North Fork debate is tiresome

Regular readers are aware that I often ask, “What do you think?” at the end of many columns. Of course, I do this to find out from readers what their opinions are and maybe get information for a future column. The results are somewhat mixed. Most comments are verbal with readers saying they either liked or disliked my opinion. Once in a while I get a real letter or long email from someone who really thinks about the issues. In recent weeks I have received two of these.

The first was from longtime Polebridge resident, Bob Grimaldi, whose thoughts stemmed from the column about Senator Brown’s meeting with city and county officials about planning for the effects of construction of the South Fork Bridge. His letter was originally to local papers but he sent me a copy to me with the comment “Asking me what I think can be dangerous.” Bob is a longtime advocate of paving the North Fork Road and a founder of the North Fork Coalition for Health and Safety. I am convinced that his activism was instrumental in creating the “dust deputy” and Flathead County and RAC doing so much work in recent years. Following are excerpts from his letter.

“Talk about déjà vu all over again—almost back to infinity.

“Columbia Falls City Council—I briefed them in the mid-’90s on the economic advantages of a paved road … with little interest. I’m afraid signs are too little too late. Empty store fronts and dowdy appearance of most buildings will not attract customers.

“Flathead County Commissioners, ineptitude, indecision and politics have been their benchmark. They want it both ways. The result: Nothing meaningful happens.

“Forest Service—The big silent green monster lurking all around the North Fork Road. Mostly tied to their computers, except sending underlings running vehicles up and down the road—often traveling at unsafe speeds roiling dust and spinning rocks into someone’s windshield. The Forest Service has stayed relatively silent on the road paving issue. It has not actively prompted paving which is the right thing to do. Tough to get done, politically speaking, when you are in bed with environment brethren.

“Glacier National Park—The powerful meddler that has almost single-handedly kept the road from being improved in any fashion. It let the inner North Fork Road decay. It discouraged paving the North Fork Road.

“Senator Dee Brown—My best laugh came from Senator Brown’s comment—‘This isn’t a hearing. This is fact-finding. Let’s set our sights on the distance and talk about what opportunities are available.’ What facts could possibly emerge that haven’t been gone over and over and …? Brown has been on the political scene for a long time but has never actively worked on the issue.”

“Teeth gnashing came when reading: Still, local officials leading the meeting focused more on THE NEED FOR MORE INFORMATION. Dear Lord, There is tomes of information gathering North Fork Road dust in your file cabinets and on your hard drive. Please lead these mortals to the location. Amen.”

Whether you agree or disagree with paving you have to admit Bob has a point. How long are we going to debate this issue? Or is inaction and bickering what the majority wants? What do you think?