Comments on: Commission Agrees to Amended North Shore Settlement
By inthemiddle on 03-08-10
Tweedledumb and Tweedledumber are just paying off contributors to their elections. At least Brenneman has come around. Why wouldn’t they fight this thing, just rolling over is stupid.
By BLUSKY on 03-08-10
We won’t have the whole story until we review the depositions. That is when everyone will see what crooks Hall and Breneman really are and who put the county in this position. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this whole mess was caused through the ILLEGAL, CRIMINAL, activity of two county commissioners, HALL AND BRENNEMAN! Anyone who doesn’t get that is not very well informed.
By Maria on 03-09-10
Brenneman (and Hall) is responsible for this mess, and now he’s trying to make politcal points as he will likely seek re-election.
Does he really think he’s going to get re-elected? Is he really fooling anyone with this, “I did the right thing in the end” baloney? Give me a break.
By someone on 03-09-10
The ignorance that populates the comments on these articles never cease to amaze me. It seems as though the comments that are made are based on inaccurate information and a complete lack in the real-life process. I encourage you folks who sit at home and read the Inter Lake and Beacon and don’t attend the meetings, to get out there and see what is really happening. Visit a town that has been completely taken over by subdivisions and strip malls, destroying the beauty and environmental health of those places; stripped away local businesses, destroying the local economy. Why do you live here? Because it is specia, and that’s what Brennamen wants to preserve.
By mongo on 03-09-10
taz, you have thus far posted three times to everyone else’s single post, and you have simply repeated yourself. it’s time to get some help, don’t you think? dirty, mean, nasty?—- hi kettle? this is pot.
what do you have to say about Dupont taking contributions (I was surprised at how few he received, I would have thought there would have been many more) from NSR developers? or do I just hear crickets unless the topic is how much you hate Joe and Gary??
By Maria on 03-09-10
Tazmanian is right. Don’t attempt to lay this on Dupont’s doorstep. To use a term Mongo and his fellow Obamazombie lib friends like to throw around, Dupont “inherited” this mess. It wasn’t his name on the bottom line - that honor belongs to Brenneman and Hall.
By mitch on 03-09-10
maria, you are correct, Dupont wasn’t responsibile for this decision to protect us voters and our valley as Joe and Gary Hall did. He wasn’t involved at that time. However, since Dupont took contributions (bribes) from the developers, he should have had no say in the final outcome.Mongo, with Taz repeating himself over and over, it has unexpected blessings. We don’t have to read each post. If his name is on it, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt it’s same as he posted before, probably on many other threads as well.
By Maria on 03-09-10
I think Chad said it best when he stated, “If I was going to “buy” a candidate, I think it would cost me a h*ll of a lot more than $160.” Get a grip. I can’t buy hardly anything for $160 let alone a candidate.
By Alice on 03-09-10
Take a look at Brenneman’s donor list. It’s full of green, liberals. Wonder what their motive was for giving to Brenneman? Probably not land obstruction.
Hmm… Let’s follow that money trail!
By debbietant on 03-09-10
Speaking of moneytrails how much do you want to bet that Dupont’s C-5 has Alice’s dirty hands all over it ! Dupont was up to his usual dirty tricks once again. Thank you Joe Brenneman for standing up for the people and ignoring Dupont and the other property owner whiners in Flathead County !! POWER TO THE PEOPLE begins with public officials like Joe Brenneman and we are not going to forget them in 2010. Sorry Alice - You lose!!! In November here comes that “big flush.”
By overandback on 03-09-10
Come on folks. Taz and others on this blog have been assigned by the absolute property rights mafia to beat the drum to get rid of Brenneman. Lauman bought his election with ads saying he was for property rights. If his health doesn’t permit, he’ll leave another vacancy on the commission. The absolute property rights machine is drooling at the thought of having a shot at two more spots of power. They’ve put Dupont in office and plan to get rid of Brenneman and keep Hall from ever running for office again. If we let them get away with it, the inmates will truly be running the asylum.
By commonsense on 03-09-10
Brenneman needs to go. Paying him is a waste of taxpayer dollars. What’s needed are commissioners who work to bring more business (jobs) into the county to solidify the local economy for the long run. The people holding these offices now don’t have a clue how to do this. They’ll just continue to evaporate our tax dollars, make bad/costly/illegal decisions, support an unprofessional planning office…the list goes on. No clear thinking business person would locate their business here. Not with the circus of this county government. Flathead County has a bad reputation around the state. If this went through a full trial court the county would lose. If that happened to the tune of 8 to 15 million the lesson would be one that would never be forgotton. For sure it would change county governement here for a long time in the future.
By mitch on 03-09-10
right you are “overandback”. Doubt they’ll get by with it. Doubtful most of them vote, let along contribute to anyone’s campaign. Do you suppose someone (ADM) has given them all little scripts to read?
By overandback on 03-09-10
Dupont needs to go. He has the all-or-nothing mentality of a police officer, responds blindly according to his “absolute property rights” play book, and has no vision for this valley. He is leading Lauman around by the nose. These two are a deadly combination for sane govenment in the Flathead.
By mitch on 03-09-10
oop, here goes Taz again, throwing out the insults and slanderous comments. You do that so well Taz, but why not? You practice daily. Dare we ask for you to provide some sort of info on what you are speaking of? Who has been “smeared”, (except of course by you) and how were they (must I say it again??) smeared? I know you hate it when you have to give us a fact on your posts, but that’s the way it works bud. The dirty nasty deed that you speak of? Is that the one where he worked to protect the interests of those of us who elected him…...........and voted to keep our valley beautiful? What part of that do you object to?
By Alice on 03-09-10
debbieThanks for the gut roll. Haven’t laughed like that all week! What strikes me most hilarious is that you may actually believe what you’re saying! ALL ABOARD THE DEBBIE TRAIN TO CRAZY TOWN!
What’s a C-5? Isn’t plastic explosives? Maybe that’s C-4. Anyway, you missed your calling. You should’ve been a comedian.
p.s. I don’t recall losing anything. You however, may have lost your mind. I’ll keep a look out for a small mass of gray matter.
By mongo on 03-09-10
OMG TAZ WOULDYA PLEASE STOP SAYING “TO THE TUNE OF…?”
YOU NEED SOME NEW CLICHES…SAYINGS…heck, you need new THOUGHTS.
lordy, I wish I knew who you really are. Alice, I know you think you despise me but you really don’t. you make me laugh, even tho I rarely agree with you.
By Alice on 03-09-10
I don’t despise you, Mongrel, on the contrary - I find you thoroughly entertaining. My granny always used to say that differing opinions are what, “makes the world go round.”
By CoffeeJunkie on 03-09-10
So, Taz….to the tune of your 3 million bucks, it will cost each taxpayer about 35,00 extra. yep, that sucks but I will pay it, the same way I have paid for school levies and various things over the years that really did not pertain to me. I do not vote party lines, so i do not know who is in who’s back pocket or who is sleeping with who or who is giving somebody else contributions. I DO know that Gary Hall, Joe Brenneman, Jim Dupont and so many others mentioned here are and always have been stand up guys, our friends and our neighbors. Unfortunately for them, they, out of some civic duty decided to run for political office. Gosh, maybe to help a county that they love and call home? I’m sure it wasn’t for the notoriety and the insults. I will be interested to see the documents that are disclosed. I bet not one of them said, “hey, lets screw these guys over.” Unfortunately, the will not fight this, so we will never know how it would have turned out. BUT, most of us know, legal does NOT always mean right.
By mongo on 03-09-10
alice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! stop calling me mongrel or I’m going to have to start calling you alouse.
By Alice on 03-09-10
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Mongrel, you kill me!
By overandback on 03-09-10
When the economy rebounds, stores will certainly reapply for presence in the Flathead, bringing jobs. Let’s put commissioners in office who know how to negotiate with them and get from them what other cities demand. We don’t have to feel grateful. Commissioners more sophisticated than Dupont and Lauman need to be elected in order to meet the pressures of developers and chain stores. It’s these two who give the Flathead a “come and get it” blank check just as they gave the North Shore Developers such a blank check. At least Brenneman stands up for truly listening to neighborhood plans and protecting what remains of the Flathead’s assets. Lauman and Dupont think they rule instead of govern according to the will of the people. I’ve watched both of them ignore the recommendations of neighborhood plans, the planning board, and the planning office in order to swap “spit shakes” with their cronies. Also, industry has bypassed the Flathead NOT because of Brenneman and Hall but because of previous commissioners who wouldn’t let businesses offer salaries substantially more than the “going rate” here. The nutcases on this blog who blame every problem the Flathead has on Brenneman and Hall are short sighted and ignorant of the facts.
By overandback on 03-09-10
The guilty parties who put us in this mess are the local developers of North Shore, whose only interest is their own well being. Dupont and Lauman failed their duties as elected officials to look out for the rest of us in supporting this settlement. The problem started long ago when Lauman was the only commissioner to vote FOR the North Shore development when it came before them, despite the negative recommendations of the planning office, the planning board, and Fish and Game. Has anyone looked in to Lauman’s political contributors and affiliations? Given the self-serving determination of the developers and the toe hold given them by Lauman, the North Shore was a done deal no matter what the impact it would have on the lake, the water fowl sanctuary, and public access goals.
By eibba on 03-09-10
overandback
The planning board recommended approval and planning staff told the commissioners there was no legal ground for denial…
By overandback on 03-10-10
“No legal ground for denial” does not constitute a recommendation - just another example of the planning office doing its job properly and another example of why this county needs to get proactive regarding land use. If you’re correct about the planning board’s recommendation, good catch. However, as I remember, it wasn’t as simple as that. Each reviewing body weighed in with major concerns as to the impact such a developement would have and the water table/flood zone issues. And, Taz, I don’t think you should be commenting on other bloggers names.
By debbietant on 03-10-10
Mongo. I would not get to upset with Alice. Like most property owners, she is probably just not smart enough to spell. Alice and her kind is the best example I can think of why the idea of property ownership and property rights are going to go the way of the dinosaurs. Imagine the arrogance it takes to think that you can actually “own” a piece of mother earth !!! Brenneman understands that. This is why Alice and the other “property rights nuts” out there have launced such a vindictive campaign against him. Keep going Joe. They are running scared and they deserve to be.
By brutus on 03-10-10
I have to laugh because we are doing it again. One side says problem is any restriction on my right to do what I want with my property. The other side says the problem is we can’t tell everyone everything they can do with their property and it is arrogant to believe one can actually own property ( Sorry Washington, Jefferson, Adams etc., etc). Face it developments can and should be honestly regulated. If the commissioners had a basis, which factually there seems to be, to deny this subdivision, then that would have been sustained in the court. There had to be something else. There had to be a circumvention of the rules. And that is the problem. If the commissioners believed they were “doing good” by violating the rules, they weren’t. If we are now at a state where the end justifies the means, we have fallen along way. When the facts come out, we won’t be blaming the land owner who identified problems and tried to mitigate them. We won’t be blaming those who felt the problems were too big to mitigate. We won’t be blaming the property rights advocates or the environmentalists. We will have to blame those who distorted the system and denied a fair playing field. It is obvious that something beyond the debatable merits of this development went on or there never would have been a settlement suggested.
By the way after the first $10,000, Flathead Self insures. I also looked at the C-5’s. Dupont – maybe I don’t know everyone involved – did not get a huge % from these developers. He did get 15% from those involved in the real-estate business – I think they are still citizens. Brenneman appears to have gotten most of his contributions from average citizens. So why don’t we grow up and stop calling names and distorting the facts on both sides.
As somebody said earlier, these are just men who were good enough to try to serve the public. Can we disagree politically – sure. But the reason people don’t want to serve is that the personal attacks never quit. Lets talk issues and not get our kicks out of attacking people on either side. Their politics can suck, but most of them — most office holders – really try to do what they think is right.
By Alice on 03-10-10
O&BYou said, “Dupont and Lauman failed their duties as elected officials to look out for the rest of us in supporting this settlement.” Don’t you mean Brenneman failed at his duties?
Debbie
Chicken Little called. She wanted me to tell you the sky is falling. If paying my property taxes classifies me as a “nut”, I’m happy to wear the title!
By commonsense on 03-10-10
Probably there are few here that believe a property owner should be able to do anything they want with their property. That’s an overstatement. This perception is what happens when a person speaks out in support of some of the development that goes on. Most all would agree that compliance with environmental and health laws is important. To those who believe no one should have private property: You live in the wrong country. Try another country more suited to your political philosophy. This is one of the fundamental rights on which our country was founded. There are those who appear to advocate no development no matter what laws are tromped on, and can’t seem to get past the emotional loss of another patch of ground becoming living space. Get over it. It is going to happen while you are alive and long after you are gone. Granted, it will be slow for a while with the economic situation. With many of the problems the county finds itself on the defensive due to the methods they sometimes use. Sometimes questionable. Sometimes illegal. Most times without having any repercussions for either of these. So those on either side of an issue dig in deeper in order to keep their stance. This settlement issue shines a light where there is a problem regarding how loosely the county does business in some cases. The chickens appear to be coming home to roost on this one. Just when the money is the most scarce. Better leadership is needed at the county level. I don’t know who is best suited. It doesn’t look like Mr. DuPont has lived up to the property rights advocates expectations so the anti-growth crowd can rest a little easier. But some of the facts regarding Mr. Brenneman don’t look to good for the status quo. I’m not one to blindly support a public official if they aren’t up to the job. This appears to be the case with Mr. Brenneman since he did help negotiate the settlement and then voted against it. I think that’s a clear signal something is amiss and he is thick in the middle of the mess due to his votes. With the ailing economy there isn’t much to worry about. Not much money will be flowing into the valley for subdivision development in the near future. This valley needs to be able to focus on attracting business. We need leaders who know how to do this. This requires a reliable county government that operates legally.
By debbietant on 03-10-10
Harray. Joe Brenneman just filed for re-election. It is time to teach the property owners in this county a lesson ! RE-ELECT JOE BRENNEMAN, FLATHEAD COUNTY COMMISSIONER !!!
By Alice on 03-10-10
commonsense
You said, “This appears to be the case with Mr. Brenneman since he did help negotiate the settlement and then voted against it.” You are absolutely right. Brenneman signed an agreement and then voted against it - (no doubt for political gain). Hardly what I would call a man of honor.
By inthemiddle on 03-10-10
And the best the republicants can come up with is a senile 120 year old man, and the queen of ADM who doesn’t even live in the right district to run.
By inthemiddle on 03-10-10
It may be a dead man the republicants choose to run against Joe, I mean as old as Gipe is he will be pushing it to make it to election day.
By mongo on 03-10-10
Taz, don’t kid yourself. Many, many, moderate Republicans still support Brenneman. They are well-connected, affluent, and they vote. They are the last people you will see shaking their fists at planning board meetings, the last people you will see on blogs such as this, and the last people you will see taking sides publicly. They are also some of the last people who take the property rights fringe seriously, even tho they might both have voted for Bush or McCain. Why? Because, at least in part, they see Crowder and the crowd as just too redneck, too simple minded, and too radical to ever vote for the candidate they recommend. They remember Gipe as an old-timer Good ‘ol Boy who takes care of his old buddies first and to heck with the rest of ‘em and they know Holmquist is one step to the right of Denise Cofer. Holmquist is about as unsophisticated as you can get AND she thinks public land is evil. Keep whistlin’, Dixie, but you’re in for a bumpier ride than you think. And be sure to tell Alice.
By CoffeeJunkie on 03-10-10
35.00 apiece Taz, for every Flathead Valley resident. Thanks Brutus for an honest NON name calling post. I wonder if Brenneman flipped sides because he knew how many of us do believe in what he did?
By overandback on 03-10-10
You’re a dinosaur, Taz. And, by the way, it was Gary Hall who got us into this “donut hole” problem with Whitefish by recommending rescinding of the original agreement. Gary Hall was NOT anti-property rights but just not in your pocket enough to suit you. Apparently he had a conscience.
By Alice on 03-10-10
Mongrel,Sounds like you sit on the board for Republicans for the Flathead. That group of lefties who try to pass themselves off as Republicans.
Do you even know Holmquist? Ever have a conversation with her? My guess is no. You’d have to have integrity for that.
Did you get off the DEBBIE TRAIN at CRAZY TOWN too? Or are you still helping her look for the mind she lost?
By overandback on 03-10-10
Alice, OMG, you’re one of those extremists, like Crowder, who decided that the Flathead Republicans (who, by the way, gave support money to Tammi Fisher) weren’t radical enough to suit you and sought to start your own retrogressive republican party, aka ADM. You and he are a burden and a disgrace for Flathead County. Grow up, and enter the 21st century.
By mongo on 03-10-10
I know Pam, Alice. I’ve sat with her in many meetings, spoken to her, sat open-mouthed while she talked about making public lands private. You can say “green and liberal” as if it’s an insult all you like, it’s a compliment to me. I know you have a very close relationship with Pam and that’s great. I understand you are going to defend her. But as I stated previously, lots of moderate/conservative voters think Joe is the better choice. Just keep that in mind as the campaign moves ahead. Be careful of pushing the ultra right-wing stuff too far, just like the national GOP, you are alienating people who would normally vote along party lines.
I’m not Loranger, Taz. But I also don’t give a rip when someone switches parties. I have more respect for someone who does what he believes in than just blindly follows the partisan candidate. And he’s pretty dang conservative, take it from me, an uber-liberal lefty loon.
as for CrazyTown, last time I checked, Verdell Jackson was mayor.
By Alice on 03-10-10
O&B
what the heck are you talking about? Flathead Reps supported Pam Kennedy. look up PK’s donor list.
i’ve got news for you - those of us who pay our property taxes are not a disgrace to the county rather, we’re the ones funding it. if you’re looking for those who are a disgrace to the county, start with debbietant.
By Alice on 03-10-10
mongrel-
i do not have a close relationship with holmquist. i have served on a comittee with her and have done business with her. i have found her to be a hard-working business woman of her word. i can see how that might disturb you - knowing she’s honest and has integrity. Ah well, not every candidate can be perfect.
By overandback on 03-10-10
Last I looked at my check book, I paid property taxes too. You have no claim to sainthood based on that. And don’t deflect the conversation by bringing up debbietant. Flathead Reps support the republican candidate, no matter who it is or what their platform is. Consider it a gift.
By mongo on 03-10-10
that all you got, taz? you would be oh so surprised if you knew who I was and how little I have to do with Citizens and how well I know conservative/moderate from radical right.
alice, she can be as hard-working and honest as the day is long. turning our public lands private is not only ridiculously radical, it’s downright scary. she’s going to need a serious platform makeover unless you think just the boondocks crazies are voting this year.
By Alice on 03-10-10
O&B-do you actually believe your own press?
I didn’t call myself a saint, you did. thank you. that’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me today.
By Alice on 03-10-10
mongrel-
that’s so sweet that you’re concerned about holmquist. i’m going to call you"Glenda the Good Witch” from now on. it gives me a warm fuzzy to know you truly care.
By mongo on 03-10-10
hey taz, keep it up and you can get this thread shut down, too!
By overandback on 03-10-10
Alice - once again we have to address your simplistic thinking. If you can’t rise above the “sticks and stones” type rhetoric of a child, please stop blogging. Clearly you have nothing more to add to this discussion.
By Alice on 03-10-10
O&B-
wadda ya talk? afraid you might have to come up with an intelligent argument? I understand. this blogging thing isn’t for everyone. there’s no shame in admitting it. i won’t think any less of you than i do at this moment. i promise.
By inthemiddle on 03-10-10
There is only one man alive that Taz could be. Someone who is as mean and nasty as rattle snake with its rattle cutoff. Someone who sees conspiracies in every kind act. Someone who would like to lockup anyone who has a different political view than he does. It has to be former Vice-President Dick Cheney. Gotta be.
By mitch on 03-11-10
actually ” inthemiddle”, I’ve wondered which one is Stokes? If not, sure enough his puppets.
By inthemiddle on 03-11-10
One could be Stokes but more likely Crowder or Thompson.Mix and match the rest Lapp, Skees, Larsen, Holmquist, Thornton, Tutvedt you know the bunch.
By Web Master on 03-11-10
This thread is being shutdown for violating the Beacon’s comment policy. Please refrain from personal attacks in your posts. Some comments have been removed.
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.