Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By John SInrud on 11-05-07
If the Governors offices was open, then the Governor would provide the requested information for not cost. But rather the Governor has decided to provide information at a cost and there are not cost controls on that cost. Thus my request would have cost me thousands of dollars and the real issue is that they can an will use these lack of cost controls as a hinderance for all that want to see whats going on in his administration. Also the Governors office needs to have a policy that all e-mails must be retained for longer than 45 days.
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By stan manly on 11-05-07
Mr. Sinrud, I find it disturbing that you expect the taxpayers of Montana fund your partisan fishing expedition against the Governor. Governor Schweitzer has the most open administration in Montana’s history. I’m not sure what you expect to find by sifting though thousands of e-mails, but if that’s how you want to spend your free time, then don’t ask me and my fellow taxpayers to fund it.
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By j davis on 11-05-07
Stan, You got it right it is a partisan fishing expedition. Schweitzer has had to deal with a legislature composed of wingnuts. Remember when they appointed nutcase Rick Jore to head education knowing he is against public education. Not to mention the appalling antics of Scott Sales and the rest of the obstructionist GOP contingent. They tried everything to undermine Schweitzer’s administration but fortunately Montana voters didn’t buy it. Almost everything that is wrong in Montana can be laid squarely at the feet of the Republicans who have been in power for the last 20 years.
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By Nick on 11-05-07
I agree that this is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money, HOWEVER, if the governor ran on an “open” campaign policy, then he brought this upon himself. If you want an open administration, then this is what you get. You can’t say one thing, and get upset when someone calls you on it. That is checks-and-balances and the reps, however much of a waste of time it may be, have every right to call him on his promises. Everyone is quick to call Bush on everything and hold him to his “promises”, yet when it comes to their party/governor they get all defensive. The gate has to swing both ways people.
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By John SInrud on 11-05-07
Stan, it’s kind of funny that you accuse me of a fishing expedition when you don’t even know what I was looking for. Wouldn’t you like to know if there where any communications for hiring certain people that might not be qualified for a public job. The only qualification for getting the job was to be an elected official. What about if some people had concerns that certain people were given contracts from the government and all you had to be is a friend of the governor. If a constituent has a question then their questions should be answered through documentation to prove that the appearance of impropriety is wrong, that’s what open government is. Also what about destroying e-mails after 45 days? J Davis, what is wrong with Montana, lets be positive, Montana is a great place and we still need to improve the opportunities for people and families to stay in Montana and earn a good living.
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By stan manly on 11-05-07
Nick, having an open government does not mean dropping everything you’re doing to satisfy the whim of a political opponent. If sinrud has a legitimate claim, he has legitimate avenues to get the information he wants. Fact is, he does not- so he is forced to try and tie the hands of the Governor with frivolous information requests that he wants the taxpayers of Montana to pay for. sinruds goal is not to get information, it’s to tie the hands of the Governor with frivolous requests… period.
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By John SInrud on 11-05-07
Stan, how do you know if my request is legitimate or not. Nick has a good point, just because one is the opponent (as you state) of the governor doesn’t make every request frivolous. I’m impressed that you have given the Governor Saint hood for being honest.
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By stan manly on 11-05-07
john, my only point was that you, as a sitting legislator, have official ways of getting information from elected officials, I believe that is called the Legislative Auditor. I suspect that by going around the Auditor, you understand full well that your request is frivolous and aimed solely at wasting the time of the executive branch.
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By John SInrud on 11-05-07
Stan, regarding the legislative auditor you are correct. In fact I discussed this with the auditor and they suggested that I ask the Governors office directly. That way it would speed up the process, that’s when I found out that the Governors office could charge any cost that they would like. I also found out that the policy of the executive branch is to delete all e-mails after 45 days. Would you like to know if the Governor or anyone else had communications regarding legislative favors for employment? Even the federal government with all its problems can not hire elected officials while in office; don’t you see a problem with this? Therefore your accusation of frivolous is wrong and you should at least analyze the issue before you start making accusations.
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By This Makes Me Need to Fart on 11-06-07
Great job republicans, knock yourselves out.
This is a good reason for having the legislature meet every other year.
Can we still shove it, I’m asking. You brought it up.
Don’t start anything you cannot finish, repubs.
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Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By John SInrud on 11-05-07
If the Governors offices was open, then the Governor would provide the requested information for not cost. But rather the Governor has decided to provide information at a cost and there are not cost controls on that cost. Thus my request would have cost me thousands of dollars and the real issue is that they can an will use these lack of cost controls as a hinderance for all that want to see whats going on in his administration. Also the Governors office needs to have a policy that all e-mails must be retained for longer than 45 days.
By stan manly on 11-05-07
Mr. Sinrud, I find it disturbing that you expect the taxpayers of Montana fund your partisan fishing expedition against the Governor. Governor Schweitzer has the most open administration in Montana’s history. I’m not sure what you expect to find by sifting though thousands of e-mails, but if that’s how you want to spend your free time, then don’t ask me and my fellow taxpayers to fund it.
By j davis on 11-05-07
Stan, You got it right it is a partisan fishing expedition. Schweitzer has had to deal with a legislature composed of wingnuts. Remember when they appointed nutcase Rick Jore to head education knowing he is against public education. Not to mention the appalling antics of Scott Sales and the rest of the obstructionist GOP contingent. They tried everything to undermine Schweitzer’s administration but fortunately Montana voters didn’t buy it. Almost everything that is wrong in Montana can be laid squarely at the feet of the Republicans who have been in power for the last 20 years.
By Nick on 11-05-07
I agree that this is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money, HOWEVER, if the governor ran on an “open” campaign policy, then he brought this upon himself. If you want an open administration, then this is what you get. You can’t say one thing, and get upset when someone calls you on it. That is checks-and-balances and the reps, however much of a waste of time it may be, have every right to call him on his promises. Everyone is quick to call Bush on everything and hold him to his “promises”, yet when it comes to their party/governor they get all defensive. The gate has to swing both ways people.
By John SInrud on 11-05-07
Stan, it’s kind of funny that you accuse me of a fishing expedition when you don’t even know what I was looking for. Wouldn’t you like to know if there where any communications for hiring certain people that might not be qualified for a public job. The only qualification for getting the job was to be an elected official. What about if some people had concerns that certain people were given contracts from the government and all you had to be is a friend of the governor. If a constituent has a question then their questions should be answered through documentation to prove that the appearance of impropriety is wrong, that’s what open government is. Also what about destroying e-mails after 45 days? J Davis, what is wrong with Montana, lets be positive, Montana is a great place and we still need to improve the opportunities for people and families to stay in Montana and earn a good living.
By stan manly on 11-05-07
Nick, having an open government does not mean dropping everything you’re doing to satisfy the whim of a political opponent. If sinrud has a legitimate claim, he has legitimate avenues to get the information he wants. Fact is, he does not- so he is forced to try and tie the hands of the Governor with frivolous information requests that he wants the taxpayers of Montana to pay for. sinruds goal is not to get information, it’s to tie the hands of the Governor with frivolous requests… period.
By John SInrud on 11-05-07
Stan, how do you know if my request is legitimate or not. Nick has a good point, just because one is the opponent (as you state) of the governor doesn’t make every request frivolous. I’m impressed that you have given the Governor Saint hood for being honest.
By stan manly on 11-05-07
john, my only point was that you, as a sitting legislator, have official ways of getting information from elected officials, I believe that is called the Legislative Auditor. I suspect that by going around the Auditor, you understand full well that your request is frivolous and aimed solely at wasting the time of the executive branch.
By John SInrud on 11-05-07
Stan, regarding the legislative auditor you are correct. In fact I discussed this with the auditor and they suggested that I ask the Governors office directly. That way it would speed up the process, that’s when I found out that the Governors office could charge any cost that they would like. I also found out that the policy of the executive branch is to delete all e-mails after 45 days. Would you like to know if the Governor or anyone else had communications regarding legislative favors for employment? Even the federal government with all its problems can not hire elected officials while in office; don’t you see a problem with this? Therefore your accusation of frivolous is wrong and you should at least analyze the issue before you start making accusations.
By This Makes Me Need to Fart on 11-06-07
Great job republicans, knock yourselves out.
This is a good reason for having the legislature meet every other year.
Can we still shove it, I’m asking. You brought it up.
Don’t start anything you cannot finish, repubs.