Taxpayers taking back control of government?
What a novel concept. 

All elected officials, whether school board trustees, city council members, county commissioners, state legislatures, governor, congressmen, senators, or president, should take notice.  You work for us.  Too bad Marc Rold did not win.  He would have been a welcome addition as well.  I am sure that he will stay involved regardless.

Good luck to all the newly elected officials.

It’s gonna be an interesting 4 years.

And let the community be cautious of Tammi as she favors those who paid her way through this election (Thorntons, Lapps, Larsens, Crowder, Thompsons).  It IS going to be a wild ride for Kalispell!  She will soon find out that having her name connected with that group is not necessarily a good thing!

We needed a change. . . let’s give her a chance. . . Mayor Kennedy, by her own admission, was very surprised that she lost . . .that speaks to her ego and how out out-of-touch she was with the community.  People are fed up with the status quo . . .

Destiny:
A quick search of those involved with planning boards and community issues found all the names you mentioned as being very engaged in community efforts. I did not find any “Destiny” having ever been involved except to complain about those who are involved. Therefore, I invite you to come out from behind the cloak of your screen name and attend a Planning Board meeting, City Council meeting, or Road Committee meeting. You may also contact me directly. I’m in the book.
Charles Lapp

Charles, Charles, Charles. You make a good point: all those mentioned are politically involved. That being said, they/you are also doing everything they/you can to push an agenda that many people, who are not as politically inclined, do not agree with. Sadly and to their detriment in this county, most people cannot dedicate a large part of their lives to sitting on boards and committees solely to further a personal agenda and protect their interests/pocketbook. I pray Tammi is truly capable of objectivity and can divorce herself as mayor (a non-partisan office) from some pretty extreme supporters. Her ebay comment brought back icky memories of that character up north. I hope she’s smarter than Miss “I can see Russia from my house.” I think she probably is, but how she uses that intelligence remains to be seen. Forgive me hiding behind a screen name, but I’ve met a few of the people mentioned and some of them can be rather frightening at public meetings. I wouldn’t want anyone mad at me.

Dear Mongo:
There you go again, accusing me of being politically motivated in my duties of public service. As a matter of fact, I consider myself to be a conservative however, my views do not come from a political agenda rather, they come from an agenda that has been fostered over a lifetime of owning property (paying taxes) and the protection thereof. Nothing would please me more than for anyone/everyone to have an opportunity to own a piece of property in the Flathead and make the most of that property.

If anyone is getting out-of-line at a public meeting or threatening harm, let the chairman of the meeting know. As far as anyone being mad at you…good luck trying to please everyone. Again, if you dare to come out from behind your screen name, feel free to contact me directly. I’m in the book.
Charles Lapp

mmmm . . . in this economy would I rather view art on the corners of US 2 & 93 or have snow removal in the winter, or sidewalks fixed?  Last winter my neighborhood had to hire a private contractor to plow us out because the city didn’t have the budget to get to our streets (which we pay for in our taxes!).  I think selling them is a brilliant idea (if contractual deals with the artists allow) . . .

mr. lapp…I found those names by looking at Tammi’s campaign contribution list, which has a strong resemblence to Mr. Dupont’s campaign contribution list, and it also bears a strong resemblence to the attendee list of the American Dream Mt rally at the Red Lion this summer.  And your are right, a couple of the names are the first two names that were appointed to the planning board this year.  Coincidentally, right after Jim took office.  Just my opinion but I think members of American Dream or placing people in strategic government positions.  again…just an opinion…that’s all…I’m sure I’m way out there….

From what I have seen at a few especially contentious planning board meetings in the past, the chair often sits back while Mr. Crowder has his way with anyone who disagrees with him. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll pass.

hmmm, not being a city dweller I didn’t pay too much attention to this election.  If she is a part of this American dream outfit the problems may be just beginning.

Dear Destiny and Mongo:

My offer still stands. If you have the courage to come out from behind the veil of your screen names, I’d be happy to buy you a cup of coffee. Feel free to contact me directly. I’m in the book.
Charles Lapp

Thanks mr. lapp, but no thanks….main reason…backlash…I have heard first hand reports of what your group does when crossed…lawsuits, even death threats.  I do hope some day some newspaper will pickup on this story and really investigate it though.  By the way, quoting you from above “Nothing would please me more than for anyone/everyone to have an opportunity to own a piece of property in the Flathead and make the most of that property.”, why then do you put covenants on your subdivisions?  Isn’t that restricting and even…(oh no not that word) PLANNING???

” If you have the courage to come out from behind the veil of your screen names, I’d be happy to buy you a cup of coffee. ”  says the spider to the fly.

Good move “destiny”.  This group thrives on intimidation

“Destiny”:
I too, am familiar with contribution lists and if you re-visit Fisher’s and Dupont’s you will not find American Dream, Crowder, or Thornton’s as contributors. If you look at ADM’s membership list, I am not a member. Do I support property rights? Yes. Do my subdivisions have covenants? Yes, because they are REQUIRED to have covenants. A call to the Planning Office will confirm.

In regards to the Red Lion forum, I was asked to make a presentation on the preparation of the Growth Policy. I would be glad to do the same for your group.

I’m fairly certain my name is not on any ongoing lawsuit and as far as “death threats” go, if you have any specifics on this, please contact the local Sheriff’s Office at 758-5610. This is not something to be taken lightly and I would defend your (and others) right to personal safety.

Once again, please feel free to contact me directly. I’m in the book.
Charles Lapp

Mitch, Destiny and Mongo:

How quickly we forget, Pam Kennedy was a founding member of Citizens for a Better Flathead, the far left anti-property rights group.  In addition, she was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, the far left Political Action Group of the far left environmental extremists.

Lets discuss supporters and C-5’s.  Steve Quinell, who ran against Dupont had Keith Hammer on his doner list and many other far left extremists.  Pam Kennedy’s sign was in Mark Holston’s yard.  Isn’t he the guy who called any of us who didn’t vote for Obama racists.  Check Kennedy’s C-5 and you will see many left leaning supporters.  Both Dupont and Fisher had a tremendous amount of doner and financial support.  The margins of both their victories shows a huge “grass roots” suport for their campaigns.

As for death threats, I agree with Charles Lapp, call the sheriff, or is this just made up propaganda crap.

As for me I’m in the phone book too, and am at planning board meetings often.  Give me a call and lets have a discussion about the issues without hiding behind a e-mail blog name.

Jeff Larsen

Seems that Tammi Fisher’s landslide has caused quite a bit of consternation for the extreme left. This was a legitimate election and the voters spoke.  The majority is fed up with the left wing politics of Ms. Kennedy.  The Thornton’s did not contribute to Tammi’s campaign, get your facts straight.  Oh, a small things like facts would mean nothing to you would it.  American dream did not hold a rally.  The meeting was for the public to review the illegal activities of public employees and the Lakeside neighborhood plan committee.  The meeting was for public information only and was a review of public documents generated by the planning office and the Lakeside committee.  Everyone has a duty to follow the law, sorry your friends didn’t and their wrong doing had to be exposed to those who were denied their right to participate by the actions of a few.  I am not an American Dream member, but wouldn’t be ashamed if I was.  I am also not afraid to put my name on my comment.  I stand up for what I believe in, if that bothers any one, so be it. I support your right to free speech as much as I respect mine, I also support open, honest government, a concept unfortunately not supported by all who disagree with me.  Tammi had the courage and guts to represent members of the public she felt had been wronged by a corrupt system.  Evidently the voters respected this and want Tammi to represent them in the same honest, open and gutsy fashion, the numbers speak for themselves.

This is certainly an interesting reader comments blog. I find it curious that although most comments favor the change in city government, the results of the current Beacon poll - Will the New Makeup of the City Council Improve Kalispell’s Economy? shows 34% Yes against 66% No.

So ... while the election landslided Ms. Fisher into office, it appears that 2/3 of the poll respondants don’t think it will make any difference in the City’s economic outlook. Hmmm - again, curious.

On another item, and being an artist, I would hope that the bronze sculptor’s contract requires payment in full. Nothing like government and corporate commissions to keep the rent paid! Further, I hope that Ms. Fisher offers them for sale locally rather than on eBay. I would like to see the pieces finally displayed somewhere locally as they were intended to be.

“ We the Corporations of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect marketplace, establish Profits, insure workforce instability, provide for the common defence of corporate handouts, promote the general Welfare of the Wealthy, and secure the Blessings of Greed to ourselves and our subsidiaries, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of Corporations.

In Greed we Trust

Why is everyone always complaining about corporations?

Good question.  There must be an answer and I doubt it has to do with the flow cells phones and other consumer goods.

To re-phrase…

Don’t like it?  Well, I hear “they’re” hiring in China, India and yes…Mexico…You know, wherever they can find the cheapest labor…and lowest taxes

Great post littlehawk. This one of the greatest corporate nations in the world. In fact we are all corporate identities. The big corporates of course hold the most political power as they should since the big corporations have the greater stake. We can invest in wall street if we want a bigger piece of the American pie otherwise our stake in insignificant.

We can…and we DO.

http://www.montanachamber.com/Who_We_Are/Misc_News/Montana_Goes_to_China

See you there…!

Vud; Bring back a couple cases of American Flags while there, and some pro league Baseball caps.

HaHaaaa.  Good one Billy !

Redhawk.

Curious what you think of the Applied Materials-Semitool buyout?

I guess it could mean cheaper,flashier cell phones…and if that’s all you’re worried about…if the ends justifies the means…“Just get those flash new products in my hot little consumer hands”

...then there truely is nothing to worry about.

Wrong hawk Vud.  Wasn’t me arguing here.