. If we just check the air in our tires and get tune-ups we can save as much oil as we would by drilling for domestic oil. That is just plain nonsense, and he should have known that. He has changed his position on that issue too.

3. Russia and Georgia need to talk things over and end violence. That would be nice wouldn’t it? I wonder what Putin would think if he sat across the table from President Obama and heard that kind of advice.

Those asinine statements from a candidate campaigning to become the President of the United States of America are chilling. Even the people who want to vote for him have to know on some level how unqualified Barack Obama is. This may all become academic after the Democratic convention. The Clintons will address the convention on two consecutive nights. Hillary has not released her delegates. After Barack’s embarrassingly inept performance recently, the Party leaders may choose to dump Obama and choose Hillary. If they do, the Democratic Party will finally lose its almost total control of the black vote. I say that it is about time.

Gene Williams

Hamilton

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shayla wrote on Nov 7, 2008 10:48 PM:

" I use to live in Hamilton, and went to school there also. i am wondering about a story about a dentist there that caused some problems. I read the article, and I am wondering what ever happened to the man? Did you change your views, and if it is someone of upstanding in the community are they ammuned from the news??? just wondering as I like to keep up with the town my family is from. Thank You , Shayla Phillips, colorado "

Denelle Pappier wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:33 AM:

" I've watched for my letter for over 5 weeks! It hasn't been printed (yet?), so I'll add just the gist of it here. Join me in voting for John Meakin for Ravalli County Commissioner. I know John to be an honest man of high principles; I fully trust him to represent the best interests of the people of this valley. "

Johnnie B. wrote on Oct 30, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Wow. It's great seeing all these letters! I especially liked two of them: First, Peter Rosten (Candidate for HD 87). I know his wife from work, and they are good people. And I whole-heartedly support what he has done with the MAPS project. Amazing work there!

Also, D. Allan Thomas' letter was awesome! I couldn't have said it any better. Although I have no Party affiliation, I lean more Libertarian than anything. However, I have to say that my vote for president will go to Dr. Ron Paul. Somebody will undoubtedly call that a throw-away vote, but I see it as (finally) a way to vote FOR somebody. I'm so sick of every election cycle having to vote against somebody, or for the lesser-of-two-evils. I agree with Ron Paul's message, and will be voting accordingly. (Yes, I know he's a Republican, and doesn't really want to be on Montana's ballot as the Constitution Party's candidate, but he's getting my vote anyway.)

The constant bickering between Republicans and Democrats, between conservatives and liberals, between the arbitrary definitions of left and right, has done nothing but encourage lazy voting, and reduced formerly thinking human beings to mindless sheep. Both the major parties are guilty of divisiveness, and have been systematically whittling away our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, in one way or another, for decades.

People are so preoccupied by ideology. So entranced by utterly irrelevant political identity. Does it really matter if a person has a D or an R after their name? Shouldn't it matter more what is the content of their character, the strength of their intellect, the extent of their compassion? Do they vote by the party line, or by their conscience? Do they spew nothing but spoon-fed talking points, or do they encourage independent thinking? Do they do what's right for their political job security, or do they do what's right for their soul?

I know I'm only one of few. But maybe perhaps soon, I can be one of many.

VOTE THIRD PARTY! "

Rod Daniel wrote on Oct 30, 2008 7:58 AM:

" Thank you for running all the letters. I agree it's important for them all to run before the election. But are some so important that they need to run twice? Or was someone not paying attention? "

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