Commissioners lack courage to pave North Fork Road

To the editor,

Paving the 10-mile stretch of the Highway 486 portion of the North Fork Road has absolutely nothing to do with other county roads in need of paving. Joe Brenneman’s assertion that “There are 50 miles of road ahead of the North Fork Road (that need paving)”, is disingenuous and deceptive. He is wrong that paving this section of road “... makes no fiscal sense.”

The recently completed study very clearly pointed out that state and federal funding may be available if a proposal is submitted to the state and Western Federal Lands, a division of the Federal Highway Administration. Once prioritized, the project would be considered for funding from state and federal resources. Funding would include environmental assessment costs, design and construction. County residential roads are not eligible for federal funding. When the project is completed maintenance becomes the responsibility of the state and the county is relieved of this expense.

Brenneman knows this. And so does Jim Dupont. Dupont’s negative comments regarding the road have ranged from the outright offensive to the downright silly. As I have stated previously, these politicians have a determined unwillingness to take action which could eventually improve a much-traveled scenic road, comply with the Clean Air Act of Montana and reduce taxpayer expense. So-called “public buy-in” is not needed to do the right thing. What is needed is political courage, common sense and a strong desire to accomplish something of lasting value — three elements commonly lacking in today’s political arena.  

Unfortunately for progress, the busy Flathead County public is essentially unaware and or uninterested in a  sliver of road. The common misperception amongst some is that the recent project included the entire North Fork Road. Sadly, business and other public officials lack a vision of the positive impact resulting from an improved scenic road connecting Columbia Falls with a Glacier National Park entrance.

Litigation may be the only option remaining.

Robert Grimaldi

Polebridge