Final thoughts on Kapoor

This letter is the last one before the Columbia Falls City Council votes April 17th on Rishi Kapoor’s 450 person subdivision on corner of River Road and Highway 2 at the bridge.

Our city-county planning board unanimously denied the project. The developers did not adequately address the issues it was denied on which are reflected in the staff report. I won’t take the time to address each one but suffice it to say they did not “fix” any of them.

The fact still remains this project completely shuts off the wildlife corridor that has been in place since the beginning of time. The biologist that explained what happens when you build on top of wetlands was the best scientific presentation ever— basically the wetlands is a sponge that absorbs the water that is prevalent there, that whole project will eventually be flooded.

The traffic issues are simply dangerous and in fact life threatening. Drilling under the river should have never been considered in the first place, their justification for doing it is unacceptable. On behalf of the city staff, I don’t think they realized when they designated east of the river for development that they realized the major of issues it would present. I can only hope and pray the council heard the community that presented their concerns at the public hearing, it was some of the best detailed citizen input any city council could have heard from outfitter river guides, affordable housing specialists, hydrologists, biologists, ecologists, lifetime residents and a host of other very qualified experts. Because we citizens disagree with this proposal does not mean we do not respect the Columbia Falls City Council, it’s as if we are trying to protect the soul of our community and it’s a battle worth fighting.

One last thing that just won’t go away. It was brought to our attention that councilor Darin Fisher not only hosted a video in his business sponsored by this developer which was his right to do but the fact this developer was a sponsor causes one to pause. Then it was discovered that a board Darin sits on received a large donation from this developer. Here are Darin’s words copied from the minutes:

On another note, Councilor Fisher said he is a Board member of the Gateway to Glacier Trail Group; this is an unpaid volunteer position. It was recently brought to his attention that the applicant, Location Venture has made a contribution to the 501(c)(3) organization. Fisher does not believe participating in a non-profit organization that accepts donations and fund raises disqualifies him in this discussion. -22-Item No. 3 Columbia Falls City Council Regular Meeting Minutes held on March 20, 2023, page 7.

Then this from state law: 2-2-104. Rules of conduct for public officers, legislators, and public employees. (1) Proof of commission of any act enumerated in this section is proof that the actor has breached the actor’s public duty. A public officer, legislator, or public employee may not:

(b) accept a gift of substantial value or a substantial economic benefit tantamount to a gift:

(i) that would tend improperly to influence a reasonable person in the person’s position to depart from the faithful and impartial discharge of the person’s public duties; or

(ii) that the person knows or that a reasonable person in that position should know under the circumstances is primarily for the purpose of rewarding the person for official action taken.

That said, the Mayor, majority of council (not all) and the city attorney did not see a conflict here, we the citizens of Columbia Falls have to leave it up to you to do the right thing. Glaring question is how could you “not” vote for this developer after he so generously financed things you are directly involved in.

At the end of the day (April 17th) we citizens have to abide by our city council’s decision but it simply is the wrong project at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Gary Hall

Columbia Falls