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LETTER: Allegations Against Planning Office Overstated
letter
My name is Jim Spaulding and my wife is Debbie Spaulding, the chairman of the Lakeside Neighborhood Plan committee. I felt the need to respond to Allegation No. 8 of Moonlighting Detective Agency’s investigative report to the Flathead County Commissioners.
In this allegation, Jeff Larsen stated that he was defamed because Flathead County Planning Director Jeff Harris said he and several other members of the community were “fringe thinkers.” I have tried to find a definition of “fringe thinker,” could not, but I do feel that Investigator Ike Eisentraut’s definition is good: “that someone might not see the whole picture, just the frame.” And I would add that a “fringe thinker” might be someone uncomfortable with change. I do not think that is a character flaw, it just describes a way a person might view things. I would not hold animosity toward someone who is a fringe thinker. I’m pretty sure I’m a “fringe thinker” most of the time.
In this allegation, Mr. Larsen also states that he lost my business because of this statement and that I was one of his bigger clients. Mr. Larsen did do one surveying job for me, back in 1998, and I paid him a reasonable amount for the job and that was it. I have not needed a surveyor since then. I consider Mr. Larsen to be a fine surveyor and I had no problems with the work he did for me. It’s kind of sad to think I might be one of his biggest customers from that one job 12 years ago. Mr. Larsen never contacted me to ask if he had lost my business over being called a “fringe thinker,” and he didn’t.
I will not do business again with Mr. Larsen because over the last year and a half I have personally seen him support the allegations that my wife and other members of the LNPC are being secretive, performing illegal activities, hiding information from the community, destroying public record, liars and many other derogatory remarks, which I definitely consider to be defamation of character. I would also not do business with Mr. Larsen because I believe he associates with the group American Dream Montana, and I just don’t believe in what that group is doing to this valley. If he was just a “fringe thinker” I would send all my business his way.
The investigator’s report clears LNPC of all of these allegations and so does common sense. Mr. Larsen and many others owe this volunteer committee a public apology.
Mr. Larsen, I sincerely hope you are not still considering suing Flathead County over this ridiculous allegation. Please don’t waste any more of the taxpayer’s money with these frivolous lawsuits and unjust accusations.
Jim Spaulding
Lakeside
In this allegation, Jeff Larsen stated that he was defamed because Flathead County Planning Director Jeff Harris said he and several other members of the community were “fringe thinkers.” I have tried to find a definition of “fringe thinker,” could not, but I do feel that Investigator Ike Eisentraut’s definition is good: “that someone might not see the whole picture, just the frame.” And I would add that a “fringe thinker” might be someone uncomfortable with change. I do not think that is a character flaw, it just describes a way a person might view things. I would not hold animosity toward someone who is a fringe thinker. I’m pretty sure I’m a “fringe thinker” most of the time.
In this allegation, Mr. Larsen also states that he lost my business because of this statement and that I was one of his bigger clients. Mr. Larsen did do one surveying job for me, back in 1998, and I paid him a reasonable amount for the job and that was it. I have not needed a surveyor since then. I consider Mr. Larsen to be a fine surveyor and I had no problems with the work he did for me. It’s kind of sad to think I might be one of his biggest customers from that one job 12 years ago. Mr. Larsen never contacted me to ask if he had lost my business over being called a “fringe thinker,” and he didn’t.
The investigator’s report clears LNPC of all of these allegations and so does common sense. Mr. Larsen and many others owe this volunteer committee a public apology.
Mr. Larsen, I sincerely hope you are not still considering suing Flathead County over this ridiculous allegation. Please don’t waste any more of the taxpayer’s money with these frivolous lawsuits and unjust accusations.
Jim Spaulding
Lakeside
Recently there was a spot on TV that defines “puffery”—- statements based on opinion, not fact. I submit to you the Wikipedia definition - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffery. Then each of you should ask yourself—am I guilty of “puffery”? Are you kidding me???... “stories I’ve heard”.... “I remember hearing….” “I know…
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