The political game of misinformation and fear

By Steve Qunell

There's an old saying that truth is the first casualty of any campaign, and here we are again with the same old problem.

The first dose of misinformation came a couple of weeks ago when I was called the "green candidate from Massachusetts." In my lifetime I've lived in Massachusetts for a total of 10 months while earning a Master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education. And if being "green" means being committed to keeping Flathead County a special place in the face of rapid change and growth, I'll gladly wear that banner.

The other dose of misinformation - a more concerning one actually - came just last week when I was misquoted as saying that I want to raise taxes. That's just standard old political sound-biting and fear-mongering. Here's the truth: along with many influential Republicans, I spoke in favor of letting voters decide for themselves whether to raise their own taxes in order to help keep our working landscapes in production and to help guide new development away from sensitive areas. Unfortunately, to some folks the facts just don't seem to matter in an election year.

Since we're on the subject, however, let's look at our taxes. The poorly planned growth of the past has led to higher county taxes while simultaneously reducing services. We simply cannot tame the annual rise in property taxes and decline in services (more dust and potholes, declining water quality, slower response times) in emergencies without changing the way we grow. Check your tax bill; county taxes have not gone down despite over a decade of rapid growth in the Flathead — and that was the promise made by special interests who have benefitted tremendously from growth. What has gone down is the level or services we can expect from our county government. It is time for new leadership to end this hodgepodge of development that has placed the tax burden from growth on our hard-working families instead of on those who reap the biggest profits.

My opponent's campaign is heavily backed by these folks who profit greatly and stand to profit even more — that's the truth and you can find it at http://fnweb.isd.doa.state.mt.us/idmws/custom/cpp/candidate.asp.

I will work tirelessly to find solutions that respect the needs of small and large landowners and honor the special character of the Flathead. I will work to ensure that growth pays its way and that we reverse the continued decline in county services. My opponent simply isn't talking solutions.

There's one final point I d like to make. The issues in the commissioner race are neither Republican nor Democrat. This November I'm asking you to stand up and vote for our future. The hard-working families of Flathead County deserve a county government that respects and reflects our mainstream values. We also deserve to know the real truth and not be exposed to fear and misinformation designed only to deceive voters.

Steve Qunell is the Democratic candidate for Flathead County Commissioner.