Mr. Spaulding states in his letter that he “believes” that Jeff Larson associates with American Dream.  I don’t know if he does or not, however you don’t know either and should not be maligning the man for this in print if you don’t.

You seem to feel quite wounded over accusations that your wife and her friends have been maligned by accusations they were involved in less than forthright, transparent, open activities as required by law.  It is interesting to me that you can not thus understand Mr. Larson’s position.  Larson is a surveyer, he makes his living through working with the planning office, he was an author of the growth policy and is a very reputable man.  I can understand why he is upset that the director of the planning office made disparaging comments about him in writing to a committee.  Due to Harris position as a public department head, I can see where this would be damaging to a private individual.  Indeed the fallout from all of these events, caused by unprofessional conduct from the planning office its self has caused you to side with wrongdoers, against another “volunteer”.  These comments should never have been made by Harris, verbally, or in writing.  This conduct was extremely unprofessional.

I don’t know Mr. Larson although I have heard him speak on several occasions.  He has always been well spoken, rational, well read and made sense to me.  You’re wounded here and I think you should try to understand why Mr. Larson may be too.  Bottom line, Harris was wrong.

Mr. Spaulding
If you have a computer go to Microsoft Word type in “fringe” right click on it scroll down the popup click on “look up”. I looked it up for you these are the relevant definitions:

an area of action that is far away from the center of activity or interest in a specific field

the outer edge, or something considered to be on the outer edge and not central to an activity, interest, or issue

members of a group or organization who hold views not representative of the group and usually more extreme

not part of the established or conventional mainstream of something such as the movie industry, theater, or medicine

not in the main part of something such as a conference or organization, especially if putting forward or discussing radical or unconventional ideas

This is a perfect example; if it is not Mr. Harris’s way it is “FRINGE” .He used the term to “BULLY” Mr. Jeff Larsen and Mr. Lapp it’s wrong, it’s wrong, it’s wrong. Mr. Harris is narrow-minded (def ;limited and usually inflexible in outlook) to categorize these men in that way. HE IS NOT LEADERSHIP MATTERIAL.
Mr. Spaulding your third paragraph clearly shows you to possess the narrow-mindedness of Mr. Harris.

It seems to me that Mr. Spaulding is making the point some of the facts in this allegation were left out.  Another perfect example of twisting, turning, tweeking and omitting facts which is key to what ADM and associates like to do.  Mr. Larsen has supported ADM’s accusations to the point of not taking part in any discussion of the lakeside neighborhood plan in his planning board position.  As far the planning board goes, he made him self judge, jury and executioner of the planning committee.  It’s pretty obvious he aligns with the group American Dream Mt.
Bottom line, the facts are the facts and if Mr. Larsen left important information out so he could seem like the victim, and if he brings up Mr. Spauldings name in the content of this allegation, then Spaulding has the right to set the record straight from his view.  That’s all he’s doing.

So, now anyone who does not agree with your point of view is obviously aligned with ADM.  Since when did it become extremist in this country to be a free thinker?

Besides, Harris comments to the Lakeside committee doomed any rational discourse at the planning board level by Larson.  I would have recused myself too.

Further reflection, if Deb Spaulding’s butt was on a photo in the planning office on the wall riding a donkey in a sombrero labled Seniorita Spaulding, I think there would probably be hell to pay.  Just making a point since you can see anyone else’s point of view!

Somehow, most of you manage to miss the real point…

Mr. Larsen claims “Jim is one of his bigger clients and
that this [..fringe thinger..] hurts his professional reputation.”  One job? 12 years ago? And Jim is one of his bigger clients?  Who is bending the truth and grossly overstating the facts here?  And if he does it here, where else?

Any by the way, in this free enterprise system, Mr. Spauling can choose whomever he wants to do business for whatever reason he thinks is valid - as can Mr. Larsen.

If being called a “fringe thinker” can damage Mr. Larsen’s reputation, there must not be much of a reputation to damage.

Oh!  I forgot to mention that the email in question only went to some of the LNPC members and was not circulated further by either Harris or the LNPC.  Mr. Larsen has American Dream Montana to thank for it being published in the Daily Inter Lake.  ADM printed it in one of their full page ads for their public meeting at the Red Lion Inn. 
Lest you decide to say “it’s public information”—true—but isn’t it revealing that only ADM selectively picked it and published it for all the world to see.  Perhaps Mr. Larsen, who so vehemently denies connection to ADM should talk to them about his reputation.

If somebody makes claims that cause the taxpayer to investigate, that turn out to be based on false information, isn’t that illegal? Don’t people go to jail over stuff like that?

The claim that Mr Spaulding was Mr Larsen’s biggest client appears to be a fabrication. Tax dollars were spent chasing down that fabrication.

I have a copy of that report right here and it states “He claims the e-mail was sent to
Debbie Spaulding who is married to Jim Spaulding, and that Jim is one of his bigger clients and
that this hurts his professional reputation.”  That’s what Spaulding states in paragraph 3.  Don’t see how you missed it TAZ.

The allegatioins that were investigated did not turn out to be false, they were admitted to and then called merely, “mistakes”.  I agree with Taz.  Again, turn the situation around.  If Harris had sent the planning board an email calling Deb Spaulding a “fringe thinker” and her comments on the committee “dribble” would the Spauldings or any of the bloggers think this was an ok thing for Harris to do?  I think not, you’d all be asking for his head.  To quote an earlier blog, this is wrong, wrong, wrong, no matter which way you slice it.  We wouldn’t need any of this discussion if Harris hadn’t acted so unprofessionally and given so much legitimate ammunition to those who disagree with him.

Dear Mr. Spaulding:
Both you and I know that when Harris called Larsen and me “Fringe Thinkers”, it was NO compliment, in fact, if you include the rest of the email, where Harris says our comments are “Dribble”, that would reinforce he was trying to discredit us.

Unless you can come up with evidence that “Dribble” is complimentary (excluding the basketball move), the reality is that Harris is the Planning Director for Flathead County and in that capacity he has a duty to conduct himself in a professional manner. As we both know from attending many of the Lakeside meetings, sometimes emotions run hot and things are said amongst the citizenry however, as the Planning Director, Harris was TOTALLY out of line in referring to us in this manner and as No.8 also states, he did this as “encouragement” to the Lakeside Yahoo Group. As for the rest of the allegations you refer to, that is for the court to decide.
Charles Lapp

Mr. Spaulding’s comments sound suspiciously like that of “Lakesidian” on the Interlake blog. “Lakesidian” states he/she doesn’t know what the definition of “fringe thinker” is than proceeds to give said definition. This would be an indicator that Spaulding/Lakesidian doesn’t fully grasp the real issue at hand, which is, Harris is NOT a competant professional in any sense of the word. That being said, it would also indicate (by his actions) that Harris considers himself to be on a plane above the average citizen that entitles him to belittle the very public he supposed to serve.

Is this the same Jim Spaulding that was part of that illegal website group in Lakeside? If you would, please keep your socialist agenda confined to the Lakeside-Somers area with the rest of those “Laker RINOs”.

Now, If you’ll excuse me, I need to go and lobby the state legislators on behalf of logging Flathead Lake.

Logging Flathead Lake is a wonderful idea and a great way to stimulate the economy! It is my understanding those trees in the lake can provide some of the most goregous wood for furniture and other products. As a resident of Lakeside, I’m all in favor of logging the lake. It makes perfect sense. Let’s put the plan into action!

Mr. Spaulding you and the rest of your self-righteous group go on, keep blaming the VICTIMS.

Yes, Yes, Yes! Let’s log Flathead Lake! We’ve got resources in the water we could be using to create jobs. I’d support it 100%!

I knew a guy that wanted to log Somers Bay, had trouble with the permits.  I think its a great idea!!!  I’d support it too.

TAZ…
if you read the report, you obviously must have skipped Allegation #8…

WOW… glad I got so much out of my two posts of facts… not sure how any of that turned to logging the Flathead…. just goes to show the thought process being blogged…. you draw the conclusions…
That’s it for me…

Someone should contact the History Channel, and see if they’d do a segment on logging the Lake in their Ax Men show.  That’d boost the local economy in a huge way.  BTW, who owns the timber in the Lake?
My grandad was a “River Pig”, and rode many a boom down the Swan to Bigfork, then on to the mill at Somers, nearly a century ago.  I remember him talking about the many “sinkers” that were lost every year.

Jeff Larsen and Russ Crowder are on the same team. larsen may or may not be a “member” of american dream, but they are politically on the same page and cozy as salt and pepper. Jeff Larsen, as member of the planning board, sat by during many planning board meetings while crowder slandered planning staff to the point of defamation. larsen is just as obligated as an appointed board member as any public employee to be fair and impartial. so those of you so rabidly defending him should consider that. and you know who is missing from this discussion? Rick Breckenridge. now there’s a “fringe thinker” for you.

Good letter Mr. Spaulding.  After sifting thru all the hate filled messages and name calling and outright fabrications it’s refreshing to hear from someone who will give us honest information.  The findings of the determination on the frivilious lawsuit made it clear there was no wrongdoing.  It is nice to know the truth and your letter was a welcome addition.  I still wonder why these people are not responsible to repay $10,000 to the taxpayers?
Thank you Mr. Spaulding.

Mongo, wheres Barb Miller, Bruce Young, John Ulrich, Andrew Hagemier, etc.  now theres some people who respect the rights of everyone, the constitution and the law
for you!

” the ramblings of very bitter individuals bent on unfounded personal attacks against ones fellow citizens” seems to be the norm for several of the bloggers who seems to work their rude postings into every thread.  .  Thankfully most of us are more interested in the truth than falling for the rants of the bitter.    Thanks again to Mr. Spaulding and to the those responsible for bringing the truth to the false accusations about the planning committee.

taz and blusky: unless one of you is Rick B., I can’t imagine what about my last post has made you so angry! And Taz, being on the left is not something to be ashamed of, nor is being on the right. Sorry to name-call, but you behave like a spoiled child in most of your posts. Put on your grown up pants and stop whining.

I’m not angry Mongo, merely making a point.  You’d be surprised if you knew who I was.  I’ve never lived in Lakeside, but I am an old timer and was born in the valley.  I’ve been here a long time. Long enough to hear a lot of stories.  One of the stories I heard from the father in law of a young fellow who did some work on the Lakeshore for another young fella named Bruce.  It involved digging a huge pit and dozing several barrels of toxic chemicals from a boat building business young Bruce inherited from his father into a pit not too many yards from the Lakeshore.  I’ve always thought he musta felt bad about it later, because since that youngin has lobbied quite a bit as a “laker”.  You’d be surprised what I know being an old timer from herabouts.  My point here is stick to the facts you know.  EVERYONE has skeletons whether they are liberal or conservative.  Everyone doesn’t always do the right thing doesn’t matter what politics they follow.  Don’t be blind, oral sex is sex

Now that you mention it BLUSKY…that story rings a bell. I’ve been here 41 years and remember that story too. Sounds as if the self-proclaimed mayor of lakeside has a pile of bones of his own doesn’t it? Hmm…interesting.

I have tried to refrain from participating in the wild speculations in the press and their blogs concerning the events that triggered a county investigation into county “Planning” activities and the activities of county planning director Jeff Harris. This is a scene that is far from being played out and when it is, I predict that some of its noisyest and most prominent actors will be feasting on a little crow, followed by a healthy slice of “humble pie.” 

    Mr. Spaulding’s letter however is such a piece of work, personal attacks and revisionist history,  that I just can’t bring myself to let this one go.

    In Mr. Spaulding’s world the term “Fringe Thinker,” is now a compliment.  As one of the targets of that term by the county planning director, I guess that would depend on what your definition of “is” is.

    Mr. Spaulding is upset because he believes that his wife has been maligned by an individual because that individual simply pointed out inconsistancy’s between the activities of the group she Chaired, the Lakeside Neighborhood Plan Committee (LNPC), and the requirements of state law that group was required to uphold.  If it is done in the name of “Planning,” apparently the exposure of missdeads is now far more serious in Flathead County than the commission of those missdeads.

    His wife, Mrs. Spaulding is in a position to settle this matter here and now.  As the Chair of the LNPC, is she now prepared to release the missing 200 plus public documents that our organization, American Dream Montana and others requested, as is required by law?  That would be a major step by her committee to restoring the publics confidence that the LNPC does indeed have nothing to hide from the public and the Lakeside community.  It would also be a major step by that committee to FOLLOW THE LAW, second only to when the LNPC finally bowed to public pressure and shut down their secret and illegal “members only” website.

    Since I don’t really expect this “secret society” called the LNPC to do any of this, I would offer a small piece of advice to the loudest actors in this dark comedy called “County Planning;  When the final curtain comes down on the last act:  bon appite.

I know someone who knows where it is.

Blusky, thanks for mentioning oral sex. I’m sure that made everyone’s day. creep.

Russ: post your membership list if you want to talk “secret societies.” and where is Rick Breckenridge?

It is only the words of the great leader Clinton.

Get the laws and let me know. Its pretty common knowledge where its at.  Like I said I know someone who knows exactly where it is.  They witnessed it being filled in.

It can’t be overstated that Mr. Harris should not be rehired.

Taz, eibba, etc.  I am still waiting to hear whether or not you are willing to condemn the illegal and unethical way that ADM requested and conducted the commissioners’ meeting in which they wire brushed Jeff Harris.  It appears to me that, since you won’t respond, that you have higher standards for others than you do for those who share your political views. 

There you have it, folks.  The supporters of absolute property rights and the ADM hold themselves above the law and standards of common courtesy and civility - a prime example of “the end justifies the means.”   

Want more of this?  Keep voting for candidates in the pocket of ADM.  Their rights will be sacrosanct, while any other voice, if it is heard at the county or city level at all, will be belittled and disregarded.  The political machinery to accomplish is in place and thundering forward.

G*d help this county.  And, oh yes, ADMites, G*d does want ALL of his children to be heard and served.

Isn’t it funny how someone can make up a ficticious story, and immediately some of the bloggers will fall for it hook, line and sinker.  It’s called malicious gossip guys, otherwise known as a lie.  Do you realllllly fall for this stuff, or just repeat because you have nothing to say that makes sense??.  Are you jealous of the lakefront property he may own?  You try to tear someone down because your nasty rude comments are not traceable.  Most of us see thru you.  What a coward you are.

talking about toxic waste dump tiz, but then you already knew that.    duh

Taz, I understand that not having (or revealing) a member list gives ADM deniability.  So they are (or he is) extremely lucky to have people such as yourself step up to do ADM’s work and carry the torch for its goals.  Many years ago, there were volunteers like yourself (and other non-members who champion and assist the ADM cause) who did the work of the Communist Party.  They were called “travelers.”  They attended meetings and rallies sponsored by the party and got information and advice and goals outlined for them.  Sound familiar?  They were also willing to destroy anyone or anything in their path in order to achieve their goal.  This, of course, also describes the fundamental Islamists and their volunteer terrorists.   

To answer your question, the meeting I am referring to is the commissioners’ meeting at which the well orchestrated attack on Jeff Harris was launched.  Time before the commissioners was requested by someone (not a member of ADM?) for the topic of neighborhood plans but used to attack Harris.  That violates Roberts Rules of Order and MCA.  Can’t you condemn that illegal, unethical, and unprofessional tactic? 

And, yes, Director Harris should have been more careful of his wording in referring to those who were disrupting the LNPC meetings and the budding Somers neighborhood plan efforts in an effort to derail them.  Perhaps “non-mainstream non-participants” would have been the more PC thing to say. 

Finally, you are wrong about my political allegiance.  I am far far from a left wing anything, espcially a “kook.”  I’m just a mainstream Republican participant.

Here’s another story for you.  Rumor has is, that Harris, Brenneman and their cronies just cost the taxpayers a MILLION dollars last Friday with another one of their little, “mistakes”.  Choke on that one.

Blurtsy, what kind of sick kick are you getting my going from thread to thread spewing out lies?  You are one messed up dude.

Nope, setteled out of court on a small land matter called Northshore I think.  Probably be in the paper soon and you can feel sick yourself.

blusky why don’t you have some ball$ and reveal yourself. you, tazmanian, and eibba are giving yourselves away. better to pay a million than live with that mess on the northshore of the lake some of us don’t want to see turned into Couer dAlene

Mongrel, you should probably strap on a pair and reveal yourself first!

By the way, they granted the guy his subdivision in addition to buying his swampland open space so you’re gonna get the Couer dAlene you so despise and pay a million bucks for the priviledge.

If there is a million dollar settlement paid by public funds, every reporter in this county should be fired for missing the story. If there is a million dollar settlement paid by public funds, every word of the judgment is a matter of public record. Let’s have the name of the plaintiff and I can tell you tomorrow morning if there is such a settlement. Otherwise, one might think you’re bluffing.

Nope, not a bluff, the plaintiffs are NorthShore Development.  The guy lives in Californy.  He’s laughing all the way to the bank.  The county just bought all his open space for a million and gave him his subdivision.  Call your local commissioner if it doesn’t hit the paper.  I’m not a reporter or a lier.

I didn’t call you either, BLUSKY. If you’re right, some editors should be sharpening their whips.

No you didn’t I appologise.  I also agree with you.  Could it be that the county was not very proud and so did not announce it?

BLUSKY good reporters check the courthouse records every day. It would be a very sad day when the only news they have is what the commissioners or anyone else decides to give them.

I don’t think settlement confrences show up on the court docket and unless you know the players, the events, and the timing you don’t know which file to ask for.  Also alot of people have been trying to make the point for some time that there are many less than honorable players involved in these planning manners.  The scary part is there are untold numbers of land lawsuits waiting in the wings.  Hide and watch the Flathead taxpayers may be in for one hell of a ride courtesy Jeff Harris.

I’m not unaware of the commissioner’s and county attorney’s involvement in these events.  I’ve often pondered why they all so vehemently defend Mr. Harris’, “mistakes”.  After a while it becomes rather obvious that there is some type of collusion going on at some level.  Why else would those in positions of authority tolerate the illegal activity and wrongdoing to the citizenry that has come out of this planning director?

Seems state laws get twisted to suit people’s agendas quite regularly.  Funny how the twisters get exonerated, while the twistees become pinatas with everyone taking a swing at them.  Moral to the story? Keep your yap shut if you see someone doing something wrong, or you’ll be put in the crosshairs and villified, rightly or wrongly.

Montana’s 1972 Constitution was the first state constitution in the US that established strong open meeting and public participation rights for its citizenry.  EVERYTHING that government does, even down to sub-committees of committess of boards and agencies, is subject to these laws.  Furthermore, this particular section of the law is to be ‘liberally construed.’  In other words, when in doubt, make it open and above-board.  When in doubt, make it public.  Failure to do so could, and should, make whatever was done improperly null and void.  Anyone who violates this fundamental mandate should be removed from the process.  The Planning Staff is or should be monitoring everything it is involved in to ensure Montana’s open meeting laws, etcetera, are adhered to religiously.  If the Planning Staff can’t or won’t do this, then they should be removed.  And if the Commissioners won’t enforce this part of our State Constitution, well, rot usually begins at the head.  Or maybe it’s the other end.

Toxic waste?  Contact Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality.  Look in the phone book or on the Internet for the right division at MDEQ. Or call the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in Kalispell—they’ll put you in touch with the right people.

Kalispelling, have you checked on that settlement yet?

The settlement conference was held in the Flathead County Attorney’s office on February 5, 2010.  Check the archived commissioners minutes and you will see it there.

I find it more than a little interesting that after some actual facts, ( that cast the actions of the planning office and the ultimate cost to the taxpayers) are posted that you people can actually check out and confirm with your commissioners none of you want to play any more.  Hmmmm, interesting, you planners don’t want to comment on your bosses slip up?  I think we should call it SWAMP GATE.  I’ve made a few calls and confirmed enough to know it is very true and it is going to cost the taxpayers one hell of a pretty penny.

Re the so called “northshore” development, it might be useful to look up the name Averill.  The Averills of Flathead Lake Lodge and Whitefish Lake Lodge.  Not sure of the first name, because it’s a big family, but a proposed Averill development just west of where the Flathead river enters the lake and runs next to the wild game and bird preserve was turned down late last summer.  The land was to be purchased from someone else and the purchase was contingent upon zoning approval.  The Averills are among the largest landowners in the Bigfork area and are doing their best to pillage what little remains.  If memory serves it was one of the younger male Averills who wanted to develop that land.  They’re already losing a bundle on their Saddlehorn development because of the recession, so a large lawsuit against Flathead County the Flathead County planning decision would not be very surprising since a lot of money was at stak.e  

I emphasize that I don’t know what actually happened and don’t have any inside information.  I’m just wondering what happened and recalling what I read in the local press.

I believe your’e on the right track ds.

doug averill has nothing to do with the northshore development

A young Averill had something to do with it at its inception I believe.  However, since the project was previously not approved Im pretty sure the suit was filed by the owners at the time it was turned down.  As I understand it, there was no Averill ownership then.

I must confess that I do not have knowledge of who the players are.  I just know that the county had to settle it up for some biiig moola!

Taz, Mongo knows stuff.  He blogged earlier about little cour’ de alene.  He just knows stuff.

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 where it is…”  Want me to make a list of those blogging here that surely are guilty of puffery?  Hmmmmm….. can puffery be construed as dribble?  Methinks, yes…. Maybe Jeff had it right in the first place.