Looks like this summer storm will be over us most of the day. Good time to go to the Property Rights in Kootenai County workshop, presented by the County, today at 5:45 pm in the Community Room in the CdA Library. Here’s the article on this subject that was in the Press last week. Any thoughts on this or other topics?
Update: The presentation is by the County, as I’ve just corrected above, but Brent Regan will be there to ask questions and share his views.
I sat through the meeting, and Tom Messenger is on arrogant smoozer, a real class act socialist tool. I hope the county commissioners are proud of their find, I’m embarrassed.
Comment by dinosaurman — June 26, 2012 @ 8:26 pm
I was there too, Dino, until almost the end when I had to leave. What a meeting! I think that Todd Messenger, who is the County’s hired land use planner from Colorado, had his eyes opened tonight. He tried very hard to pacify the energetic crowd, but his “cute” talk didn’t sway many of the County folks…the “elbows” and “cooling pie” references were a bit too folksy and rehearsed, if you know what I mean.
I was amazed by two things: First, that more than half the standing-room-only crowd was unaware of the County’s land use project until today, when most of them heard through word-of-mouth from their neighbors. The County didn’t send them any notices. And, as one man pointed out, “they always know how to contact me when my taxes are due!”
The second thing is that the County Commissioners, who were all there, sitting separately in the audience, did not get up to welcome or speak in any way until the very end of the meeting. Then it was Commissioner Dan Green who came forward first, followed by Todd Tondee and then Jai Nelson. Many people in the room did not know who they were…they never introduced themselves. Dan Green started to say his name, but was overwhelmed by the comments of a man loudly demanding there be no County land use plan what so ever. Dan turned and gave the microphone to the hired land use planner.
I am saddened by that, because I think our County Commissioners should be on the front line of this issue; they should be answering questions along with the Planner, and they should be responsible to make sure the County contacts the land owners to let them know about these meetings.
One more quick observation: The crowd was passionate but a few of them crossed over the line, in my opinion, when they mocked the Planner. There’s no need for disrespect at these meetings. Everyone should be able to voice their concerns in a decent manner.
Was anyone else there tonight? What are your thoughts?
Comment by mary — June 26, 2012 @ 9:15 pm
The “county” residents, not all the citizens of Kootenai county, should be able to vote on the acceptance of this boondoggle. It is the 29% of the county population that will have to live under these “restrictions”. Yes that’s what they are, restrictions. Prohibitions against your sovereign property rights.
Comment by Ancientemplar — June 27, 2012 @ 7:38 am