Don't be fooled

Do not be "fooled" by the wording of Initiative 1-154. Read all the fine print. It is not about stopping the abuses of Eminent Domain. We are all pretty much opposed to abuses of Eminent Domain. This inniative would create massive new loopholes for irresponsible development - at a huge cost for all of us taxpayers. Our local governments here in the Flathead Valley alone would adversely be affected by any ability to adopt and enforce sound planning and water quality protection regulations, that is needed more than ever, to protect Flathead Lake and it's watershed.

A district court judge recently invalidated the initiative because of fraudulent signature-gathering. However, the decision has been appealed to the state supreme court, which has not yet ruled on this matter and could possibly overturn the lower court's decision. Because of printing deadlines, the initiative will still be on the ballot. Local taxpayers will be forced to pay millions to developers just to enforce existing laws. Cities and counties will be forced to cut services like fire and police protection or raise "your" taxes to keep your community safe.

All Montanans cherish property rights. I-154 is a radical idea, an expensive idea, and should have stopped at Eminent Domain issues. The rhetoric that was included leaves too many important questions unanswered and leaves massive new loopholes for irresponsible development. One has to look at what has happened in Oregon since a similar law took effect there. Special interests there are demanding $4 billion from taxpayers, according to the Salem Statesman Journal.

Very irresponsible development could be unleashed in your own neighborhood because basic rules and regulations that benefit the lasting quality of life in our communities and protect the value of our homes, clean water, wildlife habitats, will be battled for in courts, at all our expense.

Russell Johnson

Kalispell