By dsrobins on 11-16-09
Isn’t it amazing that the Moonlighting Detective Agency hired by our Republican county commissioners to investigate the supposedly ongoing malfeasance in the county planning office still hasn’t spoken to anyone in that office ever since he was hired? He did, however, ask for more time and a lot more money from our Republican county commissioners to continue his investigation and report preparation, but here weeks later still nothing has been emerged. Do you suppose we after this fiasco is over, we can have another investigation of the county commissioners and why they embarked on this fool’s errand in the first place? Of course, rest assured, they won’t approve a dime for that.
By kalispelling bee on 11-16-09
My thoughts exactly, dsrobins. Four months and $10,000 and they didn’t ask a single question of the people in the office they’re supposed to be investigating? Are they reviewing the Magruder film or something? Every taxpayer in the valley should be outraged about this.
By mongo on 11-16-09
totally embarassing to know these men run our county. this whole investigation reeks. it’s cute how Dupont seems to know the most about the situation, like he and Ike are old friends…
By Russell Crowder on 11-18-09
Fear not Planning Warriors. On September 17th, in District Court, the County Attorney’s Office said the following: “There is no actionable duty owed by Harris, or other public employees, to provide honest government services.” The criminal activity eminating from the planning office may continue unabaited. Harris now has a get-out-of-jail-free card, courtesy of the Flathead County Attorney.
By kalispelling bee on 11-18-09
What criminal activity?
By kalispelling bee on 11-19-09
I feel like the redneck, egging on his drunken redneck friend who just announced, “Hold my beer and watch this.” I’m relieved you didn’t answer my question, Russell Crowder. You’re already perilously deep in slanderous water. Not really surprised you didn’t answer, though. It’s much easier to make vague accusations.
By dsrobins on 11-19-09
To top it off, did you all happen to notice that these same Flathead County Commissioners who hired the Moonlighting Detective Agency have just appointed former Repuoblican Senator Bob Keenan of Bigfork to be a member of the Planning Board. If your hired investigator didn’t pan out and couldn’t produce anything to support the corruption case, the next best thing to do is hire another corrupt Republican to oversee the Board. Ah, the stench of political corruption in Flathead County certainly exceeds that in New Jersey and we don’t even have the mafia here.
By jlarsen on 11-19-09
Seems funny to me that the majority of comments are smearing Republicans for this investigation. Didn’t Joe Brenneman vote to pay another $5000 to continue the investigation? Isn’t Joe Brenneman a Democrat? Maybe you should wait to see what the investigator comes up with before you start smearing people and their reputations. It is real easy to smear people using an e-mail blog name to disguise your identity. Why don’t you, dsrobins kalispelling bee and mongo let us all know who you are?
Don’t you think if there was nothing to this planning office stuff that the investigator would have rapped it up in a couple of weeks and said the alligations were frivolous?
Come out from your e-mail blog name and tell us who you are. Again as for me, I’m in the book, give me a call and we can discuss this and any other planning issues.
Jeff Larsen
By kalispelling bee on 11-19-09
Your math skills intrigue me, jlarson. dsrobins alone made two comments about Republicans. In your world, two out of seven comments is a majority? Please re-read what I wrote. I certainly did not “smear” Republicans.
My point was simply that in the course of a $10,000, four-month investment, the investigators didn’t trouble themselves to ask a single question of the department they are paid to investigate? I think that’s a travesty.
By mongo on 11-20-09
I made zero comments about republicans, as that has no bearing on my comment here. Some of my closest friends are in the GOP 
Simply put, I, like others, feel it is unprofessional, irresponsible, and plain stupid that the planning office was not contacted from the beginnng. Question: why is my identity so important? Could it be because you and your group (and yes, Mr.Larsen, there is a group) are so quick to judge people who do not agree with your position on property rights? Finally, we know you are in the book. So is Mr. Lapp. That’s great. There is a place for anonymity in debate, whether you like it or not. So keep pressuring people to shed their anonymity-it plays well with the other antagonizing tactics worn so thin by ADM.
By jlarsen on 11-20-09
Mongo and Kalispelling bee crack me up!!! They have concluded that the planning office wasn’t contacted based on statements from the planning office (the subjects of the investigation) without seeing the results of the official investigation. I would think that you would want to acually see the investigative report prior to putting out your propaganda.
Mongo, as for groups, what other made up groups do I belong to. It’s news to me that I am a member of some group. Typical made up BS from nameless e-mail blogs. Maybe
if you would reveal your identity we could see what group you belong to.
I’m surprised that you don’t have enough guts to reveal your name so we can have a person to person debate.
Jeff Larsen
By mongo on 11-20-09
Are you saying you are not and have never been a member of American Dream Montana, Mr. Larsen? I am not a member of any group. And it has nothing to do with guts, Jeff.
By jlarsen on 11-20-09
That’s exactly what I am saying, I am not a member of ADM and have never been a member of ADM. If it has nothing to do with guts, why don’t you tell us who you are. I love to debate anyone at anytime on any land use and planning issue. I just like to know who I am debating.
It seems to me that there is a group, Mongo, Kalispelling bee,
Kalispell Native and dsrobins that are a group of lefties that blog negatively against anything conservative. Are you a part of a lefty group or not?
Jeff Larsen
By mongo on 11-20-09
Nope, not part of any group. not.part.of.any.group. I am pro-choice in most every aspect of life, so if that makes me a “lefty” so be it. I respect your right to choose your religion, your partner, your career, your friends, and so on. Further, I respect your choice to associate with Crowder and ADM, even if you are not listed as a member. I respect your right to state your name. I would like you to respect my right to post anonymously. You will just have to trust that I am not here just to rage against conservatism, but that I actually have some experience with this stuff. I can’t win this argument, Jeff. If I stay anonymous, I lose. If I state my name, I lose. You can go on thinking I am part of a group, but I am not.
By Russell Crowder on 11-20-09
Just for your information Mr. Larsen, Mongo is the guy that slugged the horse in the movie Blazing Saddles. He obviously hates animals.
By kalispelling bee on 11-20-09
jlarsen, I believe you overestimate your importance here. I, for one, do not come to this web site to interact or “debate” you. I have no interest in who you are and no obligation or interest in interacting with you outside this forum. I’ve never even noticed you before your post last night.
For the record, I don’t know a single person at the planning office and have never had any contact with that office, ever. My opinion is that this “investigation” is a waste of tax-payers’ money, after both the county attorney’s office and the auditor’s office found nothing sinister going on at the planning office after their own investigations.
Extrapolate whatever you wish about me and my personal life or political leanings from my narrow opinion on this one issue.
By destiny on 11-20-09
Kalispelling bee…Meet Jeff Larsen, one of the newest members representing the citizens of Flathead County on the planning board. Kind of sad isn’t it…that he would even involve himself in this type of blog? It would be nice to have representation on the planning board that would not clearly be so one sided; that would be appreciative of others comments and ideas and not so disrespectful to citizens of Flathead County. Afterall he does represent ALL the citizens of the county on the Planning Board. He should be open and listen to ALL ISSUES THAT COME TO THE PLANNING BOARD and he should lose his personal agenda. Mr. Larsen has been selective and refuses to particpate in planning board meetings that discuss neighborhood plans. Mr. larsen may not be a member of ADM..who knows…it’s impossible to get a copy of their membership list….never the less…guilt by association. Just remember someone’s comment on an earlier discussion….“give me your name…said the spider to the fly”!
By mongo on 11-20-09
he was on the planning board for years before his return after a few years away. I believe he was reappointed by Lauman and Dupont
By emerson on 11-22-09
Is it true? Is Mr Larsen in favor of taking away the property right of individuals to create a neighborhood plan? Why Mr Larsen do you want to take away my property rights?
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
Thanks, destiny and mongo. It’s a shame that he wants to take his disagreements with people’s opinions to a personal level.
By mongo on 11-22-09
tazmanian, did you read any of the other posts? i’m not a member of those groups, or any other. wait, I’m in AAA, the auto club. there is more extremism in your one little post than all of ours put together…“shove down throats?” simmer down, tazmanian—and by the way, I could care less who you really are, your post tells me all I need to know. cheers.
By Kalispell Native on 11-22-09
Pot calling the kettle black.
Tazmanian said, “Do you feel so week about your opinions and positions that you will not disclose who you are?” Hypocrite.
By emerson on 11-22-09
Unless your real name is “tazmanian” I don’t see you “disclosing who you are.”
Are you are saying I am an extremist because I believe community planning is needed to protect everyone’s property rights? Are you saying I am an extremist because I believe that sprawl is bad for the taxpayer and for the quality of the community?
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
tazmanian, I am profoundly flattered by your interest in me. I do not belong to any of those groups. The only organizations in which I am a card-carrying member is the Flathead County Library and the Red Cross. I really don’t enjoy giving blood, but I do.
Now, I expressed my opinion that this investigation is a boondoggle. Do you have an opinion on the topic at hand or are you here merely to mix it up with people with whom you disagree?
By dsrobins on 11-22-09
When British settlers arrived in Australia and New Zealand, they discovered a nasty little creature living in the woods of a nearby island, that they named the Tasmanian devil.
Here’s a brief scientific description of the critter:
The real Tasmanian Devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, is not all that different than the Warner Bros. cartoon character. A carnivorous marsupial found exclusively on the island of Tasmania, the Tasmanian devil is the size of a small dog but stockier and more muscular. Unlike it’s brown colored TV characterization the real Taz has black fur. Other features include an offensive smell when intimidated, loud and disturbing screeching, and of course the vicious temperament.
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
Excellent, dsrobins. You even spelled it right 
By Billy on 11-22-09
Russell Crowder; I appreciated seeing your site and thanks mongo for bringing it up.
By Kalispell Native on 11-22-09
Spazmanian: Go re-connect to your beck/limbaugh/fox lies Kool-Aid IV drip.
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
What case was made, tazmanian? That people with whom you disagree somehow must be liberals? You haven’t even presented an opening argument in that case. You didn’t answer my question. Do you think this investigation is a wise investment of $10,000 in taxpayer money, beyond the cost of the auditor and county attorney’s investigation?
By Kalispell Native on 11-22-09
Tazmanian: That’s all sorts of better. A cogent statement of what you think. That’s way better than swaggering in here throwing right-wing talking point bombs.
Having said that, I’ll wait for the report to come out, and then determine whether it was worth the money or not.
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
tazmanian, thank you for your response. The very personal approach you take to people here and even the identical quote you used from the county attorney’s office sounds exactly like jlarsen’s comments. Is that a coincidence?
Regardless, I respect your opinion and, like you, I will await the investigator’s report.
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
Someone voted down Kalispell Native’s innocuous comment? Wow. Tough crowd.
By Kalispell Native on 11-22-09
kalbee: The population of rightwingnuttia is very petty and churlish. They can thumbsdown to their heart’s content because it’s anonymous…oh, the irony.
By kalispelling bee on 11-22-09
In fairness, Kalispell Native, we’re all anonymous here.
By Kalispell Native on 11-22-09
Predominately, yes. However, you have jeff larsen demanding that people come out from behind their nom de blog and tasmanian makes the same demand while using a nom de blog. Russ Crowder, for example, is quite frank about his postings and stays above that particular fray.
A lot of the places I go to allow you to see who rated your comment. That doesn’t happen here or the daily fishwrap site or a huge number of other sites. The set-up here isn’t that sophisticated, in so may ways-html capable and comment search being the most lacking.
By riverrunner on 12-19-09
Why haven’t we heard the outcome of this investigation? Does anyone know if anything has been released? It was supposed to be completed about six weeks ago.
By Russell Crowder on 12-19-09
I would not get your hopes up too high that the public will have access to the final report on the corruption that has become laughingly refered to as “Planning” in Flathead County. I believe that it will be impossible for the powers that be to throw Harris under the bus regardless of the determination of the investigation. Too many County Commissioners & County Attorney’s Office employees were up to their necks in these corrupt activities as well…If they throw Harris under the bus, they will soon follow, and they know it! The most backwater Louisiana Parrish run by “Boss Hog” has nothing over Flathead County when it comes to attacking property owners and property rights..Merry Christmas everyone…
By riverrunner on 12-19-09
Maybe I’m naive, but if the public is paying for this investigation shouldn’t they have a right to know what the complete findings are? Regardless of what position one takes regarding the planning office it would be appropriate to know the results of the tax dollars spent for this process. We all expect and want honest and responsible government. If it steps on some feet or shows some warts, well the facts are the facts.
By riverrunner on 12-19-09
I guess I have a different viewpoint on this. The investigator would be independently gathering facts regarding any complaints against the planning department. It isn’t surprising additional issues arise during an investigation. But there is no reason the taxpayers should spend money for the investigator to interview the planning office employees. Surely the planning department will be given an opportunity to respond to the complaints and the investigation findings, hopefully through a public process and not behind closed doors. Additionally, the investigator is just gathering the facts, correct? So when the results of the investigation are out in the public view, then the planning office can defend themselves publicly. Let the process unfold. But it should unfold publicly.
By kalispelling bee on 12-19-09
riverrunner, I couldn’t disagree more. As Mr. Eisentraut said from the outset of this investigation, he knows nothing about planning law or procedure. It seems a basic tenet of investigation to gather information from the accusers and take it to the accused. In this case, the planning office could point to receipts, state laws printed in black and white, and county ordinances, or they could have no defense to the accusations. It is not an “investigation” to merely compile allegations. A monkey could have done that.
By riverrunner on 12-20-09
An investigator certainly can perform a thorough gathering of facts. Planning isn’t rocket science. And to remind you, we may not yet know the full extent of items, complaints, allegations the investigator has encountered or the results of the interviews he has done. That is what the investigator said occurred. Additional complaints were revealed. They would be remiss not to investigate those. An investigator gathers the facts from the individuals involved. It isn’t their function to pass judgement. As stated, the planning office should have its time to present its responses but we don’t need to pay an investigator for the time for them to respond. This should be done in full public view so everyone knows the situation. I’m not sure why a couple of you appear to have such a bias regarding this but that’s your right. Usually where there is smoke there is fire. Someone saw fit to sue the county so it merits a full view of the conditions whether you agree with them or not. If the investigation facts exonerate the planning department, then that’s the facts. If it implicates them, then that’s the facts. But we have a right to know.
By riverrunner on 12-21-09
Mr. Crowder: Do you know if anyone has asked the county if the investigation has been completed and submitted to the county? It seems like it would be the appropriate question for one of the newspapers to pursue. At least to get an official response, yes or no.
By kirstenholland on 12-21-09
I want to clear up some misinformation about planning office employees not being interviewed. I am a former employee and was interviewed a month or so ago. I believe current employees were interviewed about that same time. I don’t want to debate with anyone, but I think it’s important that posters here know that he did interview those who work/ed for the planning office. kirsten holland
By kirstenholland on 12-21-09
No, not at all! I believe the investigator interviewed employees and former employees LAST, that is all.
By Molly Priddy on 12-21-09
Good morning. The story in question was written over a month ago and was accurate at the time. The investigation was still taking shape and the investigators could have spoken with office employees after this was published. The report should be finished soon, according to the county commission. Reports will be available for the public when it is finished and it will be on the commission’s agenda. The Beacon will be sure to follow up then. Thanks.
By kirstenholland on 12-21-09
thank you Molly
By riverrunner on 12-21-09
Agree. Thanks to each for keeping the information accurate.
By riverrunner on 01-06-10
Umm…It’s now seven weeks (almost two months) since this article looked at the status of the investigator report. It is well over three months, maybe four, since the appropriation of additional funds for the investigation. It is at least six months since the investigation was launched. Since the investigator hasn’t requested additional funding it surely should have been completed by now. Is something being buried here? Swept under the carpet?
By Russell Crowder on 01-06-10
riverrunner…It is my understanding that the results of the investigation are to be handed to the county next week…All bets are off as to whether Deputy Flathead County Attorney Johnathan Smith, isnt going to scoop it up and slink off to his dark hole before the public has a chance to see it. If I were a betting person, that would be where I would put my money!....About the only truthfull thing Harris has said during this whole sorid episode in what we so affectionately refer to as county planning, is that he never acted in any way without the complete knowledge and consent of the Flathead County Attorney’s Office…..If, as I believe the investigation will determine, the county has acted unlawfully as has been alleged, Smith and the Flathead County Attorney’s Office were up to their necks in it!!!...As I said a month or so ago, If Harris gets thrown under the bus on this, he will have a lot of company. By the way, no matter what happens, the organization American Dream Montana will shortly be offering the Flathead’s property owners an unequalled opportunity…Stay tuned.
By riverrunner on 01-06-10
Mr. Crowder: Wouldn’t the report from this independent investigation be required for public review? Wouldn’t “sunshine laws” apply?
By Russell Crowder on 01-06-10
riverrunner…I’m not saying that they would get away with trying to bury the results of the investigation. Knowing this bunch, what I am saying is that I would be real surprised if they don’t try…Remember, the Flathead County Attorney’s Office is the same office that recently said that public employees are under no legal obligation to “provide honest government services.”...Enough said?
By riverrunner on 01-18-10
It has now been over two months since this article checked the status of the investigator report. It is has been four months since the appropriation of additional county funds for the investigation. It has been over six months since the investigation was launched. The investigator has not come back for an additional appropriation of money for additional work so we should be able to assume his work has been completed. In the previous post Russell Crowder stated he heard the report would be submitted to the county last week. Any news? It does come off looking like the county is reluctant to publish the information and adds credibility to Mr. Crowder’s comments on this.
By riverrunner on 01-26-10
Another week has gone by and no news from the county regarding the investigation of the planning office. Do we have a cover up here? Does anyone else think this looks suspicious? Maybe its time for the FB to make a real investigative effort?
By emerson on 01-26-10
I agree- I would like it if the Beacon would report on the status of this report:
1) Is it done and submitted? If so - what does it say?
2) If not - Why not? and when will it be ready? Are there any potential consequences in the contract for a vendor that was paid $10,000 and did not deliver anything.
Looking for a little 4th estate action here please!
By riverrunner on 01-26-10
The public has the right to expect honest and open government. It just doesn’t look like that is what we are getting regarding this investigation. Something looks suspicious and it appears to back up some of Mr. Crowder’s claims. The press can play a pivotal role in keeping the county honest. Does the FB only report what is fed to them or do they ask pertinent questions and investigate?
By Russell Crowder on 01-27-10
BREAKING NEWS…The results of the investigation are supposed to be released this afternoon…Inside sources indicates that it is to be a “WHITEWASH’” exonerating Mr. Harris and his office from any wrongdoing…It appears that if Mr.Harris is thrown under the bus, there are to many high mucky mucks from county commissioners to attorney’s in the county attorney’s office that might have to follow him…SOO..Harris gets a pass! Such is the state of what we so affectionately call “planning” in Flathead County.
By emerson on 01-27-10
It seems that if the Independent Report showed wrong doing, Mr Crowder, you would have said, “See we told you so!”
and if the independent report shows no wrong, you are now saying “WHITEWASH!”
If the independent report shows no wrong doing, maybe your organization should come up with $10,000 to compensate the taxpayers for your false allegations? Instead, it looks like your strategy is going to be to cry conspiracy.
Starts making you look a little…. crazy and unreasonable?
By mitch on 01-27-10
Yup, Crowder sounds like a bit of a sore loser, but isn’t that what we expected all along? Absolutely his little cult should have to pay back the taxpayers money for their frivolous investigation. Isn’t it nice when the good guys win?
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.