Standing up to the radicals

I am enormously grateful to all who have recently sent thanks to me for my efforts to protect the "doughnut" residents of Whitefish. As always, your stories have been sincere, heartfelt and full of the concern for our community that I have so long admired. For those who may question my commitment to your property values, rights and clean water, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight, again.

First, as Flathead County commissioner, my overriding commitment has always been to defend your property rights and property values, both from infringement from government, but also infringement from the rare, ill-spirited members of our community.

This has never been easy, and it becomes increasingly difficult as our communities become more crowded and opportunities for property infringement grows. I will always remain willing to listen, willing to learn, but I will not compromise on my promise to protect your property rights and your property values. My voting record the last five years clearly shows that.

Second, recent full-page newspaper attacks on our consideration of proposed stream, river and riparian setbacks for Flathead County are full of misinformation and, frankly, insults the intelligence of our citizenry.

Yes, the Flathead County Commissioners are looking at setbacks — it is our responsibility to consider proposals to maintain water quality and the integrity of our property rights and values. The commission used the state's Model Subdivision Regulations as a template, and the Commission immediately pulled out the stream setback provision to have our planning board review and seek public comment on, which currently is happening.

Our critics run advertisements using half-truths and fear to mislead county taxpayers and try to discredit the work of the commission. Not once in the past several years has our critics provided solutions or ideas to help us; it is always wagging the finger and making unsubstantiated accusations. Their silence allows a greater voice to those determined to stop growth and diminish our property rights, similarly to exactly what is currently happening with the city of Whitefish and its adopted Critical Areas Ordinance and Growth Policy.

I will continue to fight against those radical proposals until our friends, neighbors and fellow citizens say they want more regulation, less freedom and reduced property values. Until then, my position will be to oppose additional government regulation.

Lastly, our effort to protect the "doughnut" residents from the Whitefish Critical Areas Ordinance underscores the need for vigorous and continuing vigilance against community political leaders who believe that "they know better" than the citizens they represent — what those citizens can afford, what regulation is too much, how many consultants a citizen should have to hire to make ordinary property decisions, what delays in property transactions are reasonable, how much costs can taxpayers afford.

I am doing everything within my ability to rescind the interlocal agreement allowing the city of Whitefish to regulate our county residents. These county residents should not be subject to Whitefish's flawed and over-regulatory law, which greatly reduces their property values.

I would be happy to visit with you about how it all came about and when the council makeup was totally different. Please go to my Web site at www.garyhall4commissioner.com to respond to me or call me at 758-5506 to discuss what was going on at that time. I would go so far as to say, had that council and the commission known in 2005 when we signed the interlocal, what lay ahead, we would never have approved it.

I have never believed that there are smarter advisors in the community than you. That is why I will continue to listen, I will continue to learn, but I will not compromise on fundamental beliefs, and I will fight on your behalf when I believe those rights are threatened.

Again, thank you for your interest, your encouragement and your willingness to work alongside me to protect the Flathead for generations to come.

Gary Hall is the Flathead County Commissioner for the north valley.